About feeding a blue-tongue skink
Blue-tongue skinks are large, docile, dog-tailed lizards that are true omnivores with hearty appetites — and that appetite, combined with their love of rich foods, makes obesity the number-one husbandry problem in captive blue-tongues.
How much should a blue-tongue skink eat?
Reptile feeding depends far more on life stage and diet ratio than on a single calorie number. The schedule below shows how the insect-to-plant ratio and feeding frequency change as the animal grows.
| Life stage | Diet ratio & feeding frequency |
|---|---|
| Juvenile (under 6 months) | Feed daily — 50% protein, 40% veg, 10% fruit |
| Sub-adult (6–18 months) | Feed every 2 days |
| Adult (18 months+) | Feed every 2–3 days |
What to feed
Blue-tongue skinks eat a varied omnivorous diet: a base of leafy greens and vegetables, a protein portion (lean meats, gut-loaded insects, high-quality wet dog food in moderation), and small amounts of fruit. A rough adult split is around 50% vegetables, 40% protein, 10% fruit, with supplementation.
How often to feed
Babies and juveniles eat daily or every other day; adults only every two to three days. Portion size and frequency both drop with age to prevent the obesity these food-motivated lizards are prone to.
Common feeding mistakes
- Overfeeding rich protein and fatty foods, causing obesity and fatty liver.
- Too much fruit, spiking sugar intake.
- Feeding adults as often as juveniles.
- Neglecting calcium/D3 supplementation.
Weight & health
Obesity is extremely common in captive blue-tongue skinks because they beg convincingly and love calorie-dense foods. Keep protein and fruit modest, prioritise vegetables, and stretch feeding intervals for adults.
Frequently asked questions
What do blue-tongue skinks eat?
A varied omnivorous diet — roughly half vegetables and leafy greens, a protein portion (insects, lean meat, some quality wet dog food), and a little fruit, with calcium/D3 supplementation.
How often should I feed a blue-tongue skink?
Juveniles every day or every other day; adults every two to three days. Frequency drops with age to prevent obesity.
Why is my blue-tongue skink overweight?
They're food-motivated and love rich foods, so overfeeding protein and fruit is common. Shift the balance toward vegetables, cut fatty treats, and space meals out.
Can blue-tongue skinks eat dog or cat food?
High-quality wet dog food can be a small part of the protein portion in moderation, but it shouldn't be a staple. A varied whole-food omnivore diet is best.