Description:
Scientific name: Tiliqua gigas gigas Halmahera
Life span: 15-20 years
These blue tongue skinks feature triangular heads, short, powerful limbs, and thick, sausage-like bodies. The blue tongue that gives them their name, however, is what sets them apart the most. In general, Halmahera blue tongue skinks can be identified by their solid black arms, thin dark lines on the head, and an orange to reddish base color with dark bands along the length of the body with dark speckles in between. Salmon orange or white with numerous black lines make up the belly.
Native Region/Habitat
The huge island of Halmahera in Indonesia’s North Maluku region is home to a type of blue-tongued skink called the Halmahera skink (Tiliqua gigas gigas Halmahera).
Behavior:
Blue-tongue skinks are large and slow, but once they get to know you, they become docile and manageable. Halmahera skinks make entertaining pets because they are full of personality, especially when they display their recognizable vivid blue tongue, which skins use to communicate. They have wonderful personalities and are quite amiable.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Caging: The extremely active Halmahera skink requires a sizable habitat with high humidity levels (60 to 80% or greater). In a glass terrarium or rack system, blue-tongue skinks thrive. Baby blue-tongue skinks should be kept in a 10 to 20-gallon terrarium, while older skinks should be kept in a 40-gallon breeder tank. Adults needed a floor area of at least eight square feet. Avoid using pine or cedar if you decide to use a wooden enclosure. Make sure your front or top-opening tanks are properly locked since blue-tongue skinks are powerful and intelligent.
Lighting and Temperature: Due to their nocturnal habits, blue-tongue skinks require UVB lighting to maintain good health. Maintain the skink’s lights on a 12-hour cycle of on and off. Every year, the UVB light should be replaced. The ideal temperature for a basking place for halmahera skinks is between 100 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a white or clear halogen flood bulb, create the basking area.
The habitat’s cool end should be between 70 and 80 degrees. No lower than 65 degrees may be the low during the night. To control the temperature, use an infrared temperature gun or a digital probe thermometer.
Food: Blue-tongue skinks are omnivore, like many reptiles. As they age, the proportion of plant to animal elements varies. Infants and toddlers require 70–80% meat and 20–30% vegetables. Adult skinks require between 50 and 60 percent meat and between 40 and 50 percent plants; too much protein can cause kidney issues in adults.
Up to three month old baby blue-tongue skinks require regular feeding. Infants (three to eight months old) require feeding three times per week. Only once or twice a week do adults need to eat.
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