Help!

[alphabetsoup]

Hello, I am a cashier in a pet store and I just inherited a Blue Tounge Skink. I love this creature! The owner had inherited it from someone who received it from someone who received it from someone and the list goes on and on.

I have never had a pet reptile before in my life. I looked up a few things and found out that they are omnivores, etc.

Yes, I know that i work in a pet store and i dont know much about reptiles (im more of a bird guy) but i couldn't let this one go. He's a big ol' carrot eating sweetheart!

this is what I received.

-Large tank (no dimensions atm)
-Lamp (no bulb)
-woodchip bedding
-feeding dish
-about a 3" deep water dish
-Hollow semi circle log for hiding
-Heated Rock


My plan is to buy it a UV lamp, and feed it mostly vegetables, and the occasional crickets/mealworms every 2-3 weeks.

The only problem is that I dont know anything about caring for this creature! he has been neglected for 5-6 years, and now he finally has a loving home, so I know i did at least one thing right.

a few quick questions,

1. what reptiles are commonly mistaken for a BTS ?

---My BTS doesnt have a large tounge like many in the photographs

2. What impact on shedding does maltreatment have? what would a maltreated BTS look like? (no missing fingers/claws/tail)

3. should I bother filing the nails?


Im going to go read the caresheet now. If anything that i wrote is obviously answered in the care sheet, dont bother wasting your time with a response =)

Like I said, i work in a pet store. Many things are available to me at a discounted price for my BTS, so I am looking to spoil him a little =), and I understand the importance of advice from individuals. So here I am on BTS.net looking for some help with my new pet, Bernard the Skink.

[Fatal_S]

First off, welcome, and congrats on the new skink.

First bit of advice is to let set up his tank and let him settle in, leaving him alone. Things like nails and shedding can wait.

The tank:
Do not use an electric heated rock. They're dangerous and are known to burn reptiles. Otherwise, just put everything in the tank, provide water, and leave him alone for now.

Heat/light:
You'll need a heat source right away. I prefer heat-bulbs, but there are many options. What kind of lamp did you get?

You're already reading the caresheet, which is awesome. Only other things I'll advise right now are pictures (it's much easier to tell you what shape he's in from a photo), and measure and record his weight.

Basically, the major thing you need to be concerned about right now is getting a safe heat source. They can't digest food without heat, which is a health concern.

[Roheryn]

Congrats on your new skink!

Have fun reading the caresheet, over and over. It is so much good info you can't find anywhere else! If you have any question, don't hesitate to ask. The only stupid questions are the ones not asked Everyone here is willing and very able to answer almost anything, I know it helped me a lot when I first started! Good luck

[alphabetsoup]

Thanks a lot. heres a picture (cell phone quality, better pics to come sooner or later)

I think i see a little bit of blue around the outside of his/her eyes. Its hard to see in this picture.



I dont think the lamp that I have is hot enough. It is only 75W. I think i need to up it to 100 or 125, Right now i have a regular light bulb glaring down at the guy all night. I think the heat stone is broken anyway, its not generating a lot of heat.

[Linnea]

thats not a blue tongue skink?

looks like what we call a shielded lizard here. ive only seen two in my life but theyre adorable. i hope someone can give more info quick.

if noone has owned one and im right about the species then i could go to the petstore i bought my bts from and ask from where they are, this could give better indications about the treatment, but it should basically be the same. but the diet part and the basking spot are important to check up the info on....

EDIT: sorry, in english it was plated lizard, not shielded lizard....

[Roheryn]

It indeed looks like a plated lizard, a Gerrhosaurus major if I'm correct.
Great pic he's cute.

[alphabetsoup]

OH! i was wondering why It didnt look like the other lizards! I thought it wasnt shiny like the others because of it's shed


well, sorry guys. thanks for being so helpful =)



and I still read through the care sheet, and I'll definitely follow a lot of those guidelines! Thank god I don't work in the reptile department =D


I'll do some more internet searching and try the library/barnes&nobles for a good read.