Are you curious about the differences between male and female blue tongue skinks? Do you want to know how to tell the gender of your pet lizard? If so, you have come to the right place.
In this guide, we will share with you everything you need to know about male vs female blue tongue skink, including how to sex them, their temperament, their care and maintenance, their diet and nutrition, their lifespan and lifespan comparison, and their behavior and personality.
By the end of this, you will be able to identify the gender of your blue tongue skink and understand their unique characteristics and needs.
Table of Contents
How to Tell If a Blue Tongue Skink Is Male or Female?
This is not an easy task, as blue tongue skinks are not sexually dimorphic, meaning that they do not have obvious physical differences based on their gender.
However, there are some subtle clues that can help you determine the sex of your blue tongue skink, especially when they are adults.
Some of the visual clues that can help you tell if a blue tongue skink is male or female are:
- Body length: Male blue tongue skinks tend to be slightly longer than females, reaching up to 24 inches in length, while females usually grow up to 20 inches.
- Head shape: Male blue tongue skinks tend to have larger and wider heads than females, with more prominent jawlines and cheekbones. Females have smaller and narrower heads, with more rounded features.
- Weight: Male blue tongue skinks tend to be heavier than females, weighing up to 1.5 pounds, while females usually weigh up to 1 pound.
- Body shape: Male blue tongue skinks tend to have more muscular and robust bodies than females, with thicker necks and shoulders. Females have more slender and graceful bodies, with thinner necks and shoulders.
- Tail: Male blue tongue skinks tend to have longer and thicker tails than females, with more visible scales and bumps. Females have shorter and thinner tails, with smoother scales and less bumps.
- Reproductive organs: Male blue tongue skinks have two hemipenes (penis-like organs) that are located inside their cloaca (vent) and are usually hidden from view. Females have a single cloaca that is located at the base of their tail and is usually visible from the outside.
To look for these clues, you will need to gently hold your blue tongue skink and examine its body carefully. You can also compare it with other blue tongue skinks of the same species and see if you can spot any differences.
However, keep in mind that these clues are not 100% accurate and may vary depending on the species and the individual. The best way to confirm the gender of your blue tongue skink is to observe the hemipenes when they are pooping or searching for seminal plugs or fresh semen around the tank.
How do you tell if a baby blue tongue lizard is a boy or a girl?
Male vs Female Blue Tongue Skink Temperament
Each blue tongue skink has its own unique character and behavior, regardless of its sex. However, there are some general differences that can be observed between male and female blue tongue skinks in terms of behavior, such as:
- Exploration: Male blue-tongue skinks tend to be more curious and adventurous than females, often roaming around their enclosure and looking for new things to explore. Females tend to be more cautious and shy, preferring to stay in their hiding spots and avoid unfamiliar stimuli.
- Activity level: Male blue tongue skinks tend to be more active and energetic than females, often moving around and playing with their toys and cage mates. Females tend to be more passive and lazy, often resting and sleeping for long periods.
- Aggression: Male blue tongue skinks tend to be more aggressive and territorial than females, often fighting with other males and defending their territory and resources. Females tend to be more docile and submissive, often avoiding conflicts and sharing their space and food with others.
- Mating behavior: Male blue tongue skinks tend to be more sexually active and driven than females, often courting and mating with multiple females during the breeding season. Females tend to be more selective and choosy, often rejecting or accepting males based on their size, color, and behavior.
- Parental care: Male blue tongue skinks tend to be more indifferent and neglectful than females, often leaving the females and the offspring after mating and providing no parental care. Females tend to be more caring and protective, often staying with the offspring until they are independent and providing them with food and shelter.
As you can see, there are some general differences between male and female blue tongue skinks in terms of behavior, but they are not absolute and may vary depending on the species and the individual.
Moreover, temperament can be influenced by many factors, such as diet, health, stress level, socialization, etc. Therefore, it is important to observe your blue tongue skink carefully and get to know its personality and preferences, regardless of its gender.
Blue Tongue Skink Care and Maintenance
Blue tongue skinks are relatively easy to care for, as they are hardy and adaptable reptiles that can thrive in a variety of conditions. However, they still have some specific requirements that you need to meet, such as:
- Temperature range: Blue tongue skinks need a temperature gradient in their enclosure, ranging from 75°F to 95°F, with a basking spot of 100°F to 110°F.
- Humidity level: Blue tongue skinks need a humidity level of 40% to 60% in their enclosure, depending on the species and the season.
- Lighting type and intensity: Blue tongue skinks need a full spectrum of lighting in their enclosure, including UVB and UVA rays, to mimic the natural sunlight and to help them synthesize vitamin D3 and calcium.
- Substrate type and quality: Blue tongue skinks need a substrate that is safe, comfortable, and easy to clean in their enclosure, to provide them with a natural and stimulating environment.
Blue Tongue Skink Diet and Nutrition
Another important aspect of caring for your blue tongue skink, whether male or female, is providing them with a balanced and varied diet and nutrition.
Blue tongue skinks are omnivorous, meaning that they eat both plant and animal matter, and they have a high metabolism, meaning that they need a lot of food and energy to grow and thrive.
However, they also have a tendency to overeat and become obese, meaning that you need to monitor their food intake and weight regularly.
Some of the general dietary guidelines for blue tongue skinks are:
- Protein: Blue tongue skinks need about 50% of their diet to consist of protein, which they can get from various sources, such as insects, rodents, eggs, fish, poultry, etc. You can feed your blue tongue skink live or frozen-thawed prey, depending on their preference and availability.
- Vegetables: Blue tongue skinks need about 40% of their diet to consist of vegetables, which they can get from various sources, such as leafy greens, squash, carrots, beans, peas, etc. You can feed your blue tongue skink fresh or cooked vegetables, depending on their preference and availability.
- Fruits: Blue tongue skinks need about 10% of their diet to consist of fruits, which they can get from various sources, such as berries, apples, bananas, grapes, etc. You can feed your blue tongue skink fresh or dried fruits, depending on their preference and availability.
You can also mix and match different foods to create a diverse and nutritious diet for your blue tongue skink. However, you need to avoid foods that are toxic, unhealthy, or inappropriate for your blue tongue skink, such as chocolate, onion, garlic, avocado, dairy, bread, nuts, and seeds, as they may cause digestive problems, allergic reactions, or nutritional deficiencies.
You also need to provide your blue tongue skink with a constant source of clean and fresh water, which you can offer in a shallow and sturdy bowl or a drip system.
Blue Tongue Skink Lifespan and Lifespan Comparison
Another aspect that you may be interested in knowing about your blue tongue skink, whether male or female, is their lifespan and lifespan comparison. Blue tongue skinks are long-lived reptiles that can live for many years, depending on their species, environment, diet, health care quality, etc.
However, they also face many threats and challenges that can shorten their lifespan, such as predators, diseases, injuries, stress, etc. Some of the average lifespans for different species of blue tongue skinks are:
- Northern blue tongue skink: This is the most common and popular species of blue tongue skink, native to Australia. They can live up to 20 years in captivity, and up to 15 years in the wild.
- Eastern blue tongue skink: This is another common and popular species of blue tongue skink, also native to Australia. They can live up to 18 years in captivity, and up to 12 years in the wild.
- Centralian blue tongue skink: This is a rare and endangered species of blue tongue skink, endemic to central Australia. They can live up to 15 years in captivity, and up to 10 years in the wild.
- Western blue tongue skink: This is a less common and less popular species of blue tongue skink, native to western Australia. They can live up to 12 years in captivity, and up to 8 years in the wild.
- Indonesian blue tongue skink: This is a diverse and variable group of blue tongue skinks, native to Indonesia and New Guinea. They can live up to 10 years in captivity, and up to 6 years in the wild.
Blue Tongue Skink Lifespan Comparison With Other Domestic Reptiles
As you can see, there are some differences in lifespan between different species of blue tongue skinks, but they are generally long-lived reptiles that can live for more than a decade. However, this also means that they are a long-term commitment and responsibility, and you need to be prepared to care for them for their entire life.
To compare the lifespan of a blue tongue skink with other reptiles, such as snakes, you can use the following table:
| Reptile | Average Lifespan in Captivity | Average Lifespan in the Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Blue tongue skink | 10 to 20 years | 6 to 15 years |
| Crocodile skink | 5 to 12 years | 4 to 5 years |
| Crested gecko | 15 to 20 years | 5 to 15 years |
| Bearded dragon | 8 to 12 years | 5 to 8 years |
| Leopard gecko | 10 to 20 years | 8 to 10 years |
As you can see, blue tongue skinks have a similar or longer lifespan than most other reptiles, especially snakes, which are often considered to be long-lived pets. However, this also depends on many factors, such as genetics, environment, diet, health care quality, etc. Therefore, it is important to provide your blue tongue skink with the best possible care and conditions to ensure their longevity and well-being.
Blue Tongue Skink Behavior and Personality
They can display a range of behaviors and emotions, depending on their individual personality and mood. However, they are not determined by their gender, but by their individuality and background.
Some of the common behaviors that may show up in different species of blue tongue skinks are:
- Hissing: Blue tongue skinks may hiss when they are scared, angry, or threatened, as a way of warning or intimidating their predators or rivals. They may also hiss when they are excited, curious, or playful, as a way of expressing their interest or enthusiasm.
- Biting: Blue tongue skinks may bite when they are hungry, defensive, or territorial, as a way of hunting, protecting, or claiming their food or space.
- Chewing: Blue tongue skinks may chew when they are teething, exploring, or grooming, as a way of growing, learning, or cleaning their teeth or skin. They may also chew when they are sick, injured, or infected, as a way of healing, relieving, or removing their pain or problem.
- Sleeping: Blue tongue skinks may sleep when they are tired, relaxed, or comfortable, as a way of resting, recovering, or enjoying their environment.
- Playing: Blue tongue skinks may play when they are young, social, or stimulated, as a way of growing, bonding or enriching their mind or body.
As you can see, blue tongue skinks have a lot of behavior and personality that can vary depending on their species and individuality. However, this also means that they are a lot of fun and challenging to interact with and understand. Therefore, it is important to observe your blue tongue skink carefully and get to know its behavior and personality, regardless of its gender.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have learned a lot about male vs female blue tongue skink, including how to tell their gender, their temperament, their care and maintenance, their diet and nutrition, their lifespan and lifespan comparison, and their behavior and personality.
We have also learned that gender is not a major factor in determining their characteristics and needs, but rather their individuality and background. Therefore, we hope that you have enjoyed this article and that you have gained some valuable insights and tips on how to care for and interact with your blue tongue skink, whether male or female.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you and help you with your blue tongue skink journey. Thank you for reading and happy skinking!
Additional Resource
FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about male vs female blue tongue skinks.
How to tell if a blue tongue skink is male or female?
You can look for some visual clues, such as body length, head shape, weight, body shape, tail, and reproductive organs. However, the most reliable way is to observe the hemipenes (penis-like organs) when pooping or searching for seminal plugs or fresh semen around the tank.
Are there any differences in temperament between male and female blue tongue skinks?
No, temperament is not determined by gender, but by individual personality and background. Each blue tongue skink has its own unique character and behavior, regardless of its sex.
How do we identify blue tongue skink species?
You can identify blue tongue skink species by looking at their color, pattern, size, and origin. Some of the most common species are northern, eastern, centralian, western, and Indonesian blue tongue skinks.
How long do blue tongue skinks live?
Blue tongue skinks can live for 10 to 20 years in captivity, and 6 to 15 years in the wild, depending on their species, environment, diet, health care quality, etc.
Can you have 2 blue tongue lizards?
Yes, you can have 2 blue tongue lizards. However, it is important to note that blue tongue skinks are territorial animals and may become aggressive if they are housed together. It is best to only house two blue tongue skinks together if they are the same sex and have been raised together from a young age.