Shingleback Care?

[SlipperWrasse]

I'm really interested in keeping a Shingleback, and I wanted to know if I could just use the BTS care sheet on this website as a complete guide for a Shingleback, apart from humidity issues (only give a shallow bowl or give them access to water every 3 days). If so, does that mean I get the same size enclosure, equipment, furnishings, bedding and diet? Is there any other variation in the care of the species?
If I'm being a bother, please bear with me. I want the best future for any lizard that is unfortunate to end up with me

[donkeybuff]

You are right that shinglebacks need lower humidity. Bear that in mind when you get the bedding (don't buy something that's too moist). Their diet, temperature requirements, and enclosure requirements are the same as all other blueys. The care sheet on this website is great

[SlipperWrasse]

Thanks, donkey (I feel like Shrek). Awesomesauce stuff. Kritter's Crumble would be suitable, correct?
Also, does this mean that they have the same requirements in lighting? In regards to temperature and uv exposure, along with a fluorescent light for lighting up the place?

[donkeybuff]

The lighting for shingles doesn't have to be anything different. Provide a heat bulb that creates a 95-100 degree basking spot. UV lighting is not necessary with proper D3 supplementation, and you should be supplementing D3 even with UVB lighting since even the best bulbs are nowhere near as good as the sun is. I provide UVB just to be on the safe side.

[Jeff]

Most husbandry issues for shinglebacks are very similar to the other Tiliqua species. The main thing that I feel should be handled differently is diet. It has been found that in the wild, the Rugosa diet has a higher percentage of vegetation than scincoides or gigas. Because of that, I choose to add a lot of greens to the dog food and mixed vegetables that I feed my other skinks. I would estimate that I feed my rugosa about 50% mixed greens, and 50% dog food with lots of frozen vegetables mixed in. The final breakdown would probably be about 70-75% greens/vegetables and 25-30% dog food.

Of course shinglebacks should be kept as dry as possible too, but that is not an issue for me here in the desert. All of my skinks are kept in dry conditions. I am not familiar with Kritter's Crumble, so can't comment on that but hopefully someone in Australia will comment on that.

[Richard.C]

being in brissey heat wont be an issue,but you will want a very well ventilated enclosure,especially in warm time of year,gets very muggy

i wouldnt leave water bowl in there full time,let them have a good drink as much as u like then remove water bowl,you should be fine with them other wise,a few folk keep them in your neck of the woods with out issue

[Dakota]

I was attempting to buy a shingle or two a while back when I had the money, but when I heard they do not do well in with high humidity, I backed away.. right now, it is 60% humidity in my house.. and it starting to turn to the dry season. Indonesian Tiliqua fit my climate the best.

[SlipperWrasse]

I'm going to be a pest on this thread, so please bear with me
So to wrap it all up, they need a higher percentage of greens then normal blueys and low humidity?
Also, apart from using a good, dry substrate with good absorption, having the enclosure well ventilated and offering them water in small increments, are there any other ways of toning down the humidity?
And if possible, could you guys post a picture of the different subspecies of Shingles using those you have, if possible? I'm having a hard time finding many good photos.
And this is a message to Jeff: I checked out your Facebook page, and I just have to ask- what subpecies on Shingle do you have? They look absolutely marvelous, with their pale striping

[Richard.C]

20130919_164410-1.jpg

top ones a rugosa rugosa there from western australia and highly variable in looks

bottom ones a rugosa aspera,the eastern shingleback

these 2 have eaten predominantly pedigree dogfood for nearly 13 years with zero uv light,the asperas parents did the same for 17 years,the last 6 of which she had 5 litters,unfortunatly a rat got unto there indoor enclosure and killed her and one of the babies and harmed a few others

a well ventilated well heated enclosure with no standing moisture should keep humidity down inside,thats the key with stumpies

[Jeff]

.
And this is a message to Jeff: I checked out your Facebook page, and I just have to ask- what subpecies on Shingle do you have? They look absolutely marvelous, with their pale striping

I only keep T.r.rugosa. You really can't go wrong with any sub-species, but I think you will most likely be limited to T.r.rugosa and T.r.aspera even in Australia. Some of the Aussies can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think palarra and konowi are too easy to come by over there.

[Richard.C]

spot on jeff,on the east coast your most likely to find asperas,more commonly kept on the east side of aus,though the odd rugosa rugosa is found for sale over here,if u buy from wa,you will get rugosa rugosas,as thats all they can legally keep/collect from the wild,endemic species on there list

the other 2 forms could be kept,but if u can find a legal source of them,theres none in private hands,so probably have to be from a wildlife park or zoo and thats if they had them to begin with

there husbandry is the same,there all very nice animals and variable in looks,size ect so cant go wrong with any type really