Blue Tongue Skinks, one of the most popular reptile pets, are also among the largest of the lizard species kept in homes. They are easy to keep and care for and have a very long life span comparatively to other pet reptiles so provide years of enjoyment.
Given their size, to the uninitiated, they can come across as a bit fearsome, which is why it’s a popular question, with such large jaws… do they bite? And if they do, how painful is it?
Let’s explore Blue Tongue Skinks and their needs and want to bite, if at all!
Yes, Blue Tongue Skinks can bite but the majority of Blue Tongue Skink species that are typically kept as pets are docile and will not bite if properly handled. Skinks that have been born and raised in captivity (CBB) are considerably less likely to bite than skinks that have been collected in the wild (WC). Their bites are painful and can produce bruises, but thankfully they seldom cause skin breakdown, and they are not dangerous.
Do Blue Tongue Skinks have teeth?
In fact, the teeth of Blue Tongue Skinks are fairly enormous. Their teeth, on the other hand, do not extend far from the gums and are only nearly invisible in their jaws when they are closed. Their teeth are not extremely sharp and are intended for crushing rather than biting.
Why do Blue Tongue Skink bite?
Skinks do bite when they feel there is a need to protect themselves. It is the final resort for them to strike. If they display all of the alarming indications that they are about to bite you, but you do not give them enough space, they will feel compelled to bite you in terms of protecting themselves and their young.
Sometimes, this is done for reasons that aren’t always clear. A skink’s moodiness, aggression, or unfriendliness may appear to be unrelated to any obvious cause. So always be aware of how they are responding when near them.
Is the Blue Tongue Skink bite poisonous?
No, Blue Tongue Skinks are not poisonous, but they do their best to appear as such by opening their mouths and behaving in an aggressive manner. It is possible for them to bite, but their teeth are more often employed for mashing than ripping, so they may blister you rather than break your skin.
Do skink bites hurt?
Yes they do, the bite of a blue tongued skink may be really painful because of the bluntness of the teeth, often causing bruising. The Blue Tongue Skink does not have any venom or toxicity, but its jaws do have some power.
Can I touch a Blue Tongue Skink?
Skinks may be taught to interact with others, but careful handling is essential. When handling your skink, remember to be kind and considerate of its needs. Incorrect handling can lead your skink to bite and become aggressive. Never approach a skink when it isn’t expecting you to do so. Stay within its eyeline, and approach gently so as to not startle it. Over time it will become easier to interact with.
How to handle Blue Tongue Skink so that they do not bite?
In general, Blue Tongue Lizards are peaceful creatures who are clever and curious. They are readily tamed and do actually like being touched despite the warnings we’ve covered in this article! A lot of them even like having their heads stroked or being caressed. When holding them, kids should be closely watched since the skinks can become frightened with sudden movements.
Why is Blue Tongue Skink hissing?
When irritated or frightened, Blue Tongue Skinks hiss, therefore if you approach your Blue Tongue Skink and it does this, avoid handling it; instead, let it calm down and try again later, otherwise they may bite you, causing bonding and trust difficulties. Give them their space, they’ll remember you!
What happens if a blue-tongue bites you?
Blue-tongues aren’t poisonous, although they do their best to appear scary by opening their mouths and behaving in an aggressive way. It is possible for them to bite, but their teeth are more often employed for crushing than ripping, if they bite you it may bruise you rather than breaking your skin. If you are bitten, you’ll simply treat it like a normal bruise, and put a cold compress on the affected area.
Conclusion
Because they are generally so calm out and easygoing, they make excellent reptilian companions. The likelihood of being bitten by one is quite low, and following the guidelines outlined above, the risk can be significantly reduced.
There is, of course, the possibility of a rogue bite occurring. Try not to let these occurrences (or this article!) scare you away from touching and caring for your skink since they do deserve to be handled and cared for properly.
