BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Today i was at a reptile show, and they offered me this "northern" blue tongue female. I think it looks more like a gigas gigas. Can anybody help me out with this? I am told she is approx 4 years old.

Certainly gigas, Id say Merauke.

Thanks for the quick identification ! Is there a good caresheet available somewhere? I read allready many, but it is mostly specific for the australians, i know they need more humidity. I feel a bit stupid that i let them sell me a gigas, but i am allready quite fond of her

There is a care sheet for Meraukes here on the forum under the species specific caresheet additions menu.

blr wrote:Thanks for the quick identification ! Is there a good caresheet available somewhere? I read allready many, but it is mostly specific for the australians, i know they need more humidity. I feel a bit stupid that i let them sell me a gigas, but i am allready quite fond of her

Awe, don't even worry about it, my gigas blue tongues are amazing pets. I love them to pieces. It just means yours is likely an import, and you may want to consider getting a fecal float done with a vet and follow through with some parasite treatment/standard de-wormer.

There is a considerable amount of info on this site for gigas species care. Check out the care sheets, both the standard one, and the new species specific one, as well as the search function. One of the main differences, which you have already mentioned is the humidity, keep it up and get some substrate that will help hold moisture in that regard.

Congrats on the new blue, I think he/she is a looker.

Definitely a Merauke, Tiliqua gigas evanescens.

Thank you all for the info & advise! , so it is Merauke, Tiliqua gigas evanescens. It is not exactly what they told me, but i am happy with her. The seller said he was selling her for a customer and she was 3/4 years old. She is very tame, really friendly animal. She looks healthy, but to be sure i go to the vet for a good check-up. I don't think it stays with one BTS

Congratulations, what a beauty! And definitely does not stay with one...my only addiction I cannot control. (And don't want to!!!)

What is the best substrate for the gigas? at the moment i have improvised with cocopeat, but not sure if that is ideal. I was prepared for a northern ...

I use orchid bark (/Reptibark) with 1-2 gallons of sphagnum moss with great success. I have tried all other substrates available, and this is my favorite. It is a matter of opinion, though.

I'm using a combination of coco coir and sphagnum moss. Coco products are great for holding moisture. I've used Reptibark as well, its visually very nice, and also works quite well. The only reason I switched to the coco coir was that I got harmless wood mites in my Reptibark. Not to say that's a common issue with reptibark, just a possibility with wood product.

Thank you both for your answers Cococoir they call here cocopeat, i go mix it up with spagnum moss now. I think with reptibark is cleaner when you take him out, but mites i dont want Maybe put in the freezer first. Just mix it up with the spagnum moss?

no need to mix in the sphagnum moss, I just dampen it and layer it on top of the substrate on one side of the enclosure.