New skink owner here, looking for a little insight

[Ghess609]

Hello all, I recently purchased my first vlue tongue skink a few days ago and wanted to share my new little friend with all of you.

Although I have done a pretty vast amount of research for about 4 months I still have a few questions on what some experts here would advise for my skinks healthiest and happiest life.

I'd like to start with sharing a few photos of my skink, as long as my uploads worked they should show as attachments below.

Could anyone help me identify the type of blue tongue I have? And possibly age? The seller at the expo advised that it may have been about a year old type of Northern but I believe it is an Indonesian non captive. I'm new to identifying so I'm really not positive and any help or thoughts are appreciated!

I know gendering the bts isn't easy so I wouldn't expect anyone to know from these photos but an educated guess is always welcome!

I am going to attempt to make the ideal spec enclosure for them myself but temporarily have a 40gallon housing. The skink is 14 inches in length now but I'd like to build something around 7ft long, 3ft depth, and 2ft height. Thoughts on what would be a perfect size for a full grown adult to be more than happy? Sizing isn't an issue here so let me know what works best.

Like I said I'm new to this skink and this forum so any help to improve its wellbeing and my ownership methods is very appreciated. I'd love to make sure everything goes right and we can both enjoy each other's company for many years to come. Thank you everyone!

[splashy07]

Your skink is a Merauke, (Indonesian). A one year old Merauke would be nearing two feet long so I'm thinking he is younger or very underfed. If it were captive bred your seller would have been very proud of breeding these as it is uncommon, and he would have given you the correct information. More than likely farm bred in Indonesia and imported. My first suggestion with any import would be a vet check as many come in with parasites. Sometimes it takes time for parasites to manifest themselves and often makes treatment difficult. Your current cage would be fine for a lifetime. I am a breeder therefore do not use huge cages as I have many animals, and I've found a 36X24 does just fine. Of course if that's your only skink and you want to build him a huge cage that's completely acceptable!!! Enjoy your new friend.

[Janella]

Yup 100% agree with Splashy...nice looking Merauke! Enjoy and definitely have it checked for parasites.

[vana]

Indonesian species of skinks like high humidity (60-80%) which will be easier with a cage with a closed top. Get a good digital humidity meter. A substrate blend of coconut coir, spagnum, worm castings and stuff like that will help keep the humidity up too. You can water the substrate when the humidity dips.

I think a larger cage is a good idea for when s/he grows.

[Ghess609]

Update! Gex is my meraukes new name, hes parasite free, he is 20" long now and filled out, doing very healthy now, and always super happy/friendly. The enclosure he is in is a 6x2x2 Carolina customs glass enclosure I've been using as his bioactive playpen. Thank you all for the responses to this posting from earlier in the year. I've learned so much and have gone through so many experiences in a short time that the previous posting I typed is comical to me now with how little I knew. I've actually picked up a peters banded skink, 2 crested geckos, dubia breeders, snail breeders, springtail breeders, and also isopods so it's become a bit of an obsession. Made it to every expo within 3 hours of me since I got him. I'm currently looking into picking up a girlfriend for Gex so if anyone knows a nice merauke partner for him let me know!

I dont know how to use the forums really so this might not get viewed but Cheers!

[Ghess609]

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