Purchasing my very first BTS

[neurotic88]

Hello all!

I've read the detailed care 2 or 3 times now, and this morning I am going out to the only place I can find locally that sells young BTS.
Everywhere else is 1.5 years + which I personally wanted to avoid.

I have a couple questions that weren't answered on the care sheet.

1. The pet store drone said it was a "Argentine BTS" never heard of those before? this was via phone, I will see it in person today.
2. He said it was 3 months old, is that considered a baby? is that age still in need of a small enclosure, as I am planning on a 4'x2'x18" setup with plenty of roaming room for my coming BTS. Not sure if 3 months old is too small to house in that large at first.

Any help is greatly appreciated, I aim to buy the tank, set it all up, tweak the temps and thermostat all week and once it's ready, bring my BTS home next week into a ready setup.


Cheers!

[Nae]

Welcome!

I have no idea about the whole argentine bts thing, but as for cage size, it doesnt matter in the slightest! Make it as big as you want! Unlike reptiles like snakes, bts truly seem to enjoy having all the room in the world to roam

Sounds like a good plan

[WanderingChai]

You sound good and prepared!

I have no idea about Argentine BTS, but 3 m.o. is definitely a baby.
And, as Jeff said- As long as you keep the tank size smaller than Australia, you should be fine.

[Fatal_S]

Welcome fellow Canukian!

There's no such thing as an Argentine BTS. Chances are you're looking at a WC (or CB to WC mother) IJ or Indo baby. Watch careful for signs of ill-health and you'll probably want a fecal check done for internal parasites. WC skinks can make great pets but may take a bit more patience to tame (depending on age). Big tanks with lots of hides are appreciated.

If the skink isn't in the best of health keep in mind baby season is in a couple months and there are breeders in Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba this year.

[neurotic88]

Hey guys!

Thanks for the info, I have pictures!!!

I went to the pet shop, and he seems to be in good health, all his toes, eyes clear and free from any sort of rash or irritation.
They had sadly only been feeding him meal worms, before I left I made them give him a big water dish, and some greens... pff... pet store people ><

Anyways, please tell me what you think? I will pick him up Friday once I have his setup all worked out.

Here he is!

[Fatal_S]

Very cute. Looks like an Indo so definitely WC. Thankfully it's a baby so you shouldn't have too many problems with taming Keep in mind in the wild baby BTS would eat small bugs and snails for the majority of their diet, so don't worry too much about his previous diet.

[neurotic88]

Fatal, sorry forgive my lack of knowledge..

What do those acronyms stand for? Indo - Indonesian? and what does WC and CB stand for?

Thanks!!

[iLoveMyLizard]

WC is wild caught and CB is captive bred Great looking skink too, he is so cute.

[neurotic88]

Ahhh!!

Ok, That is the one question I asked them 5 times..
They said they get their babies from a breeder in Montreal, and they are not wild caught....
I seriously asked them 5 times...

So.. please explain what makes you think its WC and why does Indo mean this?
I believe you, I just want to learn

[Katrina]

Welcome!

People are saying that it is wild caught because almost no one is breeding Indonesian Blue tongue skinks (BTS). I only know of one baby that was bred and born in captivity, so it is almost guaranteed that the little one they are selling you was recently born in captivity to a BTS that was wild caught while pregnant. No babies are born in North America until June / July so a little BTS at this time is definitely not bred in captivity. The reason you were told that it isn't wild caught is either because the WC mother did give birth in captivity or they are just lying and telling you what you want to hear. Unfortunately this is very, very common - nearly everyone who purchases Indonesian BTS are told that they are CB just because that is what the buyers want to hear.

Indonesian is the species - Tiliqua gigas gigas.

[neurotic88]

Thank you Katrina!


Very informative.

So, with my current scenario I should not be worried about temperament?
I asked all the questions from the care sheet, and I insisted she take him out and I held him for a few minutes, he was flighty and didn't want to come out, but then sat peacefully in the palm of my hand.

I did buy him, and pick him up on Friday. (as he seemed to pass the check list I had prepared)
They did not have a 48x24x18, I had to settle for a 48x18x20. but that should still be a nice home for the little guy.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

I only know of one baby that was bred and born in captivity

I know four

[Katrina]

Really helpful, ML.

neurotic88 - good job on doing your research and asking all the right questions before purchasing. It is unfortunate that the pet store employee was either misinformed or dishonest, but captive born and bred babies are difficult to find in Canada. You are getting him as a little baby, so I wouldn't be too concerned with temperament. Wild caught adults can be difficult to tame but babies are typically quite easy, so he will probably still make a great pet. He will likely be flighty for a little while, so just follow all the regular recommendations of letting him settle in for about a week and keeping the interactions short and as stress-free for him as possible. Good luck!