Help idenifing?

[JeffC]

Hello everyone I'm new here, my name is Jeff. I'm going to be purchasing my first blue tongue skink tomorrow. I'm getting it from someone who has owned him for 5 years. They got him when he was one year old, so he is supposed to be 6 now. Anyway they also got him from somebody so they weren't sure of his species. From what I know about blue tongues which isn't much this will be my first skink. I'm guessing its a northern, but maybe someone more experienced can tell me for sure. I will post the few pictures of him that they have sent to me.
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... 1ce56a.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... 4a401b.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad17 ... 65e217.jpg
Sorry about the long links. It would not let me upload them directly to here, I'm not sure why maybe because on my phone instead of a computer. Anyways any help will bunch appreciated. Also if anyone has any tips for a new blue tongue owner I am gladly accepting. I have already read over the care sheet on this site several times, it has some great info.

[Scincoides]

That is an Irian Jaya bts (Tiliqua Spp), and a very nice one. Welcome to the forum. I'm glad to hear that you already read the care sheet, it has some great info in there.

[Sarikazam]

That looks like an IJ to me, but very pretty
My tip would be to just ask lots of questions! There are lots of knowledgeable owners here who will be happy to answer your questions.
Good luck purchasing your first skink! Be sure to post lots of pictures whenever you do get one!

[Dakota]

Is this skink on fauna?

Yeah, I agree.. definitely an Irian Jaya.

[JeffC]

Thanks everyone for the fast replies. And I will be sure to upload lots more pictures after I get him. I found him on craigslist here is the link http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pet/4038516482.html
I'm not sure if its on fauna too or not. She was asking 200 OBO for the him, his tank, if I remember correctly she said it measures 4x2x2, basking lamp, heat lamp, uvb light, and all of his hides and other accessories. But we settled on $150 for everything. I couldn't pass the deal up considering if I purchased a bluey from any reputable breader or websites selling them I would be looking at at least 200 including shipping. And that would be just for the bluey.

[Jessica]

That's such a beautiful IJ, congrats on the incredible find!

[donkeybuff]

Nice looking IJ. There seem to be fewer IJs being sold now, so nice find.

[JeffC]

Than you donkey and Jessica, I agree he is beautiful. I guess I was off assuming he was a northern lol, good thing I have this site with experienced BTS owners to help out. I have another question I have read blue tongue skinks can live up to 20 years, but never really found anything about AVERAGE life span. So does anybody know what the average life expectancy is for a BTS more specifically a Irian jaya? Since I have been informed the one I am getting is at least 6 years old, I just want to make sure he should be around for a while.

[donkeybuff]

With good care, he could easily be around for another ten years or more.

[Scincoides]

Ray Gurgui has some skinks that are still breeding at 20.

[JeffC]

OK that's good to know. And still breeding at 20 that's quite impressive.

[Richard.C]

they can easily live into there 20s and beyond in good care

nice lookiking ij,thats a great price with cage ect to,should help with settling into new home with similar surroundings

welcome to bts.net

[JeffC]

Thank you for the welcome Richard. I will be going to pick him up in about 8 hours, does anyone have any tips for stuff I should look for to make sure he is healthy and everything. I surely don't want to come home with a sick animal and not even know it. Because let's face there are people that would try and sell someone a sickly animal and not inform them about it.

[Dakota]

Check for tongue flicks, clean vent area, no crust around the eyes, no shed(s) on his toes, no hump on his back/tail, good solid poops. Just common sense things, hoenstly. You will know if he isn't healthy if you pay attention to him.

[JeffC]

Thank you Dakota I'll be sure to check for all those things before I purchase him. Except for maybe good solid poops lol but I'm sure I'll find out about those soon after I get him.

[Toria Dawn]

Gorgeous IJ!! What an awesome price for the beaut! Enjoy your new buddy, they are such a great pet/friend! Be sure to check out the care sheet and FAQ here for info. Even if you don't have those questions yet, you will eventually, and they're full of info!

Edit - oops you already read the caresheet!!! Excellent start!