Re: "Leashes" for BTS

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

Yeah, but he often ends sentences with a bunch of periods when he's mad too...

[Fatal_S]

Brad is full of malarkey. Not sure what malarkey is, but he's definitely full of it.

On topic:
The use of a "leash" is up to the owner of the skink. It is up to the owner to keep the skink safe at all times. Leashes do not represent an absolutely safety - skinks can always escape. Leashes may cause stress to a reptile - if the reptile seems upset, remove it immediately. Leashes can be used to keep a reptile a specific distance from you, or as a connection as you follow your pet around when it explores. At no point ever should a leash be used to pull at your reptile. You either let the skink move as it wants to, or you pick it up and take it to the location you want. The only use for a leash with a skink is to possibly stop a skink from bolting (remember, leashes are never escape-proof) long enough for you to pick it up. Outside of that leashes are decorations, not a method of control, and again, if the skink seems upset by the leash it should not be used.

A portable or fixed pen is a much safer idea for a skink. Definitely consider one of these if you plan to take your skink outside regularly (sunshine is nice).

Personally, I do not use a leash. I keep to open areas where I can catch up to a bolting skink if needed. I avoid areas where the skink could bolt into trouble. I do not have anything against putting things on my skinks (if they don't get upset about it), I just know leashes can be escaped from and thus they are not worth using to me. I do not begrudge anyone who wants to use a leash, but I will passionately hate any idiot who drags their skink around like a dog.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

Brad is full of malarkey. Not sure what malarkey is, but he's definitely full of it.

Meaningless talk/nonsense

[Rani-May]

Brad is full of malarkey. Not sure what malarkey is, but he's definitely full of it.

LOL

[Fatal_S]

Brad is full of malarkey. Not sure what malarkey is, but he's definitely full of it.

Meaningless talk/nonsense

Oh... Well, I guess he doesn't usually spout meaningless stuff. Guess he's not so full of malarkey I like saying malarkey.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

A portable or fixed pen is a much safer idea for a skink. Definitely consider one of these if you plan to take your skink outside regularly (sunshine is nice).

So I'm right?

[Fatal_S]

Seems like.

Only think I would disagree with is that you shouldn't take your skink out at the same time as your dog, but I suppose that really depends on the person and the dog. My dog is useful when I have the skinks out, but she's been trained to that way. I also like being able to multitask by taking several animals out at once. However I either carry the skink or let it do it's own thing while me and the dog relax nearby; I don't take it for a walk around the block like I do the dog.

Other than that your post seems to fit my personal view fine. I can't say you're right, just that I happen to agree with you. Congrats?

[Spindown]

Every time you post ML, my opinion of you is just reinforced...

I love this discussion though. The pens are a great idea, since although I've seen many beardies in leashes, skinks are too slippery to keep in one, and its a false sense of security. My moms dog would kill the skink in a heartbeat, he has a very high prey drive...he got my brothers hamster PDQ...depends on the dog though.