Great moluccan skink
A species of Blue-tongued skink, Also known as Giant bluetongue Scientific name : Tiliqua gigas Genus : Blue-tongued skink
Great moluccan skink, A species of Blue-tongued skink
Also known as:
Giant bluetongue
Scientific name: Tiliqua gigas
Genus: Blue-tongued skink
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Bjoertvedt , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
Tiliqua gigas (Indonesian blue-tongued skink) is a close relative of the Eastern blue-tongued lizard. They are endemic to the island of New Guinea and other various surrounding islands. They are found typically in the rainforest, and in captivity, require high humidity. As opposed to Tiliqua scincoides, they are fairly lean. They're also accompanied by long tails (60â90% of their SVL). There are currently three subspecies of Tiliqua gigas. First subspecies to be
General Info
Lifespan
20-30 years
Diet
Great moluccan skink's diet is predominantly herbivorous, consisting mainly of flowers, berries, and fungi. It also occasionally consumes invertebrates, notably beetles and snails, contributing to its nutritional diversity.
Appearance
Great moluccan skink is a large skink with a distinctive stout body and small legs. Its skin is thick and typically exhibits a vibrant blend of blue and orange coloration. Its head features a prominent, blunt snout, and its tail is long and tapered. Both the males and females of the species display a similar appearance, with little to no variation in their coloration or size over their lifetime.
Behavior
Great moluccan skink is a solitary and territorial animal that typically exhibits diurnal activities. Known for a 'tongue-flicking' behavior when exploring its environment, this species heavily relies on tongue testing to identify food and other objects. It demonstrates a unique survival tactic by curling into a ball when threatened, exposing its tough, rigid tail while protecting its softer belly.
Photo By Bjoertvedt , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Skinks Genus
Blue-tongued skink Species
Great moluccan skink