New to BTS.net, and proud new skink owner

[Pr0zAc]

I just got my first BTS this past weekend. I have been looking it over and reading up on them after I first saw it in "a pet shop" about 2 months ago. I grew up catching green anoles, five-lined skinks, and fence lizards here in Georgia. My first reptile was an albino nelsons milksnake which I got this past December. I have been toying with the idea of starting a green anole colony as well. However when I saw the size and look of BTS it amazed me. Then I read up on them and saw their personalities and such and I knew this was the lizard for me. I have no idea what subspecies this is, how old, or sex. Can anyone help me identify what type of BTS this is? Also a sincere thanks to Zach for this site and the immense information found on what he calls a caresheet. Now from the other many caresheets I've seen they don't compare. His "caresheet" is more like a carepamphlet or carebook.

[Dragontears]

another photo would help. Maybe one from a top down perspective?

[Shadowfax]

Wow, he looks really unique!

[Tyzo]

I dig his eye stripe.

[KyleWeiss]

Well, I only voted from what I see so far. Looks like I'm not alone.

So, where are the REST of the pictures?

KW

[Leigh]

Not sure what type but does look mean.

[Pr0zAc]

Wow I didn't know you all dug pictures so much. I've got a few more that I took at the same time. I'll try to rouse "him" a bit later and take some more pics. I think everyone is right with IJ. "He" has a red belly and his pattern extends underneath. I will try and put him in a glass bottom cage with no substrate and get a good pic, I read you shouldn't turn them on their backs. I just got "him" this weekend, so the cage is still weak, here's what I've built him so far. Right now he just sits in his log all day. You think he's just getting used to being here? It's only his fourth day here. Also a question about food. I've processed all of the veggies, greens, fruits, and mixed in some cat food. He loves that stuff, but do I have to make it EVERY time or is there a good way to store it for later. I'm going to be feeding him every other day. BTW he loves mice. Thanks all for your help.

P.S. before everyone mentions the door/window in the background it has a piece of wood on the outside and the blinds are always down.

[Jacki]

Your set up looks nice....but does he actually use the ramp and everything to get up there? Also...is there a lid on the top of the cage? It wouldn't be difficult at all for him to climb out if there isn't. Lastly, you may try using the larger pieces of aspen bedding...the little slivers get in their nose, mouth, eyes, etc. pretty easily. All in all, you have a very handsome skink, congratulations!

Also...about the feeding, I know there are some people that have frozen portions of food and then just defrosted them when ready to eat...but I don't know how all of that works so i'll let some others chime in on that question.

[Pr0zAc]

He hasn't used the ramp yet. I keep showing him where it is and I am working on it. I have the shavings now and will be trading out soon. I couldn't find them the first place I went, but I went back when he kept sneezing. I do have a lid, but I had just put him in when I took those pics so the screen was still off. Thanks for the info on the food, I look forward to any chiming in anyone does. I tried freezing, but I guess I need to freeze small acutal meal portions because scooping out this food isn't excatly like scooping out ice cream.

Also here are some stills from a video I took.



In this one he is actually wiping his mouth off (he did both sides). I thought that was pretty funny.

[Greytmari]

He is SO BEAOOOTIFUL!!!! I think IJ as well but he is SO DARK!!!! My Maggie is so much lighter and orange and Tito is, well, Tito just is, since he is a mutt Northern/IJ mix, but a sweeter skin you will never know!!!! Welcome to the forum, awesome cage, etc......Food looks great, I make mine from sratch every other day so can't help with the freezing. I am glad you are here, especially snce you like to post pictures!!! i LOVE pictures!!!! Here is one of Maggie Moe Dee, (Zach's God-daughter skink) to welcome you and your sweet new Bluey!!! What is his name?????



You can see the difference!!!

[Zach]

Welcome! Glad you were able to benefit from the site....

This BT looks like it could very well be a cross. Probably with a Northern/IJ. Can you ask the store exactly where their BTS come from? It's funny how so many of them say they have no idea like they just found them outside or something. If they admit to it being wild caught, I will definitely say it's an Irian Jaya. If they say it came from a breeder, I'd wager this is probably a cross of some kind. Again, likely Northern x Irian Jaya.



Maggie!

[Lura]

He is very expressive. I love the way his eyes always seem to be looking at the camera. Especially in the very first picture you posted, he looks very crafty, like a big troublemaker.



I can never get over how BEAUTIFUL Maggie is!!! Not only is her orange color incredible, but those clean stripes on her tail are wonderful as well!

[evil pixie]

Nice skink, and nice set-up - heck, i'd move in there if i were a skink!

[Edward]

How often have you been feeding him mice? And how many?

Word of advice: Make sure he cannot push the lid up because he will escape.

[Edward]

I read you shouldn't turn them on their backs.

If you didn't read it in the caresheet here, I wouldn't rely on it.

[DeadEye]

Western ,centralian . Depends what country your in I-J in USA ..Westerns and shingles are walking round on the scrub floor , minutes from were i live ...any bush track with the trained eye , you will find Shingles ..The westers like to hang back around a mile back from the sand dunes from the beach ..Bullsbrook has alot of westerns in the bush ..Location ..There all awsome Alpine,s I love , But havent had one as a freind ..But drool at them

[Pr0zAc]

I haven't named it yet because I really don't know if it's male or female. I want to pick out a very suitable name once I get to know the personality. I only fed him mice because my snake wasn't eating them. I heard they were mostly fat. Also the guy at the petshop told me that he was imported.

[Zach]

Harry.

I think that would be the funniest name for a BTS.

[Fatal_S]

Nice tank. Awsome looking skink! I dunno about species much, but he almost reminds me of LeaBilby's Eastern Popsicle. Might just be the glare though... He looks pretty mean, is he?

Oh, as a side note, I'm putting my money on this one carrying an XX chromosone. I dunno why, just seems like a girl to me...

[Pr0zAc]

He looks pretty mean, is he?

He usually hisses when I pick him up, never has bit at me though. He may be a she, not sure. I also don't know why he has just been staying under his log. I just put in a moss box and he went right in and has been chilling out there.

Posting final pics, some of belly.