Description

Size and Lifespan

Pink tongue skinks grow up to 18 inches long.

Males and females are the same sizes, though males have bigger heads. Females have more rounded abdomens and males have more pronounced cross-bands.

The average lifespan of a pink tongue skink is 15 years. When housed in a sanitary, stress-free environment, the lizard can live up to 20 years.

Temperature and Humidity

The pink-tongued skink is cold-blooded and regulates its temperature by moving between hot and cool environments. Set up a temperature gradient in the enclosure, with a warm section and a cool section, to keep the lizard comfortable.

One-third of the tank should be the basking area, with a constant temperature of 80°F. This temperature can be maintained with a heat lamp and a heating pad. The other two-thirds of the tank should be 75°F during the day, and 70°F overnight, to reflect the nighttime temperature drop in the wild.

Pink tongue skinks need high humidity levels of 80% to 90%. To maintain consistent humidity levels, mist the tank several times a day and leave a full bowl of water in the tank at all times. High humidity levels assist the lizards with shedding, so don’t allow humidity to drop below 70%.