northern?

[Heetoshura]

Is this a northern?

[Dood]

Yes. The lack of black on the front legs means it is an Australian species and Northerns are the only ones common in North America. Tanimbars and some Northern and Irian Jaya crosses can lack black on the front legs but the "sun spots" along its sides are a typical marking found in T. s. intermedia that Tani's lack and that usually don't get passed onto hybrid offspring.

What is with the kink in its pelvis/hip area? I've never seen that in a lizard before

[lucasrusinak]

Yes, thats a northern.
It also looks like it has a dip right below the hip and on the head. My bet is this little guy is lacking calcium, but thats just my guess.

[splashy07]

I noticed that too...definitely something going on there.
How old is he?

[Heetoshura]

I'm not sure what the age or any problems it has might be,this is a picture from someone selling him/her,it's being sold cheap so it could have issues.

[lucasrusinak]

definitely looks like it could be MBD, but I'm also somewhat new to skinks. if you look up pictures you will see other skinks with similar bumps and dips such as what you can see right below the hind legs but above the tail and on the head on the pictures you posted. This happens usually when the food given to them isn't supplemented with calcium/d3 powder and they are not able to get any UVB. since they cannot produce any calcium on their own, one of these two is necessary for a skink to receive enough. When they don't receive enough calcium MBD becomes an issue.

[Heetoshura]

Yeah,I've read about it a bit,the ad says it is young but doesn't say how young,thinking about trying to get the little guy and taking care of him

[Dood]

That is very noble of you but I wouldn't pay money for such a damaged skink.

His head looks like it has a kink too and I wonder if he was mauled by a pet in its youth

[DianaBlueTongue]

The dip in the hips doesn't look like MBD. I've heard that skinks born in really big litter can sometimes come out with a fairly large hump right at the hip like that from so many babies packed into the females belly. While still in the birth sack they are bent in half at the hips there with the tail flat against the underside of the body and the tip touching close to the chin. The more babies inside the belly of the female the more pressure is put on each baby there and from what ive heard can sometime cause those sorts of humps. The dip in the head looks like it could be part of the same problem, not enough room inside the female for the babies to fully form correctly.

[DianaBlueTongue]

Im sure the little guy would still make a wonderful pet, other then the hip hump it looks to be in good shape and is a gorgeous little northern. Because of the hump he'll most likely be overlooked by 99% of the people looking for a juvie northern so deserves a good home even more then usual. I know a few people with blueys with hip humps like that and it doesn't seem to affect anything except how we as humans look at them. I would defiantly try to get a bit of a discount like the others said though but if all you want is a nice northern to keep and raise and love I think this little one will surprise you and surpass you expectations. I have a soft spot for the odd ball ones like this and the bond you form with a "special" reptile always seems to be that much stronger.

[Ray Gurgui]

Heetoshura ! If you don't want to take a chance on it , I should have a few born from April to June if you can wait a bit.
I'm right next to you in St. Pete. FL. You can come over and pick one out, or go to the Tampa Repticon in June where I bring them.

[DianaBlueTongue]

hahahahah just a "few" born Ray?

I would definitely take Ray up on that, Heetoshura! You couldn't possibly get a better quality northern from a better guy and having him right down the road is a bonanaza!

[Seadation]

Agreed, Ray's house is a must he has an amazing setup and amazing animals. Especially if your in town

[Heetoshura]

I was actually hoping to get my first bluey from you ray,i've heard nothing but good things and you are super close,what is the best way to contact you for more info?I still think this little guy deserves a good home though,he is only $75,maybe i can do both.

[splashy07]

He certainly does deserve a good home, but personally I would not pay what they are asking, even though there may never be a problem with him, vet bills are ridiculous. But ditto what Diana said...he is special and deserves to be loved! Northerns are amazing pets that I may never have discovered with my preference to Indos, but one fell into my hands last year and I would not part with her for a stampede of Shinglebacks!

[splashy07]

Diana, look at the back legs. I didn't notice at first. Do they look small to you or is it just the picture? I'm with you on the birth defect thing. I had a bearded dragon hatch this year with tiny back legs like that. Was her 7th clutch of five eggs, the other 6 clutches were over 20 and no issues. I really hope someone gives this little guy a great place to live.

[Heetoshura]

The price isn't too bad if it includes set up(not sure if it does)i thought his back foot kinda looked like it was missing toes or something.

[splashy07]

If it includes all equipment, then he's free! His back leg looked smaller than it should be unless it was just the picture. Possible to get better pics?

[Heetoshura]

Not sure if more pictures are available,i tried emailing the seller for more details but have not gotten a reply so far.

[Heetoshura]

In a strange bit of circumstance i ended up obtaining this little one,it was abandoned in spring hill,it was being kept ina cage for things such as guinea pigs....my friend saved him and passed him on to me,he seems fine for the most part,has the visible lump at the hip and occasionally is a little sluggish with his back legs,he is friendly and seems healthy otherwise,he even ate yesterday,ill still be calling ray in the near future though:)im glad i was able to rescue this little blue tongue.