BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I was just wondering how fast these little skinks grow. I have a 40 gallon tank now. But with everything in it, it doesn't look that big to me anymore. When do you think I should switch to a larger tank for my little one (she's about a month old now)and what size tank would be ideal (for future reference).

Thanks guys! Just love posting questions here. I always get a great response and I learn a lot too.

Diane

Hey Mom,

Here's my chart on Irwin. Check the weights, lengths , and dates. It's faster than any other reptile I've kept. I wouldn't believe it if I weren't recording it myself. The poor guy doesn't have room to eat i his 10 gal. any more. I'm setting up his permanent 65 right now. He should be in it tomorrow.

Irwin

Northern Blue Tongue Skink
Teliqua scincoides intermedia
Purchased from: Ray Gurgui, St. Pete, FL (727)-527-2889

MAY '07
Born: 5/12/07

JUNE '07
Received: 6/19/07
6/19/07: Weight: 58gr. Length: 7.72"
6/27/07: Started on Silkworms, Phoenix worms, and butterworms

JULY '07
7/4/07: Weight: 79 gr. Length: 9.03"
7/16/07: Weight: 127 gr.= +48 gr. Length: 10.1" = +1.07"

It's always been a true-to-fact detail that you should try your best to start out with the tank or enclosure the animal will live in permanently, rather than "graduating," tank sizes, or you're in for a whole lot of tedious work. The 40 will do fine for pretty much the duration of the animal's life, unless you find some spectacular custom setup you simply cannot pass up.

KW

I agree with Kyle. I just put more hiding areas in there when theyre younger, and once theyre bigger and its a little too cluttered I take some out.

I feel so stupid. I happened to be online at the place where I purchased my terrarium and I was looking at my past purchases. Well, my tank is a 20 gallon long not 40 gallon. No wonder I thought it looked a little small for a 40 gallon.

I guess I'll upgrade later (when I can afford a nice 40 or 65 gallon set up).

Check places like craigslist and the nickle ads. Often people have old fish tanks that they're selling for cheap because they won't hold water anymore. Also sometimes aquarium stores will put their old tanks out back, you could ask if they'll let you take the ones that won't hold water anymore.

Hey Kyle,

That's the way I've always done it with every other animal, the permanent enclosure from the beginning. But being this is my first bluey, I thought I would listen to the breeder. Ray told me to start with him in a 10 gal. because he would feel lost and insecure in a larger set-up. I've had his permanent one purchased well over a month before he was born. I've heard Ray was very knowlegeable, so was I wrong to think he would know whats best? I could have saved a little time. Though it's not very difficult for me to change out a set-up, I just didn't think I would be doing it this quickly.

Ray is a very knowledgableand has my upmost respect, but you will find a lot of variation in the way people keep their animals, so get a lot of opinions and decide what is best for you. Most people just find it to be easier to put the baby in his permanent home, as long as you provide enough hiding spaces your skink will be comfortable.

Hey! I lucked into a 40 gallon for $10 at a garage sale so that is where my "babies" will all start out. I like the big tanks because you have more flexibility for temperature gradients but even the 40 seems huge for a little one! Start checking garage sales, the green sheets, craigslist, pet stores (as some sell used or cracked tanks), and goodwill stores. Post an ad on craigslist and your local herp soiciety too. Mention you have kiddos. A really nice gentleman made be a great deal on our 75 gallon when he heard that I had several kids. Someone even offered me a free tank (which I couldn't use b/c it was too narrow.) You could even offer your 20G rolls royce as part of a trade but I'd hate to part with that one! Just some thoughts.... When you are on a budget, you become quite creative!!! I spend way too much time contemplating these things!

Thanks for all the good ideas guys! I actually replied to this post earlier but it didn't show up so I'm replying again. Computer problems... It's actually the server not my computer.

Anyway, I will definitely keep my eyes open for a larger encloser since I'll be needing one in the near future.

thanks again!

Di

Ray will always be best place for information and is probably one of the best bluey resources there is.

If you followed his advice, never think it's wrong. There are different schools of thought (as BlueyBoy pointed out), but it's all opinion in this instance. I, for one, would be pulling my hair out if I had to upgrade tanks two or three times.

KW

There's always the option to make your own, that way getting exactly what you require

I guess I should have put a winking smiiley in my last post because it was only meant as joking sarcasm. I've talked with Ray extensively on the phone before getting my bluey. I agree Kyle, he like Zach, knows his stuff when it comes to blueys. I personally choose to provide size appropriate accommodations for their feeling of security.

JWSR wrote:I guess I should have put a winking smiiley in my last post because it was only meant as joking sarcasm. I've talked with Ray extensively on the phone before getting my bluey. I agree Kyle, he like Zach, knows his stuff when it comes to blueys. I personally choose to provide size appropriate accommodations for their feeling of security.

By all means!

I can't say I have the ideal setup for my situation either; I simply didn't realize a top-loading vivarium would be such a pain since I'd never really had one before. I'll be upgrading one day too, with much procrastination.

KW