Western blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua occipitalis)

Short answers

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

120×60×50 cm for one animal (minimum), better 150×60 cm; a ground-dweller.

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

Daytime 24–30 °C ambient (warm side ~30–32 °C), basking spot 35–40 °C (hot basking point, desert species), at night 18–22 °C (a drop to 15–20 °C is unproblematic).

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

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, possibly 3–4; UV index 3–5; a 10–12 % T5 over about two thirds of the length).

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

Life expectancy: 20–30 years in captivity.

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

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C ambient (warm side ~30–32 °C)

Night temperature

18–22 °C (a drop to 15–20 °C is unproblematic)

Basking spot

35–40 °C (hot basking point, desert species)

Humidity

20–40 % (low! the driest of the Tiliqua species)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, possibly 3–4; UV index 3–5; a 10–12 % T5 over about two thirds of the length)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×50 cm for one animal (minimum), better 150×60 cm; a ground-dweller

Substrate

A dry sandy soil and sand mix they can dig in; rock structures and hard décor for basking; well ventilated, no waterlogging

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous (~60 % plant / 40 % animal): insects, snails, worms; flowers, herbs, greens, little sweet fruit; occasionally a pinkie

Feeding interval

adults 1–2×/week; juveniles every 1–2 days

Key facts

Adult size

45–60 cm total length; stocky, with a short tail

Life expectancy

20–30 years in captivity

Origin

Southern and western Australia (WA, SA, NSW, Vic, southern NT); arid and semi-arid zones – sand deserts, stony hills, dry scrub

Protection status

CITES Anhang III (Australien, seit 22.06.2022) → EU-Anhang C. AU-Export verboten → EU-Tiere = Nachzuchten; Herkunfts-/Nachzuchtnachweis empfohlen (Import). Anhang C i.d.R. Keine BNatSchG-Meldepflicht; im Zweifel WISIA/Behörde prüfen

Brumation

YES: a winter rest of ~2–3 months, lowering the temperature (18–22 °C by day, 15–18 °C at night) with a photoperiod of ~8 h; important for breeding and matching the natural cycle

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Territorial; a pair only temporarily and under supervision for breeding. NEVER keep males together

Notes

The most critical mistake = humidity that is too high or permanent plus waterlogging → respiratory and skin problems; it needs dry, hot and ventilated conditions with a hot basking spot and a cooler retreat. Live-bearing. Rarer in captivity than T. scincoides. Obesity when overfed. Some detailed figures are extrapolated from genus-level care sheets (the core point, "very dry", is documented for the species).

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Western blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua occipitalis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Centralian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua multifasciata) – Intermediate
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Western blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua occipitalis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×50 cm for one animal (minimum), better 150×60 cm; a ground-dweller), substrate (A dry sandy soil and sand mix they can dig in; rock structures and hard décor for basking; well ventilated, no waterlogging), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.