BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hi, I've been looking into a lizard to get and I think I'm going to get a blue tungue. I want one that's easy to care for (from what I've been reading all of them are) and not to expensive. I also want to breed them and I've read that they are live-bearers.

I've been looking at the pygmy blue tungue as they don't need much space. However, the eastern blue tungues are very nice looking eventhough they are much larger than the pygmies I may have enough space for one or two in a few months.

I'm trying to get any information I can so if you can share any advise for blue tungues please do.

Thanks,
fishyz

Well Pygmies are almost extinct! And tungue is spelled with an o An Eastern is a good bts to get though. You shouldn't rush into breeding them though! If I were you I would wait a year.

First I want to say that i am glad that you are doing your research prior to getting any reptile.

BTS are amazing animals. As for which species to get, I highly doubt that you will be able to find a pygmy BTS and if you did, be prepared to pay a VERY large sum of money for it. If I remember correctly (dont feel like looking it up) they were once thought to be extinct and there is a very small number of them left in the wild. And of course, there is not import/exporting allowing to/from Australia.

As far as Easterns go, I do not have any experience with them. However, they are usually one that is recommended for beginners, along with Northerns and Irian Jayas. Be it a northern or and eastern, I would still house them in the same size cage, atleast a 30gal breeder (36"x18") and of course the bigger the better. You really dont see easterns for sale that often, however, Ray (member of this site) is very well known for his easterns. I would try to contact him. I also remember Andrew having some easterns, but dont know what he has available.

Good luck on your decision. You have come to the right place for some excellent info. Alot of experienced people are on here and are very willing to help.

Also, I am sure that you have already looked at it, but I recommend that you read the caresheet several times. It has so much info in it, its unreal!

Thanks guys!

I think I'll go with a pair of eastern blue tongues. They'll be easier to find and less expensive than the pygmies so they will be the bes choice.

Also, sorry about the spelling. I can't spell very well.

Thanks

reptileking wrote::welcome: First I want to say that i am glad that you are doing your research prior to getting any reptile.

BTS are amazing animals. As for which species to get, I highly doubt that you will be able to find a pygmy BTS and if you did, be prepared to pay a VERY large sum of money for it. If I remember correctly (dont feel like looking it up) they were once thought to be extinct and there is a very small number of them left in the wild. And of course, there is not import/exporting allowing to/from Australia.

As far as Easterns go, I do not have any experience with them. However, they are usually one that is recommended for beginners, along with Northerns and Irian Jayas. Be it a northern or and eastern, I would still house them in the same size cage, atleast a 30gal breeder (36"x18") and of course the bigger the better. You really dont see easterns for sale that often, however, Ray (member of this site) is very well known for his easterns. I would try to contact him. I also remember Andrew having some easterns, but dont know what he has available.

Good luck on your decision. You have come to the right place for some excellent info. Alot of experienced people are on here and are very willing to help.

Also, I am sure that you have already looked at it, but I recommend that you read the caresheet several times. It has so much info in it, its unreal!

You mean you still would NOT house them in the same cage!

And Pygmies are 100% illegal to own anywhere in the world. Since they are only found in essentially one remote location in Australia, any individuals existing outside of Australia would be an illegally smuggled animal. It would be a moral crime as well to own Pygmies because their populations are still so low. There are a few institutions who are trying to breed them in captivity but they seem to be rather secretive about their results and procedures.

Easterns are great! Definitely become familiar and comfortable with them until even thinking about breeding them.

Welcome!

Zach wrote:You mean you still would NOT house them in the same cage!

I am not saying that you should house 2 blueys in the same cage. What I am say is if I was choosing between say an Eastern OR a northern, I wouldnt sweat what size of a cage to get. I would just make sure that the cage size is atleast 3ft by 18ins no matter what subspecies/locale I decided to get.

So keep them in different tanks. Thanks.

Welcome to the forums, they are wonderful lizards. Always feel free to ask questions here, there is always someone here that will have the answers. IJ's and northerns are also good first time BT's that arent too much money (under $200)

reptileking wrote:

Zach wrote:You mean you still would NOT house them in the same cage!

I am not saying that you should house 2 blueys in the same cage. What I am say is if I was choosing between say an Eastern OR a northern, I wouldnt sweat what size of a cage to get. I would just make sure that the cage size is atleast 3ft by 18ins no matter what subspecies/locale I decided to get.

Ohhh, gotcha!

Zach wrote:And Pygmies are 100% illegal to own anywhere in the world. Since they are only found in essentially one remote location in Australia, any individuals existing outside of Australia would be an illegally smuggled animal. It would be a moral crime as well to own Pygmies because their populations are still so low. There are a few institutions who are trying to breed them in captivity but they seem to be rather secretive about their results and procedures.

hey zach - you can in fact apply for a special licence to breed them, however they are almost impossible to get. On top of that, once the permit was granted - it'd be a mission and a half to get hold of a pair.

You are correct on the breeding programs and them being VERY secretive about the results. Hopefully one day the little guys flourish and we can keep them here in OZ.

Be very carefull when making a purchase, as there are a lot of crappers out there preying on un-educated would be BTS owners. Lots of people get jooped into buying something that itsnt what it says on the tin., use this link http://bluetongueskinks.net/,and on the left side click a species and read a revue

Hey, welcome to the forum. Be careful about where you buy your bts. There are a few shady places in your area. You would think one of them would be excellent, but unfortunately they are horrible. Although you would think otherwise, buying online is probably your best bet. There are a few very reputable breeders on this forum.

I have found several people on the "Supurb Seller List" that are working with easterns so getting one from a good breeder that knows what they are would not be to hard.

Blotch wrote:

Zach wrote:And Pygmies are 100% illegal to own anywhere in the world. Since they are only found in essentially one remote location in Australia, any individuals existing outside of Australia would be an illegally smuggled animal. It would be a moral crime as well to own Pygmies because their populations are still so low. There are a few institutions who are trying to breed them in captivity but they seem to be rather secretive about their results and procedures.

hey zach - you can in fact apply for a special licence to breed them, however they are almost impossible to get. On top of that, once the permit was granted - it'd be a mission and a half to get hold of a pair.

You are correct on the breeding programs and them being VERY secretive about the results. Hopefully one day the little guys flourish and we can keep them here in OZ.

Really! Where did you learn that? Are there any online sources I can read. As I understand it, civilians cannot apply for licenses to own near extinct animals.... Zoos and different establishments can if it's clear they have a suitable area for possible reproduction....

Does anybody know about how much I should expect to pay for an Eastern Blue Tongue?

about 160-190 shipped

Tyler wrote:about 160-190 shipped

True that.

KW