Blue-tongued skink
Blue-tongued skinks are lizards of the Australasian genus Tiliqua, which includes some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). They are commonly called blue-tongued lizards, simply blue-tongues, blueys in Australia, or panana in Indonesia. As suggested by these common names, a prominent characteristic of the genus is a large blue tongue that can be bared as bluff-warning to potential enemies. Their tongue can also deform itself and produce a thick mucus in order to catch prey. They are relatively shy in comparison with other lizards, and also significantly slower due to their shorter legs.
| Life Span | 10-25 years |
What to Know Before Buying a Blue-tongued skink
Finding a responsible Blue-tongued skink breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells reptiles commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Blue-tongued skink. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Blue-tongued skinks appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Blue-tongued skink breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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