climate change question

[teamshredit]

I'm hoping someone can help me on this to ease my mind. I recently moved from southern cali to colorado...waaay up in the mountains. I left my blue tongue with a sitter and have been planning on finally bringing him back with me. I am concerned though that the climate change may be too harsh for him. It is much colder and drier up here and the elevation change is very severe...I live above 10K feet. I don't want to stress him out and jeopardize his health. I noticed that none of the pet stores carry reptile supplies up here either, they don't seem to be very popular in this climate.
Has anyone successfully moved their skink to the high country?
thanks

[Tattoo]

Oh now there is an interesting question. Can't say I have any experience with that one. One of the experts will come along and chime in soon though. By the way ... darling skink.

[Bird_Brain]

That is an interesting question. My initial response is dont worry about, but I am not sure. Since I am not really familiar with the natural habitats of blueys, Im not sure if some live up in the mountains in Indonesia/Australia or even if there are mountains in those countries. I hope someone can give you a for sure answer. Until then, you have a beautiful skink!

[Lisa]

I think he'll be alright. Assuming he will be housed indoors, you can create the right environment for him regardless of the ambient temp or humidity (...or lack of!) prior to his arrival so as to minimise the impact of the change. However, I wouldn't move him at the height of either winter or summer, purely as the actual time he's travelling may be affected by much more extreme weather than is usually seen in the transition months.

Bluetongues are imported from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere where the seasons are reversed (ie they come from down here in winter to up there where it's summer and vice versa) and they seem to do it fine.

Brad, we do have mountains and mountain ranges here in Aus, but they are relatively small compared to some other countries. Our highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko, is only about 7000 feet high.

[teamshredit]

Thanks for the replies, and compliments to my Stinky! I do have the heat pads and lamps and just about everything I need to maintain the right environment. I just remember going through altitue sickness when I came up here for the first time and would hate for him to feel the same way. Skinks are pretty tough though so I shouldn't be too worried
I never thought about how they are moved from one hemisphere to another, that is a good point.
Thanks again
Meredith

[Zach]

I think he'll be alright. Assuming he will be housed indoors, you can create the right environment for him regardless of the ambient temp or humidity

I think so too.


Yeah, beautiful animal! More pics, or I will change my mind and say it's not ok to take him.

[Fatal_S]

I moved my 2 tanny babies from California (~4000) feet to Manitoba (~1000). They also flew, so they went waaaayyyy up, and came waaayyyyy down. They're both doing fine. I'd say your skinky should do fine given a week or so to settle in and get used to the conditions.

[teamshredit]

I feel much better thanks. Unfortunately I have no other pics of him here
I'll ask his sitter to send me some.

[mom22wins]

Might I ask, what kind of bluey is that? He is stunning.

[shingleback aus]

yes it is stunning what breed is that??

[Zach]

Indonesian.

[teamshredit]

Yes, Stinky is an Indonesian. He is still young, about a year so I don't know if his markings will remain that distinct....I hope so!

[teamshredit]

Here is another pic of him

[Tattoo]

Stinky? Love it. Any special reason you have given him such an pungent name?

[Zach]

Ohhhh, looks like he's shedding in that one.

[Leigh]

I like the milky,silver grey they go before shed.

[teamshredit]

Stinky got his name when he crapped on me for the first time. We were out in the backyard and he was hanging out on my lap when he started making the cutest little face....then I felt something warm on my leg. Then the smell hit. It stuck

[Tattoo]