Page 1 of 1

Classic Indonesian or Merauke? Help!

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 2:09 pm
by Olivia Oddity
Hello! My name is Olivia, and I am new to these awesome reptiles! I am 16 years old, and I live in Michigan. I have owned tons of leopard geckos, and I currently have a ball python, a baby Savannah monitor, and my small collection of crested geckos. I have been working with reptiles since I was in 5th grade, and I have become a lot more knowledgable in that time. I have animals I know that I am capable of taking care of.

So! Well browsing online about a week ago, I found this GORGEOUS female bluey. I have always wanted one, but starting them out can be pricey sometimes. She was a fair price with her enclosure included, so on Friday I brought my little (big) girl home! She is so incredibly tame, and just so pretty to me. She is very healthy and husky. So when I bought her, her owner did not know her species of blue tongue skink. He took care of her super well, but just didn't know what she was. I have posted in Facebook groups and I have gotten mixed responses.

At first I was told Classic Indonesian.
Then I was asked if her belly was pink, and I said yes. Then she was deemed a Merauke. Is it possible she could be a hybrid? I will attach photos of her. She is 2 feet long also.

Re: Classic Indonesian or Merauke? Help!

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 4:19 pm
by Susann
Yes, there is a possibility that she is a hybrid (or, more likely an intergrade than a hybrid), but there would be no way for you to know for sure unless you found the person with the parents to your skink. All we can do at this point is guess based on the characteristics.

So, here is my take on it:
Your skink has some of the characteristics of both Indonesians (Tiliqua gigas gigas) and Meraukes (Tiliqua gigas evanescens); the black "mottling" between the bands and the black "marbling" of the tail, and the almost non-outlined bands, are typical Indo traits. The three stripes down the neck are also seen on Indos much more than on Meraukes.
But here's why I think your skink is a Merauke:
#1) the lack of black on its head
#2) the lack of inky black tops of the front legs
#3) the head-shape looks Merauke; Indos generally have a different shape to their heads --a kind of narrower pointedness...
#4) temporal scales say Merauke
#5) we have seen more and more imported Meraukes in the past couple years that have this Indo "mottledness" to their pattern.

I understand the confusion; at first glance when looking at the pattern, it says Indo, but looking closer, almost all the other tell-tale signs say Merauke.

This is just my 5 cents though; I work with Meraukes but I have zero experience with Indos.