Blue Tongue Skink vs Chinese Water Dragon
Side-by-side care comparison to help you choose.
| Blue Tongue Skink | Chinese Water Dragon | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Adult size | 18-24 inches | 24-36 inches |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 10-15 years |
| Min enclosure | 40 gallon / 48x18x18 inches (4x2x2 ft recommended) | 75 gallon / 48x24x24 in |
| Basking temp | 95-105°F | 95-100°F |
| Humidity | 40-60% (higher for Indonesian species) | 60-80% |
| UVB | Yes - T5 HO 5.0 or 6% UVB (Ferguson zone 2-3) | Yes - T5 HO 5.0 or 6% UVB (Ferguson zone 3-4) |
| Diet | Omnivorous: insects (crickets, roaches, worms), dark leafy greens, vegetables, and occasional fruit or snail. Juveniles daily, adults every other day. | Juveniles: daily insects (crickets, roaches, mealworms) dusted with calcium; adults: every other day same insects plus some leafy greens. |