Tiliqua Gigas rescue

[Dx3]

Someone approached me at a family gathering after hearing that “I’m a reptile man” after only just having one reptile. They offered me their skink. Tank and everything for free. They just couldn’t take care of it anymore they said. I asked a bunch of questions and they said it was a 5 year old Northern and said it looked just like mine. Must not have had their glasses on. Anyway I got it. Glad I did cause it wasn’t in the greatest shape. Instantly realized it’s a Tiliqua Gigas cause of its size and pattern. Surprisingly only missing 1 finger. I was bracing for more. It’s nails were overgrown and curving causing discomfort, it had stuff stuck in both its nostrils, and some stuck shed. It let me work it’s toenails and file them down, let me get the gunk out of its nose, and cooperated with a quick bath. Got new substrate and hides setup along with cleaning that cage top to bottom twice. Fresh food and water. Anyway, my question is any tips or things I should be aware for taking care of a Tiliqua Gigas? Right now I’m raising my young northern so I have some good knowledge, but I’m sure there’s differences in things like food and such. And one other question. My northern skink is kinda soft and squishy, but this older skink is like… it feels like it’s tensing really hard and just all muscle. It feels firm. Is that normal?

[splashy07]

No difference in feeding. Humidity is a factor though, Indos need higher, and a substrate that will keep it that way. Can you post a picture so we can identify which Gigas species you have?
Some (such as Halmaheras) need much higher humidity than their various locale cousins. And, kudos to you for taking him, sounds like he'd have been suffering otherwise.

[Janella]

Hi there and thanks for rescuing your new skink. I agree with Splashy07 on this one. Send pictures when you can so we can verify what species you have and can help guide you better.

[Dx3]

Here’s some photos. I’m keeping the humidity around 70-80% is that alright? Other than that I’m trying to leave him alone for a couple days (beside trying to get that picture).
Edit* Forgot to ask. How often should I feed him? I feed my younger northern like 4-6 times a week, but I doubt he needs that much if he’s 5 years old. Just make him fat.

[splashy07]

He appears to be an Irian Jaya. Luckily, the easiest of the Indos to keep. Humidity 60-80 fine. A five year old should be fed once or twice a week, you can determine that by how much he consumes in a feeding every three days or so.

[Fatal_S]

That is not a gigas. It is a northern or a northern x IJ hybrid. Moderate humidity is recommended, but otherwise it shouldn't require any specialized care.

[splashy07]

Looks like every IJ sold at expos around here.

[Fatal_S]

That's not saying good things for the purity of your IJs there. IJs should not have that black along the sides, but (most) Northerns should have better black portholes. I'm included to call this a hybrid unless there's a way to get proof it's a Northern.

[Dx3]

If it helps here’s some better pics. Don’t know if you can see from the pics but he’s massive. Which is why I assume Tiliqua Gigas

[splashy07]

There is no purity here with imports, and that's 90 percent of what you see in pet shops and expos here. Many are crosses, and some nefarious breeders cross with northerns thinking they'll get rich breeding. I can tell you, that is not so regardless! I think it's downright deplorable to cross species, I will not even cross a qld eastern with an nsw, as many do. Looking at more pics I have to go with hybrid also, but definitely not pure northern with the patterning on front legs. That's what led me to IJ in the first place. I can't stress this enough, please, if anyone is listening out there, do not mix species! You may think you can make some nice looking animals but how on earth does one care for something not knowing it's origins?