i need advice!

[david14]

ok here it is. i am getting my first skink ever. i know a lot about them but i need some help. How dfo i start and what do i do?

[NomadOfTheHills]

First start, read the caresheet

[Tili]

Research, research, and research. You now will have a life that depends on you to be raised healthy and well. Take best of care.

[Fatal_S]

The first thing I did was stopped, and thought really long and hard about wether or not I could commit to an animal for 20+ years. For younguns like us, it's a must, because our lives are changing fast (graduate, uni, job, etc) and we need to think about how we're going to manage living and taking proper care of a BTS.

Once I knew I would commit and do anything for my BTS, I researched, read the caresheet many times, and convinced my parents. Took me years, but as you already have the okay, shouldn't take so long.

Then I found out what I wanted, contacted a breeder, and ordered. Now I have 3 amazing BTS who I love tonns.

[kman1247]

Hi david c u around school but anyways look on parent issues with BTS cause there is alot of great info

[Lisa]

The first thing I did was stopped, and thought really long and hard about wether or not I could commit to an animal for 20+ years. For younguns like us, it's a must, because our lives are changing fast (graduate, uni, job, etc) and we need to think about how we're going to manage living and taking proper care of a BTS.

Well done!
That’s really good that you wrote that.
Because when I first read the other thread a while back, I was flabbergasted at all the comments (yours included ) being only about how to pressure parents into letting you get what you want.

I mean, we’re not talking about having the newest ipod here! This is an animal that will live for 20+ years!
It has special needs! It costs money! It needs your time!

Maybe I’m a bit different to other people, but my pets are part of the family, and as such my lifestyle needs to accommodate them and sometimes sacrifices are made … but never at the sake of a member of the family, regardless of whether they are human, canine or reptilian! Barring unforeseen events that I cannot control (ie, I die), my lifestyle will accommodate my pets just as much as it does my husband, his son, my mother, my sister etc. It means I won’t move overseas if I can’t take my animals, no more two or more month long travel periods, I need to live on a property that accommodates my pets’ needs, and the worst one ... I need to buy vegetables that would otherwise have never graced my fridge! My fridge had never ever had a vegetable in it before I got Jubby!

I could never sell my animals, they’re part of the family. Everyone loves babies, my middle-agers would end up on the pet store shelf for who knows how long. My dogs would probably get put down, no-one wants old dogs. My heart breaks (with sadness and anger) at people who just one day say ‘I don’t have time for this animal anymore’.
Grrrr. People, it’s really not that hard to have even a short-term view of your future!

But that’s just me!
And anyway, that’s off on a tangent!

But the other point I would have made is, sometimes you don’t always get what you want. Fact of life. Everyone needs to learn this sooner or later, and while I’m all for people offering sensible advice or opinions on how to change a parent’s mind, at the end of the day if they say no, then so be it. Parents may not know everything (and if you can educate them, then good for you!) but they do know more than kids. Another fact of life. And no, I'm not a parent ... but I was a kid once

David, my best advice I can give you is for you to understand what is involved in owning an animal that may still be alive when your kids are graduating!!! Anyone can read and follow a caresheet, but to understand the commitment involved and to be honest enough with yourself as to whether you're up to it, well that’s the hard part!

Good luck!
I'll get back to my holidays and leave you all to it

[kman1247]

a lot of your rules are exactley like mine but here's a question. YOU were a KID once? jk ( i kid too much i'm trying to stop, it's like a drug)

[Lisa]

a lot of your rules are exactley like mine but here's a question. YOU were a KID once? jk ( i kid too much i'm trying to stop, it's like a drug)

Yep. I even have pictures to prove it!
And yes they are colour pictures and not oil paintings or daguerreotypes or carvings on a rock wall a'la prehistoric times

[kman1247]

LOL!!!! I love people who can make fun of themselfs and not be all stuck about it. Coming from a moron...it might not be such a good thing btw i am now officially a moron because i have now got 14 different times when i have needed stitches, a broken arm, two 3rd degree burns and i have jumped off a roof

[Fatal_S]

Thanks Lisa. I took a long time thinking about wether I could honestly commit to keeping a BTS long term. Thing is, at the time I was thinking of going into a military college, no pets. However, I decided Military college wasn't right for me. Then came a piloting dilema: If I become a commercial pilot, I could be away from home for weeks at a time, no good for owning pets. There's several things I've thought about doing that just wouldn't work with having pets, but I took time and thought and decided that the BTS would be worth giving up some things for.

I'm very happy with my decision, even though I still have to keep giving up on things because of them. I urge every person, young or old, to think for weeks about 'if I owned a skink right now, I'd be...' and how much you truly are commiting to.

Oh, and as soon as I got my skinks, I had a nice talk with my family about should something happen (i get hit by a bus, etc) what will happen to the skinks. My sisters and friends get first dibs if they want, then the skinks will be given away on the forum. It's grim to think about, but I think it's also a part of responsible pet care.

[Payday1897]

Here's one thing to consider, check around the internet for cheap terrariums. I spent 120 for my 40 gal in store and i've seen way bigger used cages on craigslist for cheaper. They may also through in other supplies such as hoods and lights and water/food dishes. Don't hurry into buying all of the supplies or you will spend alot more money than you need to.

[aggiegirl]

My son is now 9 and we joke about whether or not I'll let him take Pele' to college with him. That really puts it in perspective!!!!!
Our pets are definitely family too---much to the chagrin of some of our two-legged family members. I watch impulsive buying at shows/stores and worry about the poor victims---the innocent, defenseless animals who will rot or starve to death once they are forgotten. When possible, I rescue/rehome. Aside from my blueys, all my pets (excl. fish) are "cast offs." Most of them (incidentally) were purchased for kids who later lost their interest in them. Rule number one at my house is that it has to be an animal that I want---because eventually it will become my responsibility.

[Tattoo]

Good plan Aggiegirl. I have the same rule here. Any more pets are my choice as I do all the work.

[mom22wins]

Rule number one at my house is that it has to be an animal that I want---because eventually it will become my responsibility.

I have the same rule here. Any more pets are my choice as I do all the work.

I agree 100%. Good thing there aren't really any animals that I'd turn away!

[NomadOfTheHills]

My mom was totally the opposite. Any animal, she won't go near it.

[Fatal_S]

My parents are no help when it comes to taking care of the herps or spider or worms. Totally my responsibility. I can sometimes get my younger sisters to help though on things like cuddle time and feeding.

[Leigh]

Luckily my mrs and daughter all love herps and help with feeding and out time, as long as there's no biting, they'll do a spot clean if I'm working away, but I do the major overhauls.

[Fatal_S]

Luckily my mrs and daughter all love herps and help with feeding and out time, as long as there's no biting, they'll do a spot clean if I'm working away, but I do the major overhauls.

Hey Leigh, out of curiousity, have you told your MRS about you're gender crisis on this forum? I would love to get that reaction. "Leigh, why are these forumers asking you if you think Rickman is hot? Is there something I should know?" I just find it so funny how so many people assumed you were a she I'm sure I'll get over the amusement someday.

[Leigh]

The common blokes way to spell it is Lee( someone pointed this out ), where I live there's a wooded area called Leigh Woods,I guess thats where it came from, so what gendre is that? It was chosen for me as a name that can't be shortened like Stuart =Stu, I'll inform my mrs tonight and see what she says, I predict an answer along the lines of "Well you are a bit of a tart" Please feel free to take as long as you like to get over it, I enjoy making people happy

[Tattoo]

Leigh does that mean when you and the Ms. go to a Tarts and Vicars party you get to be the tart?