BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I thought we might keep this a sticky for now, as we get people asking for enclosure pictures every so often.
So post away people!

Feel free to tell us some facts, like: size and make/brand of tank(s), what species you keep in them, what kind of light and heat source(s) you use, what type of substrate, what you do for humidity, etc.
And not just tanks; we'd love to see your rack systems as well and hear how you run those!



These days I actually have another row on top with two more of the smaller tanks ...I guess my more recent pictures must be on my phone...
The tanks are made by Showcase Cages; the two big ones are 60"L x 24"W x 24"H, the smaller ones are 48"L x 24"W x 18"H.
I keep Meraukes.
Heat/light is a CHE on a dimmer and a UVB compact fluorescent in the top, back "well" of each tank, and fluorescent tubes at the top, front.
Substrate is anything from a bark/mulch/moss blend to an AstroTurf type carpet; I keep trying new things every so often.
Humidity is supplied from a MistKing mister with a nozzle into each tank.

I'll do an update sometime soon and show what they look like these days, when they aren't so bare...

Wow, Susann! Those are not enclosures. They are luxury condominiums. Just what I'd expect from the Merauke Mama! If there is an afterlife I want to return as one of your skinks! Awesome setup.

splashy07 wrote:If there is an afterlife I want to return as one of your skinks!

Well, his cage isn't exactly super snazzy, but I'm working on it bit by bit. I think I have finally settled on a name for him, he live in my art corner, so he is Leo! Aka, Leonardo DaSkinky! I will post more pictures when I get it dressed up better, any ideas are much appreciated!

Looking good Meeper!

I like to supply a hide on the cool side as well as a water bowl that the skink can fit into if he chooses. Other than that, it's looking great!

Here is my very basic setup: a front opening 40 breeder previously used to house Leopard Geckos. Hence the desert wallpaper.

Heres my 40 gal. Breeder for my Almost 1yr old Northern! He's gonna shed so he's currently not as bright and pretty as usual.

Mine aren't so fancy. These are CB-110 tubs, which are 39" x 20". Larger than a 40 gallon breeder enclosure. They are quite large (but appear small in photos).


My locking system.


Opened lids.


Lids taken off showing all the sphagnum moss.


Maxx hiding.


Vera also hiding - sorta.


This set up is similar to what Joe Ball does with his Australian stuff. Differences are I use moss, instead of hay (can't use hay for Tiliqua gigas), and I use orchid bark instead of butcher's paper. Humidity stays between 80-82%, constantly.

My current setup for my 6 month old Meruake. It's just a regular 55 gallon. I have an animal plastics T10 coming in may and I'm super excited.

Meeper wrote:Well, his cage isn't exactly super snazzy, but I'm working on it bit by bit. I think I have finally settled on a name for him, he live in my art corner, so he is Leo! Aka, Leonardo DaSkinky! I will post more pictures when I get it dressed up better, any ideas are much appreciated!

Hahaa, I had a fish called Leonardo da Fishie!

I love making the fake rocks and such - Once I move Zekes getting a whole new snazzy crib, so I'll definitely be contributing then!

yes it's missing a lid lol. that's getting done today going to add some more decor and substrate as well but I like this setup much more than his old 40g

Dakota, how do you keep the tubs warm enough?

Hey guys, so I finally was able to switch Noodles off of the Aspen and onto Jungle Mix with Reptibark on top. The Jungle Mix is supposed to be wetted to help add moisture which I did. Not to much though. I still see that the humidity is only 30%. Any suggestions? His basking spot is between 100-105. Then he has ambient temp around 80-85. The lowest spot by where I feed him is about 70's. I attached some pictures. Let me know what you all think. I appreciate it.

More pictures

Janella, I hope you don't mind, but I'd like this thread to be about showing pictures of our tanks; so that people don't have to scroll through a bunch of various discussions, I'd like to answer your humidity question in THIS thread instead, which also already has lots of suggestions on increasing humidity.

Yes Susann, I don't mind at all. I am very confused though because I am doing everything that was sugged and still ain't having very good luck. Thanks

These are my two 53 gallon ones housing one skink each. They love their logs and the mossy wall, which is a great asset to maintain humidity. Thinking of adding some plants too.

First off: I apologise that the picture below doesn't capture the entirety of my IJ's enclosure. I had to crop the picture a ridiculous amount so that I could upload it.

Anyway, it's a 40 gallon breeder with a deep dome lamp fixture containing a 100 watt mercury vapor bulb on top of the back side of the enclosure, which is used as a basking spot. There's also a heat mat on the side of the enclosure on the hot end as well, which I keep on 24/7. The substrate is sphagnum moss and there is a rock hide (which she basks on top of sometimes) and a log hide on the hot end as well. I also added a plastic vine for her to use for cover. The middle of the enclosure has a large cork bark round that she likes to lay in and the cool end has a large water dish. I keep a towel on top of the cool end to help keep humidity inside.

She seems to like her enclosure. She spends a lot of time burrowed in the moss, if she's not out basking on the hot end.

This is Dandy chilling out in his tank.


At the time when I took this picture, I had run out of cypress mulch and mixed it with aspen to make up the difference. I have since gone back to using 100% mulch (I know it is better for meraukes). I am really loving the look of all the tanks with the moss and it sounds like a good way to keep humidity up.

Also, my tank (40 breeder) is sad because it has a huge crack down the left side, which I've covered up with packing tape and blamed on the T-Rex. I am planning to get him a new tank I've just been debating with myself whether I want to shell out the money for one of those fancy showcases cages. I am planning on moving in the fall and those look sturdy enough that I won't have to worry about them cracking in transit.

AvaRose wrote:I want to shell out the money for one of those fancy showcases cages. I am planning on moving in the fall and those look sturdy enough that I won't have to worry about them cracking in transit.

Nope, no worries at all. You could get the biggest one and carry it to the moving truck yourself. Just save the box with Styrofoam sheets that the doors come in and pack them back up in that, and you'll have no worries at all.

Very handsome guy you have there!