New Enclosure Set Up

[coconuttaco]

Hello!

Very excited as I just received my first BTS!
Here is his new set up. I would appreciate any feedback or possible suggestions. Still learning obviously so any advice is welcome.
I've read almost all of the topics on this site before I purchased him. At some point soon he will be moved to a 4-6' enclosure.
Just want him to be happy

He came yesterday. So far he hasn't been hiding that much. He's been walking around the entire tank exploring. I went in to move some things around just a little so he can get used to my scent without bothering him at all. He just seems very curious at the moment. No hissing or puffing (yet). He ate a couple pieces of organic cantaloupe from tweezers.

I want to post more pictures but the files are too big :/

Thanks for any help!

[alichamp]

Enclosure looks great and you have a beautiful looking Northern there! What temps are you getting on basking area and cool end? I'd just keep on eye on those temps as smaller enclosure can be more challenging to get the temperature gradient right.

Only things really I'd suggest is that I can't see a water bowl, and can you add a small hide up the basking end? Even just a small cardboard box or toilet roll will do.

I'm very excited for you!

[coconuttaco]

Thanks for the feedback!

Basking side is 95-100 and cool side is 70-80 depending on weather outside. Usually no lower or higher than that.
Tank is 36"x18x18". In about a year, maybe less I have a 6' for him ready.
There is a water dish next to the food, the glare cut it out of the picture. He's been drinking from it.

My only concern is when he's walking around licking, is it possible for him to ingest some cypress mulch? I notice he got a little hair like piece in his mouth. I really hope he doesn't get a bigger piece. I know a lot of people use cypress and it's one of the okay ones to use. Could this be harmful?

I was thinking also he does need another hide!

You guys are all great on here and provide excellent info.
Thanks!

[NickBrahz]

They will ingest some substrate now and then its nothing to worry about they will poop it out, just clean up any substrate that gets food on it so they don't think its food and try to scoff it down.

[Susann]

Most of the time, if substrate gets on their tongue or even inside their mouth, they will not swallow it --smaller, lighter pieces may be stuck to their lips for a while, but most of the time, they will not actually swallow them. There are times though, like Nick said, when food gets on pieces of substrate, that, at a later hungry moment, they may think the substrate is food, and eat it; you'll want to keep that to a minimum by placing the food bowl on a tile, or a large paper plate, or something similar, to try to catch the food and keep it from getting on/in the substrate. Just a security measure.
There are some skinks who like to eat substrate though; it's not that common, but it does happen. Any time you have a new skink, or any time you change the substrate for something different, you'll want to keep an eye on their droppings to make sure there are no visible pieces of substrate in them.

[coconuttaco]

I appreciate the advice. Thanks again!