Creep vs. Zergling...I.e. Indo vs. Merauke?

SapphireTigress1 · Postby **SapphireTigress1** » Thu May 05, 2011 6:38 pm

Ok, here is Creep:

SapphireTigress1 · Postby **SapphireTigress1** » Thu May 05, 2011 6:39 pm

and here is Zergling.

SapphireTigress1 · Postby **SapphireTigress1** » Thu May 05, 2011 6:40 pm

Sorry for the quality of the pictures. I used a canon powershot 12.1 mp, but it hates me.

xxmonitorlizardxx · Postby **xxmonitorlizardxx** » Thu May 05, 2011 6:45 pm

First difference look at the front legs the indo has solid black and the meruake has speckles.

xxmonitorlizardxx · Postby **xxmonitorlizardxx** » Thu May 05, 2011 6:46 pm

Second the meruakes head is rather clean while the indo has alot of speckling on it.

xxmonitorlizardxx · Postby **xxmonitorlizardxx** » Thu May 05, 2011 6:48 pm

THe meruake has thicker banding than the indo.
Note: it is hard to find differences because you have a newer meruake.

SapphireTigress1 · Postby **SapphireTigress1** » Thu May 05, 2011 7:03 pm

thanks! A lot of these are very subtle, and i just had no clue what i was looking for. Hopefully when i get a chance to pick up a male, i'll know what to look for

Fatal_S · Postby **Fatal_S** » Thu May 05, 2011 8:58 pm

This is my personal checklist for Indo/Merauke/IJ.

A very pure Indo should have:
- Inky-black front legs
- Dark spider-web outlining on the top of the head
- The bands should be thin and undefined and one-color
- The body should be long and skinny
- The back and tail should appear very mottled
- Colors of silver/yellow/brown with black bands/speckles
Current Indos for Sale:
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php? ... &de=822788
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php? ... &de=853473
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php? ... &de=844857

A very classic Merauke should have:
- Black front legs with white speckles
- Little-to-no outlining on the top of the head
- One stripe down back of neck
- The bands should be thin and defined and one/two colors
- The body should be long and skinny
- The back and tail should be clear between bands
- Colors of silver/tan with brown/black bands
Current Meraukes for sale:
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php? ... &de=853224
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php? ... &de=820515

A very classic IJ should have:
- Clear or speckled front legs
- Little-to-no outlining on the top of the head
- Three stripes/trident down back of neck
- The bands should be thick and defined and two colors
- The body should be shorter and fatter
- The back and tail should be clear between bands
- Colors of all kinds of yellows/browns/reds
Current IJs for sale:
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php? ... &de=837537
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php? ... &de=844623

So that's my definition of the classic forms of Indo/Merauke/IJ. Going by this, I believe Zergling is pure Indo, while Creep falls between Merauke/IJ but closer to Merauke.

The thing that complications IDing is there are two more recent looks to these types of skinks. There's what we've been calling the New Merauke (Creep falls into this), and there's the Halmahera Indo.

The New Merauke is a Merauke that seems to have more IJ traits. Basically they're a bit more colorful and the bands are thicker than on a the older Classic Meraukes that used to be found. This type is somewhat confusing for me, but there are some stunning example that people on this forum own. I would say Creep falls into this group.
These would probably fall into the New-Merauke group too, but I admit I get confused IDing them:
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php? ... &de=851128
http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php? ... &de=838750

The Halmahera Indos are quite new, and are pretty easy to distinguish from Classic Indos. They've got dark 'warpaint' marking on their faces, the bands are very thick and dark, and they're not very mottled. I don't have any photos of ones currently for sale, but do a forum search on Halmahera and you'll see some.

SapphireTigress1 · Postby **SapphireTigress1** » Thu May 05, 2011 9:14 pm

Thanks so much Fatal_S! that was very informative, and I feel like i've learned a lot!

Postby **Zach** » Sat May 07, 2011 2:35 pm

Excellent post, Mel!!

One of my fav pics of a baby from the hal region...

TapaidhNaomh's baby:

Postby **Katrina** » Sat May 07, 2011 3:32 pm

Great post Mel - can I add that info to the Newbies thread? That is excellent information!! I'll credit you with the brilliance of course. :wink:

SapphireTigress1 · Postby **SapphireTigress1** » Sat May 07, 2011 5:07 pm

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! THe baby is soooo cute!!!!!!
*ahem*
I mean, very nice example

Fatal_S · Postby **Fatal_S** » Sat May 07, 2011 5:14 pm

Kat, you can use anything I post for whatever reason you'd like. I obviously don't guarantee I'm right about anything though :3

Postby **Katrina** » Sat May 07, 2011 8:14 pm

Fatal_S wrote:Kat, you can use anything I post for whatever reason you'd like. I obviously don't guarantee I'm right about anything though :3

Thanks Mel!

Postby **Zach** » Sun May 08, 2011 12:28 pm

Krista · Postby **Krista** » Mon May 09, 2011 12:49 pm

I think Zergling is an Indo for sure. The mottled banding and the reduced head pattern look similar to mine:

SapphireTigress1 · Postby **SapphireTigress1** » Mon May 09, 2011 1:53 pm

O.O how did you sneak in my house and take pics of zergling!?

Jk, I agree. I definitely think Zerg is an Indo, "she" looks just like yours

I'm spamming my bf's brain with all the crazy things I'm learning about blueys on this forum, and hes like "AHHHHH!!"

>D

Fatal_S · Postby **Fatal_S** » Mon May 09, 2011 2:13 pm

Spamming the brain is how I eventually broke my parents down and got them to let me get BTS

Only took 3 years.

SapphireTigress1 · Postby **SapphireTigress1** » Mon May 09, 2011 2:17 pm

nice! I literally stay at home, all day e'ry day....so I get to learn crazy amounts of random facts about reptiles, so he gets swamped when he gets home

Creep vs. Zergling...I.e. Indo vs. Merauke?

Creep vs. Zergling...I.e. Indo vs. Merauke?

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