Description
- Common Name: Northern Blue-Tongued Skink
- Scientific Name: Tiliqua scincoides intermedia
- Locality/Morph: Northern Australia
- Sex: Unknown
- Age: 2026
- Source: Captive bred
- Native Range: Northern regions of Australia, including the Northern Territory and parts of Queensland
- Natural Habitat: Open woodlands, grasslands, and scrub environments with access to cover and basking sites
- Diet: Omnivorous – mixed greens, vegetables, fruits, and animal protein (e.g. invertebrates, rodents, eggs)
- Basking Temperature: 35–38°C
- Ambient Temperature: 26–30°C (night drop to ~22°C)
- Average Adult Size: 45–60 cm
The Northern Blue-Tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) is the largest and most robust of the Australian blue-tongued skinks, however the Indonesian species Tiliqua gigas reaches an even larger size. Native to the tropical savannas of northern Australia, this subspecies has adapted to a warm, seasonally dry environment, where it spends much of its time basking and foraging among grasses, fallen logs, and leaf litter.
In captivity, Northern Blue-Tongued Skinks are hardy and rewarding reptiles that adapt well to regular handling and human interaction. They are intelligent, calm-natured lizards, often showing curiosity and even personality once settled. Their size, durability, and engaging behaviour have made them one of the most popular pet skinks worldwide.
A spacious terrestrial enclosure is recommended, offering a good balance between open areas for basking and secure hides for retreat. A substrate that allows for some digging — such as a soil and sand mix or coconut coir — is ideal, with décor like logs, rocks, and artificial plants providing cover and enrichment. They are diurnal and require full-spectrum lighting, including UVB, to maintain proper calcium metabolism and overall health.
A basking spot of around 35–38°C should be provided, with the rest of the enclosure kept at 26–30°C and a slight night-time temperature drop to simulate natural conditions. Humidity can be maintained around 40–60% (average household) and access to a large water bowl.
The Northern Blue-Tongued Skink’s omnivorous diet should be varied and nutritionally balanced — a mix of leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, and appropriate sources of protein such as insects, cooked egg, or defrosted rodents (pinks, fluffs etc). Juveniles should be fed more frequently, while adults can be offered meals every 2–3 days.
With good care, Tiliqua scincoides intermedia can live well over 20 years in captivity. Their impressive size, ease of care, and gentle temperament make them ideal for both beginner and experienced reptile keepers alike. Calm, curious, and full of character, the Northern Blue-Tongued Skink is one of Australia’s most iconic and rewarding reptile species to keep.
Livestock Delivery:
Livestock is delivered in our own heated reptile courier vans. Delivery time from ordering will depend on your location and when we next have a van in your area, this will usually be a maximum of 2 weeks. You will receive a date and time slot by phone or email, so please ensure you enter these correctly at checkout. Delivery fee for livestock depends on location, prices start at £45. Livestock orders over £500 (+VAT) are delivered free of charge.
Livestock Sale Terms:
If multiple animals are in stock then not all will be pictured, so the photo above may not be exact animal available.
All prices are per individual unless otherwise stated. All livestock is subject to availability, whilst we try to keep the website as up to date as possible errors may happen, in this situation you will be contacted to arrange a refund/alternative.
Errors can happen with sexing and morph identification. Should this be discovered before leaving us you are entitled to a refund. After the animal leaves us it is the customers responsibility to inform us within 48 hours of the animals arrival. Failing to do so may lose the customers eligibility for a refund.
It is the customers responsibility to have the correct setup available and ready for the animal, if you need any advice please do get in touch. We have the right to request proof of setup at any time, failure to provide an image of an appropriate setup or any image at all, may result in a full order cancellation and refund.
Guarantee for all inverts & amphibians is 24 hours. All other livestock is 48 hours. If issues/concerns are notified upon delivery, then this may be extended. All health related queries will be subject to a full investigation should an issue arise. Failing to provide us with the information we request may void any form of guarantee. If we find reason from the information that its injury or death was caused by negligence or incorrect husbandry then the guarantee may be void. Should death or abnormalities occur then you must inform us as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that an animal passes away please photograph the dead body and freeze until you have heard from us. If death or illness occurs after 7 days, and no health issues were reported, then Ridgeway will not be held responsible.
We have the right to refuse any sale, refund or guarantee at any time if we feel it is necessary.
Livestock sales are for customers aged 18+, if under this age you must have prior parent permission. If we have any reason to suspect this is not the case we will contact you before the animal is released.
When purchasing an animal from us you automatically agree to these terms of sale.
