BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Just thought I would share some images of my newest additions...got them from Craig's List...was looking for terrariums for my growing collection and they came with one...great deal and they appear to be beautiful Northerns and have good temperments, though they were definitely not handled much before! I won't even post the images of the "before" enclosure setup...let's just say it had newspaper and 15Watt CF lights were all that was provided for "heat". Nonetheless, they seem to be very healthy (fed on a wet dogfood diet only) considering...I was told they were about 1 year old. They came with a cage that would have cost me nearly as much as them AND the cage did...couldn't turn it down! 8-)

On that note, in the interests of preserving bloodlines...can anyone find any obvious clues that I have not been able to see that would give away that either of these guys are NOT full Northerns? The only thing I can see is that they have some pretty good banding on their tails and very little black "portholes" as described on Mr. Seike's page. Other than that I can't find much of anything that would make me think they are NOT Northerns...as far as I can tell they are good ole "classic" northerns...any objections?

P.S. They still haven't shown me their names yet...I will give them a little while .

*good heavens those aren awesome little skinks you got so lucky they are so *darn nice looking!!!!!! I like how almost all ther bands connect!

They are gorgeous... I would have to see an closer shot of their back and tail scales to be sure. From what I see they look northern, the tail banding is a concern but one of my northerns has similar bands and I absolutely know hes pure. Closer picks would tell for sure! Nice FIND!

those are some nice skinks hard to come by.

Very nice. I'm pretty sure those are true northerns. Like 99.9%. Just gorgeous. Were they/are they being housed together? I would hate if they started fighting and ruined those pretty faces. Once again, very pretty, Congrats!

oh preatty! I LIKE THEM!

Fatal_S wrote:Very nice. I'm pretty sure those are true northerns. Like 99.9%. Just gorgeous. Were they/are they being housed together? I would hate if they started fighting and ruined those pretty faces. Once again, very pretty, Congrats!

That is why I HAD to take them with me!

They were being housed in the same tank but, luckily, they had a makeshift divider between them and so they have NO fighting "issues". They have ALL their toes and no scars, just beautiful!

I think the previous owner stated that they had been a bit huffy with each other a few times and so he put up the divider. Currently, however, they each have their own viviarium. I took out the divider and gave it to one of them and got another from Craig's list to give the other. Still haven't been able to figure out their names...getting closer though! I like them to "tell" me their names...

i hope they end up being a male and a female

Kya Ajiira wrote:i hope they end up being a male and a female

Me too!

However, I am very happy to have them anyway! I am looking to find a possible mate for either of them from another good breeder (as long as no one can find anything questionable in their "northerness"). Think that will still a few years down the road, though...if I decide to breed in the end. Still in my introductions phase to Blueys. Enjoying every day of it, too!

Still..hope they are male and female!

Send your pictures to Andrew and request his opinion.

They look good to me, wasnt sure if they were gonna go 10 rounds or do the square dance haaaa haaa

Northerns ... yummy! I am partial cause thats what I have. Very cute.

Fatal_S wrote:Send your pictures to Andrew and request his opinion.

I have considered that, but I have sent him a few emails with questions about his animals, purchasing one etc., and he has not been able to reply yet. I think he is a very busy man currently. I would definitely value his opinion on this.

Maybe pictures will catch his interest more!?

Thanks for the "nudge" I think I will send them later today.

Tattoo wrote:Northerns ... yummy! I am partial cause thats what I have. Very cute.

Yes, they are a great find for me! One of them seems to be VERY social and always watching me and following me when I go near the cage...the one is trying to brumate I think. I have been cooling them off, but I need to make sure they cleanse their systems first .

I just got them and wanna play with them, though!

Leigh wrote:They look good to me, wasnt sure if they were gonna go 10 rounds or do the square dance haaaa haaa

From the sounds of their past, it could have been a square dance, then a few drinks that eventually led to ten rounds!

They are so calm and cool, but I heard they had a few disagreements in the past... We shall see when spring comes, I guess!

jasjmm27 wrote:

Fatal_S wrote:Send your pictures to Andrew and request his opinion.

I have considered that, but I have sent him a few emails with questions about his animals, purchasing one etc., and he has not been able to reply yet. I think he is a very busy man currently. I would definitely value his opinion on this.

Maybe pictures will catch his interest more!?

Thanks for the "nudge" I think I will send them later today.

Andrew is amazingly busy. He works full time, does volunteering, then has to look after all those skinks of his. I had trouble contacting him at times. Send the pictures, and I know he'll be happy to reply once he has a bit of time. He likes talking BTS and comparing. I still have to fix up my other computer so I can send him a few pictures of Pryce to see what he says. Personally, I think Pryce is a Northern cross, but I'm hoping for his opinion. Yours look much purer than Pryce ^.^ Like ones Andrew himself might buy.

Fatal_S wrote:... Yours look much purer than Pryce ^.^ Like ones Andrew himself might buy.

YAY! I hope that is true (the part about my new additions looking pure)!!! I actually hoped to buy one of Andrew's 2 remaining (if they are still there) Sunsets as well...

I wish there were blueys on my local craigslist

reptileking wrote:I wish there were blueys on my local craigslist

There is ANOTHER one on my Craigslist...it looks to be a BIG Northern with even MORE "classic" features then the two I have now, but the picture is low quality and the person hasn't sent new photos yet...might have to go see it in person...this one only comes with a 36 by 22" cage, though...DANG! I don't know what I should do about this one! I will see if I can at least take a look at it...though I prefer pictures because if I SEE it, then I will usually take it home with me! Like a kid in a candy store!

Zbiz wrote:They are gorgeous... I would have to see an closer shot of their back and tail scales to be sure. From what I see they look northern, the tail banding is a concern but one of my northerns has similar bands and I absolutely know hes pure. Closer picks would tell for sure! Nice FIND!

More pictures for your viewing pleasure and assistance in reviewing true Northern descent...

Only got one of them, though...Still no names...I will need to stare at the pictures and then remember the little activity I have been lucky enough to observe...

I keep saying She, but haven't noticed anything to determine one way or another...at any rate, She's a beauty! Has a great personality, too! She likes to back up when being held, though...very interesting behaviour...thinks she can back out of any situation, I guess!?