Unlike other pets like dogs and cats, blue tongue skinks need a basking spot where they can spend their day heating their bodies.
The basking spot for a blue tongue skink should include both UVA and UVB lighting.
Most people don’t understand what the best basking bulbs for blue tongue skinks are. A right basking spot must provide adequate heat to blue tongue skinks. UVA is responsible for helping your blue tongue skink differentiate between day and night.
UVB, on the other hand, is critical for providing vitamin D3, which helps your blue tongue skink to absorb calcium.
Therefore, we came up with this article to give you a list of the best UVB bulbs you should include in the basking spot for your blue tongue skink.
Contents
Buyers Guide: What to Look For In a Good Basking Spot for a Blue Tongue Skink
It is because; they are cold-blooded animals that depend on ambient temperatures to heat their bodies. In the wild, blue tongue skinks spend most of their day basking in the sun.
Lack of adequate heating can cause several health issues to your blue tongue skink. Let’s look at some of those issues.
- Indigestion
When your blue tongue skink cannot access adequate temperature in their cage, it is highly likely to suffer from indigestion.
In the wild, during winter, blue tongue skinks tend to brumate. Brumation in blue tongue skinks is similar to hibernation. They don’t feed during the brumation, and they spend most of their days and nights sleeping.
- Dull and inactive
When blue tongue skinks experience low temperatures, they become dull and inactive. Therefore, it is necessary to provide them with a basking spot, to make them active and regulate their normal behavior.
- Upper respiratory infection
When the blue tongue skink is cold for an extended period, they tend to suffer from an upper respiratory infection.
Now that we have discussed why a basking spot for blue tongue skinks is essential let’s now see what features that the best UVB bulb must-have.
Compatible with All Enclosures
It is good to ensure that you choose a basking spot compatible with all types of enclosures. This way, you won’t have any issues when setting up your enclosure.
Powerful Source of Heat
Your basking spot should be powerful enough to provide your blue tongue skink with adequate heat and vitamins for your blue tongue skink.
Ideal for Reptiles
It is wise to check if the kind of UVB you are purchasing is ideal for your blue tongue skink. Some bulbs might not be able to supply your blue tongue skink with adequate vitamins and might cause harmful UVC.
The Best Basking Spot for Blue Tongue Skink Reviews
Evergreen Pet Supplies
Evergreen pet supplies are a powerful mercury vapor bulb for reptiles and amphibians. It supplies 100Watts and is an excellent source of light and heat for basking.
| Ratings |
| Packaging 4.3* |
| Heat output 4.0* |
| Value for money 3.7* |
Review
The bulb is right for my 40-gallon enclosure. However, using it for 75 gallons, won’t supply adequate heat for the entire enclosure.
The temperature can barely rise beyond 900F. Therefore, we would recommend it for a person buying it for a small enclosure that is 40-gallons and below.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s a perfect source of UVB/UVA | Does not provide adequate heat |
| Does not release harmful UVC | Only suitable for small enclosures |
| You can use it on a wide variety of amphibians and reptiles. | |
| It’s compatible with all enclosures. | |
| Quality, durable and efficient tested |
Mega-Ray Mercury Vapor Bulb (160 W)
Last update on 2022-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It is all in one bulb that will provide your blue tongue skink with UVA and UVB light. The 160 Watts bulb is reliable and produces a superior amount of UVB compared to others.
Even though it’s one of the most expensive reptile bulbs, it’s one kind of bulb to provide sufficient temperatures for your blue tongue skink.
| Ratings |
| Packaging 4.7* |
| Heat output 4.4* |
| Value for money 3.7* |
| Longevity 3.5* |
Review
Mega-Ray Pet Care makes blue tongue skink look happier and lively. It provides adequate temperature for blue tongue skinks on both basking and cold sides.
If you are looking for one in all bulbs for your reptile pet, this bulb will surely meet their basking spot needs. However, you should ensure that you correctly place it away from the basking spot. Setting it too near can cause excessive heat to your pet.
New to blue tongue skink? Check out the blue tongue skink care sheet now! We had listed out all the things you need to know about blue tongue skinks as pets. Check it now!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| It provides infrared light, visible light, and a basking light. | Just like most other bulbs, you have to replace them every six months. |
| Perfect for a wide variety of reptiles | |
| It provides sufficient UVB requirements and thus preventing your blue tongue skink from metabolic diseases. | |
| Provides UVB amounts equivalent to the natural sunlight |
Exo Terra Breeder Basking 4pk Halogen Basking Lamp 75W
Last update on 2022-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Halogen lamps are a better version of an incandescent bulb. They have a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs and higher temperatures that provides whiter light. They are, therefore, more efficient as they can stimulate the breeding behavior in blue tongue skinks.
| Ratings |
| Packaging 4.8* |
| Heat output 4.8* |
| Value for money 3.7* |
| Longevity 3.0* |
Review
The bulb worked perfectly for my blue tongue skink. The temperature was on point, and the white light makes my blue tongue skink lively during the day.
I can tell that my blue tongue skink is enjoying basking in it. But, I don’t understand why the seller would say it’s a 4pck only to deliver a single piece. You can buy this item as it’s suitable for a blue tongue skink basking spot.
However, you should also beware that the seller will only deliver a single piece and not the four pcs, as indicated on the advert.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Highly optimizes the heat penetration via increased infrared levels | The seller only delivers a single piece and not 4pieces as indicated |
| It provides adequate UVA rays to stimulate breeding behavior. | |
| You can combine it with a night heat lamp to provide a 24-hour cycle. | |
| The broad-spectrum daylight bulb is highly efficient. |
Tekizoo UVA/UVB
Last update on 2022-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It is a one in all super bulb that provides your blue tongue skink with both UVA/UVB visible light and heat. It gives your blue tongue skink with natural sunlight benefits like Vitamin D3 in captivity. The 125Watts bulb is handy and compatible with all enclosures.
However, to get the maximum results, you should ensure that you at least leave the lamp off for 15 minutes before restarting it.
You should also never use the lamp with a dimmer, rheostat, or thermostat. Don’t forget to keep checking the temperatures on the basking area.
| Ratings |
| Value for money 3.7* |
| Packaging 4.6* |
| Longevity 3.9* |
Review
After using the Tekizoo basking spot lamp, my blue tongue skink looks more lively than ever. He is feeding well, and he is no longer gloomy. He also enjoys basking, and I can say that he’s happy.
The only issue with this lamp is the 15 minutes wait before it turns on or off. Otherwise, it is a superb basking spot lamp that you can purchase for your blue tongue skink.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Compatible with most enclosures | It does not provide enough heat for UVB. Might have to upgrade to a higher wattage bulb. |
| It is a one in all bulb that provides UVA, UVB, and a basking light. | |
| Suitable for all reptiles | |
| Premium quality mercury vapor |
Repti Zoo Super Sun Vapor Lamp
Last update on 2022-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It is yet another all in one bulb that provides your blue tongue skink with a proper basking spot, by providing natural sunlight benefits. Repti Zoo basking lamp provides your reptile pet with adequate UVA, UVB, visible light, and infrared heat.
It provides enough vitamin D3 to your reptiles and enhances their daily activities and breeding behaviors.
| Ratings |
| Packaging 3.8* |
| Value for money 3.2* |
| Heat output 4.1* |
| Longevity 3.0* |
Review
It’s been three months since I bought this product. It has been working well, and I can tell my blue tongue skink looks healthy. I was hesitant about buying it, but I am glad I did.
My blue tongue skink is in a good mood, and he feeds well since I started using this lamp. However, you must use it with a ceramic lamp fixture to avoid overheating.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Suitable for all reptiles and amphibians | Can overheat if you don’t use it ceramic or porcelain lamp fixtures |
| Self-ballasted | Need to replace every six months |
| It’s an all in one bulb that helps your pet acquire UVB, UVB, infrared heat and visible light | Sometimes can burn out before six months of use |
| Come with a useful guideline to help you with the installation. | |
| UVA tested |
New to blue tongue skink? Check out the blue tongue skink care sheet now! We had listed out all the things you need to know about blue tongue skinks as pets. Check it now!
BOEESPAT UVA UVB 3.0 Reptile Lite
The basking spot for reptiles is just perfect for producing UVA and UVB 3.0. It is suitable for all reptiles to promote good health and breeding behavior.
The 75Watt halogen lamp provides a perfect heat source to your reptiles and amphibians. It is suitable for anybody looking for a one in all lamp as it will offer both UVA, UVB, and visual lighting.
| Ratings |
| Value for money 5.0* |
| Heat output 4.6 |
| Thickness 4.6* |
Review
The bulb is working well, and it came with six lamp beads. It is one of the most efficient and budget-friendly basking spots I have used so far. I will repurchase it, and I can recommend it to anyone looking for a basking spot bulb that is worth the value.
It also has a longer life compared to others, and it makes my blue tongue skink look healthy and jovial.
The only thing that I didn’t like is that if you turn it on immediately after putting it off, it burns. Otherwise, if you use it as advised on the user guide, it is a perfect basking bulb.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Effectively provides UVA and thus stimulates appetite | If you don’t use it as indicated, it is highly likely to burn |
| Pocket friendly | |
| Value for money | |
| It comes with an extra two packs of lamp beads that can last for up to 800-1000 hours per bead. | |
| Generates sufficient heat for blue tongue skinks | |
| It is made of high-quality quartz glass, making it more durable. |
WACOOL All In One Basking Bulb
Last update on 2022-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The full spectrum UVB sun basking and UVA lamp stimulates the blue tongue skink’s enclosure to provide the same amount of heat and lighting as its natural habitat.
It provides the necessary sunlight radiation to reptiles and amphibians, promoting the synthesis of vitamin D3. It is a perfect all in one bulb for blue tongue skinks in captivity.
| Ratings |
| Heat output 4.6* |
| Value for money 3.7* |
| Longevity 3.4* |
Review
It is the perfect bulb for my blue tongue skink basking spot. It provides adequate temperatures, and my blue tongue skink’s health seems to be improving. Its appetite is also increasing, and it looks more active than before. However, the bulb only worked for two weeks, and it burned. I don’t know if it was just my bad luck, but I can’t say much about its durability. Otherwise, the lamp is just perfect for blue tongue skink if it would have a longer lifespan.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Helps to prevent metabolic diseases in reptiles | Have a short lifespan |
| Provides adequate temperatures in a blue tongue skink enclosure | |
| All in one bulb for UVA UVB and visual light |
Repti Basking Spot Lamp
Last update on 2022-12-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It is an incandescent heat lamp that is suitable for all desert reptiles. It comes with a double reflector that is critical for providing 35% more heat and light in a blue tongue skink enclosure.
It is also an all in one bulb that will provide UVA, UVB, and visible light to ensure your blue tongue skink with good health.
| Ratings |
| Value for money 38* |
| Packaging 4.0* |
| Heat output 5.0* |
| Longevity 3.3* |
Review
I can see my blue tongue skink enjoying basking. It is also feeding well and seems to be more active. The only problem I have with this bulb is it only lasted me 2 weeks. I hope the manufacturer can check on that and get a better option.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Double reflector design | Short lifespan |
| 35% more heat and light than other traditional lamps | |
| Adequate UVA/UVB for optimum health for blue tongue skinks and other reptiles. |
Conclusion
Your blue tongue skink health and long life entirely depend on how well you feed and provide adequate heating in their tank. Lack of proper heat can lead to poor health and metabolic diseases.
Therefore, it is your responsibility as a pet owner to provide a proper basking spot for your blue tongue skink. In this article, we have covered a few options that you can choose to make this possible.
All our options are good, but BOEESPAT UVA UVB 3.0 Reptile Lite seems to beat them all. It is long-lasting and provides adequate heating and lighting to your blue tongue skink.