BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hi there
this seems like a very nice forum.
My name is Rhea and I have a nine year old daughter, Mikhaila. And yes, her dad, Jeff, lives with us and our numerous critters. Mikhala counts the fish as pets (some loaches, tetras and cory cats in a planted tank) - I don't really think they qualify. We also have a beardie, two plated lizards, a crested gecko, three king snakes, a western hognose, nine assorted garters 6 thamnophis, 3 xenchrophis), three gerbils, a pink toe tarantula, and four hissing cockroaches
We would like to add a bts to our little zoo and I'm very happy to have stumbled upon this forum.
The caresheets here seem more extensive than the book I bought.
So far, the sense I get, is that their care requirements are very similar to a beardie's, but I'm still reading.
We'll be moving in July, so after all our current animals are settled in, we'll work on a set-up for the bts.
I have my other lizards in glass cages with a 2'x4' foot print and sliding doors. I'm planning to modify the rack I built to accomodate another one of those.
Soooo
What subspecies shall be start with? Are there differences in personality between subspecies?
That's all for now
Nice to meet you all.

There are differences between the sub-species, especially in availability. Shinglebacks for example, are almost never for sale here in the US, and if they are, go for $5-8,000 on the cheap end. We on the forum only get to enjoy them via pics from our Aussie friends. Westerns & Centralians are also very rare and hard to purchase here.

I have a Northern, and he is wonderfully handleable and friendly, I believe IJs and Meraukes are as well. Hope that helps. I believe Andrew Seikes has just had a batch of Tanny's and Northerns born, you might want to get into contact with him if you're interested in buying one.

I have 2 IJs and they are very friendly also. They are handled daily and never have given me an attitude. I can't say much about the other species except the tannys have quite a reputation for being feisty and needing quite a bit of taming.

Let us know when you get yours and don't forget the pics!!

i have an eastern and it may be bias but my favouite subspecies would be eastern.

my little guy has NEVER tried to snap at me and never even put up defences near me. (except when i accidently ran past his cage and scared him he opened his mouth but shut it straight away when i saw and apologised for scaring him (then he licked me as they do )

most species will be as tame im pretty sure bar the tanimbars, they really snappy

In my opinion and from what I've read Northerns are the most friendly. All are pretty handleable as long as they're captive bred. Babies are going to be for sale soon so look around Tanimbars are agressive skinks though. IJ's and Northerns or Easterns would probably be your best bet if you want a tamer skink.
As for bedding I use Aspen bedding as recommended in the caresheet.
When you get one make sure you post pictures!

Hey Rhea - Welcome!!! Nice to know that Jeff lives with you and Mikhaila, and nice to have you here! Everything you need for Bluey care is here, and if it's not, that's where we all come in to discuss issues of all kind!
One thing - WE LOVE PICS!!!! So don't be afraid to post pics all the time. Take it easy and I hope we can help you out with anything you need!

We are NOT a very nice forum, we are a very STRANGE forum. Welcome.

KW

Drache,

Welcome to the site...nice to a neighbor around here

I think the next white plains reptile show is in July and then September. I'll problably be going so if you are looking for someone to help you find what you need for the cage let me know. There are normally few blueys at the show but I don't recommend getting one there. They are mostly wild caught.

we always go to the White Plains show, so we'll be there July 8th
it'd be great to meet you and get bluey tips
as I said - taking my time to do the research
also - I'm kind of hoping to get one from the rescue and then I can't be too picky
the more popular certain critters become, the more likely they are to turn up at the rescue
thanks so much for all your responses and welcomes

Welcome.

KyleWeiss wrote:We are NOT a very nice forum, we are a very STRANGE forum. Welcome.

KW

Yea, I'm mean.

Chase wrote:

KyleWeiss wrote:We are NOT a very nice forum, we are a very STRANGE forum. Welcome.

KW

Yea, I'm mean.

Ya got a wicked av Chase, love it!

Shellyjean wrote:

Chase wrote:

KyleWeiss wrote:We are NOT a very nice forum, we are a very STRANGE forum. Welcome.

KW

Yea, I'm mean.

Ya got a wicked av Chase, love it!

Thanks, zach picked it out.

Hey G,day Rhea .A big welcome itsa fun forum .

we have alot of blue tongue,s ... And pink tongue,s and black tongue,s . But any colour can join in the rave,s

Chase wrote:

KyleWeiss wrote:We are NOT a very nice forum, we are a very STRANGE forum. Welcome.

KW

Yea, I'm mean.

I prefer to call you "angsty."

KW

Chase wrote:

Shellyjean wrote:

Chase wrote:

KyleWeiss wrote:We are NOT a very nice forum, we are a very STRANGE forum. Welcome.

KW

Yea, I'm mean.

Ya got a wicked av Chase, love it!

Thanks, zach picked it out.

drache wrote:we always go to the White Plains show, so we'll be there July 8th
it'd be great to meet you and get bluey tips
as I said - taking my time to do the research
also - I'm kind of hoping to get one from the rescue and then I can't be too picky
the more popular certain critters become, the more likely they are to turn up at the rescue
thanks so much for all your responses and welcomes

I'm not sure I've really seen blueys at a rescue. I've seen them listed as a rescue but at a price that is as much as a healthy baby and where the person doesn't really know any back history or much about them and it's pretty clear that they are wild caught and really being sold.

I'll PM you and maybe we can meet up.

Jenn wrote:

drache wrote:we always go to the White Plains show, so we'll be there July 8th
it'd be great to meet you and get bluey tips
as I said - taking my time to do the research
also - I'm kind of hoping to get one from the rescue and then I can't be too picky
the more popular certain critters become, the more likely they are to turn up at the rescue
thanks so much for all your responses and welcomes

I'm not sure I've really seen blueys at a rescue. I've seen them listed as a rescue but at a price that is as much as a healthy baby and where the person doesn't really know any back history or much about them and it's pretty clear that they are wild caught and really being sold.

I'll PM you and maybe we can meet up.

Yeah exactly....

RESCUED BLUEYS!
Adoption fee: $200

Zach wrote:
Yeah exactly....

RESCUED BLUEYS!
Adoption fee: $200

Replace "Blueys" with any animal and that's pretty much Craigslist in the "Pets," section. White trash animal farms selling, mostly.

KW