Hahaha, spunky. Anyone that came across a Tanimbar that didn't know a thing about BTS would hate them for life!
Go with Edward's advice.
Tanimbar Island Blue Tongue Skink—
The Tanimbar has a beautiful range of color from brilliant orange, to canary yellow, to pure white
The Tanimbar is an absolute stunning species, but is known for being much more aggressive than your average blue tongue. They're not a hefty species, rarely growing longer than 18 inches. They're also not too terribly hard to find, and usually cost around $150 on up. This species is also known for turning a resplendent silvery color as seen below, especially with age. The more intensely 'argental' colored species are generally referred to as 'Silver Tanimbars'. This isn't an albino specimen however, as you can see the eyes are black. Albino's have a pink or blue iris, and usually a red pupil. Albino's also have pink tongues! A few other standout features of the Tanimbar is their incredibly glossy & shiny skin. It's like glass. Have a look at pictures 2, 3, & 4. Their skin just gleams & reflects. Many specimens also have a 'sea green' colored side splotching. Sometimes it's quite evident, other times not. You can see a hint of it on picture #4. A few other unique traits are their faded/blurry gray eye bands, beady black eyes, and hard rock solid bodies. They're really built, and very muscular. Combine that with their personality, and you've got one tough and rugged blue tongue. Hands down, the Tanimbar is indeed the most vicious species. It's full name is "Tiliqua scincoides chimaerea", and is named after the actual Chimera: a mythological fire breathing she-dragon which is said to be a mix between a lion, a goat, and a serpent. Click here for a picture.
Here is a video of one of our beautiful, but vicious juvenile Tanimbars. Notice the difference in hissing. You will hear a series of short hisses, followed by one long diminuendo hiss. WARNING: This is NOT normal blue tongue behavior. This behavior is literally unique only to the Tanimbar (unless you had some totally neglected or mistreated animal). Like all blue tongues though, a feisty juvenile or even an adult, can be tamed down with regular interaction and a little patience. Tanimbar can be pronounced both TAN-IM-BAR & TA-NIM-BAR.
