Blue tongue skinks require quite high basking temperatures, as well as a UVB source in their tank. But why is my blue tongue skink not basking anymore? In this post, we will cover all the possible reasons why a blue tongue skink is not basking and what you can do about it.
Main reasons why a blue tongue skink is not basking include low temperatures, lack of temperature gradient, lack/wrong positioning of UVB. Other reasons for not basking might be brumation, going though acclimation and use of colored bulbs.
Reason 1: Basking and/or ambient temperatures are too low
Your blue tongue skink might not bask if temperatures in the basking spot and/or ambient temperatures are too low.
Blue tongue skinks require high temperatures for basking – they should reach 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit (35-40.5 Celsius)! Ambient temperatures should reach 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit (29.5-35 Celsius). Cool side might reach only 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1-26.6 Celsius).
If temperatures in the tank are lower than that, your blue tongue skink will become sluggish and uninterested in basking. To get more accurate temperature readings, make sure to have digital thermometers with the probe in the tank like this.
Place 1 thermometer on the hot side, 1 in the middle, and 1 on the cool side. Analog thermometers tend to be very inaccurate, sometimes off by up to 10 degrees.
What is more, getting accurate temperatures in the basking spot is essential. Just placing the thermometer in the hot area will not give you accurate readings. The best way to get basking temperatures (on the rock or platform), is to use a handheld infrared thermometer like this, that will tell you readings in any spot that you point at.
Once you review the temperatures, you might need to increase them. The best way to achieve this is to position the heat bulb closer to the basking spot, or to choose a higher wattage bulb to reach higher temperatures.
Reason 2: There is no temperature gradient
Thermoregulation is crucial for your blue tongue skink. This means that when it gets too hot, it will move to the cooler area of the tank. However, if the tank is too hot throughout, your blue tongue skink won’t be able to move anywhere and will definitely avoid the basking spot too.
Please refer to ideal temperatures mentioned in point 1, are they optimal? Other signs that your blue tongue skink is too hot are glass dancing, trying to burrow to cool down, feeling sluggish and breathing heavily. Your skink might also soak for longer if it’s hot. Use thermometers and a handheld thermometer to see if temperatures are ideal.
If temperatures are too high, this might be because the tank is too small. An adult blue tongue skink requires a 50+ gallon tank, that must be at least 36 inches (91cm), but ideally minimum 46 inches (117cm) long.
40-50 gallons is the bare minimum, not only small tank won’t stimulate your blue tongue, but will make hard to create hot and cool spots. Please upgrade to a bigger tank if possible. High wattage bulbs or lack of ventilation holes might also cause high temperatures in the tank.
You can read a full heating and lighting guide on blue tongue skinks here.
Reason 3: UVB light is too close or faulty
UVB lights tend to be very strong and if positioned too close to your skink, it might cause your skink to hide from it. While you should have the high output UVB tube running along the enclosure, do not put it too close.
If you are using the 10-12% UVB with a hood that has a reflector inside the tank, make sure there is at least 15-17 inches (38-43 cm) from your blue tongue. One without a reflector can go 12-14 inches (30.5-35.5cm) away from your skink. If you position UVB light on top of the screen, allow 9-10 inches (23-25.5cm).
Some UVB lights advertised might also be cheap and faulty, or not intended for reptiles at all. Make sure to choose reputable brand lights – the best are ReptiSun like this and Arcadia (in the UK). Make sure to replace tubes once in 10-12 months. Bulbs will last only 5-6 months. Tubes are definitely superior to bulbs, make sure to use them if possible.
Please do not use coiled UVB bulbs, as they don’t spread the light evenly and can cause eye damage. Remember, all lights (heat and UVB), must be positioned from above, and never diagonally or sideways. Otherwise, it will cause eye damage.
You can read a full heating and lighting guide on blue tongue skinks here.
Reason 4: Use of colored bulbs
Using colored bulbs, such as red or blue, is not the best idea. Blue tongue skinks can see colors and it might disturb them, especially at night. Also, colored bulbs won’t promote healthy interest to bask and eat. During the day, make sure to use a bright basking bulb (reptile bulbs such as this 75 watt basking spot lamp or halogen flood).
At night, if you need to increase temperatures slightly, use a low wattage 25 watt ceramic heat emitting bulb that produces no light. Most owners do not need supplemental night time heating, as ideal night time temperatures are 70-75 Fahrenheit (21-24 Celsius).
Reason 5: Your blue tongue skink is still new
If you have recently got your new blue tongue skink, then it will be shy and hide a lot. This is true because basking spots require your skink to come out fully and lay in the open space. Make sure to include hides for your blue tongue skink, as it’s very likely to hide a lot for first 1-2 weeks.
If you are struggling with taming, you can read this taming and bonding guide here.
Reason 6: Brumation
Brumation is the period of a winter slowdown, when your blue tongue skink will mostly sleep and not eat at all. Blue tongue skinks that start brumating will avoid basking, will hide, sleep more and refuse eating.
While most blue tongue skinks in captivity will not bask if you don’t change temperatures in the tank, it might happen. Blue tongue skinks can brumate for 1-3 months. Most breeders help their blue tongue skinks brumate because it improves breeding in the spring.
In Northern Hemisphere (USA, Canada, Europe) – brumation will be within November-February. In Southern Hemisphere (Australia, almost all countries of South America and southern countries in Africa) – brumation can be between June and August.
Reason 7: Sickness or stress
If your blue tongue skink is ill, it won’t be interested in basking and will spend most of its day being lethargic and listless. Has anything changed in the setup recently that could cause stress?
Factors such as introducing other cage mates (please avoid), change of the tank or location, other pets approaching the tank etc. might cause stress. Stress will make your blue tongue skink hide more and bask less.
However, if nothing has changed and your blue tongue skink seems to be lethargic, listless and not eating/pooping, you need to take it to the vet for an examination. When was the last time that parasite check was done?
Reason 8: Your blue tongue skink is warm and doesn’t need basking often
In general, most blue tongue skinks don’t lay on the rock or platform to bask for long periods of time. Most blue tongue skinks are fine with ideal ambient temperatures, and as long as they are warm – they are digesting food and pooping.
Is your blue tongue skink eating and pooping normally? If yes, in that case you might not need to worry, as basking for less than few minutes is a normal blue tongue skink behavior.
Reason 9: Shedding
If your blue tongue skink is preparing for shedding, it’s very likely to hide more and spend most of its time in the cool spot. Shedding signs are dull skin, and your blue tongue can also be more irritable and less sociable during this time.
Reason 10: Your blue tongue skink is shy
Many blue tongue skinks get shy to bask when you are around. Are you sure that your blue tongue skink doesn’t bask when you are away? Young blue tongue skinks also tend to hide more than adults. Another tip to help encourage your blue tongue skink to bask is to place a hide in the hot spot.
This is important for thermoregulation, and to make your blue tongue skink feels more secure. Sometimes your blue tongue skink might get hot enough in the hide at the hot spot, so basking ‘normally’ is not a necessity anymore.
Reason 11: The tank is too exposed
Adding to the previous points, your blue tongue skink might hide and not bask if the lights are too bright. If your heat bulb is too bight (UVB also adds to brightness), and there are not many hides, your blue tongue is likely to hide a lot.
Don’t choose ‘soft bright’ light bulbs, as they can hurt the eyes and don’t supply the required brightness. While other bright lights are ideal, make sure to add some artificial plants that will help create shades throughout the tank.
Make sure to also handle your blue tongue skink regularly, as it will make it more confident to come out. But also make sure to include at least 2 hides and other artificial foliage to create spots with shade.
Thanks for reading this post. If you wish to learn more about blue tongue skink lighting and heating, please see this post.