Blue Tongued Skinks?

[SerpentLust]

Well I went to that horrid pet store because Steph (UnbalancedMinds) and I felt like holding some animals. I held a green cheeked conure which was so cute. But I absolutely fell in LOVE with the Blue Tongued Skink I got to hold...

And so, I figure this might be my first purchase from the Lizard world.

I've read about them, and I have what the eat and such in my head. My question is about the size of the housing. Like are they like Ball Pythons who can't have a HUGE cage. Or do they not mind larger enclosures?

Any other enclosure ideas for them would be good.

Thanks

Jenn

[MartinW]

Why do ball pythons prefer cages that aren't huge?

Martin

[SerpentLust]

They're very shy and get stressed out in a large enclosure unless is has a MAXIMUM AMOUNT of hides. Apparently they do better in Rubbermaids because they can't see anyone walking by and such. I've never HAD a BP though...so this is all what I've learned...

Jenn

[Steve]

Balls are very shy snakes. The large area make them feel insecure

[SnowFoxx]

Well, my first BTS *just* arrived a few days ago, and here is what I have learned through care sheets and a few days of experience:

BTS are active. They need a substrate that they can burrow in (my little girl spends most of her time buried) and if you use the right kind, you won't even need hide boxes. I use Carefresh, and so far she loves it and I have had no problems. She is in a 10 gallon aquarium right now, but she will shortly be upgraded to something larger (even though she is only about 9" long) because she is *SO* active. I know the adult BTS in the local pet store here just lay around all day, but I'm guessing that's more because they are bored and not well cared for than because they are lazy and less active at that age. I guess I'll find out as she grows.

BTS are known for being tame, but you have to work a little to get them that way. I haven't handled my little girl yet, but I scooped her bedding aside with the edge of her hide box (she was buried in it) to show her off to a friend, and she bit the box! Repeatedly! She hisses and whips whenever I reach into her cage. I know she will tame down eventually, though.

BTS eat anything and everything!! I have fed her stew style canned dog food mixed with shredded dandelion greens and tiny bits of shopped red seedless grape, sprinkled with calcium powder. She loves it! They will eat about anything you give them, even snails and fish, and the more varied the diet, the more healthy they will be. Babies eat every other day, adults can eat two or three times a week. Always use calcium powder (in addition to UV light). Their diet should be 75% meat, and 25% vegies, or thereabouts.

BTS need a basking spot of 90-100 degrees F, and moderate humidity. They don't really drink, so spray them directly.

Not a lot of info, but it's a start. I already love my girl, and I think skinks are great! Hope this was helpful!

- Victoria :w

[hudson]

My full grown female BTS (she's 19 inches) is in a 60 gallon tank and she's got lots of room. They spend most of their time burried and they do get less active as they get bigger. Mine puts on a good show when you go to take her out, but once she's out she settles right down and is very friendly, she just doesn't like anyone in her tank. They will lapp from a water bowl so I would leave one in at all times because not all like to be sprayed.

SnowFoxx I hope you are enjoying your new BTS

[ectotherm]

Hey SL, you should be fine with a minimum size equivalent of a 40G breeder aquarium. What species of tiliqua is your planned purchase?

[LISA127]

Blue tongues need an enclosure of 18" wide and 36" long at the minimum. Height is not very important because they don't climb. Bigger would be fine, though. They definetely wouldn't mind. Any yes, as adults they are not very active. Mine just basks and hangs out. Moves kinda slow. But he is very tame. I don't have the problem of him being upset when I'm in his cage or first taking him out. Every time I'm in the room I reach in and rub him on the head and pet him. As mentioned above, something they can burrow in is good, like carefresh or aspen. Although mine personally hates the carefresh. I think the aspen gives him more traction. Since he is so big and heavy, (22 1/2 inches), he tends to sink right through the carefresh. So he prefers the aspen. An undertank heat pad and heat lamp (I use 100 watts) on one side of the enclosure is good. Also a UVB tube. Mine likes a half log under the heat lamp to lay on and bask. A medium sized dog water dish is good for water. Blue tongues are the best! Just wish I could find mine (he went missing 10 days ago in my house).

And blue tongues most definetely do drink out of a water bowl! They might not drink every day, but when they do they drink quite a bit at one time. You definetely, definetely need to give him
a water bowl!

[SnowFoxx]

My girl has a water bowl, but I've never seen her use it. I guess I'm just not watching carefully enough!

- Victoria :w