New Blue Tongue Skinks!

[Hazeee]

I got a breeding pair of Northern's that have given birth previously and he thought he saw them lock up which I think may be true because the female is starting to look gravid.

Currently they're housed together in a 60 gallon with proper lighting and hides. I know it's not best to do but the guy was socializing them and they were acting fine together and I will be getting another set up within a couple weeks.

I'll also be posting pictures tomorrow so they have some time to settle in.

[Katrina]

Welcome! Looking forward to pictures.

[Hazeee]

Is dog food really not that great for a diet? I have higher quality stuff that's lamb rice and veggie mix.

If so what's a standard diet to go by every other day? I know there's a food chart but I'm sure someone an sum it up.

[kenn]

You could make your own squash, in a mix of dogfood, veggies and someren fruit

And I think if someone is gonna summ it up, it will be a summ of the foodchart

[Hazeee]

You could make your own squash, in a mix of dogfood, veggies and someren fruit

And I think if someone is gonna summ it up, it will be a summ of the foodchart

Well I'm hoping to get a specific answer of what people actually mix up, I'm sure some of the bts owners here have a specific mix they regularly give.

[Richard.C]

I feed straight dog food,pedigree or chum

I have a trio of adult northerns together,that get along,all the other adults live alone as they can get very aggressive,probablu safest housing seperatly as they can change at any time,but some do seem to suprisingly get along fine

[Hazeee]

Thanks for the response Richard.

I guess my lighting wasn't as proper as I thought.. I have a red light that I was told would be fine for basking temps (it's not..). Are there any specific brands people use to achieve proper temps at around 12-15"?

[Richard.C]

I just use regular spotlight bulbs u get at hardware stores,same as most reptile bulbs minus the stupid price rise for having a reptile on the packet,try a few different wattages to get the temp you are looking for

[Hazeee]

I just use regular spotlight bulbs u get at hardware stores,same as most reptile bulbs minus the stupid price rise for having a reptile on the packet,try a few different wattages to get the temp you are looking for

Found an awesome site where they tested temps @ 12"
http://www.reptileuvinfo.com/html/watts ... utput.html

My temps with my infared bulb aren't similar at all though..

[marisa]

As far as food goes, I feed a mix of Natural Balance canned dog food (all natural, no meat by products, etc.) with chopped up carrot, zucchini, spinach, red bell pepper, broccoli, and peas. I just mix it all up together, divide into portion sizes and put into snack size ziploc bags to freeze until use. My BTS loves that stuff and never picks through it. =)

[Bird_Brain]

Welcome! Would love to see some pictures

[Hazeee]

Welcome! Would love to see some pictures

I'll be taking some soon, they were placid at first but I think they're stressed from the rehoming as they don't really want to be moved right now.


Question, I have a large habba hut which they burrowed into, will this hut work as a basking spot if I put the lights on top?

[Kcjames]

Welcome and congratulations. I feed Blue Buffalo canned with spring mix chopped fine, carrots, squash, peas and different fruits all mushed up. Blueberries and wax worms are a good treat. Goliath worms are nutritious and I love watching him "kill" them.
Basically a lot of variety.

[Hazeee]

Replaced the red infared with a 100 watt CHE and I'm getting basking temps of 98-100 so I'm happy about that! Man do CHE's get hot though.

[Katrina]

In response to the food questions, there is more info in this section: viewforum.php?f=24

[Hazeee]

Should I be worried at all about them burrowing under the water dish? It's kind of heavy but I don't think she has gotten stuck. I have like 4-5" of dirt.

[Katrina]

Should I be worried at all about them burrowing under the water dish? It's kind of heavy but I don't think she has gotten stuck. I have like 4-5" of dirt.

Water dishes tend to be fairly heavy - if they can burrow underneath, then I'd always make sure that the dish is supported by a few legs that can't be moved so that the dish doesn't squish the skink. It's easy to make a raised hide out of a tile, some aquarium grade silicone and suitable materials for 'legs'.

[Hazeee]

Should I be worried at all about them burrowing under the water dish? It's kind of heavy but I don't think she has gotten stuck. I have like 4-5" of dirt.

Water dishes tend to be fairly heavy - if they can burrow underneath, then I'd always make sure that the dish is supported by a few legs that can't be moved so that the dish doesn't squish the skink. It's easy to make a raised hide out of a tile, some aquarium grade silicone and suitable materials for 'legs'.

I'll definitely put a few legs up but she didn't get squashed as she's back in the hide :p

[Hazeee]

Male on the left, female on the right
Can anyone identify their locality?

[Bird_Brain]

Unfortunately you have Irian javas, not northerns. Beautiful though