New to bts, information needed!

[random]

Hello everyone
first of all i hope you understand my english, im from denmark (sure you all know where it is ).
i have never owned a reptile before, and i was going to get a bearded dragon. but when my mother heard about its need for cockroaches and crickets, she wasnt too happy hehe..
then i heard about the blue tongue skink and i think it looks like a pretty cool lizard, and also a good choice for a beginner. but i have some questions...

- Ive read that it can course a very painful bite with its jaws. do they bite often, compared to bearded dragons for example? do they sometimes just bite without a reason, ive heard some stories that makes me think that...

- i have a 10% uvb desert uv-lamp. can i use this in the terrarium?

- i have a terrarium that is 3½ feet long, 20" wide, 20" high. is that an okay size for a single bts?

- can you take a bts out of the terrarium?

- does it need to get its food dusted with vitamins, minerals and calcium?

- is it a better choice for a beginner than a bearded dragon?

a lot of questions, i know, but i hope you would answer some of them
best regards zandie

[Geoff Gates]

Zandie,

There's a caresheet on this site that many swear by. Have a read for plenty of information.

Answers in bold.

- Ive read that it can course a very painful bite with its jaws. do they bite often, compared to bearded dragons for example? do they sometimes just bite without a reason, ive heard some stories that makes me think that...

wild caught specimens may bite readily. Ensure you get a captive bred BTS. They calm down quickly. Still any individual may bite.

- i have a 10% uvb desert uv-lamp. can i use this in the terrarium?

There is some debate whether BTS actually need UV to remain healthy. Often what you need depends on the origin of the species of BTS you obtain.

- i have a terrarium that is 3½ feet long, 20" wide, 20" high. is that an okay size for a single bts?

Yes.

- can you take a bts out of the terrarium?

Yes of course.

- does it need to get its food dusted with vitamins, minerals and calcium?

No. But calcium supplementation does not hurt.

- is it a better choice for a beginner than a bearded dragon?

No. They are both great reptile pets.

[Scotts1au]

In my opinion blueys are a better choice for a beginner than Beardies, simply because blueys are lower maintenance and are generally hardier.

Sure Beardies go in hard for live food (which is fun to watch) but can suddenly go off food for no apparent reason, take longer to train to eat different foods and lose condition quicker. They have a tendency to fail to thrive if something isn't to their liking -often resulting in death. If they lose condition for any reason, the can be difficult to bring back to health.

My 2 cents.

[PsyKoViggy]

I just saw this post on another forum, but i think you'll get better answers here.

To add a bit to what Geoff said, about the biteing, i think they usually give you pretty good warning before biting and unless you've startled them (in which case it would be a natural defencive reaction to spin round and bite)they'll hiss and display their tongue.
If you get a baby the bite isn't that bad and they tame down really well with regular handling so a painful adult bite wouldn't be something you'd have to worry about in the future.

Taking the skink out of for play is possibly easier than with a bearded dragon because they don't jump around, don't run very fast and can be kept at room temp for a longer period of time without it being damaging to your bluey.

As for the suplimentation, look at the food charts on the care sheet. If you can provide all the things that are considered good to be fed daily, and can always provide those things, you shouldn't need to supliment. I supliment mine ones a week anyway because he is growing, and will probably continue to do so once every two weeks when hes an adult, because it puts my worrying mind to rest, heheh.

Hope i'v got this info right guys

[moonpie]

i just thought i would tell you my Indie is the first reptile i have ever had (not the last i can tell you ) and i have never known such a laid back, easy, cuddly animal. They are AWESOME as first time reptiles and if the one (if you get one ) is anything like my Indie he/she will totally LOVE coming out of the viv for cuddles and for fun My Indie has never bit me or even opened his mouth in an aggresive way, nor his he tried to strike at me, the only thing he does is a very, i must say, endearing "puff" of annoyance every-so-often but it can't be much as he does it to himself sometimes!! (he is very confused in life bless him )

[bruno]

Hey Zandie.

To the side.

Jeg er også fra Danmark

[random]

Thanks for all the answers you are very helpful!

Til bruno: Fedt! Jeg har ikke indtryk af at der er ret mange der holder blåtungeskinke(skinker eller skinke? ) i Danmark? Kiggede lige forbi din hjemmeside, og må sige det er nogle rigtig flotte dyr du holder dig!

[The Londoner]

Hi Zandie,
Welcome to the site your English is fine as for getting a BTS they are so great I to had never kept any kind of reptile before and find looking after my boy Ocho very easy. they will eat cat food as well as fruit and veg and as long as you keep the temps in your viv right and keep and eye on your BTS when it is shedding you should be fine, as for BTS biting well mine never has but like any reptile or animal they all are capable of doing so but most don't. Sue

[Dragontears]

Geoff already answered your questions so I'll just say "welcome to the forum!"

You'll most likely get more biased answers that blueys are better than beardies on this site as this is a bluey forum, but both make excellent beginner reptiles.

[Fatal_S]

Welcome to the forum!

Looks like the questions have been answered already. Take a read through of the caresheet, it helps tonns.

[sheslikeheroin]

hi there and . since everyones answered your questions already i'll just say that both blueys and beardies are excellent begginner pets. though blueys are lower maintenance and alot calmer. i deal with both blueys and beardies regularly and would say that blueys are easier to keep especially if your a beginner.

[random]

Very nice answers, you help me a lot Thanks!

[Leigh]

Thanks for all the answers you are very helpful!

Til bruno: Fedt! Jeg har ikke indtryk af at der er ret mange der holder blåtungeskinke(skinker eller skinke? ) i Danmark? Kiggede lige forbi din hjemmeside, og må sige det er nogle rigtig flotte dyr du holder dig!

Thats easy for you to say......

Welcome mate, everyone else has said it all but this, we love good photo's, so when you get you're little fella, post photos galore.

[mom22wins]

Welcome to the forum!

I just want to say I absolutely love my Northern BTS, Sammy. She is very tolerant of cuddling and is just fine without it too. Bluey's, you'll find, are very intelligent. They have their likes and dislikes like any other pet. No biting here. If she doesn't want to be bothered she just borrows under her substrate and I get the hint. lol

Like everyone said, check out the caresheet. You might want to print out the food chart. I shrunk it down and laminated it so I could take it with me when I food shop. That's very convenient to be able to shop for your bluey's food along with the regular groceries.

Contact Zach for a baby bluey. You're better off getting captive breed than store bought IMHO.

[SailleSkinklover]

Welcome to the forum!!!
I have a wild caught Merauke that has never ever aggressively bitten me.

He nipped me once, on the forearm, while I was eating cherries, because he wanted some.
Once I shared, it was no problem.

Blueys are great pets, hardy, full of personality, and long lived. Be prepared to have yours for 20 + years if you take good proper care of him or her!

[random]

Thanks - again! Seems to be a lot of friendly people on this forum, thats great!

Thanks for all the answers you are very helpful!

Til bruno: Fedt! Jeg har ikke indtryk af at der er ret mange der holder blåtungeskinke(skinker eller skinke? ) i Danmark? Kiggede lige forbi din hjemmeside, og må sige det er nogle rigtig flotte dyr du holder dig!

Thats easy for you to say......

Welcome mate, everyone else has said it all but this, we love good photo's, so when you get you're little fella, post photos galore.

Yeah it is Danish is such a hot language!
I will take LOTS of pictures when I get him/her Cant wait

[Blotch]

Ver den har du det - I think that's how it's said.

Pige spyder
that's about all i know.

[random]

Blotch: You're good You spell it "Hvordan har du det" (how are you), and the second one, I think you mean "Pigespejder" (girl scout)

[aggiegirl]

Welcome to the forum!
We researched blueys forever before getting one. I like beardies too because they are also full of personality but I chose a bluey because they were lower maintenance, easier to feed from grocery store items, and easier for my kids to hold. Babies are more reactive but calm with age. Usually if you watch their body language (ie flattened back), you can tell if they are aggitated. Our only bites have been food-related when fingers were mistaken for yummies. Many of the children's petting zoos have these guys. Get a captive bred (esp a Northern, Eastern or IJ) and you can't go wrong. There are occasional exceptions but any of these should be a lap lizard within a year. Check out the caresheet on this site and compare it to one for beardies. Visit with a place that has both and hold them. I caved as soon as I held my first bluey. Don't know if it was the blue tongue, the stubby legs, or the sturdy feel. Blueys were our first herps and we have never regretted the choice!

[Blotch]

YES! "How are you girl scout?" hahaha I say that to my bro in law all the time. He loves Denmark - Told me all about it, so i'd love to go one day. Maybe next year! My G/F and I are planning on saving for Europe once i get back from the states in August/September this year.

Do you like our Princess? Princess Mary used to have 2 heads, but had to get one taken off so she cold marry Freddy. That's what happens when you're a Tasmanian.