Irian Jaya blue tongue skink

Etymology

Scientists have not properly categorized this animal yet.

Taxonomy

The Irian Jaya has a distinct pattern that can be described as one of the most beautiful among blue-tongued skinks. It consists of thick dark brown, sometimes black, stripes with a peachy gold to brown undertone. The bellies of these animals can range from creme to orange to even red. As is characteristic of the other species in the genus, the Irian Jaya has a large blue tongue that it displays defensively in times of distress or danger. The approximate full length of an adult is 15-30 inches.

Life span

The skink can live for 15-30 years.

Breeding

The breeding season occurs once yearly. When a male finds a receptive female, he will scent mark her and follow her around. Mating can be aggressive and the males will hold the female down by biting her sides. Damage to the scales and light bleeding are common. Blue-tongued skinks are generally solitary animals and usually only come together during breeding season.

Irian Jayas are ovoviviparous. Their gestation period is roughly 100 days with 5 to 15 babies born per litter. The babies look almost exactly the same as the adults with only slight variations to coloring. The babies will wander off on their own and begin eating small insects and fruits just a few days after birth.

If kept as pets, Irian Jaya skinks should be housed separately and any offspring should be monitored for overall health during their first few sheds. Only after weeks of healthy growth and feeding should they be considered suitable for sale or trade.

Diet

All blue-tongued skink species are opportunistic omnivores. In the wild, they feed on carrion, small invertebrates (especially snails), and greens that have been trampled to the ground.

In captivity

Adults' diets should be 40% protein, 50% greens and vegetables, and 10% fruit, and they should be fed 1-3 times a week. Babies on the other hand should be feed every day and having their feedings gradually reduced to about 2-3 times week after the skink reaches about a year old or about 1/3 of its potential length.

References

References

1. (13 February 2020). "Blue Tongue Skink Species".