Another newbie with a few questions

[stacey]

Hey - I adopted my blue (named Malfoy) yesterday from the RSPCA (an animal shelter organisation among other things here in Aus). He's the first I've ever owned so I've been binge-reading the resources you guys have here (thank yooou!) but there were just a couple of random questions I haven't come across yet:

1. I have a cat - she's an indoor madam and fully flea/worm treated and vaccinated. I'm not all that worried about her trying to hunt Malfoy as he's a couple of years old and she never seemed that fussed when wild blues used to get into the house at my mothers (this happened more than once and it was an adventure every time). What I wanted to check was whether parasites could potentially transfer between the two of them? I know ticks can affect both, so will be on the lookout for those, but I just want to ensure that if I take Malfoy out to enjoy the sun I'm not a) risking him and/or b) potentially bringing anything back in that could affect the whole household.

2. I've only had him a couple of days, but Malfoy's already displayed a penchant for hanging out on my shoulder while I work (I work from home). As I frequently run errands around my neighbourhood (walking everywhere as I don't drive) I was wondering if anyone had any experience letting their babies cruise around with them outside for extended amounts of time? Would this be an absolute no no? I just figured it might be an easy way to give him the sun he needs but I don't want to risk him in any way obviously. I'd be so grateful for any input.

3. I've bought him one hide and am currently making do with the box he traveled in as the second. I was thinking I'd try my hand at making one, but just wanted to see what materials I should be using or staying right away from? Are there any good sites people could recommend with dos and don'ts?

Thanks very much in advance! I'll end with a pic as I'm definitely not short on them right now heh.

[Susann]

Congratulations on your lucky find in Malfoy and that you have found our marvelous forum.

1. Your cat. I would say first off that it would be good if your tank or terrarium is secure in such a way that there is no way the cat can get in (or, naturally, that Malfoy can't get out) when you don't have time to fully supervise. Cat bites are among the nastiest wounds to get to heal. Not to lecture but just so you're aware.
As far as parasites getting passed from one to the other, there are some; you mentioned ticks, and I believe there may be some microscopic intestinal parasites as well that can go from the one to the other. I don't believe fleas (parasites on fur) and mites (parasites on scales) are "interchangeable" between the two animals. I really don't have any knowledge on this, so I'm afraid someone else may have to educate us on this... It might be good to keep your new skink quarantined from all your other animals until a fecal test has been done

2. If the weather permits and isn't too cool, you are free to let him cruise with you if he seems to not be too stressed by it. Maybe start with shorter stretches and see how it goes. About having him on your shoulder. Make sure one hand is always on him to make sure he doesn't fall off; they are NOT the smartest about balance and holding on.

3. What to use for making hides. This is SO not my area, but we've had some excellent threads both here and in the Off Topic forum on how to make hides and what materials to use.
Just enter "make hides" or some word combo like that in the search line (right next to the "New topic" button, and see if you can't find a tutorial or two.

Looking forward to seeing your updates

[stacey]

Thanks so much for the response! I've bought Malfoy a fully secure tank and set it high enough that my cat can't jump on top of it (though if she does it's secure enough she wouldn't be able to get in anyway). I've seen my fair share of wild blues with bites as neighbours cats used to roam into our yard before my mother got her dogs, so I know how quickly things can go south where hunting instincts are involved

As I got Malfoy from the RSPCA he's already been through quarantine and had a full health screen (apparently with vaccinations? I didn't even realise you could vaccinate blues!) but I'll definitely be getting him regular check ups, thank you!

[NickBrahz]

My blue tongue also loves to just crawl up me to get to my shoulder to hang out there, if im standing up when he does it i just have my hand there ready to catch him.

[MechHAN]

I‘m sorry if it's a little late,I have some advice that may help you make a hide if you are using things like aspen shavings for substrate...

DSCF3694.JPG

you can place some clean rock about size of a fist sa supprot and just place a squished cardbox above,or a tile on it(although the edge may hurt the skink,I'd use some duck tape on the edge)

DSCF3697.JPG

I also have another hide in the cool side of tank,also made of cardbox,just use some duck tape seal the box,cut like that,and you get yourself a good tent for your skink...