Bluetongue Temperature?

[Reptile_Maniac]

Hi everyone,

My new heat mat for my blue tongues has finally arrived! Just two quick question: What temperature should I keep my blue tongues in during the day and during the night? And what side should I have the heat mat on (the side with the hide) ?

Thanks,
James (Reptilemaniac)

 

[reptilegirl2000]

Sorry can't help .

Anyone?

 

[Reptile_Maniac]

Thanks Reptile girl

 

[MathewB]

Daytime 30-35. Nighttime I usually just turned off the globe/heater but that's because my Blueys occurred in my area. What sp. of blue-tongue do you have? You should have asked this before you got him but better late than never I guess

 

[Reptile_Maniac]

Hi MathewB,
I have eastern blue-tongues.
Thanks for your help,
James

 

[Bluetongue1]

A few extra bits and pieces of info that you may or may not be aware of....

For the first year of their life it is usually recommeded not to cool them over winter. So just run the same day / night temperatures as you would through the rest of the year. Second year and up, you can cool them over winter (known as cycling), something that is well advised if you wish to breed them, as the cooling stimulates production of viable eggs and sperm. Never cool an animal that is sick or is in poor condition (i.e. under weight). For animals being cooled, provide normal basking heat for a reduced number of hours during the day. Also provide fresh water but no food.

I would recommend placing a hide at both ends so that the lizard can thermoregulate as it wishes and feel secure at the same time. Hides should be a tight fit i.e. nice and snug, so the reptile feels more secure.

Hope some of that helps

Blue

 

[jinjajoe]

In addition you can use a $5 Bunnings timer on your heat mat as they probs don't need heat for a few hours in the arvo.......

 

[Reptile_Maniac]

thanks guys but what temperature should I keep them at?

 

[Bluetongue1]

For Sydney origin Eastern Blueys

Day time temps: 20[SUP]o[/SUP]C to 30[SUP]o[/SUP]C and basking spot (if you have one) maximum 35[SUP]o[/SUP]C.
Night time temps: 18[SUP]o[/SUP]C to 23[SUP]o[/SUP]C

If you have trouble getting the full 10[SUP]o[/SUP]C range for day temperatures, keep the hot end at 30[SUP]o[/SUP]C and just get as much difference as you can with ventilation and positioning of the cage.
Night time temperatures below 16[SUP]o[/SUP]C will induce brumation in most individuals.

Blue

 

[MathewB]

Agh you guys are good, some stuff I left out

 

[Bluetongue1]

Hi MatthewB,

When you have been around as long as I have you tend to read between the lines. So if some one is asking a basic question about something and I know there is important related knowledge that they have not asked for, I tend to give them both. Simply because it is odds on they don’t know either.

I guess the motivation is that many posters try to use as few words as possible in answering questions from a newbie. If I was a newbie, I would not find a three word answer very useful. So I am guilty of going too far the other way. So long as I have covered all the relevant bits I figure they can ignore what they don’t need.

Nice looking Qld bluey you have there Matt. I did take on board your comment about it being local but the lack of the stripe from the eye to the ear also gives it away. Not to mention the gap between the bands and the grey/white base colour. I have not had the pleasure of seeing any in the flesh but they definitely are a lot more variable than New South or Vic easterns. Great looking animals I reckon. Enjoy.

Blue