Help with identification

[TurquoisePaintedFox]

Hello, I am new to blue tongues and wanted to see if I could get some help identifying my little baby Hank. I've been staring at pictures all day and looked at the thread about identification. I just can't seem to figure it out! Thanks in advance!!

[tcopitho]

Looks to be a halmahera form indonesian, tiliqia gigas gigas. Keep the humidity up high for him and he'll be very happy.

[TurquoisePaintedFox]

Thank you! What is the difference between a regular Indonesian and a Halmahera form? Is it just the higher humidity? He is a bit huffy right now so I am just leaving him alone for the most part, keeping picking him up to a minimum for a few seconds at a time, just talking to him through the tank and sitting by it for a few minutes every so often. He isn't running and hiding when I go near the tank or when I put my hand in so I assume that is a good sign. He's been eating and drinking and roaming his tank too.

[splashy07]

Halmaheras are an Island form, higher humidity is required, but Indo species in general need more humidity than their Aussie cousins. Think of the humidity in Key West, Florida and Halmahera islands are similar. They make awesome pets, I used to keep them myself. When a friend re-introduced me to the joys of BTS keeping a few years back they were my first. They did not brumate and never stopped eating! Raised them from about the size of yours. Congratulations on what I think is one of the most beautiful forms of BTS.

[TurquoisePaintedFox]

Thank you, so high humidity and the same care as any other Indonesian BTS, sounds good to me. I am absolutely in love with his markings and colors. I am looking forward to gaining his trust and finding out for myself what a great pet they are!

[aaronhouts]

Ours are Halmaheras and we LOVE them. The humidity is a big deal, but once you get it right, they're easy, have great personalities and are really fun!

[TurquoisePaintedFox]

I looked at your Instagram and they are just beautiful!! How do you keep your humidity so high? I just ordered some sphagnum moss, hopefully that will help. I've been misting the tank like crazy, and covering part of the tank to try and keep the humidity in but it doesn't stay high for long. I imagine it will be easier when I build his enclosure, I hope so anyways.

[aaronhouts]

Thanks! Glad you liked the pics. As you can tell, they are well loved.
We struggled with humidity at first and then changed a bunch of stuff. This is what we figured out:

We keep them in v70 racks.

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We used to keep them in 4 x 2 enclosures, but the tubs hold heat and humidity better and the skinks seem to feel more secure.
Keep in mind that they get out A LOT and I do a full breakdown cleaning of the tubs twice a week.

We place the water bowl directly on the spot where the heat is:

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This is usually the driest spot. It also allows the direct heat to cause the water to evaporate putting humidity in the air.
Also notice how we keep the hot spot mostly clear of substrate. This means the heat tape doesn't have to be on as much to keep the temps up. That conserves humidity. As you can see, they like to sit directly on the plastic.

If you want more specifics, let me know and I can point you to the manufacturer of the racks and also tell you exactly what thermostats we use. I think both of these things factor in to our success with humidity, but I didn't want to overwhelm you.

[splashy07]

PVC type cages work well also. My humidity was a constant 80+ with repti-bark/coco husk mix and a huge water bowl. I liked to be able to see them all the time, but I'm sure they excel in those cb70's. They probably don't like to be looked at as much as we like to look at them!! Such gorgeous creatures, and agreed, wonderful personalities.

[aaronhouts]

They probably don't like to be looked at as much as we like to look at them!! Such gorgeous creatures, and agreed, wonderful personalities.

Ha ha!
So true!
Splashy definitely knows what she's talking about. (That's really impressive about your cyclura experience!)
We agonized when we made the switch from the larger enclosures.
Here's what we raised them in:

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4' long x 2' deep x 14" high
We had them set up with TWO MistKing nozzles EACH set for multiple sprays a day.
Each cage had a Radiant Heat Panel AND a heat mat and each heat source was run on its own thermostat probe and setting.
Nope.
That's not what they wanted.
We moved them into the v70s and they stopped having the eye and foot problems that let us know the humidity wasn't right. Not only that, they became even more calm and confident.
It may be because they're Halmaheras which are smaller and shyer, but this setup works for them.
I don't know how well/if it would work for larger, more active species like Northerns, but I know people do it.
We just have to make sure that it works for them and that we're not doing it so we can keep as many animals as possible.

[TurquoisePaintedFox]

I did notice today when I got up that the humidity was at 94% in his tank. But then it drops down to the 70s during the day. I was reading in the humidity thread yesterday about humid hides. Would a hide be a good option for him? Or do you think just having the overall humidity high in the tank is better?

I know you both went with different enclosures. Do you use a uvb light in the racks or just give them calcium with d3? I had read that it can be hard to keep the temps up in rack systems. You don't have an issue with that? how much room do they actually have to move around in the racks?

Where would I get a pvc enclosure from? How big of an enclosure do you suggest?

Right now he is in a 20gallon long tank since he's so small. I had planned on making him a 3 foot long x 2 foot wide enclosure out of melamine. Do you think he might like something smaller made out of melamine instead of the bigger enclosure or would you only suggest a pvc enclosure or racks?

Also he hides all the time when he is in his tank, and it seems the only way I can get him to eat is if I bring him out and sit with him. Not really an issue since I love having him out with me. Just wondering if that will cause issues? When I take him out he explores and wanders around, rarely huffs now, can even pet his head and under his chin. I actually set up my hand heating pad on my bed for him and he likes to go in the hand part and fall asleep.

I just want him to be happy. He really is the sweetest baby.

[aaronhouts]

Here's a pretty good video.
You can generalize this to include all ages of reptiles and not just babies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbg4B9h ... e=youtu.be
Your little guy is really cute. I remember when ours were that small.
I agree with Splashy on the pvc.
You've already noticed that he always hides when he's in his cage. That's why we went with smaller enclosures. I like to look at the whole cage as a hide.
There are lots of other opinions. I don't want to take over the conversation.

[TurquoisePaintedFox]

Thank you that video was very helpful! I have to say I am definitely glad I have been taking him out to make sure he eats, instead of waiting for him to get to it on his own.

There's so much different information and opinions out there. I am wondering maybe if I find a way to portion off part of his tank and cover the tank walls outside of it so he can't see out if that would make him feel more secure. Or I actually have plastic drawer shelves if I were to put heat tape on one of them with a thermostat if that would make him happier for now till I figure out what type of enclosure he would like best when he is bigger.

Him in his tank and him when he's out with me it is like two completely different skinks! This is definitely going to be a learning experience! He would stay under his one hide all day long if I didn't move him.

I definitely don't think you are taking over the conversation any advice is appreciated! Like I said I just want him to be happy in his enclosure and if that means I can't see him unless he is out then that is what will have to be done!