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Merauke Blue-Tongued Skink
Tiliqua gigas evanescens
Merauke blue-tongued skink. The longest subspecies of blue-tongued skink, native to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Recognized by its long tail, silver-grey body with thin bands, and high humidity requirements.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Scincidae
Subfamily:Lygosominae
Genus:Tiliqua
Species:Tiliqua gigas evanescens
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
32 - 35 °C
Ambient temperature
26 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Basking spot
32 - 35 °C
Adult size
34.3 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 250 L
UVB
Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the humid tropical forests, damp grasslands, and coastal plains of southern New Guinea (including Merauke in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea). Unlike its Australian counterparts, it lives in humid environments and spends much of its time burrowed in damp leaf litter or under forest debris.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Scincidae. *Tiliqua gigas evanescens* (Merauke Blue-Tongued Skink) is a subspecies of *Tiliqua gigas*. The subspecific name *evanescens* refers to the fading or reduction of the dark bands on the back of mature adults, which show a silver-grey or cream color and legs that are not solid black.
Behavior and Habits: Diurnal, terrestrial, and relatively slow-moving. When threatened, it flattens its body, gapes its mouth, and exposes its bright blue tongue while producing a loud warning hiss. In captivity, they are generally docile, calm, and highly responsive to gentle handling.
Morphology: The longest of all blue-tongued skinks, reaching up to 65-70 cm in length, with a proportionally longer tail than other species. Minimal external differences exist between sexes; adult metals tend to have broader heads, a more tapered body shape, and slightly larger jowls.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a large horizontal enclosure (minimum 120x60x60 cm for an adult). Provide a deep layer (10-15 cm) of moisture-retaining substrate such as cypress mulch or coco coir mixed with sphagnum moss. Furnish with sturdy low-lying shelters and logs.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a thermal gradient with a basking spot at 32-35°C, a cool side at 24-26°C, and a night temperature of 20-22°C. High-quality linear UVB lighting (5-6% T5) is essential for vitamin D3 synthesis and skeletal health.
Humidity and Hydration: Requires high humidity levels between 60% and 80%. Mist the terrarium daily to keep the substrate damp but not waterlogged. Provide a large, shallow water dish for drinking and soaking, and ensure good ventilation.
Feeding and Supplementation: Omnivorous. The diet should consist of 50% vegetables/greens, 40% protein (such as high-quality grain-free wet dog food, snails, or insects), and 10% fruit. Dust all meals with calcium, and include Vitamin D3 once or twice a week.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. Never house multiple blue-tongued skinks together, as they are highly territorial and will engage in severe, potentially fatal fights. They must be housed individually.
Health and Common Diseases: Vulnerable to respiratory infections and shedding issues (especially on the toes) if humidity is too low. Prone to metabolic bone disease (MBD) if calcium or UVB lighting is inadequate. Regular monitoring of sheds is crucial.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the humid tropical forests, damp grasslands, and coastal plains of southern New Guinea (including Merauke in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea). Unlike its Australian counterparts, it lives in humid environments and spends much of its time burrowed in damp leaf litter or under forest debris.
Origin
North AmericaAfrica 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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