Centralian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua multifasciata)

Short answers

Centralian blue-tongued skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

180 × 120 × 90 cm for an adult animal.

Centralian blue-tongued skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime cool side 21–26 °C, warm side 28–32 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 18–24 °C.

Centralian blue-tongued skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Yes, UV index 3–4 at the basking spot (e.g. a 12% T5 fluorescent tube), replace the lamp annually.

Centralian blue-tongued skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years, individual animals considerably older.

Centralian blue-tongued skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

cool side 21–26 °C, warm side 28–32 °C

Night temperature

18–24 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

30–50 % (arid; offer a humid hide)

UVB

Yes, UV index 3–4 at the basking spot (e.g. a 12% T5 fluorescent tube), replace the lamp annually

Enclosure

Minimum size

180 × 120 × 90 cm for an adult animal

Substrate

A sand-loam mix, a humid hide box

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous – insects, snails, vegetables and fruit, flowers

Feeding interval

Adults 1–2×/week, juveniles 3×/week, babies daily.

Key facts

Adult size

40–50 cm

Life expectancy

20–30 years, individual animals considerably older

Origin

Arid and semi-arid areas of central and western Australia: spinifex sand plains, stony hills, red sandy soils (WA, NT, SA, western QLD, the far northwest of NSW)

Protection status

—

Brumation

A slight winter rest of ~6–8 weeks is recommended

Cohabitation

Single housing; territorial. The reason is territory: two animals will not voluntarily share a basking spot or a hiding place. They fight until one is seriously injured or permanently confined to a corner — and that second animal then eats worse, without showing any visible wound.

Notes

A desert species – low ambient humidity, but a damp hide is needed; do NOT keep it humid like tropical T. gigas. A high UVB and warmth requirement.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Centralian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua multifasciata) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Common blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides) – Beginner
• Halmahera blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas gigas) – Intermediate
• Indonesian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas) – Beginner to intermediate
• Irian Jaya blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua sp. „Irian Jaya") – Intermediate
• Kei Island blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas keyensis) – Intermediate
• Shingleback skink (Tiliqua rugosa) – Intermediate
• Merauke blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas evanescens) – Intermediate
• Northern blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Centralian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua multifasciata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (180 × 120 × 90 cm for an adult animal), substrate (A sand-loam mix, a humid hide box), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.