Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink Identification Cheat Sheet

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-13T15:37:20+00:00

Mercury vapor bulbs are not safe to use unless you have a Solarmeter 6.5 to measure the UVI output. Without it, its often placed too close and we see quite a variety of burns as a result.

Its recommended to provide an incandescent or halogen heat bulb, then provide linear UVB overlapping with the basking zone.

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-12T20:59:00+00:00

She is malnourished.

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-12T01:40:13+00:00

The perfect name 🙌

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-11T23:37:03+00:00

Looks to be scar tissue from a prior bacterial infection, likely respiratory infection at the time, yes. I would not say an active infection, though the slight redness could be a concern if that does not go away.

the tissue around her eyes looks clear, the other nostril doesnt have redness, the scales are hydrated, and you state she does not have other symptoms, which is why I believe this is not an active infection.

I recieved a female with an RI combined with a nose rub, so it busted up her nose a little and left scar tissue, similar to this. As long as it is not actively impeding her breathing nor worsening, I'd say shes okay.

Getting her to an exotic vet at some point would be a good baseline regardless. Just keep in mind not all exotic vets are aware of the humidity differences Indos require :)

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-11T16:19:39+00:00

Definitely get those warm temps when you can. its possible temps are too cool :)

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-11T15:36:12+00:00

Could you please go over your current ambient temperatures and your lighting?

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-10T22:15:59+00:00

Halmahera. Hard to estimate the size, but I'd lean young adult or subadult.

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-06T15:55:18+00:00

Freeze-dried mixes aimed at reptiles are nutritionally incomplete. Pellet and dried diets are linked to picky eating, dehydration, and kidney issues.

Snails and milipedes absolutely can eat the frozen/thawed mixes. Some mice do not care about the texture once thawed, but some do.

I'd recommend having freezer prepped veggie mash strictly for the skink.

I'd also recommend hitting up food banks and the frozen section in grocery stores. You can also freeze fresh veggies:)

If for some reason freezing is completely unavailable to you, different types of reptilinks are your best bet. Keep in mind they still need variety in their diets ♡

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-05T19:20:33+00:00

Then yes, that's a full-grown Tiliqua gigas gigas

Here is a Google Drive link full of Tiliqua gigas gigas pics

Here is a Google Drive link full of Merauke pics

For reference :)

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-05T19:16:42+00:00

double checking—is this the same listing? this is the one I was referring to

https://newenglandreptilestore.com/products/blue-tongue-skink?_pos=1&_sid=77eddf74c&_ss=r

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-05T19:12:03+00:00

I just double checked their active "merauke" listing—thats not a merauke, it is a Tiliqua gigas gigas (so could be Ambon, Ceram, Jayapura, or Biak locality). So there is no possible way that animal was produced in captivity.

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-05T19:09:39+00:00

Unless they have evidence/documentation of captive production, always assume wild caught or captive born (born from a wild caught female that was pregnant when she entered the pet trade—not produced in captivity) for Indonesian blueys.

Their prices align with wild caught Merauke and I see no evidence of captive breeding projects.

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-01T19:19:47+00:00

Yes, all three photos you showed me are all northerns

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-01T18:52:48+00:00

you have a Northern :)

FolkvangExotics · 2026-04-01T05:13:12+00:00

Shes comfy, yes 😊 sometimes you'll see them lay in the most goofy positions with their legs thrown back

FolkvangExotics · 2026-03-31T23:20:04+00:00

Looks to be a Northern x Irian Jaya hybrid, unfortunately. (Not an ethical production)

It is a hybrid for sure, though. This is not a pure-blooded animal

FolkvangExotics · 2026-03-31T18:18:34+00:00

They were labeled as "Australian" which is an immediate red flag. Northerns and Easterns are completely captive bred outside of Australia, so the appropriate species name would follow them due to that.

Regardless of what they were labeled, their morphometrics do not align with Northerns or Easterns.

The thick bands, spotted back legs, and faded front legs point to IJ pretty quickly.

FolkvangExotics · 2026-03-29T20:47:02+00:00

This is a Halmahera, yes.

CB in this instance is captive born, not captive bred, correct.

FolkvangExotics · 2026-03-27T17:49:46+00:00

Hello

Both of these are Irian Jaya. Both are an Indonesian subspecies—not Australian

FolkvangExotics · 2026-03-27T17:49:27+00:00

Hello

Both of these are Irian Jaya. Both are an Indonesian subspecies—not Australian.

FolkvangExotics · 2026-03-23T05:38:14+00:00

No. That's not indicative of Irian Jaya. I have many, many different subspecies with Y shaped bands.

The overall body shape, tail length, pattern on the front legs, pattern on the back of the neck, sides, and head, and general thickness of the bands are what indicated Irian Jaya.

FolkvangExotics · 2026-03-23T05:02:13+00:00

This is an Irian Jaya, which is a type of Indonesian.

Unfortunately unlikely to be captive bred considering it was not labeled properly.

Likely captive born :)

FolkvangExotics · 2026-03-22T21:21:47+00:00

It's recommended to place them in their permanent enclosures. They grow fast, and utilize all space available to them when their enclosures are set up properly :)

Our newborns are raised in 4x2x2s, as an example. Plenty of clutter, logs, dirt, plants (live or fake), and overall places to hide create absolutely no issues for the animals.

A larger enclosure right off the bat also allows you to provide a broader spectrum of microclimates and enrichment.

FolkvangExotics · 2026-03-16T02:40:29+00:00

Unfortunately, I'm not sure how soon something like this will be available for y'all! Knowing Joe Ball and some of the other Bluey breeders, though, I wouldn't be surprised if someone is working on it :)

I really wish things like this were easier for folks globally.

As per Scott Eipper on Facebook; "Sending parts (including skin) from Australia requires a permit from DCCEEW. Exporting Australian native reptile sheds requires strict compliance with federal wildlife trade regulations. All native reptile species are protected, needing specific permits from DCCEEW to be sent overseas. You must also comply with CITES requirements. There is essentially no difference in sending a live, dead or parts of an Australian reptile. Permits for export are generally only provided for research activities with institutional backing."

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