New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink
(Tiliqua gigas)

New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink have a heavy build with small legs and toes. New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink also have the typical triangular blunt head of most other skinks. New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink get their name from a bright blue tongue in their pink or red mouths. The New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink is generally grey or grey-brown with narrow dark bands of irregular shape across the back. The New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink is one of the largest species of blue-tongue skink and can reach lengths of two feet and can be found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Jobi, Admiralty Islands, New Britain and the Bismarck Archipelago. New Guinea Blue Tongue Skinks are omnivorous and will feed on wildflowers, fruit, small animals and insects in the wild.

Difficulty

NOVICE to MODERATE:New Guinea Blue Tongue Skinks can make a good beginner pet. They do require specialized lighting however.

Requirements

An enclosure, such as:

• Glass or acrylic aquarium (10 gallons to 55 gallons or larger, depending on the size and number of New Guinea Blue Tongue Skinks kept) with a secure lid with clamps

Substrate, such as:

• Aspen Shavings
• Newspaper
• Indoor/Outdoor Carpeting

A heating element, such as:

• UV producing bulb
• Incandescent heat bulb
• Ceramic infrared heat emitters

Enclosure

Hatchling New Guinea Blue Tongue Skinks can be kept in a 10-gallon aquarium, but adults should be housed in a 55 gallon larger sized enclosure if more than two New Guinea Blue Tongue Skinks are kept in the enclosure. New Guinea Blue Tongue Skinks are ground dwellers and do not need many rocks or branches to climb, but a hide box should be provided for your New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink. A secured screen top is also needed for ventilation. Do not house two adult male New Guinea Blue Tongue Skinks together as they are territorial and will fight for space in the enclosure.

Substrate

The substrate or bedding that you use is one of the most important parts of your New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink's home, since your New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink will be spending much of its time on it. Aspen shavings make an excellent substrate. Indoor/Outdoor carpeting can also be used as an effective substrate for your New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink. Be sure to have at least two identical pieces so that you can simply place the clean piece of carpeting in the enclosure while you rinse and disenfect the soiled piece. You can then allow the newly cleaned piece of carpeting to dry for the next days use. It's important to note that you should completely rinse the carpet after cleaning it to be sure there is no residual chemicals remaining on the carpet that could irritate your New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink. Other substrates such as newspaper or paper towels can also be used. Part of the enclosure can be covered with a slightly damp substrate like sphagnum moss to provide extra humidity to help with shedding.Be sure to clean it often to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

Heating and Light

New Guinea Blue Tongue Skinks should have daytime temperatures of 75°F to 85°F with a 90°F to 95°F basking area under a spotlight. Nightime temperatures should be 70°F to 80°F. New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink require UV light for proper metabolic and bone development. This can be provided with fluorecent bulbs or mercury vapor spot lights which also provide heat. A spotlight with an appropriate wattage incandescnet bulb or ceramic emitter can be used to provide heat. Many hobbyists will install thermometers or thermostats in the enclsosure to be able to accurately maintain these temperatures. We do not recommend the use of any kind of heat rocks as they can often lead to burns on your New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink

Diet

New Guinea Blue Tongue Skinks are omnivorous (eating both plant and animal matter). New Guinea Blue Tongue Skinks do well on a a diet consisting of 60% plant material and 40% animal protein will provide a healthy mix. Frozen mixed vegetables, various greens, crickets, mealworms, and thawed pre-killed frozen mice can all be fed to your New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink. Fresh water should be provided daily.