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Text Written by James Wilson
The Northern Blue-tongued Skink is the most readily available captive-bred
blue-tongue in this country, making it very popular with US hobbyists. Its
popularity is well deserved in that it is almost always docile in temperament and
that it readily breeds in captivity. Because of these traits it is safe to
say that the Northern Blue-tongued Skink is bred more often in this country
than any other blue-tongue.
Description
The Northern blue-tongued skink is generally paler than the
Eastern blue-tongue, and usually grows to a larger adult size. The Northern
blue-tongue's back is patterned similar to that of the Eastern blue-tongue, very
often with numerous white scales inside the dark bands. As the pattern moves
down onto the flanks, the dark bands become bright yellow-orange blotches, while
the paler interspaces transform into dark brown blotches, creating a
contrasting pattern of alternating yellow-orange and dark brown blotches down the
side. The head is light grey or tan in coloration, and is lacking the dark
temporal streak often seen on the Eastern blue-tongue. The forelimbs are usually
the same color as the head, and are always lighter in coloration than the hind
limbs. The anterior temporal scales on the Northern blue-tongue are elongated
and much longer than the other temporal scales. The Northern blue-tongue has
34-40 mid-body scale rows, and the tail accounts for 55-60% of the snout-vent
length. There are many claims of these skinks reaching lengths of 30 inches
(76 cm). However, I have personally never seen a Northern blue-tongued skink
over 24 inches (61 cm) as of yet. Females can produce up to 25 live young.
Distribution and Habitat
The Northern blue-tongued skink inhabits the drier
open woodlands and grasslands of northern Australia. Its range extends from
Western Australia (along the northern Australian coast) through the Northern
Territory and into Queensland.
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