BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Ok, so I recently was given a beautiful Indonesian (Fenix) and have seen become fascinated, and nearly obsessed with, these amazing lizards...so, I quickly noticed that his 20 long terrarium was too small for him and purchased a 60 long (48" by 18"). I still have the same lighting as for the 20 Long though...therefore I have a basking lamp and an 18" 10.0 UVB bulb. I keep both on one side figuring that it would be best for him to get some UV while he is basking...

Is that an ignorant or incorrect way of looking at it? Is it OK to have one side of the cage be darker? My house doesn't let much light in (I try not to as well, sine I live in the desert), so that side is pretty dark. I figure it is ok since it would simulate a "dark escape" that I figure a skink might welcome on occasion, however I found that he doesn't go there much other than to drink (that's where the water bowl is).

My main question is...should I go for a 48" UVB light on top (I would like to avoid this if possible), two 18" bulbs (another costly choice, but maybe more viable), or is it ok to simply add a small flourescent bulb to that side (for low heat emission on the "cool" side) or just leave that side dark(er)?

Right now Fenix is spending most of his time buried, but I thought I would ask now anyway as I just keep thinking about it...

Personally, I would either add just a regular bulb there, or leave it dark. He may not go there simply because he prefers the warm side. Having the UV with the basking light is a good plan.

I would leave it dark. This is better and more naturall than full light.

Great! Thanks Fatal_S and Nomad! I was hoping for answers like that...it also seems more "Skinky" for me that way, especially when I think about Indonesia...maybe not for Shingles or Centralians, but I would guess the more "tropical" species tend to see a bit more shade in their environments...though, I haven't been there...yet!

I use the batten type UV fixing, 3ft long, that covers almost the whole of my tanks and then the fake plants and logs in the tank create the 'shaded' bits. Just another option to consider!

I reckon it's too dark without some kind of light other than the basking light in my tanks (4x2 ft)

I like the idea of having the UVB run the entire length of the tank so that the chances of my critter getting a dose each day are improved. Just my opinion.

Tattoo wrote:I like the idea of having the UVB run the entire length of the tank so that the chances of my critter getting a dose each day are improved. Just my opinion.

That is a good opinion and one I pretty much share...just wanted to see if I could save a buck or two AND be playing by the BTS "rules"...skinks tend to like to burrow and hide, so I was thinking that a "shady side" might be good...however, it does make sense to have UVB "all around". Ugh...guess that adds another item to the shopping list this season...

Tattoo wrote:I like the idea of having the UVB run the entire length of the tank so that the chances of my critter getting a dose each day are improved. Just my opinion.

I feel that constant UV might be too much of a good thing. In the wild, these skinks are not exposed constantly, but are under the shade and/or debris. They need some outlet to escape UV rays other than burrowing.

Aren't the wild skinks only exposed maybe a few hours a day when they come out of hiding to warm up and look for a bite to eat? I don't think you can have too much UV if the skink has a place to hide, but I also don't see any problem in only having the UV in one place, providing you know the skink does access it regularly.

However, as Jas has said that Fenix doesn't seem to use the dark side much, I'd probably add some form of light there, just to see if he's use it more. Otherwise, I'd just assume he's happier on the warm side, and if that's where the UV is, then all the better.