Would this be a GOOD find?

[phaemas]

Sorry Tanith! I bought her/him!:) How funny:O What did you learn about it?

[El Lobo]

They need it gone because his girlfriend doens't like it and they've got new cats

Wonder how long before the cats end up on kijiji or in a rescue to make way for the next new animal fad.

[Tanith]

Wonder how long before the cats end up on kijiji or in a rescue to make way for the next new animal fad.

So true...

[phaemas]

Omen!

I just adore this skinks colouration. I can't wait to bring him (I looked at pics and it looks like a him to me but i'm not 100% sure) home tommorrow!

Saddly My fish are going and never coming back
And I can't get rid of them until a week after I bring him/her home. Any ideas for shelfing to keep the 40 gallon tank on?

[ILoveMyMonsters]

Sturdy shelving for sure. Did you think everything through prior to getting this new skink? I have some concerns based on what I've read in this thread.

[ExtremeJustin]

Omen!

I just adore this skinks colouration. I can't wait to bring him (I looked at pics and it looks like a him to me but i'm not 100% sure) home tommorrow!

Saddly My fish are going and never coming back
And I can't get rid of them until a week after I bring him/her home. Any ideas for shelfing to keep the 40 gallon tank on?

I am using an iron tank stand for mine. If you use shelving you want to make sure it's good quality. Do you not have it ready because it's going where the fish currently are? If that's the case you might have wanted to see if you could delay picking up the skink until you had all that ready But since you are expecting him/her tomorrow: Do you have a spare coffee table or some sort of STRONG shelving to use temporarily? Can you keep your dog or cat (if you have them) away from the BTS? What is Marvin on? Maybe there is room next to him (I would put a piece of posterboard between the 2 so they don't see each other). What about Miles? What is his tank on?

[Linnea]

I think rather than the cats going out first, the girlfriends gonna kick the guy out xD (if he finally snaps or not is of no concern to the result)

And then leave the cats with him, and then leave them to a rescue or release in the wild when he gets new reptiles......


Phaemas, if you have locked doors and tidy floors the aquarium could very well be on the floor, as long as you put a lot of material under it to ensure you wont water damage your floor or walls.
if you have cats this idea is not recommended for several reasons.

[Spindown]

marvin is lovely.

about the rest of this thread, i can only say

*gets on soapbox*

its important to make a goal about what reptiles you will have get, and figure out how many you can support at any given time IN ADVANCE of a purchase. With those of us who are inclined to impulse buy anything at a good deal (me) I have this plan to resist buying anything, ESPECIALLY animals, that i dont NEED, or cant actually afford.

If you are a person who wants them as pets, its always a good idea project how much said animal costs per month, and per year, so that you will know exactly how much you will add if you add another animal. This does not take into account vet bills and such, although before purchasing another animal you should give yourself a wide allowance for these, as vet bills can be EXPENSIVE. I'm looking at having to do $300 worth of tests on 2 of my snakes when i can afford it. thankfully its not time sensitive, just needs to be done before i can breed them.

If you are looking to breed, project how many animals at what times you can afford them, while still attending to what you would spend if you were keeping them as pets. ^

Basically my point with all this is BE PREPARED for unexpected expenses, try and stay on top of expenses that you DO expect, and have a reasonable goal/plan on how many animals you can actually support based on your income.

Dont just start adding animals to your collection or home JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN.

remember, part of the definition of ANIMAL HOARDING is this: " without having the ability to properly house or care for them, while at the same time denying this inability" and also this: "; fails to provide for the animals' most basic physical and social needs, including food, water, shelter, veterinary care, and sanitary living ..."

*gets off soapbox*

[phaemas]

I found a shelf for her (Suprisingly light) tank!

[El Lobo]

Sapphire Tigress - your soapbox spiel is worthy. Unfortunately it will almost certainly be treated with the teflon coated attitude other logical non-concurring posts have received. Hopefully, there will be others who will read, understand and bear in mind the well considered message.

Five years ago a girl around the same age as the OP let it be known that her life would totally incomplete if she did not get a young rabbit for Christmas. Consequently Santa understood the message and a young rabbit doe duly arrived on Christmas Day. By January the girl was no longer even bothering to feed and water her; maybe the batteries went flat, who knows. That rabbit now lives with us and has done so for the past five years.

I admire your willingness to put forward such a strong case but I suspect:

[ILoveMyMonsters]

I have to concur with El Lobo.

Sapphire has an excellent point, and kudos for being so direct. It's probably going to be disregarded as with the rest of our concerns on this thread. I have a feeling that these animals (or at least the newest one) are going to end up neglected or thrown in a shelter. I saw too many stories like this one when I was a humane society volunteer . One example in particular sticks out. I wasn't given the whole story, but from the summary of things, the children of a rural family decided their lives cannot possibly go on unless they got a puppy. After much begging (I suppose) they received their wish in the form of a Jack Russell x puppy. A year later, the children had lost interest, and the parents punished them by bringing the puppy back to the shelter.

[phaemas]

She and the rest of my reptiles are here to stay. >:(

[El Lobo]

She and the rest of my reptiles are here to stay. >:(

Unlike the fish.

[phaemas]

The fish my parents hate and there going to my dads were they'll be put into a bigger tank with more room to grow, please, try to leave the rest of my life out of this.

[Katrina]

The fish my parents hate and there going to my dads were they'll be put into a bigger tank with more room to grow, please, try to leave the rest of my life out of this.

Phaemas - I am sorry if you feel like people are being mean, unfair or off-topic. It seems like you post quite a bit asking for advice but then don't really listen to the advice and do whatever you wanted to. I know this sounds mean, but I'm just trying to help explain why you are getting reactions like these.

I know right now you think that you will have these skinks forever and that you will provide them with the perfect home... but people who have been around this forum for many years have seen the same situation many times. People who really want a new pet but aren't financially ready or actually ready for it go ahead and get it anyway because they really want it. And in a few months or years the BTS isn't new and exciting anymore and it is the one that suffers or ends up on kijiji. These people never stick around on the forum - they are around for a little while and then the interest is gone. People are worried that this is what is happening right now, and they are trying to give you advice but it seems like you only listen to what you want to.

The best thing you can do right now is prove everyone wrong. Instead of arguing or rationalizing your choices, listen to advice. Go out and buy good homes for both skinks. Take the new on to the vet and get it on calcium supplements. Go to the store and buy butternut squash, collard greens and other healthy foods. Feed quality canned dog food and a mix of healthy greens and veggies. Keep them, give them good homes and have them live for their 20 or 30 year lifetimes with you.

We are only worried about your BTS and are not trying to be mean. Stick around, ask questions, listen to advice and learn lots. Eventually, start giving advice yourself. I really hope you prove everyone wrong.

[phaemas]

Did I say I wasn't going to do that? I do listen and ask questions but people always find a fault in ANYTHING I say or do.

Mabey I will leave the site if i'm to be treated like trash.

[Katrina]

Phaemas, I'm trying to be nice and help explain things to you. You aren't being treated like trash. You are being given advice you don't want to hear.

I agree that you have gotten plenty of advice already and anything more is just beating a dead horse - so please, everyone, leave this topic alone for now. No more advice is needed.

Phaemas, please don't get angry or respond with attitude. It won't be tolerated. People are trying to help.

[phaemas]

Well its not helping any more.

I feel like i'm drowing beause i'm starting to doubt myself as a pet owner again.

[Katrina]

Well its not helping any more.

I feel like i'm drowing beause i'm starting to doubt myself as a pet owner again.

Ok, well no more advice you haven't asked for - at least for tonight! I promise!

It is tough, there is lots to learn as a pet owner. But you can do it and we can help.

I will lock this thread too, there has been plenty of advice given here for time being.