10/20/2025
Why One-Size-Fits-All Diets Do Not Work for Blue Tongue Skinks (Tiliqua spp)
Blue tongue skinks are opportunistic foragers with one of the most diverse diets of any reptile species. In the wild, they have access to hundreds of species; such as invertebrates, plant matter, small vertebrates, eggs, and the occasional carrion. This flexibility is what allows them to thrive across such a wide range of habitats.
Because their natural diet is so broad, feeding them a single prepared food or overly limited menu does not provide the balance of nutrients they need to stay healthy. What works for one subspecies often does not work for another, especially when their environments and metabolisms differ so significantly.
Please note this post is only discussing the importance of diversity in the diet of blue tongue skinks.
▶Different Climates, Different Needs
Australian blue tongue skinks experience strong seasonal changes, including brumation during cold months. Their temperatures can drop to around 45°F (7.2°C) in winter and rise to 110°F (43.3°C) in summer. When temperatures reach these extremes, they burrow and either brumate or aestivate to regulate their body temperature. During these periods, their metabolism slows and their nutritional requirements decrease.
Indonesian blue tongue skinks, on the other hand, live in much more stable climates. Ground temperatures typically range between 70°F (21.1°C) and 100°F (37.7°C) year-round, and they remain active through all seasons. Their main seasonal change is the availability of invertebrates. Because they do not brumate, their metabolic demand remains relatively steady, and their nutritional needs stay high throughout the year.
Many Indonesian skinks also live under dense canopy cover, which limits exposure to natural sunlight. This suggests that dietary vitamin D3 may be especially important for them compared to Australian species.
▶When “One Diet Fits All” Fails
There are well-documented differences between Australian and Indonesian blue tongue skinks when it comes to vitamin tolerance and requirements. Many Northern blue tongue skink keepers and breeders have successfully used Repashy Bluey Buffet as a dietary staple for years without noticeable problems. However, numerous anecdotal and clinical reports from the United States, Canada, and Europe show that Indonesian blue tongue skinks fed this product exclusively have developed serious health issues.
Juveniles fed only this product over extended periods have experienced seizures and death. Adults have developed metabolic bone disease (MBD), flaky and keeled scales, and overall dehydration.
This does not make Repashy Bluey Buffet a bad product. It can be useful as part of a varied diet, for example as a thickener for vegetable mash. The issue arises when a single product becomes the main or only source of nutrition. There is documentation of other diets, typically those lacking in diversity, causing these issues as well.
In contrast, Zoo Med Blue Tongue Skink and Tegu Food is not recommended due to poor-quality ingredients, including carrageenan, which is associated with inflammation.
▶A Clinical Case That Illustrates the Problem
An adult Ambon blue tongue skink (Tiliqua gigas gigas) was fed a single commercial diet for five years after being imported. He developed severe MBD, to the point that a blood draw from his tail was impossible. His scales were dull, raised, wrinkled, flaky, and dehydrated, and he had plaque buildup on his tongue.
This case likely resulted from deficiencies in vitamins A, B, D, and E:
●Vitamin A supports healthy skin and scales. A deficiency can cause hyperkeratosis (thickened skin), flaking, and tongue issues such as plaque buildup or improper mobility.B Vitamins support cell metabolism and skin structure. Deficiencies lead to shriveled, dehydrated scales.
●Vitamin E protects cell membranes. Deficiencies cause brittle, flaky skin and poor moisture retention.
●Vitamin D enables calcium absorption. Deficiencies lead to weakened or deformed bones and are a major cause of MBD.
This was a systemic nutritional deficiency that developed slowly over time. After six months of a corrected, varied diet and three sheds, the skink’s scales returned almost completely to a smooth, healthy state, and the plaque on his tongue disappeared.
▶Recognizing and Addressing Deficiencies
A diverse diet, proper gut-loading of invertebrates, and light multivitamin dusting three to four times a month can prevent or correct many of these problems. If your skink’s scales are wrinkled, dry, or flaky, and humidity levels are correct for its subspecies, a nutritional imbalance may be the cause. We recommend against feeding any dried foods, as these can contribute to health concerns regarding hydration.
Increased dietary variety and targeted supplementation often lead to visible improvement, particularly during shedding, when vitamin demands are higher.
If you suspect illness, consult an experienced exotic veterinarian. The Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV.org) offers a free search tool to find qualified professionals. Keeping track of symptoms over time can make veterinary visits more effective.
▶Why Five or More Food Types Is Reasonable
Some keepers believe feeding five or more different food items is excessive. In the wild, blue tongue skinks encounter hundreds of food sources. Offering at least five different items for both protein and plant matter (a total of 10+ food items each month) reflects their natural foraging behavior and supports proper nutrition.
Example weekly rotation:
●Week 1: Dubia roaches, carrots, arugula, acorn squash
●Week 2: Grasshopper-based Reptilinks, green beans, papaya, basil
●Week 3: Nightcrawlers, snails, hibiscus petals, pumpkin, arugula
●Week 4: Discoid roaches, silkworms, pumpkin, peeled cucumber
Many food pantries and food banks discard safe produce that can be collected with permission. Bulk meal prep is also helpful for some folks. Prepare 1–3 months of food with varied ingredients and switch up the recipe each time to maintain diversity.
▶Balancing Vitamins and Avoiding Surplus & Deficiencies
Variety reduces the need for heavy supplementation. Excess water-soluble vitamins are excreted, but fat-soluble vitamins build up over time. Signs of oversupplementation include frequent shedding, post-shed sores, persistent dry scales despite proper husbandry (triple check), or lethargy. Excess organ meat can also contribute to vitamin overload.
Deficiencies are more common than overdoses, but balance matters. Adjust calcium if urates turn yellow, hard, or crystallized. Adult blue tongue skinks typically shed every two to three months. If they are shedding monthly or showing other signs of imbalance, dietary adjustments may be needed. A growing skink will shed much more frequently than adults.
▶Primary Takeaway
Blue tongue skinks thrive on variety. A single product or overly simplified feeding plan cannot meet the diverse nutritional needs of every subspecies. Different climates, seasonal patterns, and natural diets mean that what works for one group of skinks can harm another.
Feeding a wide range of appropriate foods, gut-loading feeders, and supplementing carefully helps prevent nutritional problems and supports long-term health.
A one-size-fits-all diet is convenient for keepers, but it is not what keeps blue tongue skinks healthy.
