Even More Baby Northern BTS (Litter C) NEW PHOTOS!

[James Wilson]

I know, and i guess I'm thinking two scenarios at once, but I would have thought it was in the mother's best interest to expel the unfertilised ova before carrying the babies to term, for own health to protect against infection etc. Have you any idea why they retain them for so long? Is there a reason? Can they use the nutrients from the ova for their own nutrition?

They generally eat them after they come out.

[Lea]

I know, and i guess I'm thinking two scenarios at once, but I would have thought it was in the mother's best interest to expel the unfertilised ova before carrying the babies to term, for own health to protect against infection etc. Have you any idea why they retain them for so long? Is there a reason? Can they use the nutrients from the ova for their own nutrition?

They generally eat them after they come out.

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear before, I meant before they are expelled, not as in eating the ova after they are expelled. I am thinking along the lines of some egg laying reptiles, who, when conditions are not adequate for laying, supposedly reabsorbed their eggs. I'm not sure there is much evidence to suggest they actually get reabsorbed, more that they are broken down and later expelled, but the lack of form gives the impression of resorption.

Hmm, I think I answered my own question! Never mind! Sorry, James, I had to just talk myself through my thoughts.

[James Wilson]

I know, and i guess I'm thinking two scenarios at once, but I would have thought it was in the mother's best interest to expel the unfertilised ova before carrying the babies to term, for own health to protect against infection etc. Have you any idea why they retain them for so long? Is there a reason? Can they use the nutrients from the ova for their own nutrition?

They generally eat them after they come out.

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear before, I meant before they are expelled, not as in eating the ova after they are expelled. I am thinking along the lines of some egg laying reptiles, who, when conditions are not adequate for laying, supposedly reabsorbed their eggs. I'm not sure there is much evidence to suggest they actually get reabsorbed, more that they are broken down and later expelled, but the lack of form gives the impression of resorption.

Hmm, I think I answered my own question! Never mind! Sorry, James, I had to just talk myself through my thoughts.

I think your thoughts is much more logical than the whole reabsorbed thing that we so often hear about from breeders of egg laying reptiles.

[James Wilson]

They all look great, James! Kimberly looks like she has quite a character, that look in her eyes makes me think she doesn't miss a trick.

All three babies look good and healthy. Do you notice much difference in size when the litters are smaller?

She is a real character. For a while she was known as Hannibal. Here is why. I got her as a baby (along with two others from the same litter) from Jeff. I picked them up at Jeff's house, and then, after the long drive home, I put the trio into their temporary enclosure for the night. The next day when I came home from work, I opened the enclosure to what appeared to be a scene from Silence of the Lambs. Kimberly was looking up at me with blood all over her face. Her much lighter sibling (now known as Kathrine) had a broken wrist and walking on the back of the affected hand/foot. She was given the nic-name Clarice as a result. Her even less fortunate sibling had his tail bitten off right at the base (the tail was nowhere to be found). The neighbor kids named him "Choad" (I learned what that meant later)... He was given the formal name of Tully once he was determined to be a male)... It was quite apparent who did all this damage, and as a result, she was dubbed Hannibal (until she turned out to be a she). Kathrine's wrist required a splint. She was just a little baby, so it was not easy. I took a very small piece of plastic, and shaped it into a tiny little "L" shape with the help of a pair of needle-nose pliers and a lighter. I then taped it into place with some custom cut electrical tape. After 2 weeks she was good as new. Choad's wounds healed as well, but his tail is much shorter than it would have been. I was considering marketing him as a Shingleback. Here are a couple of photos of Choad/Tully:

Here he is a couple of months after the attack:

BTS-Northern (Tully) 4.JPG

Here he is one year after the attack:

BTS-Northern (Tully) 5.JPG

[juliec1]

What a story!

[bluetonguerocks]

James, I can't believe Kimberly and Kathrine are from the same litter! the difference in colour is so amazing

[James Wilson]

Yep, they are actually a lot alike, one is just much lighter than the other. I finally got around to photographing these guys. If you are interested in them, They (along with available babies from litters A and B) are currently listed for sale in the classified forum. See the following Link:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=23905&p=435681#p435.

[Lea]

Lol, the kids gave him an unfortunate nickname! He looks good though, but I am partial to skinks who have been injured, especially when they have lived through quite an event and survived. Poor thing!

[James Wilson]

He is doing great, and he even got a chance to copulate with a female (just once though). Nothing came of it except a few slugs...

BTS Breeding (Tully & Victoria) 2013-1.JPG

BTS Breeding (Tully & Victoria) 2013-3.JPG