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Is there anybody out there that can tell me about blue tounge skinks and how to care for them ( cage size, feeding, ect.) Or if anyone knows a website that has information about them, that would be greatly apreciated.

Thanks

Here is some of the text from my November 2001 BTS article in Reptiles Magazine. You may also want to check out Craig L's "Blue tongue Pages" website. He has put a great deal of time and research into it.
Blue-tongued Skinks of the genus Tiliqua have been in the reptile hobby for many years, and until recently they have managed to remain underrated, or unknown to most reptile hobbyists. Blue-tongues are starting to see the popularity that they have long since deserved, and this is not without good reason. These large skinks have simple caging requirements, easy going personalities, and a willingness to eat almost anything, which makes them a truly great pet lizard for any reptile enthusiasts. I have kept these fascinating lizards for many years, and I am still amazed by their curiosity and their ability to learn and adapt. Blue-tongued Skinks are hearty long-lived lizards that are, in my opinion, the ultimate lizard pet.
Blue-tongued Skinks get their common name from their bright blue tongue, which they display when startled or threatened in an effort to frighten off a perceived threat. The genus Tiliqua is composed of six different species, all of which, with the exception of the Pygmy Blue-tongue, are very similar in appearance. Blue-tongues are medium-large (14-27 inches), heavy-bodied lizards. They have long sausage-like bodies, large triangular heads, and relatively short stocky tails. Their short limbs and tiny feet seem too small for their bodies, giving them an awkward and sometimes comical appearance.
Blue-tongues can be found throughout Australia, and many of its surrounding islands, including: Tazmania, New Guinea, and a large number of Indonesian islands. Blue-tongues have adapted to survive in a wide range of habitats, from semi-arid scrub-lands to montane forests; and from arid deserts to sub-humid tropical forests. Blue-tongues are diurnal (day active) lizards that have adapted to a terrestrial (ground dwelling) lifestyle, often sheltering in animal burrows, log hollows, and under discarded sheets of metal. All six species are viviparous (live bearing).
These are relatively long lived lizards, and it is not unusual for a Blue-tongued Skink to live 15-20 years, and even possibly well into its 30's. I know of a Blue-tongue named Rosie that was 28 years old the last time that I saw her, and she is now 33, assuming she is still with us.
Custom enclosures: I house my skinks separately in custom built 3'L x 16"D x 15"H melamine enclosures that are comparable in price, more functional, and visually more pleasing than the common glass aquarium style reptile cage. Melamine is an easy to clean surface that also provides good insulation from extreme temperatures. I use 1/4-inch sliding glass bypass doors for easy access, and 1/4-inch pegboard, which provides my skinks with adequate ventilation while maintaining constant temperatures.
Blue-tongues like to hide on occasion, so it is important to provide them with some kind of shelter. I like to use hide logs because the skinks have the opportunity to bask on them when they want to warm up, or hide in them when they want to feel secure or sleep. Aside from their water bowl, they will not need any other furnishings.
Newspaper, Care-fresh, and artificial turf have all proven to suitable substrates for me in the past. I have also heard good things about cypress mulch and coconut husk from other hobbyists.
Blue-tongues will often burrow in their substrate if given the opportunity (especially when kept in a glass tank). They do this simply out of convenience, in an effort to get under something and out of sight from potential dangers. Blue-tongues are not burrowing lizards by nature, rather they are opportunistic shelter seekers that do not need a substrate to burrow in if given appropriate hides and an enclosure that provides them with some sense of security. I avoid orchid bark, sand, crushed walnut shell, and aspen bedding because of the many health risks that they pose, including: skin and respiratory problems, accidental ingestion and impaction, and unwanted foreign invasion into the eyes and nostrils. Many of these, but not all, are also messy and quite impractical. Never use cedar chips due to the toxic oils that they secrete.
Lights and heat: There are many opinions in regards to Lizards and full spectrum lighting. While it hasn't been proven that it is absolutely necessary for the proper development of a Blue-tongued Skink. I would much rather play it safe than sorry, and I still believe that the potential psychological and physiological benefits of full spectrum lighting make it well worth the effort. A 12/12 photo-period can be maintained with the use of a household appliance timer. I maintain this photo-period for the entire year, with the exception of when I am cycling my skinks for breeding. A thermogradiant should be established in the cage by providing a basking site of 90-95 degrees at one end of the enclosure while maintaining temperatures of 80-85 degrees at the cool end. This can be accomplished by using a spotlight of appropriate wattage or under tank heating pad, and it will allow the skink to control its body temperature by means of thermoregulation. Night-time temperatures normally should not drop below 75 degrees.
Water: Clean water should always be available in a container that is heavy and stable enough to prevent the skink from tipping it over.
Food: In the wild, Blue-tongues are opportunistic feeders. This adaptation suits their omnivorous tastes well, enabling them to eat almost anything that they come across. In the wild they will eat arthropods, snails, baby rodents, and other small animals. Blue-tongues also take advantage of the native fruits, flowers, and grasses, readily consuming them when available. In captivity, I do my best to duplicate the Blue-tongue's natural diet. I have devised a skink mix that makes up for the majority of their diet. This mix is easy to freeze and store in individual zip lock bags. I try to maintain a ratio of 50-60% animal matter to 40-50% Plant matter in their mix. I always try to include new ingredients, when making the mix, so that it is never exactly the same. These are some of the items that I frequently use in my mix.
Animal matter: Canned premium cat or dog food (I usually use chicken flavored cat food), moistened monkey chow, ground turkey, dry premium dog or cat food (moistened), hard boiled eggs (sparingly), lean cuts of meat, boiled chicken, caned reptile diets.
Plant matter: Chopped mustard, collard, beet, and turnip greens. Dandelion greens and flowers, hibiscus flowers (take care that no pesticides or herbicides are present). Chopped kale (sparingly), fresh, canned, and thawed frozen fruits. Canned or frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, and green beans). Grated squash, carrots, apples, and potatoes. Moistened iguana diet, and cooked pasta.
Most insects are readily accepted by Blue-tongues. You can purchase crickets at most pet stores, and they are available in bulk through a large number of mail order companies that advertise in reptile related magazines. Also available are mealworms, superworms, waxworms, and earthworms. Snails are also relished with delight by most Blue-tongues. If you are feeding insects or snails, that you have collected, to your skink, it is important to make sure that there is no chance of them being contaminated with pesticides. Rat-pups are great for skinks that are a bit thin and need to put on some weight, while young adult mice make an excellent weekly supplement for gravid females.
Supplementation: A quality calcium supplement with vitamin D3 is an important factor in maintaining most lizards, including Blue-tongued Skinks. Make sure it is phosphorous free, and do not over supplement. Sprinkle a small amount on the food every other feeding for babies and gravid females, and every third feeding for all other adults. If given a varied diet, Blue-tongues will not need any other vitamin or mineral supplements.
Breeding: Before breeding Blue-tongued Skinks, it is necessary to have a sexed pair of sexually mature Skinks. This task is easier said than done, as Blue-tongues are quite difficult to sex for most hobbyists. There are many ideas on how to accurately sex Blue-tongues, with most of them being only semi-accurately at best. In the past people have used such indicators as eye color, head and body morphology, hemipenile swelling, and popping (hemipenile eversion). Very often, it is necessary to employ more than one of these methods to accurately determine the sex of a Blue-tongue.
The presence of, or lack of, seminal plugs is a reliable indicator that I have utilized in determining the sex of my Blue-tongues. Most Hobbyists overlook this dead give away because they keep their skinks on dirt, bark, gravel, or aspen bedding, and the seminal plugs simply get lost in the substrate. I have found that when I keep my skinks on artificial turf, that these plugs become quite obvious. Males will often "drop" these small clearish-white little blobs in pairs on a daily basis, and they should not be confused with the urate portion of the skinks waste matter.
Probing has proven to be inconclusive and inconsistent with Blue-tongued Skinks. It is also not recommended due to the risk of damage to the skink's reproductive organs. Many Blue-tongues are inadvertently sterilized during this unnecessary procedure. Please, do not attempt to probe your Blue-tongues, it offers nothing to gain and a lot to loose.
Most breeders agree that Blue-tongued skinks need to be subjected to some kind of cooling period in order for them to breed. This cooling period is thought to stimulate courtship behaviour, and should duplicate conditions that the particular species or subspecies would experience in the wild. Before cooling your Blue-tongued Skinks, it is important to make sure that their digestive tracts are cleared of any undigested food that could putrefy in the skink's stomach. This can be accomplished simply by taking your skinks off of food 1-2 weeks prior to cooling. I usually start cooling my skinks in the beginning of November. In addition to cooling, I also shorten the photo-period to 6-8 hours depending on the species. During the cooling period the skinks should not be offered food of any kind, however water should be available at all times. These winter conditions should be continued for 2-3 months, and should cause the skinks to enter into a state of inactivity. It is important to monitor your Blue-tongues closely throughout the entire cycling process, making sure that they display no signs of respiratory disease or any other abnormalities. Only healthy sexually mature skinks with plenty of fat reserves should be considered for cooling and or breeding. Blue-tongues from the colder southern regions such as the Eastern, Blotched, and Western Blue-tongued Skinks can be cooled to 65-70 degrees in the day and 55-60 degrees at night. Tropical species such as the Irian Jaya, Tanimbar, and Indonesian Blue-tongued Skinks should not be cooled lower 70 degrees in the day and 65 degrees at night.
After my skinks have been properly cooled, the photo-period and cage temperature is gradually adjusted back to normal over the course of one week. At this point the skinks are offered small meals. 1-2 weeks after being returned to their normal temperatures, I introduce the female into the male's enclosure, (a sort of conjugal visit if you will) while I play the role of chaperone. The female will usually freeze up and wriggle her tail. If all goes well, the male will grasp the female just above the forelimb near the nape of the neck, after which he should attempt to copulate with her. Copulation does not last long (about 30 to 90 seconds) after which the male will release the female. It is at this time that there is often a turning of the tables, with the once submissive female attacking the now inoffensive male. At this time I remove the female, and treat any superficial scratches with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. After a 1-2 day rest, they are ready to give it another go. After 3-5 successful copulations, the female will usually have a bit of a mood swing, not allowing the male the intimacy that she did just days before. At this point breeding is over, and if all goes well, babies should be expected in early summer. Blue-tongued Skinks have a gestation that lasts from 3-5 months, with the unknown date of ovulation, and the ability to store sperm being responsible for the fluctuation. During the gestation period the female should be given access to a warm basking site of at least 95 degrees, and frequent meals with increased calcium supplementation (every other meal). Some gravid females balloon to enormous sizes, and it is very obvious that they are gravid, while others hide their pregnancy well, surprising even the most experienced keepers with unexpected babies. As her term progresses the gravid female will often get grumpier and grumpier, and as the end draws near she will often refuse food and may appear to be uncomfortable. Some hobbyists like to provide nesting material for the future mother so she can feel more secure, and to give the babies some place to hide once they are born. Shredded newspaper works great. Take care not to use substrates that may stick to the new baby’s afterbirths, as they quickly consume them and the chance of impaction or death is much higher at this stage in the game.
Babies should be separated from the mother as soon as they are discovered. They can be housed together in a 20-30 (depending on the number of babies) gallon tank. They will get along fine for a few weeks, although they should be monitored closely especially during feeding time, as fights do break out. In 3-6 weeks it is a good idea to start separating the babies into their own enclosures. Skinks that are not separated will fight, causing broken legs, lost tails, and serious head wounds. These fights will often happen out of the blue and without warning, in a group of baby skinks that almost seemed to enjoy each other's company just the day before. Ten-gallon fish tanks with 1/4-inch pegboard tops make great rearing tanks for baby Blue-tongues. Baby skinks should be kept warm with basking temperatures of 90-95 degrees and ambient temperatures of 85-90 degrees. There should be little or no drop in temperature at night. I recommend that babies be kept on either newspaper or artificial turf so as to prevent them from accidentally ingesting any substrate, which could cause an impaction or even death. Baby Blue-tongues should be fed every day, or at least every other day, a diet similar to that of adults, with care being taken that there are no pieces that could be too big for baby skinks to swallow. Calcium supplementation should offered with every other feeding.
Color morphs: While there are some Tiliqua species such as the Common (Tiliqua scincoides), and the Indonesian Blue-tongued Skinks (Tiliqua gigas) that display great variability in their color and pattern, there are still those morphs that cause even the most jaded hobbyists to stand back in awe. Most of these morphs are rarely if ever seen in U.S. collections, and command extremely high prices when they are made available. When in the market for these high-end Blue-tongued Skink morphs, it is a good idea to buy only from reputable dealers or breeders, and always ask for photos.
Albinism vs. Amelanism: True albinism is a recessive genetic mutation in which the affected animal has a total lack of all pigmentation on its entire body, including the eyes, causing the irises to be red or pink. Many people confuse albinism with amelanism, which is where the affected animal has a total lack of all melanin (dark pigment) and red or pink eyes. Most mammals, including humans, have only one pigment (melanin) present, and for them, there is no different between albinism and amelanism. However, most reptiles possess other pigments such as xanthin (yellow) and etherin (red) which still play a major role in the reptile's coloration, even when there is no melanin present, as in the case with amelanism. While turning up occasionally in Australia, I do not currently know of any albino Blue-tongued Skinks here in the U.S. However, I do know of a group of albino Indonesian Blue-tongued Skinks (Tiliqua gigas gigas) that were sold by an east coast reptile dealer, to a reclusive breeder in the San Francisco area, as recent as 2 years ago. He contacted me once, and I have not heard from him since. I suspect that the group was sold out of the country as I have not seen or heard of them since. There are two photos of blue-tongues, with interesting color mutations, that are published in some of the common herpetological magazines and books in this country. Only one of them is a true albino. It is an Eastern Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides), and it was taken by Karl Switack at the Australian Reptile Park in (you guessed it) Australia. The other photo is of a young Irian Jaya Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua ssp.) that was taken by Dick Bartlett. This skink is actually not albino. However, it is most probably amelanistic, but there are potential questions that could be raised in reference to its normal appearing eyes. Unfortunately this specimen died not long after it was photographed.
Melanism and Hypermelanism: Melanism refers to animals that are completely black or dark brown that would not display such coloration under normal circumstances. The term is often misused to describe animals that are merely darker than normal, but by no means solid black or dark brown. These darker animals are more correctly referred to as hypermelanistic. Melanistic Blue-tongued Skinks are non-existent in U.S. collections, and very rare in Australia, with only two reports of total melanism occurring in blue-tongues. The first was a new-born Eastern Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides) from Sydney. The second was a Blotched Blue-tongue (Tiliqua nigrolutea) from Tasmania. While being extremely rare, it is no surprise that these two examples are both members of the two most southernly ranging Tiliqua species, whose range includes many highland regions and are therefore subjected to colder temperatures than the other members in their genus. There are populations of the Shingle-back Skink (Trachydosaurus rugosus), in the same area in New South Wales, that are almost entirely melanistic. Being melanistic, these skinks are able to absorb heat more efficiently when basking in a range where heat is hard to come by. It is possible that these two Melanistic blue-tongues could be a glimpse into the evolutionary future of the Tiliqua that inhabit these colder ranges.
Hypomelanism: This term refers to an animal that displays reduced amounts of melanin, possessing smaller amounts than would the norm for its particular species. It is a very broad term covering everything from animals with recessive genetic mutations such as leucism, albinism, and amelanism, to animals that are a little lighter than usual with no apparent genetics responsible. There are some Blue-tongued Skink specimens that fall somewhere in between, showing a definite reduction in melanin, and appearing to display some sort of genetic abnormality. These are the blue-tongues that come to mind when we hear the term "Hypo". Weather this is a co-dominant trait or recessive trait remains a mystery at this time. These Skinks are quite rare and very expensive. Some of these Hypos are more than you would expect them to be, while others are sadly disappointing. Because of the broadness of this term, it is advised to always get a photo of the specimen before you send off your life savings.
Leucism: This trait is displayed in animals that have no pigmentation, appearing milky white with bluish black eyes. I have heard more than one report from people claiming to have Leucistic Blue-tongued Skinks, and to date, none have even come close to being an actual leucistic Blue-tongue. As far as I know, Leucism has not yet been witnessed in Blue-tongued Skinks.
Striped Blue-tongues: Could it actually be true? Apparently the answer was yes. There is a breeder in Ohio who had a striped Irian Jaya Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua ssp.) in his collection. It was a very light tan color with two thin brown stripes that run from the neck to the tip of the tail. As far as I know, it was the only one of its kind. It is not known if this is a recessive or co-dominant trait, or if it is even genetically reproducible at all. Sadly, I was recently informed by the owner that this specimen had died at about one year of age.
Fancy Names and Marketing Games: Some people like to classify every slightly different colored specimen into a "phase" or "race." This is okay if it is just left at that, and if the name actually describes the specimen, but it always seems to snowball into some kind of insane game of marketing name one-up-man-ship. This has been going on for years now with the Bearded Dragon and now it has unfortunately reached the Blue-tongued Skink market. In the last few years I have seen Blue-tongued Skinks marketed as silver, yellow, cream, and multi-colored phases. More recently I have heard terms such as pastel and citrus-hypo being coined by "breeders." Some of these descriptions have at least some basis, while others are simply obvious marketing ploys with no precedence. We have gathered many Blue-tongued Skinks and have meticulously grouped them first according to species or subspecies, and second, according to color and form. There will not be any names given to any of these color forms, morphs, phases, or races until they are reproduced successfully. As with any other reptile purchase, I recommend viewing the actual skink, or at least a photo of the skink, so as to verify weather or not it lives up to its name or any other claims.

The Common Blue-tongued Skink Tiliqua scincoides (White, ex Shaw, 1790) was the first Blue-tongue to be described. As its name implies, it is the most common of the Blue-tongues to occur in the hobby. Currently, there are three recognized subspecies: the Eastern Blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides), the Northern Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia), and the Tanimbar Island Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides chimaerea). The common Blue-tongue is variable in both color and pattern, and can Have up to 25 babies in a litter.
The Eastern Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides) is variable in color, but usually has a grey to tan background color with darker bands that extend over the back onto the sides, sometimes continuing onto the belly. The sides of the scales of the paler interspaces (between the darker bands) are usually marked with a dark edge, creating a series of dark brown thin lines that run down the length of the body. Many specimens have a heavy, dark temporal streak that runs from the back of the eye to the top of the ear opening. Their fore limbs are patternless, and are usually much paler than the hind limbs. The Eastern's tail often appears to be thicker and more stumpy than the other three subspecies, accounting for 50-60% of the snout-vent length. The Eastern Blue-tongue's average adult size is about 17-19 inches. The Eastern Blue-tongued Skink can be found in a variety of habitats in its range that extends from south-eastern Australia, up along the east coast, to the tip of the Cape York Peninsula.
The Northern Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) is often paler than the Eastern Blue-tongue, and grows to a larger adult size, with reports of adult lengths of up to 27 inches. Its back is patterned similar to that of the Eastern Blue-tongue, very often with numerous white scales inside the dark bands. As the pattern continues down onto the flanks, the dark bands become bright yellow-orange blotches, while the paler interspaces transform into dark brown or black blotches, creating a contrasting pattern of alternating yellow-orange and black blotches down the side. The head is a light grey-tan color, and is lacking the dark temporal streak often seen on the Eastern Blue-tongue. The forelimbs are usually the same color as the head, and are paler than the hind limbs. The Northern Blue-tongue's tail accounts for 55-60% of the snout-vent length. The Northern Blue-tongued Skink inhabits the drier open woodlands and grasslands of northern Australia. Its range extends from Western Australia (along the northern Australian coast) through the Northern Territory and into Queensland.
The Tanimbar Island Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides chimaerea) was imported in small amounts in the mid 90's, often as the Dwarf Blue-tongued Skink, causing many people to confuse them with the endangered Adelaide Pygmy Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua adelaidensis). Tanimbars currently are not often imported into this country, with their very aggressive temperaments, that often came with them, being a major factor in their decline in popularity.
The Tanimbar Island Blue-tongued Skink is one of the smaller Blue-tongues with adults reaching 15-17 inches and a tail accounts for 50-60% of the snout-vent length. Tanimbars are usually banded in golden brown and a silvery grey, with a yellow gold coloration that extends from its belly up on to its lower jaw and chin. The scalation is extremely smooth and glossy, with the free edges of dorsal scales being rounded. Its forelimbs are basically patternless, and lighter in color than the hind limbs. The head also lacks any flecking or temporal streaking. I have seen occasional specimens that are white on the entire ventral surface, and banded with silver and light grey on their back. These unusual looking skinks appear to be anerytheristic, and/or hypomelanistic. It is not yet known if these animals are from a population of skinks restricted to a certain local, or if they are simply a second color phase that has no geographic basis.
The Irian Jaya Blue-tongue (Tiliqua ssp.) was recently discovered in the early 1990s, and remains undescribed and unnamed. Many hobbyists believe it to be a fourth scincoides subspecies. But current findings are point in another direction. It is now thought to be the result of hybridisation between one or both gigas subspecies and one of the Australian scincoides subspecies that had access to southern New Guinea due to a land bridge that connected the two land masses earlier on in its evolution. Basically, much of Southern New Guinea is thought to be an old hybrid zone that becacme isolated due to the loss of that land bridge (Torres Strait) and the resulting separation of the two land masses. Now it is thought that only varying percentages of scincoides remain in different individuals of this hybrid population of skinks, and that there are no pure scincoides left in New Guinea. Whatever the situation, it is safe to say that this population is a naturally occurring population. Any of the man-made hybrid conspiracy theories that are out there are absolutely ridiculous.
Because of its similar appearance, disposition, and hardiness to the Common Australian Blue-tongues, it became very popular in the pet trade. In time it became fairly inexpensive, and soon replaced the Indonesian Blue-tongue (Tiliqua gigas) as this country's new and improved Blue-tongued Skink import staple.
The Irian Jaya Blue-tongued Skink is a large (18-23 inches) variable Blue-tongue that often looks almost like a combination between the Eastern, and the Indonesian Blue-tongues. It is common for many of its physical characteristics to be inconsistent, and/or muted, making identification difficult, and adding to its already confusing status. Like the Eastern Blue-tongue, it has the bold bands that cross over the back and onto the sides. The head is variable, and often lacks the dark temporal streak. There are exceptions, with some individuals having strong temporal streaks (a trait known to some populations of the Eastern Blue-tongue). The Irian Jaya Blue-tongue's tail is longer than the other two Australian subspecies, accounting for 65-80% of the snout-vent length. The fore limbs are also quite variable, ranging from dark brown (but never black) with some cream flecking on them (resembling the Indonesian) to a lighter brown with almost no flecking on them (looking more like, but not generally as light as, the Eastern or Northern). The hind limbs are almost always darker than the forelimbs, and very often have large cream spots on them. The Irian Jaya Blue-tongued Skink inhabits the dry tropical regions of southern coastal New Guinea that are similar in climate and habitat to adjacent northern Australia. Its range includes both Irian Jaya, and Papua, New Guinea.
Indonesian Blue-tongued Skink Tiliqua gigas (Schneider,1801)
For years, the Indonesian Blue-tongue was thought to be the only Blue-tongued Skink that was not found in Australia. This all changed in the early 90's with the discovery and mass importation of the Irian Jaya Blue-tongued Skink Which caused the Indonesian Blue-tongue to be overlooked by many importers. The Indonesian Blue-tongue is still imported into this country in small numbers, with captive-bred specimens being available on rare occasions. This has caused the once common Indonesian Blue-tongued Skink to be sought after by serious Blue-tongued Skink collectors, and breeders. Unfortunately, the Indonesian, and Irian Jaya Blue-tongue, are often confused for each other, because of the close proximity of their ranges, and the misuse of their common names in current literature (Both species are often referred to as the New Guinea Blue-tongue). Indonesian Blue-tongued Skinks have a very extensive range that includes many islands, which creates a great deal of variation in color and form. Females can produce up to 15 live young. Two new subspecies of Tiliqua gigas have recently been described in addition to the nominate form.
The Indonesian Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua gigas gigas) is a bit smaller than the typical Blue-tongue, with adult sizes ranging from 17-19 inches. However, there are some forms that can grow considerably large (have Brown Gigas that is 24 inches). Their coloration varies from light grey to silver with other specimens ranging from gold to brown. Some brown specimens from Ambon and Ceram Island are almost solid black with very little brown showing, and often make poor captives, coming in with high parasite loads, and bad dispositions. They are apt to squirm, bite, and defecate whenever they are handled, and they have high mortality rates. Indonesian Blue-tongues are usually banded with thin black bands that may or may not have peppering of the background color in them. One of their distinguishing traits is the coloration of their limbs. Their fore and hind limbs are always black, and may or may not possess a certain amount of white speckling on them. The Indonesian Blue-tongue usually has a single black stripe on the top of the neck and the tail is the longest of all the Blue-tongue species, accounting for 78-95% of the snout-vent length. The banding on the tail is usually obscured or totally absent, often appearing black with some white or gold flecking on it. A broken thin black temporal streak may or may not be present. It is also very common for them to have a black outlining on the edges of the large scales on their heads. The Indonesian Blue-tongued skink's range includes the sub-humid tropical forests to the arid scrub and grasslands of northern New Guinea, and its many surrounding Indonesian islands, including the Moluccas island chain.
Faded Indonesian Blue-tongued Skink Tiliqua gigas evanesence
This Large skink is also commonly referred to as the Merauke Gigas. The name "evanesence" means to fade or lighten, and makes reference to the faded appearance of adult specimens. The Merauke Gigas is usually a slate grey color with thin black or dark grey bands that are sometimes much less obvious than in other gigas forms. It has the typical gigas black limbs and single black nape stripe. However, the Merauke Gigas has a tail with more defined banding on it than the other gigas forms. It is a large skink (especially for a gigas), with adults ranging between 20 and 26 inches. Unlike many of the other island forms of Tiliqua gigas, the Merauke often has a good temperament. There has been a great deal of speculation in regards to the actual origin of this Blue-tongue, with many people suggesting that may be the result of hybridization between (Tiliqua gigas gigas), and the Irian Jaya Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides ssp.) To date there is no evidence to support this theory. The Merauke Gigas can be found through out southern New Guinea covering the majority of Papua and southern Irian Jaya.
Blotched Blue-tongued Skink Tiliqua nigrolutea (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)
The Blotched Blue-tongued Skink's scientific name makes reference to a frequent
Color combination that is found on many specimens: (nigro) meaning black, and (lutea) meaning yellow. These skinks are rarely seen in the U.S. pet trade, and on the rare occasions, when they are available, they can be quite expensive.
The Blotched Blue-tongued Skink is dark brown or black with peach, cream, or yellow irregular blotches aligned in longitudinal rows down the body that extend down to the tail where they transform into rings. The pattern becomes reticulated as it moves down the sides onto the belly. The head is usually lighter in color, and is very often peppered in black. The limbs are dark brown or black, and are speckled with cream. Adult Blotched Blue-tongues can grow as large as 19 inches with a tail that is very thick at the base, and measures only 40-50% of the snout-vent length. Its ear openings are less conspicuous than other Blue-tongue species. Females can produce up to 12 live young. The Blotched Blue-tongued Skink can be found in the montane forests and coastal heathlands in south-eastern South Australia, Tasmania, and on the islands of Bass Strait.
Centralian Blue-tongued Skink Tiliqua multifaciata (Sternfeld, 1919)
Despite being frequently encountered in the wild, the Centralian Blue-tongued Skink is another rarity in the pet trade, being made available only on the rarest of occasions.
The Centralian Blue-tongued Skink is light, sometimes bluish, grey with nine or more thin orange-brown bands on the body that continue on down to the tail. Centralians have a pronounced black temporal streak, from behind the eye to just above the ear. The forelimbs are black on top, and pale grey on the underside. The hind limbs are sometimes patterned with faint orange-brown bands, while other times they are patterned similarly to the forelimbs. Centralians have short wide bodies that cause them to appear extremely fat. Adult Centralians average between 16-18 inches with a tail that accounts for 40-55% of their snout-vent length. Females produce up to 10 babies in a litter. The Centralian Blue-tongued Skink can be found in a huge range that includes the arid and semi-arid inland regions the of north-central Australia.
Western Blue-tongued Skink Tiliqua occipitalis (Peters 1863)The Western Blue-tongued Skink is rare to the point of being virtually non-existent in the hobby. They are a pale yellowish-brown color with 4 to 6 thick brown bands that are about twice as wide as the paler interspaces. These bands frequently contain scattered pale scales, and get lighter as they move down to the flanks. The bands get darker as they continue back onto the tail, which accounts for 40-55% of the snout-vent length. The top of the head is light brown in coloration and turns dark brown at the tip of the snout. There is a bold black temporal streak from behind the eye to just above the ear. The forelimbs are a yellowish tan, while the hind limbs are patterned with brown or dark brown and sometimes almost solid black. Western Blue-tongued Skinks can grow as large as 19 inches, and females give birth to 5-10 live young. Western Blue-tongues can be found in a variety of desert habitats in southern Australia from Shark Bay, on the west coast to central New South Wales.
Pygmy Blue-tongued Skink Tiliqua adelaidensis (Peters, 1863) The Pygmy Blue-tongue was thought to be extinct for about thirty years, until its rediscovery on Oct. 14, 1992 when two Biologists, conducting a fauna survey near the township of Burra, found a large adult male in the stomach contents of a road-killed Eastern Brown Snake that they were examining. Since then, there have been several populations discovered and an estimated population of 5500. There are currently seven specimens in captivity, all of which are in Australia (1 at the South Australia Museum and 6 at the Adelaide Zoo). The Pygmy Blue-tongue is currently not available in the pet trade, and enjoys the benefits of protection from the Australian government.
This Blue-tongue is truly a pygmy, with adults being about the same size of a neonate of any other Blue-tongue species. Their tail is short, accounting for 50-75% of the snout-vent length. However, it is much thinner and tapers quickly at the base. Pygmy Blue-tongues are a rusty brown to tan color, and may or may not be speckeled with black spots that sometimes form faint irregular bars on the flanks and/or a stripe down the spine. The limbs are a pale yellowish tan, and are patternless. The Pygmy Blue-tongue has a single anterior lobule, and it is the only member of the genus Tiliqua that does not have a blue tongue.
The Pygmy Blue-tongued Skink inhabits the treeless scrublands and grasslands in a range that is restricted to a rather small area including the foothills of the Mt. Lofty Ranges, and the adjacent plains from Adelaide to Burra. It seems to be dependent on a close association with the native clump grasses.
For one reason or another, in the past, Blue-tongued Skinks have often been ignored by the herpetological community. I am glad to see that this is slowly changing, with more and more people discovering what pleasant and intriguing lizards they actually are. Blue-tongues simply are one of the best lizard pets that anyone could hope for, which is why Reptiles Magazine listed them as one of the top five reptile pet choices for children, in last year's annual 2000 issue. These lizards truly deserve the attention that they are finally getting, and if you are ever in the market for a new reptile acquisition, remember not to overlook these interesting underdogs. They will not let you down, as they have the ability to consistently reward and surprise their keepers with their friendly and curious personalities.

Thanks for the lengthy and information filled response. It should be very helpful in the future when i want to start my own BTS collection.

Thanks

Keith S.