Pumpkin: An Unexpected Scaly Puppy Like Companion
Meet Pumpkin, our unexpected but lovable Blue-Tongue Skink, who has quickly become the scaly puppy of our family! From learning about different skink species to setting up the perfect bioactive enclosure, our journey into the world of Blue-Tongues has been full of surprises. Join us as we share fun facts, care tips, and the adventures of our orange-hued Halloween arrival!
An Unexpected Lizard Species Spawns Curiosity
Another reptile show, another visit to 401 Reptiles - but this time, instead of leaving with a new addition, we left with an itch of curiosity – although we almost turned back again after discussing over lunch! Thanks to Rey, who was running the shop that day, we were introduced to two fascinating creatures: the Fire Skink and the Blue-Tongue Skink. Each had its own allure. The Fire Skink was small, quick, and fiery (both in color and temperament), while the Blue-Tongue Skink had a more hefty, relaxed demeanor and felt akin to holding a dry, scaly fish when handling!
Dad was drawn to the speedy Fire Skinks, but their quick and agile nature made them a bit tricky to handle. Momma, on the other hand, was charmed by the idea of a more robust, manageable reptile - something Kiley could bond with like a tiny, legged puppy. Who knew that in just a few short months a real puppy would arrive! The Blue-Tongue Skink seemed to fit that bill perfectly. And let’s face it that Blue-Tongue is a fascinating characteristic!
A Blue-Tongue Defense Mechanism
When threatened, a Blue-Tongue Skink will open its mouth wide and flash its bright blue tongue. This sudden display of color startles predators, making the Skink appear more dangerous than it actually is. The contrast of the blue-tongue against the pink interior of the mouth enhances the effect. Some researchers believe the color mimics toxic or unpalatable creatures, further discouraging predators.
The Great Pumpkin
A few months later, we found ourselves obsessively researching Blue-Tongue Skinks and eventually caving to the idea of adding one to our family. After scouring Morph Market, we reached out to Enchanted Blueys, a breeder we had been watching closely. Fortune was on our side! They had baby Skinks available and could ship one overnight to us.
Enter Pumpkin.
For those who follow reptile genetics, Pumpkin is a Turner White Sunrise Classic. She got her name from her orange hues and the fact that she arrived just in time for Halloween. And we know Kiley loves naming her animals after food! At such a young age, it’s nearly impossible to determine the sex of a Blue-Tongue Skink, but based on her slender body and head shape, we are tentatively calling Pumpkin a she - a theory the breeder agreed with after reviewing some photos.
The Northern Blue-Tongue Skink: Origins, Habitat, and Diet
Pumpkin belongs to the Northern Blue-Tongue Skink (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) species, which hails from the warm, dry regions of northern Australia. These Skinks thrive in a variety of habitats, from open woodlands to grasslands, and even suburban areas. In the wild, they seek shelter in burrows, under logs, and within leaf litter to escape the harsh sun and predators. The average size of a Northern Blue-Tongue Skink is between 15”-24” long.
Their diet is as diverse as their habitat. They are omnivores, feasting on insects, snails, flowers, fruits, and even small vertebrates. They are even known to feast on carrion – almost vulture like! In captivity, a well-balanced diet includes a mix of vegetables, proteins, and surprisingly enough – high quality grain-free dog food, which provides a great nutritional balance for these scaly companions.
Other Skink Varieties and Their Origins
While the Northern Blue-Tongue Skink is one of the most well-known, there are several other locales of Blue-Tongue Skinks, each with their own unique traits:
Eastern Blue-Tongue Skink (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides) – Found in eastern Australia, these Skinks are very similar to the Northern variety but often have more distinct banding along their bodies.
Indonesian Blue-Tongue Skink (Tiliqua gigas) – Native to Indonesia, these Skinks tend to have a more tropical habitat and require higher humidity levels than their Australian relatives. They are known for their darker coloration and slightly more slender build.
Irian Jaya Blue-Tongue Skink (Tiliqua sp.) – A species found in the regions between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, these Skinks have a mix of features from both Northern and Indonesian Blue-Tongues.
Shingleback Skink (Tiliqua rugosa) – Also known as the Stumpy-Tail or Bobtail Skink, this unique species hails from arid parts of Australia and has a short, rounded tail resembling its head, which helps confuse predators.
Beyond Blue-Tongue Skinks, there are other fascinating Skinks, such as:
Monkey-Tail Skink (Solomon Island Skink) (Corucia zebrata) – Native to the Solomon Islands, this large, slow-moving Skink is completely arboreal (tree-dwelling) and primarily herbivorous. They are unique in the reptile world for their strong social bonds and are often found living in family groups. Unlike most Skinks, they have prehensile tails, which help them grip branches as they navigate the treetops.
Fire Skink (Mochlus fernandi) – These vibrant, red-scaled Skinks hail from West and Central Africa. They prefer humid forest environments and are known for their secretive nature. Unlike the Blue-Tongue, Fire Skinks are lightning-fast and often shy, making them more of a display pet than a handleable companion.
Schneider’s Skink (Eumeces schneideri) – Originating from North Africa and parts of the Middle East, this species enjoys arid environments. They have a more elongated body shape and are known for their active, inquisitive nature.
From the stout and sturdy Shingleback to the tree-dwelling Monkey-Tail Skink, there’s an incredible variety of Skinks across the world, each with their own adaptations and quirks. Truth be told – if we could only convert the garage into another reptile room – dad would most likely raise a Skink Army!
Pumpkin’s New Home and Life with Us
When Pumpkin first arrived, she was quite shy, spending most of her time burrowed under the coconut husk and chip substrate in a 40-gallon front-opening terrarium (previously home to Pikachu and Eevee). Her enclosure featured a basking platform, a couple of hides, and a fake plant for enrichment.
It didn’t take long for Pumpkin to outgrow her starter home. By Christmas, she had moved into a spacious 4x2x2 bioactive enclosure, thanks to a well-timed Black Friday sale at The Bio Dude! With live plants, a naturalistic substrate, and fresh misted water to lap up, Pumpkin quickly settled into her new, thriving environment. She spends more time outside basking then hiding these days and comes out seeking attention. With time and regular tong-feeding sessions, her shy nature melted away. She even began spending time lounging with Dad on the couch, watching TV like a scaly little lap dog. Who knew a reptile could have such a puppy-like personality?
A Reptile We Never Expected
Pumpkin was not a reptile we initially had high on our list, but she has become a beloved member of our family. Blue-Tongue Skinks are truly unique - docile, intelligent, and full of personality. And let’s not forget the best part: she eats dog food as her main staple diet. Talk about a reptile with a twist!
A unique characteristic they have is when they are fed a bug – they shake it semi-violently back and forth in their mouth like a dog or a Great White Shark! It’s quite comical! Another unique characteristic about Blue-Tongue Skinks is their short stubby little legs and feet. Climbing is not in their repertoire! In fact we had to swap out her food dish for something without edges and that is more of a flat surface.
So, if you’re looking for a reptilian companion that’s as close to a mini scaly dog as possible, a Blue-Tongue Skink just might be the perfect fit.
How we care for Pumpkin:
Diet: Pumpkin eats a high-quality grain free serving of dog food every three days. She also enjoys being tong fed Dubia Roaches and Superworms on off days. We add the occasional mixed vegetables and will soon be offering her some fresh hard-boiled eggs. She has a water bowl – but as we mist once per day, she rather enjoys slurping up the water collected on plant leaves with her infamous Blue Tongue!
Heating and Lighting: We have a 75W basking bulb just centered over her hot side basking platform. Underneath her platform is her favorite hide as well. There is also a 75W DHP (Deep Heat Projector) on a dimming thermostat to handle nighttime temperatures. We provide an Arcadia 14% T5 UVB light and The Bio Dude’s Solar Grow LED light for ambient and plant growth. Hot side temperatures average between 85-90 degrees and cool side between 75-85 degrees with a basking spot of about 100-105 degrees.
Habitat: Pumpkin enjoys a fully Bioactive 4x2x2 PVC enclosure these days. We feel this is effectively the minimum size for a Blue-Tongue Skink. Thanks to a kit from The Bio Dude, she has plenty of cork bark, slate, wood and plants to roam around in. She has a warm and cool side hide – but prefers the warm side. We also added a clean-up crew consisting of various Isopods and Springtails – that we have begun breeding ourselves.
Great Resources:
Bioactive Supplies – The Bio Dude or NEHERP.
Care Guides - ReptiFiles and Living Art by Frank Payne.
