Future BTS owner, need help!

[Leviathan1]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I am currently preparing to get an Eastern blue-tongued skink, and I have some things to ask.

1. It is very difficult to find feeder insects in NZ. OK, it isn't difficult, but the only legal feeder insects here are mealworms, crickets, locusts, waxworms and silkworms. Waxworms are almost made of fat, and crickets and mealworms have almost no nutritional value. This leaves me with the locusts and silkworms. I already know silkworms are the best, but are locusts good?

2. Is it OK to store away a fluorescent UV tube for several months, or does the tube run out of UVB even if it's never turned on?

3. Does anybody know any NZ suppliers of snails? I don't want to give wild snails for fear of pesticides. I don't care if you detox them.

4. Lastly, are there any reliable herp vets in New Zealand? I searched it up, but I only got vets from zoos.

[Keblin]

1. Locusts are good, just make sure you gut load any insects you feed your skink! : )

2. I'd like to know the answer to this one to! I have a feeling its only loses it after you've used it...

I'm afraid I dont live in NZ so I cant help you with the last 2! If you havent checked it already, the FAQ section had a list of vets as I remember!

[Leviathan1]

1. Locusts are good, just make sure you gut load any insects you feed your skink! : )

2. I'd like to know the answer to this one to! I have a feeling its only loses it after you've used it...

I'm afraid I dont live in NZ so I cant help you with the last 2! If you havent checked it already, the FAQ section had a list of vets as I remember!

1. Yes, I know to gut-load them. I just wanted to make sure they were better than crickets and mealworms. Better safe than sorry!

2. I think the same, but just to be safe; I don't want to get the BTS only to find out the UV has run out!

[Lea]

Locusts are great, if you can get them. You must have a good supplier in NZ, since the only locusts I could get near me are ones I go and catch myself- even in a plague, that's not the easiest of things, unless I wait for them to splat into my car!

For a small skink, it sounds gross, but picking the legs off the locusts can be a good idea, since they are, well, leggy and not easy to swallow. The exoskeleton tends to be firmer than that of crickets, so it's more of an effort. Little lizards may be better with a good sized cricket, until they are big enough to master a good gulp of locust.

I'm not sure of a hero vet in NZ, I can't remember one being on our list, but if you don't get an answer in this thread after a few days try making a new thread just asking that question. If yo find a good one, let us know and we can add them to the vet list.

[Lea]

Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Clinic is in Palmerston north, are you anywhere near them? I'm sorry, it's the only herp vet we have listed for NZ.

[Leviathan1]

Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Clinic is in Palmerston north, are you anywhere near them? I'm sorry, it's the only herp vet we have listed for NZ.

*darn, I'm nowhere near.

I've seen some locusts advertised on TM lately, but they are rather expensive. And silkworms are hard to get here, not to mention the fact that mulberry trees take years to grow from seeds (Although I could simply buy a mature one, but that would be rather devastating to the budget.). Finding nutritious feeder insects seems to be very hard.

[amb44]

Where in NZ are you? I can recommend a vet in Hamilton. Not a 'herp vet' per se, but has willingly learnt A LOT in the time I've taken my rats to him, and has the advantage of being English so has more experience (in general) than NZers with reptiles.

Amy

[tylociraptor]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I am currently preparing to get an Eastern blue-tongued skink, and I have some things to ask.

1. It is very difficult to find feeder insects in NZ. OK, it isn't difficult, but the only legal feeder insects here are mealworms, crickets, locusts, waxworms and silkworms. Waxworms are almost made of fat, and crickets and mealworms have almost no nutritional value. This leaves me with the locusts and silkworms. I already know silkworms are the best, but are locusts good?

2. Is it OK to store away a fluorescent UV tube for several months, or does the tube run out of UVB even if it's never turned on?

3. Does anybody know any NZ suppliers of snails? I don't want to give wild snails for fear of pesticides. I don't care if you detox them.

4. Lastly, are there any reliable herp vets in New Zealand? I searched it up, but I only got vets from zoos.

1) Locusts and silkworms are fine, but you can actually do without feeder insects all together if you feed good dog food and have a nice variety. (Source: The care sheet! )

2) Absolutely. It's reccomended to have spare bulb(s) on hand just incase one dies unexpectedly or you cannot find more when your current one runs out.

3)I do not know of any, and I totally agree with you on detoxing. I'd rather not run the risk personally, because where I am people use harsh pesticides. I spoke with my local pet store on the issue of snails, and I found that many aquatic snails are a decent size for a bluey. I believe NZ has similar laws to Australia about non-native wildlife? But if you ask for local species of snails, or find lots and breed your own (snails are hermaphrodites, it doesn't matter whether they are 'boy' or 'girl'). If you want to go that route, I could help you with some great resources for invert care.

4) Another one I am not sure of, being from the other side of the world. However, I do know that in some cases, people in posession of exotics will see zoo vets. It's not terribly common, nor orthodox... but why not call them up and ask if they see private patients, or if they know any individuals who deal with pet reptiles? Many vets can be very helpful in this regard.

Good luck!

[Richard.C]

u dont need to feed them insects,so dont stress there,they thrive on non insect based diets

try supermarket or perhaps through a hospitality food seller,u can buy snails tinned for human consumption,best to wash brine off that preserves them ,if u have no luck sorcing live snails

not sure on vets over there but would hazzard to guess there would be a few perhaps enquire at a zoo or nz herp society

uv isnt totally nessacary,but no harm using it either,if stored well,should be fine

[tylociraptor]

u dont need to feed them insects,so dont stress there,they thrive on non insect based diets

try supermarket or perhaps through a hospitality food seller,u can buy snails tinned for human consumption,best to wash brine off that preserves them ,if u have no luck sorcing live snails

not sure on vets over there but would hazzard to guess there would be a few perhaps enquire at a zoo or nz herp society

uv isnt totally nessacary,but no harm using it either,if stored well,should be fine

I have a question for you Richard! You say UV is not totally nessecary, but don't you house your skinks outside, or at least some of them? So don't they get typical UV from the sun? :O