What type of BTS is this? And basic care question.

[zielo]

Hello everyone, I am new to the world of blue tongues. I know basic information about them as far as husbandry and feeding goes, but this is the first time Ive ever actually come across one.

I work at a pet store and we just got one in the other day. He (or she) is beautiful and I am considering getting him myself once I know more about these guys. Ive had beardies, chameleons, crested geckos, and snakes in the past.

My concern is though, I need to know what type of BTS he is in order to give him the proper care he needs in our store until someone does buy him/if I decide I want him. On the brief reading up I did, I saw that certain BTS are drier and should be on aspen, and some do OK on the Eco Earth coconut fiber bedding. Right now, our guy is currently on the Eco Earth bedding and im not sure if this is OK. I want to be able to show the management something creditable to convince them to change beddings if necessary. So, thats why im here today trying to figure out what species this BTS baby is.

He is young, and I dont know sex. Can you tell sex/age at his size? He is about a little less than the length of my hand, and I have small female hands to put to perspective. His colors are very vivid. I took pictures in different lighting and angles to help determine what he is. Thanks to anyone that can help!

[skinks101]

It is a merauke blue tongue skink .

[Dakota]

Neonate Merauke, Tiliqua gigas evanescens.

Meraukes are a tropical subspecies. You cannot tell their sex at this age. I would say he is about a month or two old, at most. Maybe younger.

Good luck!

[Edward]

Pretty sure it's T. gigas, not positive which subspecies.

[Susann]

skinks101, we do appreciate your excitement and enthusiasm, but I'm going to have to ask you to please stop giving advice to other new keepers until such a time that you have gained more knowledge yourself.

zielo, I commend you on wanting to find out more info on this little guy, and I also hope you might pass on the web address for this forum to whomever buys the skink ...although, I believe the best outcome would be for you to keep him yourself.

Like Dakota said, it looks very much like a baby Merauke, and no, there is no way to tell the sex at this age no matter what angle the camera is at.
The Caresheet at http://www.bluetongueskinks.net will cover all aspects any new keeper would need to know, except the fact that the gigas species need much higher humidity, which is why I would advise against aspen unless you have a fogger or misting system installed. You are looking for the air humidity to be around 65-80% without making the animal live on continually soggy substrate. I generally don't like quoting numbers for humidity because most of us don't use hygrometers, and some individuals do just fine with much lower humidity whereas some need much more. A safe alternative, at least while in your store, would be to keep him on lightly misted Eco Earth and supply him with a constant humid hide. This is what I do with my babies here and have had no problems what so ever.

Good luck!