New to forum and new to blue tongue skinks

[pipistrollers]

Hi everyone

What an excellent forum we have just joined!!

We are planning on getting our first BTS soon and are excited as they are so sweet. We have been looking at one in our local reptile shop and it has been looking at us in a big way! We asked which BTS it is and were told that they are not sure. We said we were looking for a Northern and were told that they think this is one. We took a couple of pics and went looking around on the net. It looks like a Merauke as it has splodgy arms but we just don't know as we are beginners with BTS's. Could someone please have a look and help ID it for us. We were told it was around 15 - 18 months old they think. Also, it is being fed on a diet of dog food and scrambled egg - no veggies, fruit etc. We are bring the issue here as you guys know what you are talking about and we don't! We asked our vet about substrate for a BTS and he said definately reptile carpet as there is no risk of impactation. I told the vet that from what I have read and seen, they love to burrow and they couldn't do this on reptile carpet. He said if we provide lots of caves and hiding places there is no need for burrowing. We also asked the reptile shop who have said definately aspen shavings and not reptile carpet as they love to burrow.

1. Is this a Merauke?
2. Would you be concerned at the diet?
3. Is the Northern BTS the biggest and best natured?
4. Aspen shavings or reptile carpet?

Thank you so much for any advice you can give us. Although we now have another frilled dragon, we had one a couple of years ago. We didn't know but she was really ill when we got her and it was heartbreak when she died, therefore we are checking all aspects before we comit ourselves.

[Dakota]

1. Yes, good call -- he is a Merauke!
2. No, not really. Dog-food has veggies in it already, so it is not like he was being fed 100% protein. Judging by his scales, the diet looks to be working pretty good.
3. Northerns are the "largest", but not the "longest" on average. Like the Reticulated Python is the "longest", but the Green Anaconda is the "largest" in the snake world.
3. This is really debatable, but I'd definitely go with some type of substrate. Instead of taking the ultimate hide out (substrate), just feed him outside of the cage.. that will completely remove the risk.

[Dirt Walker]

Hello and welcome. I'm new also but have felt very welcomed. That looks like mine and I just found out mine's a Merauke.

IMG_0981.jpg

[Susann]

1. Is this a Merauke?
Yes, a very cute, healthy looking Merauke. Age looks about right judging from his size.
2. Would you be concerned at the diet?
No, not concerned, he looks plenty healthy, but he is also plenty old and big enough to start adding some healthy veggies and greens to his diet. Look in the FAQ section viewforum.php?f=24, as well as read through the Caresheet http://bluetongueskinks.net/care.htm if you haven't already, and they should give you some good ideas on how to introduce veggies and greens to his diet.
3. Is the Northern BTS the biggest and best natured?
Generally Northers and Meraukes are considered the biggest (Northerns tend to be the heaviest, Meraukes tend to be the longest) AND best natured, but there are really only a few BTS's that tend to be difficult; just like dog breeds, any and all can most often be positively influenced with gentle patience. But feisty Northerns and Meraukes that have been well cared for by good, gentle, and patient owners are pretty hard to find.
4. Aspen shavings or reptile carpet?
Personal preference, really, but most of us keep them on some kind of substrate that they can burrow into. Skinks living on flat surfaces, like carpet, can get twisted toes from their claws constantly bending them, so that might be another reason to keep in mind.
Aspen is a good cheap choice, but can get too dry for a Merauke, who come from very humid areas. But it's a good, inexpensive substrate to start with to see how he fares on it. If he starts having shedding difficulties, or eye and toe issues, then switch to something that holds moisture better, or add some other way of raising the humidity in his tank.

He looks super sweet, but then again, I'm partial to Meraukes. Hope it all works out for you, and we're happy you found us!

[pipistrollers]

Wow you guys are champion. Thank you SO SO SO much for your advice. So glad we found this forum !!!

[Dakota]

I like your new text color, Susann.

I am not talking from experience when I say this, but I hear the coconut bark is AMAZING for holding humidity. And just a quick reminder, Meraukes come from very, very humid environments (especially during the night and during the wet season).. so anything that is pro-humidity, it is good. Something to definitely avoid is Care-fresh.. WORST substrate to use. I used it for a couple months, and would not recommend it. I can also upload pictures of someone else's Merauke after just a month on the substrate (not good..).

[pipistrollers]

When should they start to be given veggies etc? If he has been eating dog food and scrambled eggs for around 8 months, will we be able to give him veggies to eat?

[Susann]

If you chop them up really fine and add just a little into the dog food to begin with, then keep adding the amount of veggies and greens until it constitutes about 40% or so of the diet.

[pipistrollers]

Thanks so much