Quick Question

[massive27]

I have a friend with a baby bluey and a baby beardie and he insists on housing them together until they are a bit bigger then he will seperate them, i have told him countless times its most likely not gunna end well but he dosent listen coz I have no experience (i thought it was just common sense). Could I get sum reply's from you guys and gals who have years of experience, on wether this is a good idea or not? every answer is appreciated. Also he always says when i bring it up, they are babies what harm could they do? So naive, Cheers

[Nae]

Its not even recommended to keep most blueys with their own species, much less with an animal considerably frailer than they.

Blueys, even as babies, can still do considerable harm to something as frail as a baby beardie, heck, they quite often cause harm to their siblings when housed together for too long, as unlike an adult they are more flighty, more likely to confuse a wriggling tail with a worm, and more desperate to eat whatever they can find.

Why not separate them now? If he cant afford another enclosure, then he really shouldnt have another animal. Plus what if he cant, for whatever reason, fulfill his intentions of another tank? Many people do buy smaller tanks while their skinks are babies with the full and honest intention of buying a bigger tank when they grow bigger, however quite often they dont for numerous reason, resulting in it living in a smaller then recommended enclosure for considerable time.

I hope you are able to get through to your friend~

[WanderingChai]

100% what Nae said.

Make him read the caresheet. Blueys should NEVER EVER be kept with beardies. I'm sure others will agree. It is dangerous, and in the end, he will end up with two adult lizards that want to kill each other in no time. Also, make him read these comments. We ARE experienced people, and we know what we are talking about.

Thanks for posting and telling your friend that it is NOT okay.

[Kbell31]

Out of all the mistakes that can happen with owning a BTS the mistake of housing a BTS with another animal is one of the easiest to avoid IMO! It makes me wonder what else your friend is doing incorrectly. Good for you for trying to help out with his ignorance.

[WanderingChai]

Out of all the mistakes that can happen with owning a BTS the mistake of housing a BTS with another animal is one of the easiest to avoid IMO! It makes me wonder what else your friend is doing incorrectly. Good for you for trying to help out with his ignorance.

Also the most dangerous, IMO.

Blue Tongued Skinks were never meant to be kept with other species(and most of them cannot be kept together, only shingles IMO in huge outdoor pits).

[Spindown]

why do people insist on getting more animals than they can take care of, and then insisting they cram them together! UGH! I hate that this is so common. Not just with blueys but all sorts of other animals as well.

[massive27]

thank you everybody (especially Nae, he read ur post and changed his mind very quickly) for ur replies but the problem has been solved, I now have a brand new baby eastern. Will post sum pics shortly

[missmacabre]

That's good that your friend finally came around. When I got my baby beardie the other day everyone asked if I was going to keep him in with my BTS Onyxia

[WanderingChai]

Thank god!! So glad you have him now <3

[El Lobo]

Keeping a BTS with a Beardie is something I would never contemplate. I spoke with a person a couple of days ago whose daughter was keeping two beardies together and although they were the same age one was significantly bigger than the other because it was bullying the smaller one away from food. She said the bullying occurred in other aspects as well with the bigger one dominating the best basking spots. My advice was to separate them as soon as possible as the smaller would be in a constant state of stress which would undoubtedly shorten its life span.

We need to also be aware when offering advice as 'facts'. Some tiliqua can live together in relative harmony and they don't have to be Shinglebacks kept in huge outdoor pits. I have seen a group of blotchies grow from around 2 weeks old to 12 months old living together in an area approximately 1 meter by 3 meters in our backyard. There was nothing to stop them seeking to live a solitary life, but they chose to stay together.

[Richard.C]

spot on el lobo,ive seen easterns do it in our yard to,up to 10 animals in an area 2 x 2 metres from new born to large adult in size

also frail baby beardies can easily out grow baby easterns and not think twice about eating one,mind you ive kept adults of those 2 together indoors with out issue,but there are always risks,not to mention possabilities of exposing animals to diseases they may not of otherwise been prone to