GECKO MAINLAND CHAHOUA

Here’s a comprehensive care guide for the Pink Tongue Skink (Cyclodomorphus gerrardii), a fascinating and often overlooked species of skink known for its pink tongue and docile temperament.

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Pink Tongue Skink Care Guide

Quick Facts:

• Scientific Name: Cyclodomorphus gerrardii

• Lifespan: 15–20 years

• Adult Size: 15–20 inches

• Temperament: Generally docile and curious

• Native Range: Eastern Australia

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Enclosure

Size:

• Minimum: 36″ x 18″ x 18″ (40-gallon tank)

• Ideal: 4’x2’x2′ for adults

Substrate:

• Coconut fiber, cypress mulch, or bioactive mix for humidity retention

• Avoid sand or loose particulates that can cause impaction

Enclosure Type:

• Horizontal space is more important than height

• Secure lid (they’re good climbers)

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️ Temperature & Humidity

Basking Spot:

• Temperature: 90–95°F (32–35°C)

• Use a basking lamp on a timer for 10–12 hours/day

Cool Side:

• Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C)

Night Temp:

• 70–75°F (21–24°C)

Humidity:

• Ideal Range: 60–80%

• Mist daily or use a humid hide

• Monitor with a hygrometer

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Lighting

• UVB Lighting: Recommended but not absolutely necessary

  • Use a 5.0 UVB bulb or equivalent

• Helps with calcium absorption and overall health

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️ Diet

Pink tongue skinks are omnivores. Offer a varied diet including:

Protein:

• Insects (crickets, roaches, mealworms)

• Cooked lean meats

• High-quality canned dog or cat food (sparingly)

• Eggs (scrambled or hard-boiled)

Plant Matter:

• Leafy greens (collards, mustard, dandelion)

• Squash, carrots

• Fruits like berries, mango, banana (in moderation)

Supplements:

• Calcium with D3: 2–3x per week

• Multivitamin: 1x per week

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Enclosure Maintenance

• Spot clean daily

• Full substrate change every 4–6 weeks

• Disinfect enclosure with reptile-safe cleaner

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Handling & Temperament

• Naturally calm but shy

• Handle gently and support their body

• Start with short sessions to build trust

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Health & Shedding

Common Issues:

• Respiratory infections (linked to poor humidity)

• Mouth rot

• Mites

• Shedding problems

Provide a moist hide and maintain humidity to aid shedding. Always consult a reptile vet if health concerns arise.

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Breeding

• Live-bearers, unlike blue tongues (which lay eggs)

• Gestation: ~100 days

• Litter size: 5–15 babies

• Best left to experienced keepers due to space and care needs

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✅ Supplies Checklist

• Proper-sized enclosure with secure lid

• Heat lamp & thermostat

• UVB light (optional but ideal)

• Hygrometer & thermometer

• Hides (cool and warm side)

• Moist hide

• Water dish

• Climbing branches, décor

• Insect tongs, food/water dishes

• Calcium & vitamin supplements

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If you’re looking for a lesser-known alternative to the blue tongue skink, the pink tongue skink is a hardy and rewarding pet with similar care needs but a unique look and viviparous breeding behavior.

Let me know if you’d like a printable care sheet or help setting up an enclosure!

Here’s a detailed care guide for the Smooth Knob-Tailed Gecko (Nephrurus levis)—a fascinating, small Australian desert gecko with a distinctive “knob” at the end of its tail and charming, bold personality.

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Smooth Knob-Tailed Gecko Care Guide

Quick Facts:

• Scientific Name: Nephrurus levis

• Lifespan: 10–15 years in captivity

• Adult Size: 4–5.5 inches

• Temperament: Bold, vocal, and handleable with care

• Native Range: Arid and semi-arid regions of Australia

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Enclosure

Size:

• Single adult: 10–20 gallon long tank (minimum 18″x12″x12″)

• Pairs: 20–30 gallon (monitor carefully—females may cohabitate; males must be housed separately)

Enclosure Type:

• Terrestrial; prioritize floor space over height

• Secure lid (though they’re not great climbers)

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️ Temperature & Heating

Basking Spot:

• 92–95°F (33–35°C) on the warm side

• Use under-tank heating pad with thermostat or heat lamp

Cool Side:

• 75–80°F (24–27°C)

Night Temp:

• Can drop to 68–72°F (20–22°C)

Lighting:

• No UVB required, but a low-output UVB (2.0 or 5.0) is optional and may promote natural behavior

• Provide a consistent light cycle (12 hours on/off)

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Substrate & Decor

Recommended Substrate:

• Clay/sand mix (excavator clay, red desert blend)

• Mimics natural habitat and supports burrowing

Avoid:

• Loose dry sand alone (impaction risk)

• Calci-sand

Enclosure Decor:

• Hides (one on warm side, one on cool side)

• Rocks, cork bark, fake or real desert-safe plants

• Moist hide with damp sphagnum moss or paper towel

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Humidity & Water

• Humidity: Low (30–40%)

• Provide a moist hide to aid shedding

• Water Dish: Shallow, fresh water available at all times

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️ Diet

These geckos are insectivores.

Staple Feeders:

• Crickets

• Dubia roaches

• Black soldier fly larvae

Occasional Treats:

• Mealworms or waxworms (high in fat)

• Small hornworms

Feeding Schedule:

• Juveniles: Daily

• Adults: 3–4x per week

Supplements:

• Calcium with D3: 2x/week

• Multivitamin: 1x/week

• Lightly dust feeders—do not over-supplement

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Maintenance

• Spot clean feces and uneaten insects daily

• Replace substrate every 1–2 months (or more often if soiled)

• Disinfect hides and water dishes weekly

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Handling & Temperament

• Usually bold and curious, but may vocalize or tail-wag when stressed

• Can be handled gently and infrequently once acclimated

• Never grab by the tail—it can drop, though it will regrow

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Health Issues to Watch For

• Shedding issues: Provide a moist hide

• Impaction: Avoid loose sand; feed appropriate-size insects

• Dehydration: Check for wrinkled skin or lethargy

• Parasites: Get fecals checked by a vet if wild-caught or symptomatic

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✅ Supplies Checklist

• 10–20 gallon tank with secure lid

• Heat mat or ceramic heater + thermostat

• Digital thermometer + humidity gauge

• Clay/sand mix substrate

• 2–3 hides (cool, warm, and moist)

• Shallow water dish

• Feeding tongs

• Dusting supplements (calcium, multivitamin)

• Insect feeders