The numbers
Enclosure
120 × 60 × 45 cm
Diet
Insects, snails, lean meat, occasional quality wet dog food, egg · Juveniles daily; adults 2–3×/week
Temperature
cool 24–27 °C (75–80 °F) / night 18–22 °C
Humidity
40–60% (higher at night)
UVB
T5 HO 10–12%; replace ~12 mo
Identity
Family / Order
Scincidae / Squamata
Origin
Adult size
45–60 cm
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20 yrs (up to 30)
Activity
Diurnal; terrestrial
Temperament
Docile, curious, dog-like; heavy-bodied
Price (THB)
~5,000–20,000 (locale-dependent)
Enclosure and conditions
Basking
38–40 °C (100–105 °F) surface
Cool side
24–27 °C (75–80 °F)
Night
18–22 °C
Humidity
40–60% (higher at night)
UVB (required)
T5 HO 10–12%; replace ~12 mo
Min. size
120 × 60 × 45 cm (8 sq ft floor)
Substrate
Deep, holds humidity (they burrow)
Water
Bowl to drink & soak
Diet
Diet type
Omnivore ~50/50 plant:animal
Staple animal
Insects, snails, lean meat, occasional quality wet dog food, egg
Staple plant
Leafy greens, veg, some fruit
Frequency
Juveniles daily; adults 2–3×/week
Calcium
Dust + multivitamin weekly
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Very tolerant 'beginner giant'; support body
Defense
Puffs up, hisses, flashes blue tongue (bluff)
Cohabitation
House individually
Digging
Burrows — needs deep substrate
Children
Good, supervised (heavy)
Reproduction
Sexual maturity
~2–3 yrs
Reproduction
Live-bearing
Litter
5–20 neonates
Gestation
~3–4 months
Sexing
Difficult — behavior / vet
Common health problems
Metabolic bone disease
Signsweak limbs, tremors
Preventadequate UVB + calcium
Obesity
Signsoverfeeding protein / dog food
Preventbalance the diet, more plants
Respiratory infection
Signsclicking, mucus
Preventcorrect temps + ventilation
Mites / parasites
Signstiny dots, itching
Preventquarantine new animals
When to see a vet
This is not veterinary advice. If red flags appear (open-mouth breathing, months of weight loss, 'stargazing', persistent regurgitation) consult a qualified exotic (herp) veterinarian. Quarantine new arrivals 30–90 days.
Good to know
- Flashes a vivid blue tongue to startle predators — pure bluff.
- Live-bearing and famously dog-tame — one of the most personable lizards.
- Often learns to recognise and interact with its keeper.
Common questions
Is the blue tongue venomous?
No — pure bluff/defense.
Live food only?
No — balanced omnivore; too much protein is the top mistake.
Good beginner lizard?
Yes, with proper UVB + space.
What it needs
- Enclosure 120×60×45
- T5 UVB
- Basking + thermostat
- Deep coco substrate
- Hide
- Food & water dishes
- Calcium + multivitamin
- Feeders + greens