Kei Island blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas keyensis)

Short answers

Kei Island blue-tongued skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×70×60 cm.

Kei Island blue-tongued skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 21–24 °C.

Kei Island blue-tongued skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Kei Island blue-tongued skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Kei Island blue-tongued skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

40 °C

Humidity

60–75 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×70×60 cm

Substrate

Soil and bark mulch with leaf litter, cork tubes, a large water dish

Feeding

Food

Insects, snails, fruit, leafy greens, occasionally meat

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

45–55 cm total length

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

The Kai Islands (Indonesia)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; observe Indonesia's export quotas

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Solitary housing (except for controlled breeding introductions): several males fight over territory and basking spots until one is injured or permanently pushed into a corner.

Notes

A boldly marked island form with orange flanks. To be kept more humid than the Australian blue-tongues. Like all Tiliqua, strictly singly – animals of its own kind are seriously injured.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Kei Island blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas keyensis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Centralian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua multifasciata) – Intermediate
• Common blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides) – Beginner
• Halmahera blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas gigas) – Intermediate
• Indonesian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas) – Beginner to intermediate
• Irian Jaya blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua sp. „Irian Jaya") – Intermediate
• Shingleback skink (Tiliqua rugosa) – Intermediate
• Merauke blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas evanescens) – Intermediate
• Northern blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Kei Island blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas keyensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×70×60 cm), substrate (Soil and bark mulch with leaf litter, cork tubes, a large water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.