Question

[Meesh_18]

I'm looking to get a BTS, I've never owned one before but I've done alot of research on them. I want to see a BTS before I purchase it and there aren't very many in my area that sell them. I found one BTS at Pet Paradise (a pet store). The BTS is still young and didn't mind to be handled...is buying a BTS from a pet store a good idea?

I would love to hear your comments.

Thanks!

[Fatal_S]

As a general rule pet store lizards are not a great idea. The problem is that while most people want to help the lizards, they don't have the proper caring information, and they don't bother to find out. They just assume that what they've been told is true, or that the care already provided is good. There are of course exceptions, but they are rare.

Many herps require a lot of specialized care, mostly diet and equipment. Check out the caresheet telling the hints to look for in a pet store or breeder and if you see them, don't buy. Or better yet, go to the breeders part of the classified forum (top of page) and get a skink from there. Those people are the best of the best, and have amazing baby skinks. No problems when you buy from them.

[mouseinamilkbottle]

Another big issue is that most pet store skinks in North America are wild-caught from Indonesia, or the young of a wild-caught gravid (pregnant) female. This means most pet store skinks will have some form of internal parasites. You may buy what you think is a healthy skink, only to have to pay a lot of money later when it becomes noticeably ill. If you do decide to buy a pet store skink, get them to do a faecal check for parasites. Some large chain pet stores will do this for free.

Many pet stores can't identify the kind of skink they have accurately. They trust the word of the supplier, or pull a name off the internet or from a book without doing their homework.

Most people who buy a pet store skink come on to the forums thinking they have a different variety (like thinking they have an Eastern or Northern, but actually have an IJ), or they just don't know because the store wasn't able to tell them. At least one was told what sounds like a Latin name, but is just nonsense, a jumble of words that together aren't a real species.

If you do decide you are interested in a pet store skink, try not to act on impulse, especially if it seems to be in bad condition. If you can, take photos of it before purchase (preferably with a digital camera) and post them on here. Experienced forum members will be able to identify the species, and might be able to tell you the general condition of the animal.

Ask lots of questions. Ask about where the skink came from, what and how much it's being fed, how old it is, and so on. If the answers you get from the pet store just don't add up with what the forum members tell you, that's a big red flag.

Personally, I'd wait for one from this year's batch of babies from a forum member. Some have been born already, and others are on the way. Check the classifieds and the breeders list, and think about putting your name down for a captive born and bred baby. That way you'll not only get a healthy skink, but you'll be able to keep in contact with the breeder throughout your skink's life. You'll get to see photos of the parents, and if they've had offspring before, pictures of previous seasons' babies. The benefits are worth it.

[Marie]

When I first got into reptiles, I was extremely hesitant about buying a reptile from an online source. Thus, my first bluey came from a pet store. My next three were ordered online. I understand that many people buy skinks from pet stores without any problems, but my pet store bluey has always been ill. The three that I ordered online are by far the best blueys ever. They are EXTREMELY healthy and just gorgeous! Two came from breeders on this forum who specialize in blueys. They know far more about blueys than any caretaker at a pet store. Not to mention, they provide continuous support. At one time, I was hesitant about ordering online. But now, it's the only way for me to go. From this forum, I would recommend three guys named Ray, Andrew, and Zach. Excellent blueys and great support.

BTW, if you ever find a bluey that you might want to buy but aren't sure if it's a good one, take pictures and post them on the forum. People might be able to help you out.

[Reptile Rascals]

I got my first bluey from Canada and I have to say she is actually one of my better mannered blueys, has never been ill, and is an all around great skink. They only problem I ever had with her is her toe nails were so long they were curling and they don't seem to grow properly now, but this was partially my own fault too, as I didn't know to trim them until months after I had her.

I have seen many captive bred as well as wild caughts in the pet stores in my area. And, I have actually sold a couple of my babies to two select pet stores I will trust with them.

If the blue tongue is an I.J, or a Northern it is possible it might be a captive bred. You could always ask the store and tell them you want to know because if it is wild caught then you'd like to take it to get de-wormed. If you are nice and seem knowledgable they tend to be more friendly and honest with you. In my experience anyway.

Personally, I would perfer getting all my animals straight from a breeder, but there are a select few pet stores I will deal with.