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ReptileTerrestrialIntermediate
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Indonesian Blue-tongued Skink
Tiliqua gigas
A large, terrestrial Indonesian lizard famous for its cobalt blue tongue and stocky body. Intelligent and omnivorous, it requires large, humid enclosures.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Scincidae
Subfamily:Lygosominae
Genus:Tiliqua
Species:Tiliqua gigas
Formerly known as:Tiliqua gigas keyensis
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 85 %
Day temperature
26 - 28 °C
Ambient temperature
28 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Basking spot
35 - 37 °C
Adult size
34.3 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 300 L
UVB
Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and surrounding islands in the Western Pacific. It inhabits tropical rainforests, humid coastal woodlands, agricultural plantations, and damp suburban gardens. It lives primarily on the ground in the forest understory, sheltering under fallen logs, leaf litter, or inside burrows excavated by other animals.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Scincidae, genus Tiliqua. Described scientifically by Schneider in 1801. It includes several recognized subspecies (such as T. g. gigas, T. g. keyensis, and T. g. evanescens) that exhibit stable genetic and coloration variations due to geographic isolation across the Indonesian archipelago.
Behavior and Habits: Primarily diurnal, terrestrial, and solitary. It is well-known for its defensive display: when threatened, it inflates its body, produces a loud hissing sound, and opens its mouth wide, flashing its bright blue tongue to startle predators. It is an intelligent lizard with good memory, capable of recognizing its keeper and becoming very docile over time.
Morphology: Features an elongated, stocky, and cylindrical body supported by short, strong legs equipped with small claws. The head is large, wedge-shaped, and lacks a distinct neck. Adults reach a substantial length of 50-60 centimeters (20-24 inches). The scales are smooth, overlapping, and shiny, with base colors ranging from grey-brown to olive-green with dark transverse bands.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a very spacious enclosure measuring at least 120x60x60 cm (48x24x24 inches) for a single adult. The substrate must hold moisture without molding: a mix of cypress mulch, coco coir, and sphagnum moss, at least 10-15 cm deep to allow burrowing. Provide heavy, stable hides, large cork tubes, and sturdy artificial plants.
Lighting and Heating: Requires a diurnal thermal gradient: a warm zone at 28-30°C (82.4°F - 86°F), a basking spot at 33-35°C (91.4°F - 95°F) using a guarded heat lamp, and a cool side at 24-25°C (75.2°F - 77°F). Night temperature can drop to 20-22°C (68°F - 71.6°F). A 5.0% or 10.0% UVB lamp is mandatory for 12 hours a day to support calcium synthesis.
Humidity and Hydration: Unlike Australian blue-tongued skinks, Tiliqua gigas requires high humidity levels of 70% to 85%. Mist the terrarium daily and keep the substrate damp (not muddy). Provide a large, heavy water bowl that cannot be tipped over, allowing the skink to drink and soak its entire body.
Feeding and Supplementation: An omnivore requiring a balanced diet: 50% leafy greens and vegetables (chicory, dandelion, endive, arugula), 40% animal protein (crickets, roaches, snails with shells, boiled eggs, high-quality wet dog/cat food), and 10% fruit (papaya, blueberries, mango). Supplement with calcium and Vitamin D3 twice a week for juveniles and once a week for adults.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary and highly territorial. Housing multiple specimens together is prohibited due to the high risk of severe fights that can lead to missing toes, limb damage, or death. Only bring partners together temporarily for breeding purposes under close supervision.
Health and Common Diseases: Common health risks include metabolic bone disease (MBD) due to lack of UVB and calcium, respiratory infections from poor air circulation or low temperatures, and retained sheds on toes and tail tip leading to constriction and necrosis. Nails should be trimmed periodically if they do not wear down naturally.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and surrounding islands in the Western Pacific. It inhabits tropical rainforests, humid coastal woodlands, agricultural plantations, and damp suburban gardens. It lives primarily on the ground in the forest understory, sheltering under fallen logs, leaf litter, or inside burrows excavated by other animals.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsAfrica and MadagascarSouth and Southeast AsiaAustralia, New Guinea, and Oceania
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 34.3 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 34.3 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 34.3 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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