BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hi everyone,

I have had my marauke for nearly a year now and have always kept the humidity around 50/60. I have had many mixed answers on this some people say the marauke needs higher humidity and others say they require the same as a northern.

I am just confused and would like a definitive answer on the matter.

If you have had him a year and all is well, I wouldn't change anything. Does he shed ok? That's usually the first indication, shedding problems if too low. I have kept both Meraukes and Halmaheras at humidity levels 60-80 with no issues. My Northerns are kept at about 40-60, was first misinformed that they need to be drier which resulted in excessive sneezing and terrible sheds. Indonesian species do need higher humidity, but if husbandry issues are met there should be no problem keeping at what your levels are. (large water bowl, humid hide, etc).

In my experience keeping both Merauke and Irian Jaya, I have noticed that both tend to do OK at lower humidity levels in the 50's, probably more so than other Gigas species of BTS.. The average humidity in its native climate sits at about 80%. For this reason, most people will recommend you keep your humidity at or as close to this as possible. As you have noticed, the Merauke seemingly has the cabapility of adapting to much lower humidity levels in a captive setting, much like the Northern Blue Tongue Skink, which is also typically kept at humidity levels that do not mirror those of Northern Australia.

Thanks for the info will continue to do what I have been doing as blue doesnt show any signs of distress and has a very good character