BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hi! I've been leaning towards getting a BTS for a few months now but not quite yet. I've been reading and reading on how to take care of them and the different species there are. However, before I get my new love I want to know which is the best blue tongue for a beginner behavior wise. For example the Tanimbar has a reputation for being a bit aggressive. So I was wondering who was your best skink? The Northern? The Irian Jaya? Or the Eastern (if possible to get)?

Between Northern, Irian Jaya, or Merauke.

The Halmahera locale Indonesians and classic Indonesians are a lot more huffy from what I seen and experienced. Tanimbars are really defensive. Kei Islands are probably between the Merauke and Tanimbars, temperamental wise.. I do not own Kei's, just from what I heard.

I would recommend a Northern, or an Eastern if you want one and are willing to pay more. IJs and Meraukes are great, but the majority of them tend to be wild caught, making the Northerns and Easterns a better choice for a beginner.

AquaaAllure wrote:Hi! I've been leaning towards getting a BTS for a few months now but not quite yet. I've been reading and reading on how to take care of them and the different species there are. However, before I get my new love I want to know which is the best blue tongue for a beginner behavior wise. For example the Tanimbar has a reputation for being a bit aggressive. So I was wondering who was your best skink? The Northern? The Irian Jaya? Or the Eastern (if possible to get)?

From what I understand, Northerns have the tamest temperment. I feel the real kicker in finding a docile BTS is finding one which has been captive bred. CB's tend to be more docile towards humans than their wild counterparts.

My BTS is a Northern and I have had him since Oct 1. He has only been aggressive towards me once and gave me a warning bite. Other than that, he is pretty laid back and enjoys exploring outside his enclosure. Just keep in mind for when you get your BTS, it may naturally be defensive until he/she settles into their new home.

Northerns, Easeterns, IJ's, and Meraukes tend to have the best temperments. Northerns and Easterns are always captive bred. IJ's and Meraukes are primarily wild-caught but they are still bred in small numbers. Easterns from ray are about $150+shipping so that's average price for a skink. Other than that, it is just what skink looks better to you.

Normal Easterns are $350+shipping.

I would go for a Northern if I were you. There more other people on this site that you will be able to compare notes with and actually have some knowledge and experience of, rather than speculation if you wish to take your keeping to another level as well such as breeding.

Dakota wrote:I'm pretty sure normal Easterns are $350+shipping..

$200 http://thunderbayherps.com/

..and those are prices from 2010..

I wouldn't mind a breeders name and website too for the future. I see eastern and northerns are the debate.

I think it comes down to personal preference between Easterns and Northerns. There is a list of good breeders in the classifieds section of the forum.

AquaaAllure wrote:I wouldn't mind a breeders name and website too for the future. I see eastern and northerns are the debate.

Northerns:
btskinks.com
seikereptiles.com
bluetongueskinks.net
thunderbayherps.com

Easterns:
btskinks.com
seikereptiles.com
thunderbayherps.com

The colors and pattern of the two are pretty similar. The primary difference is that Northerns tend to be a little larger.

xxmonitorlizardxx wrote:

AquaaAllure wrote:I wouldn't mind a breeders name and website too for the future. I see eastern and northerns are the debate.

Northerns:
btskinks.com
seikereptiles.com
bluetongueskinks.net
thunderbayherps.com
CaptiveBred.com

Easterns:
btskinks.com
seikereptiles.com
thunderbayherps.com

The colors and pattern of the two are pretty similar. The primary difference is that Northerns tend to be a little larger.

Added the breeder I bought mine from to your list. Good prices and good people.

I just bought five easterns. I can assure you that they are 350 each. They do make wonderful pets though. Northerns are cheaper and are great pets as well. All the indo species tame down with time and are also great choices, but being that they are mainly wild caught, it will take a while to earn the animals trust.

I would go with any captive bred that is handled regularly.

I have a hybrid - Northern x ? (But I think the father was an IJ) that was from a small breeder who only had the two adult skinks. It was obvious that they were handled regularly and use to people, pets and typical household noises as my skink had no issues transitioning to my home. He didn't go through a hiding, huffing, hissing or non eating phase and I started interacting with him right away.

Thank you so much everyone! My goodness. I love this forum. Once I get my bluey and if I have questions everyone will answer quickly and with great answers (:

I would say Merauke.

My Merauke is very active and not shy/timid. It took a few months and a lot of handling but he is amazing now.

My Northern is pretty lazy and still pretty shy. He's definitely awesome, but he hides so much more than my Merauke.

But the caveat with getting a Merauke is that they are wild caught so it may have health issues. I've been lucky enough to have a perfectly healthy Merauke but not everyone has such luck.

Honestly I think all the BTS subspecies are great and you can't really make a bad decision on which one to get.

I think I'm going with Eastern

Valley are hypo easterns more pricey than normals though?

I think easterns are friendlier than northerns over all but you cant do bad with either,om saying that as a few of my northerns will happily bite me if my hands in cage and im not paying attention,never had an eastern do that

But really they are both great begginners animals,not just in temprement but also over all hardiness,there more bullet proof than the indos,more adaptable to varying conditions,meaning alot more adaptable to human error

Thats more important than temprement in my eyes when starting out

Richard.C wrote:Valley are hypo easterns more pricey than normals though?

I think easterns are friendlier than northerns over all but you cant do bad with either,om saying that as a few of my northerns will happily bite me if my hands in cage and im not paying attention,never had an eastern do that

But really they are both great begginners animals,not just in temprement but also over all hardiness,there more bullet proof than the indos,more adaptable to varying conditions,meaning alot more adaptable to human error

Thats more important than temprement in my eyes when starting out

It is important! And you just helped tons more.