BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I picked this bts up from a breeder at a show I went to. Most people were telling me to use craigslist...but no luck and i didnt want to do the wholesale thing like some people recommended.

Breeder said they were c.b.b. iryan jaya (not sure i spelled that right), but I dont know this breeder and i hadnt met this breeder before. He/she (the skink) seems like they need to fatten up a bit. Im glad I found this website. So many people have different ways they care for their skinks. Ive had anoles and BD's before, and cared for a friends skink (not proper housing in my opinion), but this is the first one ive owned.

No name yet just got him/her sunday. Everything seems ok...no missing limbs or toes, no discharge rom any openings, and the breathing seems I guess normal for a skink (ive readthey huff a lot or breath qjicker when im around). He/she seems to want to hunt anything that moves. Hasnt bitten or hissed/displayed at me yet, but definitely "on the move" now that he/she is warmed up and in new environment. ill post pics once I get off my phone the files are too big :/

Ok I forgot I could download a photo resizing program. So here he or she is

That is an irian jaya. He/she doesn't look too skinny, but a little weight wouldn't hurt. good Luck

Gorgeous little IJ! Congrats and welcome to the forum!!

He's young - he'll grow like a weed for you.

Nice one you got there!

Thanks everyone! I thought he/she was pretty too My friends skink was very chunky so im not sure what normal weight "looks" like but ive been trying to compare with the caresheet here. Lol very informative. The breeder seemed very nice and everything looked good im just usually a "referral" or word of mouth customer. Good to know the weight is fine.

Quick questions....its been awhile and I dont have experience with younger skinks. Should I do the every other day feeding for this one or every day? I know I would never do this with a new snake (rule of thumb is leave them alone for 3 to 5 days especially neonates), but how soon can I handle him/her or should I let it acclimate more? New owner syndrome....uggh lol

It's young, so you won't see them getting chunky or overweight for a while - you'll just see rapid growth! But it looks a normal weight, once it is fully grown you'll want to watch and make sure it doesn't get too chunky, but feeding every week or twice a week and offering healthy meals usually will keep them in good condition without getting too fat. I'd feed healthy meals every second day for now and as far as handling - it depends on the skink. If it doesn't seem too stressed then give it a few days to settle and start interacting and handling slowly. If it seems stressed and scared, give it longer to settle in before you start interacting with it.

Katrina wrote:It's young, so you won't see them getting chunky or overweight for a while - you'll just see rapid growth! But it looks a normal weight, once it is fully grown you'll want to watch and make sure it doesn't get too chunky, but feeding every week or twice a week and offering healthy meals usually will keep them in good condition without getting too fat. I'd feed healthy meals every second day for now and as far as handling - it depends on the skink. If it doesn't seem too stressed then give it a few days to settle and start interacting and handling slowly. If it seems stressed and scared, give it longer to settle in before you start interacting with it.

ok sounds good! Growth spurt and staying trim because of it makes sense hehe. Thank you so much. Im very well versed in snakes just not skinks lol.

I forgot how old he said it was..6 or 8 months I think it was. Does that sound about right? I have a bad memory I should have written it down and shows are overwhelming between friends, feeders etc. Im sure my boyfriend remembers.

It's very hard to determine age from their size - it depends on factors like diet, conditions, genetics. Juvenile for sure but it would be hard to put a date on it. If it is C.B.B. then ask the breeder for a birth date as well as pictures of the parents. If it is really C.B.B. then they will have no problems providing that information.

Katrina wrote:It's very hard to determine age from their size - it depends on factors like diet, conditions, genetics. Juvenile for sure but it would be hard to put a date on it. If it is C.B.B. then ask the breeder for a birth date as well as pictures of the parents. If it is really C.B.B. then they will have no problems providing that information.

Ok same as snakes and most other reptiles then lol. Thank you thats just it...if it really is c.b b. ill ask I got their card. Still waiting for bf to get out of work :/

He/she is pretty active today tunneling under the bedding and then stopped for a nap now apprently. Goober.