Axanthic Blue Tongue Skink (Tiliqua gigas)

Common Name: Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink
Scientific Name: Tiliqua gigas
Source: cf
Adult Size: 45–60cm (18–24 inches) total length
Native Range: Kei Islands and wider Indonesian archipelago, including parts of New Guinea

Enclosure: A minimum 120×60×60cm Viperia PVC vivarium is recommended for an adult — these are large, active lizards that benefit from generous floor space. Furnish with a deep substrate of coconut fibre or a soil-sand mix to allow burrowing, multiple secure hides at both the warm and cool ends, and some low-level décor such as cork bark and artificial foliage to add enrichment and help the animal feel secure.
Heating: Provide a basking spot of around 30-32°C, with a cool-side ambient temperature of 24–27°C. Nighttime temperatures can drop to around 20–22°C, but should not fall significantly below this for this tropical species.
Humidity: 60–80% relative humidity, reflecting their humid tropical island origin. Achieve this through regular light misting of the enclosure, a moisture-retentive substrate, and partially covering the ventilation to reduce rapid moisture loss.
UVB: A 6% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width — research confirms that UVB exposure dramatically raises vitamin D levels in Tiliqua skinks, making quality UVB lighting a genuine welfare necessity rather than an optional extra. Position the tube so the animal can bask at around 25–30cm from the lamp, and pair it with a suitable basking lamp on the same end of the enclosure.
Diet: Blue tongue skinks are enthusiastic omnivores (eating both plant and animal matter). Offer a varied rotation of leafy greens and vegetables, fruit in moderation, lean proteins such as cooked chicken or turkey, and occasional live or canned insects and snails. Adults can be fed every two to three days; juveniles benefit from daily or near-daily feeding. Dust food with a calcium supplement regularly and a multivitamin supplement weekly.

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The Kei Island Blue Tongue Skink is a large, tropical skink native to the lush, humid islands of Indonesia. Like all blue tongues, it is instantly recognisable by its heavy, torpedo-shaped body, short sturdy legs, and of course that vivid cobalt-blue tongue — used in the wild to startle and deter potential predators. The Kei Island locality is particularly sought after by enthusiasts for its striking colouration and robust build.

These lizards are diurnal (active during the day) and, with regular gentle handling, typically become calm and confident companions that are happy to sit with their keeper. Their straightforward diet and manageable temperament make them an excellent choice for a keeper ready to step up from beginner species — rewarding to keep, and genuinely full of personality.