just got bts needing got a few questions

[mdfolsom]

Until a couple days ago I've never even really seen a bts. I've been doing research the past couple days but there's still things I have questions about. I was told he/she was a 9 month old northern which I believe to be true just from looking at photos. She's 16 inches long and a little over 300 grams. I've never had a big lizard other then my leachianus which is a gecko and requires alot different care... I'm wondering exactly how big she will get, if anyone could post pictures of a adult northern with something to reference the size to that would be appreciated. As of right now she's in a 40 gallon breeder with no lid. Will that be big enough for her once she gets fully grown? Also every time I get her out she immediately pees on me, is that normal behavior? I'm really enjoying having her and she's a awesome lizard but the peeing is a real turn off ya know. I'm hoping it's just cause she still isn't settled in yet. Im gonna give at least 90 days before i decide of im gonna rehome her or not. I'm also wondering if you guy can tell what sex she is, and what type of quality/structure she has? I have a 75 watt red bulb in her cage I kinda thought that was to low but she doesn't seem to get right under it she kinda stay close to the edge of where the light hit the surface. I have her on Aspen bedding. I'm feeding greens, snails, raw eggs, dogfood, green peppers and tomatoes just the past couple days since I got her and she seems to enjoy them. The previous owner was feeding mainly roaches which when she pooped i could see they weren't getting digested so I'm gonna try staying away from the insects other then snails and worms. Unless you guys tell me otherwise. Also I haven't seen her drink and water and her scales kinda look and feel dry/rough, but like I said I don't know if that normal or not cause I've only ever seen this bts skink in real life before. But when I've been spraying my leachianus and chahoua I'll give her a little squirt also and she locks the air like she thirsty but completely ignores her water dish. I'm think she may need a waterfall so she can see the water moving but I'm unsure. Any advice, tips, trick, anything at all would be awesome. Thanks everyone

[mdfolsom]

Is there a certain type of wood I should choose to make a lid frame out off?

[ReddGnash11]

Congrats on your new Northern. They get about 23 inches and are pretty thick bodied compared to other species. I'm sure someone can give you a size comparison, since I do not have an adult yet. A 40 gallon breeder is the bare minimum, but bigger is always better. I'd say peeing is a sign that it does not want to be held, but don't quote me on that. Let it settle in for a week or two then try handling more. Do you have anything to check the temps of the basking spot and such? 95-100F is ideal for a basking spot. Mercury vapor bulbs work better in my opinion because they provide heat, uvb and illuminate the tank substantially. Insects are better given as treats when handling, but snails are an exception, feel free to feed them more often. I rarely see any of my reptiles drink, but don't worry they usually do when you're not looking. A lid is also a good idea since BTS can be quite the escape artists and also to keep other things out. Those are all the answers I can provide you, I'm sure others will chime in to help with the rest of the questions.

[freeloader]

The pic of the two breeding in the latest thread of mine, the female is 4yo 690g 600mm total length, the male is about 850g 750mm total length.

[mdfolsom]

Congrats on your new Northern. They get about 23 inches and are pretty thick bodied compared to other species. I'm sure someone can give you a size comparison, since I do not have an adult yet. A 40 gallon breeder is the bare minimum, but bigger is always better. I'd say peeing is a sign that it does not want to be held, but don't quote me on that. Let it settle in for a week or two then try handling more. Do you have anything to check the temps of the basking spot and such? 95-100F is ideal for a basking spot. Mercury vapor bulbs work better in my opinion because they provide heat, uvb and illuminate the tank substantially. Insects are better given as treats when handling, but snails are an exception, feel free to feed them more often. I rarely see any of my reptiles drink, but don't worry they usually do when you're not looking. A lid is also a good idea since BTS can be quite the escape artists and also to keep other things out. Those are all the answers I can provide you, I'm sure others will chime in to help with the rest of the questions.

Thanks do you have any recommendations on a good homemade lid? I can't seem to find anything to replace the lid that is missing, it's the type of tank that had a sliding lid. I have no problem making one I'm kinda exited about the project just wanna make sure I don't choose a wood that toxic to her. I plan on making a half screen on the hot side and glass over the cold side to help with humidity. But any recommendations or visual examples perfered would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for your guys help. So far this has been really fun and she gonna fit in perfectly around d here I just hope the peeing is just a sign that's she still stressed from the move. The first couple days she puffed up and hissed at me whenever I would make my presence known in her tank. Yesterday she didn't puff up or hiss at all so I think she's starting to get used to us.

[mdfolsom]

The pic of the two breeding in the latest thread of mine, the female is 4yo 690g 600mm total length, the male is about 850g 750mm total length.

I just checked out that thread. Those are some beautiful animals. Do males typically get bigger then females?

[ReddGnash11]

Cedar and pine are the only two woods you should not use with reptiles. You can just make a full screen lid since Northerns can tolerate much lower humidity than other species or put glass doesn't matter. Have fun with it. Yea just let it settle for a week and try handling again, hopefully the peeing will stop. My little guy would poop on me, but i wouldn't put him back right away to show that he doesn't go back if he poops. That might work the same with yours. Both skinks I had would huff and puff in the enclosure too but would relax when out. Good luck.