I have owned Northerns (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) and Easterns (Tiliqua scincoides scincoides) since 1988 ever since I have read about their amazingly docile personalities and size. Through trial and error, good and bad advice, moving animals from place to place, I finally was able to produce them in 1997. Even now I'm always on the search for new bloodlines to strengthen my old stock. Of course whenever I buy an animal, it has to be flawless and exhibit traits that represent the type of animal I wish to purchase which are in this case, Tiliqua scincoides intermedia. Northerns in the late 80's and early 90's  looked like those pictured in Cogger's Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia illustration 636 or on page 163, top illustration of the the newly translated, most thorough book on Blue-tongued Skinks (287 pgs) written by a team of writers including Glenn Shea. Although I am aware that Northerns have variations of their own such as the "Kimberley phase," they always have the characteristic "portholes" that non-Australian skink do not possess. Sadly, in the mid 90's the classic Northerns that I loved so long started to disappear.  I had trouble finding them for years until 1996 when I found an old hard-core breeder and in 2004 when I met Ray Gurgi who has the purest bloodlines that I know. Even now when I do find a perfect "classic" northern, I can't help but try to buy it even though I have a diverse group of adults that will insure their future. Maybe age has given me a greater sense of awareness or paranoia, but I am more appreciative yet afraid of losing the things that I have. With the current prices of Northerns in step with the import Irian Jayas, who would continue to breed something when people can just walk over and buy a cheaper 60-90 dollar blue tongue adult? Australian hasn't allowed legal exportation of their wildlife since the 70's. How these invaluable creatures sustained themselves here is a miracle. With Australia having no plans of opening their borders, there's even more reason to cherish them. 

About Our Northern Collection

All the "P" animals are from completely different bloodlines* I've acquired throughout the years. (*Unless noted otherwise below.)

Mary and Charlie (*. *. / R. G. bloodlines) have the same fathers but different mothers. They represent the purist bloodlines I know. Check the coloration and patterns on these animals. Absolutely classic!

Alya and Dana: (*. *. / R. G. bloodlines) these are the "twin" sisters born in 05 that I personally picked out of many babies from many mothers because of the unusually wide spacing on their backs. They are very beautiful and light colored compared to Charlie.

Milt and Ann: Came from an interesting source from bloodlines approximately 16-18 years old (2009) from one of the most experienced but underground keeper, *.*. who has long retired(name intentionally withheld). I can see traits in these skink that are truly old and special  - Milt in particular has speckling so unique is looks almost Kimberley. There is a slight peppering on this head, forearms and face as well a typical characteristic of a Kimberley Northern. These skinks are unrelated to any of the skinks however they did come from the same man.

Jill is one of my favorite skinks and one of the last I ever bought from James Wilson. He said, "This is the longest skink I have ever seen" which is incredibly high praise from a man who has probably seen more skinks than anyone here in the US. Jill is an old skink but with such a perfect Northern appearance; just  look at her back pattern! She is so unique that the black portholes are faded and missing the black color. Not only is she flawless, she is also one of the tamest skinks I own.

Ezra was most likely born in 2000-01 and is an exceptionally light male with a chin so white it's like snow. Maurine is his opposite. She looks as if she was in the sun too long and has a deep dark tan that many models would envy. Martha is pretty dark herself. Unfortunately, Ezra passed away in late 2008. He was a very mellow and sweet skink.

Princess is also one of the largest skinks I have ever seen. She is absolutely a monster but an opposite temperament as her description connotes. She is a one of the sweetest skinks I own. What also makes her different is her coloration or rather her lack of coloration. She is exceedingly drab and nearly colorless in person.  Note the incredible distance between her front and hind legs.

Maurine was probably born in early 2000 but may be older. Her history is somewhat unknown, however she is one of my favorite females. She is the only one with a very strange eye color. She is also the darkest skink in my collection, a shade darker than Martha who seems to be her rival.

Big Betty is one of my old girls who must be over ten years old by now (2009). She's sweet and mellow. My girlfriend always called her Big Momma as the picture below may indicate.

Size comparison between Big Betty (aka Big Momma) and Jill

Examine Jill's tail length compared to the other Northerns.

Note: All names (with the exception of Alya and Dana) are taken directly from characters in "Earth Abides" by George R. Stewart.

Charlie (male P2)

Milt (male P3)

Mary (female P4)

Charlie  (another pic)

Martha (female P5)

Jill (female 7)

Ann (female P6)

Princess (female P8)

Alya (female P9)

Dana (female P10)