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Description
Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink (Merauke)
Scientific Name: Tiliqua gigas
Common Name: Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
Species Overview
Size: Adults typically reach 20 to 26 inches (51 to 66 cm), making Meraukes one of the longest Indonesian blue tongue localities. They have long, slender bodies, smooth scales, and a characteristic broad head.
Appearance: Merauke Blue Tongue Skinks are known for their elongated bodies and striking banding. They typically display light brown to tan base colours with dark brown or black crossbands. Many individuals show soft pink or peach tones on the sides and throat. Their tail is proportionally longer than most other Indonesian localities, often contributing to their overall extended length. Like all blue tongues, they feature the iconic cobalt-blue tongue used for defence.
Distribution: This locality originates from the Merauke region of southern Papua, Indonesia.
Habitat: Merauke Blue Tongue Skinks inhabit humid tropical forests, wetlands, and coastal lowlands. They rely on dense vegetation, deep leaf litter, and consistently moist substrates for security and thermoregulation.
Behaviour: These skinks are typically crepuscular to diurnal and seek refuge in tight, secure hiding spaces. They display classic blue tongue defences such as hissing, puffing up, and tongue flashing. Meraukes are generally alert, curious, and slightly less secretive than some other Indonesian localities, though still moisture-dependent.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Provide a spacious terrestrial enclosure at least 48 inches × 24 inches × 24 inches (120 × 60 × 60 cm). The long body and tail of Meraukes benefit from ample floor space. Include deep substrate for burrowing, cork flats, logs, hides, and dense foliage.
Temperature and Humidity:
Basking area: 95 to 100°F (35 to 38°C)
Ambient temperature: 80 to 85°F (27 to 29°C)
Night temperatures: 72 to 75°F (22 to 24°C)
Maintain humidity between 70 and 90 percent using deep substrate, regular misting, and partially covered enclosures.
Lighting: Provide full-spectrum lighting with moderate UVB (5 to 7 percent). While some keepers maintain Indonesian skinks without UVB, its use is strongly recommended for metabolic health and natural behavioural expression.
Diet: Offer a varied omnivorous diet consisting of high-quality wet dog or cat food, cooked lean meats, snails, roaches, hard-boiled eggs, leafy greens, squash, sweet potato, fruits, and berries. Supplement calcium consistently and use multivitamins as needed.
Behaviour in Captivity: Merauke Blue Tongue Skinks are generally calm, alert, and responsive. They thrive with predictable routines, deep substrate, and secure hiding areas. They may tolerate handling well with gentle, regular interaction.
Special Considerations:
• Meraukes require consistently high humidity for proper shedding.
• Their longer tails make secure enclosure décor especially important.
• Deep substrate supports burrowing and moisture retention.
• Stable humidity and hydration levels are critical for long-term health.
Taxonomy Note
The Merauke Blue Tongue Skink is a locality form of Tiliqua gigas, a species complex native to Indonesia and surrounding regions. Compared to Australian species, T. gigas skinks are more elongate, more moisture-dependent, and exhibit smoother scale textures.
Genetics Note
Merauke Blue Tongue Skinks are a naturally occurring locality, not a morph. Genetic variation within the locality includes differences in band width, tone intensity, pink or peach lateral hues, and tail length. These traits fall within normal geographic variation for this population.