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Craigslist species identification (hybrid?)

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:54 am
by probablyaflower
Hello!

I found a post on craigslist for a 6 year old female northern blue tongued skink. The pictures weren't that great so I asked for more, and those pictures have me puzzled on identification. To me it looks like she may be a northern x indo hybrid because she shares characteristics of both.

She has the general color palette of a northern but at the same time has that dark blotch behind her ears, and her scale pattern doesn't strike me as 100% northern. Also, her legs are both pretty dark. Her hips also seem a bit slim compared to most northerns, but she should just be underweight. I'm not saying that northerns can't have any of these characteristics, but all together they make me suspicious.

What do you guys think? I would love to hear some other opinions. Pictures attached.

Re: Craigslist species identification (hybrid?)

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:08 am
by splashy07
Looks to be definitely hybridized, and I would use extreme caution buying animals on CL.
Think about it. An Indo and a Northern? Both require totally different husbandry so what was the point of even doing this? There are some extremely unscrupulous people in the pet trade, and they are quite prolific on Craigslist.

Re: Craigslist species identification (hybrid?)

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:38 am
by probablyaflower
I totally agree. However, I don't believe this person bred the skink. During our conversation it seemed that he didn't know much about skink species in general, and was mostly concerned about the rehoming fee and getting the skink off his hands. I'm not sure I will follow through with taking on this skink.

Re: Craigslist species identification (hybrid?)

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:49 am
by splashy07
I would definitely pass on that one. Should be offered free as a rescue if anything.

Re: Craigslist species identification (hybrid?)

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:03 am
by probablyaflower
Yeah, I've decided that it would be best to pass. Thank you for your opinion!