BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hey all!
I am researching BTS because i just think they are the perfect addition to my family "zoo" (im sure mine isnt as extensive as some of yours'"

here are the specs of my tank
ts 46gl bow
36"longx20"highx16(at its widest)" ish
i had remeasured it but cant remeber so i will do that again

what are the smaller species of BTS i would prefer to not upgrade
and what species do you think are good for me
i would like something tame and handleable

im just sooo excited i cant wait to get started on tank building!! (or setting up rather... im not really building the tank)

thanks a lot
-Sara

36x16 is ok i guess. Eastern's are one of the cheapest (around ~170 shipped) and get to 17-18 inches.

Easterns get a fair bit bigger than 17-18 though.

I have Northerns but if I were looking for a smaller size, I would get an Eastern. Check out the breeders listed in the classifieds. Look for pictures on the home page under the Eastern listing on the left side.

NomadOfTheHills wrote:Easterns get a fair bit bigger than 17-18 though.

All the Easterns i have seen are between there. A fair bit bigger would imply an inch or two and the average eastern isn't 19-20 inches.

wow thanks for the quick replies
also where do you all get your BTS' from?

online? Breeders? eachother?

i think im gonna definately save up a good chunk of money
and try and get some second hand stuff. im good at that..


i think after spending over 2000$ on an aquarium my parents dont want me to completely decimate m y college funds haha

so are there any "favorite" care sheets
im still looking around just wondering what you all have found most helpful!

Zach, who owns this site, still has some babies left. Also Ray and Andrew probably both have some left.

My easterns are 17 and 18 inches long. I think to get longer then 18 inches isn't the norm.

There is this awesome caresheet, that everyone on this forum seems to adore. It can be found at www.bluetongueskinks.net where you click on caresheet. The is THE caresheet for BTS. Read it, know it, read it more.

Buy from a breeder, as you get a healhty, quality animal, and you don't get any scamming or crap with it. The best breeders are already on this site, go to index then classifieds, and at the top there's a sticky for breeders. These guys are the best, and you get great animals at great prices. Can't beat that.

my tannie stays small doesnt she maybe not good for a beginner cause shes attitudal but thats what i like.

Tannies grow slower and smaller.

Brigget wrote:my tannie stays small doesnt she maybe not good for a beginner cause shes attitudal but thats what i like.

Tannies are smaller, but I'm not sure that I would recommend one for a family. It would be a good idea to read the description of them before even considering bringing one home. Although there are exceptions to every rule, most tannies are tempermental and flighty. You might consider an irian jaya for a first BTS. They are fantastic pets and would be a great introduction into BTS. Your cage would certainly accomodate a baby/ sub adult.....but as with any of the BTS species, you may have to upgrade later depending on the individual's growth. There are some specimens of each species that exceed the normal growth curve, and some that stay rather small. Good luck finding the right bluey for your family, and welcome to the forum!

I got homer from Zach

, it all depends where you are in the world as to who,why,what and how much to pay for a species. When you say"For my family" do you mean human or pet?Do you want to view or cuddle ?the size tank you have would be ok for all adults,but the bigger the better,some have outdoor playpens/pits for thiers, DO READ and take a copy of the caresheet and the food chart there in, THERE IS NO BETTER SOURCE OF INFO ANYWHERE on the net.When you have made your choice and purchase you will realise that lots of pictures are manditory

Good luck with the bluey addictionand remember

btw family in my case is..

Me
my mother
my father

(plus my dog and fish )

how fast do the irian jaya grow?

if it took a year or too to grow out of it i think it would be fine

Welcome!

reefs2forests wrote:btw family in my case is..

Me
my mother
my father

(plus my dog and fish )

how fast do the irian jaya grow?

if it took a year or too to grow out of it i think it would be fine

Looking back at the size of your tank, you'd get a baby to 18months in that, the width and height would be better the other way around 20w and 16h.

They all grow to induvidual agendas, you know like gene pool, temps ,type,exercise, food.

48 x 24 is what I'm using on two of mine and its a good size. Height is somewhat irrelevant as they don't climb a whole lot usually. Bandit moved to a 65 gallon front opening slider as he didn't like me coming from above to pick him up. Since we switched him, he's been a sweetie and hasn't even tried to bite me lately.

Steve

thank you thank you thank you!

hmm
i think i will right now focus on getting an eastern

but besides the skink and tank
what equiptment do ya'll reccomend

brand of lights?
substrate?
pool?
decor?
UVB v UVA (they need the UVB right to make calcium or something or vitamin D cant remember)
i would prefer to take the little guy outside at least once a day
and get a night basking light
idk. do basking light have UVB or they should have it right?

or do you guys just think that a skink isnt the way to go?
im sure by 18months i will have some sort of income besides my monthly job and dog sitting that could pay for basically just a larger tank and then a little extra substrate?

A BTS is a great pet, so if you can, go for it ^.^ For lights, your skink needs a basking light, and it needs a UVB light. However, if you can truly get your skink outside for real sunlight a few times a week, the UVB isn't such a big deal. Some people also use supplements but real sunlight is the best way to go. Make sure to have a large pool/drinking area so your skink can soak, some hide places, and a spot to bask. Substrates vary by personal preference, I use CareFresh, but aspen, or many others also work well. Adding some fake plants to your tank helps to make it look nice and make your lizard more secure.