Shingleback Questions???

[jasjmm27]

Ok, so just saw this on Kingsnake:

http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=34&de=561460

I am seriously considering the purchase, I LOVE Shingles...but it seems this one is over 10 years old...

So, some of my questions:

- Do BTS, or Shingles esp., breed at 10 years old?
- Are shingles more easily sexed or are they the same as the rest (plugs, bulges, actions when with another skink)?
- Are shingles one of the longer lived of the BTS's or more down on the average to low end?

This is a very exciting (and dangerous) find for me! If nothing else, maybe one of the breeders here can add another bloodline here?

[NomadOfTheHills]

Shingles are the same genus, Tiliqua, as the other BTS.

Shingles are one of the more long lived species.


I can't believe someone would have such a rare lizard, yet allow the nails to become so long.


Also, that lizard is much older than 10, as it was much longer than that when Australian imports stopped.

[jasjmm27]

Good to know. I have requested if they know the actual age and if it was an import (from Europe, etc.). I will see what they say...yes, it is sad about the nails...

[SailleSkinklover]

That poor thing's nails! Yikes, I wanna give him a good home full of lovins' and proper care! God I so love Shingles, I don't even care if its too old to breed, I just love 'em! ( I wonder how Chuffers would get along with one, like wandering around the house together, like Jubby and Santos do, but not housed in the same enclosure together! )
Its bad enough that I'm dreaming of them now!
My very own turd. . .

[Tattoo]

Saille... I too have been bitten by the driveway turd bug. What shall we do?

[SailleSkinklover]

Lets pool our money and share custody, 6 months each!

[Blotch]

wow, That shingle is in GREAT condition!!! The nails aren't that bad. sheesh - I was expecting them to be extraodinarily long.

[jasjmm27]

How can you tell it is so old, anyway? I can't see any tell tale clues...they all look "ancient" to me, like cute lil cuddly dinosaurs! I really do want it...but don't really have all that money to just use like that unless I could, possibly, sometime in the future, maybe, get something out of it...other than a great companion/pet! I know I would enjoy it, but I have been overspending on Blueys lately...this would take the cake for sure! I just don't want it to be so old it is "winding down" it's years and getting ready to pass the finish line...

Looks nice and healthy to me (despite the nails) and it is SOOO tempting...just trying to get some more people to talk me out of it or let me know it could, possibly, provide some "relief" in the future should I find a happy partner... OHHHH, it's so exciting! The last time I saw one available I didn't have $10, let alone the $2.8K they were asking!

[NomadOfTheHills]

wow, That shingle is in GREAT condition!!! The nails aren't that bad. sheesh - I was expecting them to be extraodinarily long.

Are you serious?

[Kya Ajiira]

its cute looking ;.; man soem on get shingles in canada arg!

[Blotch]

wow, That shingle is in GREAT condition!!! The nails aren't that bad. sheesh - I was expecting them to be extraodinarily long.

Are you serious?

fo' sho'! I've seen alot worse than that! I'm sure you have too! just look on the caresheet. They are long, going by the pic 2 are longer than the rest and probably should have some attention put towards them but it's nothing a lil trim wouldn't fix. You've gotta remember, they don't live on hard flat surfaces like in the pic. It's not something I'd freak out about, I'd just trim them, or put more rocks in the viv, actually both. It's probably housed on soft substrate with little to no rocks.

Apart from that though, you gotta admit it's in Awesome condition! Thats how a stumpy should look!! Minus the 2 long nails.

[Celeste]

I just checked with the store (they are not too far from me), and they said she is at *least* 20 years old, because she has been in captivity that long, and was an adult when acquired. (They didn't say where she was acquired from).

That's a lot of money for a shingleback that they can't give a positive age for, and that may be too old to breed...

-- Celeste

[jasjmm27]

Gotcha! I was actually hoping to get input from you, Celeste. Thanks for weighing in...I think 20 is a bit too old for me. Still looks so good, though! Hope to find a younger one sometime... I would snap it up in a heartbeat!

[Blotch]

if it's getting to around 20 yrs, I'd be worried old age would be catching up with it soon, and for $2000, well I wouldn't put my faith in something heading for the end of the road as quick as it seems to be. Although it is in good condition.

The question you need to ask yourself is are you willing to spend $2000 on an animal that you're A: not sure if it can breed and B: Not sure how much longer it'll live for?

[Celeste]

I am still considering it -- if her condition is good, she *might* still be able to breed (and it would only take one time to make it worthwhile!). And I do have that unpaired 10-year-old male I would love to get a mate for. But I will have to ask them more questions about her origin first. So far, her origin sounds a bit dicey to me... :-L

I'll follow up tomorrow -- they are closed for the evening now. They are about an hour drive away from here (as long as I don't go during rush hours), and I can get a look at her and assess her condition. She *does* look healthy in the pictures, but it would still be a big gamble.

-- Celeste

[jasjmm27]

My point exactly...I think that made my mind up...though they are few and far between, I have wanted one for years now, and they are so cool, I have to consider that this just might not be the one for me...still is a good looking animal, though! Wish I could go see it!

[Celeste]

I got a response from Radical Reptiles, and they said this animal was legally imported from Australia, and the owner has all the original paperwork. (When did Australia stop exporting?) The guy at the store told me last night that she was exhibited at a "reptile museum" for ten years. I think I read somewhere that zoos and museums might be able to import from Australia...? I sure wish I knew all the laws better.

But she's still 20 years old.

Tough decision...

-- Celeste

[jasjmm27]

Good Luck Celeste! It would be great for her to find a good home like yours! Plus...adding her to the bloodlines would be GREAT! Let us know how it goes, I hope she is as healthy as she looks and will work out for you...maybe you can work out a better deal, too?

[bbeeccccaa]

that is a tough decision.. hopefully whoever buys the lil guy knows how to clip toenails.

[Richard.C]

my adult breeding pr were adults when i got them and they are breeding great,ive had them since 95 so therere been with me going on 13years plus adults when i got them so could quite easily be over 20id say probably high teens though,if the female produces this season,that will be the last 5 years straight for her producing so over 10 is fine