BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Can blueys be put a leash like iguanas? Spike is just so fat moving, I want to take him outside but I think I'd loose him. Any suggestions?

as far as i know they can, Quigly doesn't run off so i've never tried it

They don't really move very fast so there's no real reason for a leash. Try putting him into an area where there aren't any places for him to get into trouble, like a pipe or hole under the fence. You might also consider getting a pen, which i think are made for small rodents, but work well for lizards; i actually put my dragon in there, but let my skink roam free (under close supervision).

evil pixie wrote:They don't really move very fast so there's no real reason for a leash. Try putting him into an area where there aren't any places for him to get into trouble, like a pipe or hole under the fence. You might also consider getting a pen, which i think are made for small rodents, but work well for lizards; i actually put my dragon in there, but let my skink roam free (under close supervision).

It greatly depends on the BTS though -- some will fly once they are outside. And worse, most will sit still for a bit soaking up the rays (or just afraid), then bolt.

Leashes are hard to put on BTS because they can streamline their legs to their body easily wiggling out. Also, is there a more persistent reptile out there?? They will get out!

I take my guy out and hes not to found of it. Even when I put him in a rubbermaid containter with some logs to hide so he can bask in the sun light he wont. He'll only stick his head out and hes starts hissing like crazy when outside. Hopefully by the end of the summer I can break him of that and he will actaully like to be outside.

I think a leash like this would work
http://futurepet.com/cgi-bin/search.exe?BP=1&RCAT=800.

otherwise a pen like this does
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 2007+62745

My guy LOVES to be outside and doesn't bolt unless I try to take him back inside lol, but he's not fast enough to get away from me

Hello strangers! Hope everybody is doing well. I've been a bad forum member for the past few months, missing in action. Anyway, when I first got Mr. Booger I got him a leash beause I was afraid he'd bolt if I took him outside, as he is pretty skittish. Just like Zach said, he'd just put his legs straight back and wriggle right out. But actually I found that he became pretty subdue outside, he absolutely love it! He sometimes takes off on the ground, but no faster than I can walk, so he's easy to get back. I agree, just take Spike where he can't hide or escape out of the yard and see how he does. I'm sure he will be fine.

It's the girl with the raddest bluey tattoo ever!

Rollie is tamer when outside, and usually crawls right out of the fitted ferret leash I got for him. When outside he usually stays for about an hour catching rays, then saunters about casually, only occasionally needing intervention.

I'm thinking Zach's totally right; it depends on the skink.

KW

I read somewhere that beardies are quicker than skinks
I take my beardie outside and I do put a leash on him, but I may quit the leash - he really isn't that fast.
The biggest reason for the leash is that it gives me a little inattention leeway

Skinks can be very fast if they want to. My northerns and easterns are allowed to wander around the yard. They spend a lot of time in the garden or flower bed. My keis and Indo only go outside in a playpen because they freak out outside and are way to fast to catch.

I always sit in the grass with blue and he will crawl under my legs and leave his tail out in the sunshine. like hiding just his head makes him feel safe but another thing i noticed i took my new girl out the other day and shes real small well we were sitting in the grass and a bird was perched on the roof watching us i think it wanted to eat my lilly. I am gonna watch her close when we go out.

Brigget wrote:I always sit in the grass with blue and he will crawl under my legs and leave his tail out in the sunshine. like hiding just his head makes him feel safe but another thing i noticed i took my new girl out the other day and shes real small well we were sitting in the grass and a bird was perched on the roof watching us i think it wanted to eat my lilly. I am gonna watch her close when we go out.

Get a covered pen! You don't want the one second u look away to be the second the bird grabs her! outdoor pens are simple, can be made/bought cheaply, and can usually be movable/adjustable to fit anywhere. But get cover! Wire off a large corner of the yard and put wire overtop or something. If the skink can't get out and birds/cats/etc can't get in, you'll feel much better. And then there's no chance of the one second problem. When taking herps for outdoor romps, I strongly recommend covered pens.

Yea I am keeping aware. I dont have the cat issue. and the birds are not fearless enough to come down where I am. I always stay with my guys. I sit right with them. Sometimes I spread a blanket and we sunbathe together. I think thats cute

When I take mine out he doesnt bolt, but heads straight for the muddy area with the border plants, He knows where the snails are , hes too big for most birds to tackle but a hawk/magpie/crow would do him in. I have to keep an eye out as he loves to explore, and its still too cold in any shaded places. One thing I noticed about my Beardy though is that she can spot a plane at 20 thousand feet and wont take her eye of it until its out of sight not sure if the bluey cares at all

PICJESS wrote:Hello strangers! Hope everybody is doing well. I've been a bad forum member for the past few months, missing in action. Anyway, when I first got Mr. Booger I got him a leash beause I was afraid he'd bolt if I took him outside, as he is pretty skittish. Just like Zach said, he'd just put his legs straight back and wriggle right out. But actually I found that he became pretty subdue outside, he absolutely love it! He sometimes takes off on the ground, but no faster than I can walk, so he's easy to get back. I agree, just take Spike where he can't hide or escape out of the yard and see how he does. I'm sure he will be fine.

Yeah there is no way I would be able to catch Spike if he got away. It really wouldn't be if, rather than when. He's a fast little guy. I'll try a comfined area outside..I think that's my best bet. Thanks for all the great comments and suggestions! Much appreciated!

I actually use a modified iguana harness for my two blueys, which works surprisingly well. It's adjustable, making it harder for little stubby legs and squirming bodies to get free, though it does happen from time to time. I was able to get them use to the harness by puttlng it on them for short periods each time I held them. They don't seem to mind it too much anymore.

Leigh wrote:When I take mine out he doesnt bolt, but heads straight for the muddy area with the border plants, He knows where the snails are , hes too big for most birds to tackle but a hawk/magpie/crow would do him in. I have to keep an eye out as he loves to explore, and its still too cold in any shaded places. One thing I noticed about my Beardy though is that she can spot a plane at 20 thousand feet and wont take her eye of it until its out of sight not sure if the bluey cares at all

It is a good job you live near Bristol and not Heathrow.... otherwise that would be one seriously tortured Beardie with a cricked neck from all the plane spotting!

It's not the leash that's the problem, it's the collar. My dog will pull backwards out of a collar and so will a large parrot. The idea is you get a fitted harness so they are not tethered by the neck but at the shoulder because the harness attaches on their back behind their front legs.

They make them for parrots, they would be easy to adjust to a bluey. Not a bad idea if you are easily distracted or have lots of hiding places where you are taking them out.

Although generally slow, if they want to bolt, they can go very fast! Neck collars are not practical for walking any animal in my opinion.