BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Getting ready to buy our first BTS and we can't wait!!!!!!

The question is do we go for a Merauke or a Northern? We don't actually know enough about the individual species so we are asking you.

We know that the Merauke is Indonesian and needs higher humidity and that the Northern is from Australia so doesn't need as much humidity but honestly thats all we know. We want the one that is most friendly and likes to be handled and interact with us and we would like whichever species is the largest both in weight and length. We are assuming that the males are larger of whichever we choose?

Ok guys its over to you - which do we go for

Both can make great pets, but you're much more likely to find a captive bred Northern than a Merauke. Northerns are on average a little shorter than Meraukes, but are typically much heavier bodied. Meraukes tend to be a little longer and more slender. The females will actually tend to be a little weightier (they need the width to carry babies), but it's hard to know for sure if you're getting a male or female. In the end, Merauke vs. Northern is a tough choice and you should decide based on your preferences and abilities to meet each type's needs (mainly humidity).

We are used to dealing with humidity as we have a frilled dragon so have to keep a good eye on where her levels are.

Do both the northern and merauke have nice temperaments?

We have been looking at one in our local reptile shop here in England and are pretty sure its a merauke although the shop said its northern. They said he is 15 - 18 months old. Here's a picture of him

Yes, that's definitely a Merauke. From what I've heard, they can have great temperaments as well. I'll let someone with a Merauke chime in further on that.

Thanks a lot ... for anyone looking at the pic, does it look healthy? he really seemed to like us both. When he came out, he came straight to us. He was climbing all over us which was really sweet. Gave us a good lick too lolol

I have 4 Northerns now, and only one merauke. My newest Northern is super chill and sweet. My Merauke is super chill and sweet (and is my favorite, although now she has some competition lol). I think with proper socialization they both do very well. The Northerns, every single one, is aggressive in the cage but totally fine once out. My Merauke could care less

In my experience, meraukes are even more consistently "friendly" than northerns. I have never seen a northern that is handled frequently when young turn out to be anything less than a great pet, but every once in awhile you will run into a grumpy one. Grumpy ones were most likely not handled while they were young. Most Northerns are pretty docile whether they have been handled or not.

With meraukes, most of the ones I have kept or been around were wild caught, and most if them were collected as adults. Even so, I have never come across a mean or defensive merauke. Once in awhile you will find a skittish one, but I have not seen the odd "mean" one that I find with northerns.

There are more potential health issues with WC animals though, so that is definitely something to consider as well.

I have a feeling we will be looking at the Merauke. Now he is, according to the reptile shop, 15 - 18 months old and they have never given him any fresh veggies fruit etc in his diet. He is eating a diet of dog food and scrambled eggs. Would we be looking at a nightmare trying to give him fresh fruit and veggies or is he still young enough to take to it readily? Does he look healthy in the pic?

We have read that we have to check his toes and tail for damage which will will do. Any other pointers or tips we should know before having another look at him? He is not wild caught incidentally.

Vet said reptile carpet all the way but after reading through posts, we are thinking on aspen shavings so he can burrow and have a good dig (bless him).

The reptile shop said he is a male but as there any pointers that could help us on definate sexing?

There is another one in the shop which is altogether bigger in every way but seems to spend his life hiding in his cave. We go there every few days to buy locusts for our frilled dragon but have only seen him out of his cave about twice in 3 months. Would you go for the one in the pic although smaller he is out and about and nosey and very inquesitive every time we are in the shop, in fact he always comes to the front of the viv to us. He is happy with us holding him but does run around a lot on us and can't seem to make up his mind if he wants to run on me or hubby. If he holds him, he wants onto me but if hold him, he wants onto him. Is that just new smells etc and will this settle in time? We were told that any BTS loves to sit and watch tv with you on your lap - as long as they are included they are happy .... is this the case?

If there's anything else you can think on that we might need to know before purchasing our new baby, please don't hesitate as all information is gratefully accepted.

Sorry to hit you all with all these questions but we know you know what you are talking about.

Thanks so much

Bluetongues dont like sitting and watching tv,they arent lap dogs,some are just very tolerant
They definatly dont seek your companionship like a dog or cat or even a parrot would

If you want a pet one then go for one thats out and about,its obviously not as shy as the hiding one,though most blueys will settle down in time,i dont overly handle mine,they dont need it,i have dogs and cats for that

Thanks so much for your advice

What do you make in your vats Richard?

my fat thumbs,lol

I have a Merauke and she is awesome! I don't have much advice or opinion on Northerns because I've never owned one. The captive bred guarantee is kinda nice though. She doesn't really like greens or any veggies at all so I just mix it into her dog food really well and she can't pick it out. It's kinda forcing her to eat it. She knows me well and is always chill when I have her out of the tank, towards others she is more squirmy but never defensive or aggressive. I enjoy taking her out and just sitting with her but I always get nervous that she will poop or pee on me. She goes whenever she wants, never holding back for any reason. It's kinda funny when it happens to other but not when it happens to you. The skink in the picture definitely a Merauke and looks healthy to me. He will get around 26 inches long though so keep that in mind. Hope I helped! Dakota, I'm surprised you didn't have more to say.

Brilliant thank you so much. We are going tomorrow to have another look at him. We will check his tail and toes and if all is well, looks like we are getting our new baby. Can't bring him home right away though as we have a LOT of viv work to do to move the frillie into her bigger viv so the skink can go into her smaller one which is 4ft x 2ft x 2 ft. We can't wait !!!

How exciting, you'll have to post pictures as soon as she's settled!

Oh we will do that .... honestly so excited to be getting a new baby !!!

Dont be shy of posting pics of the frilly in off topic section either,love frillies

Oh great, I'll post some in next couple of days of miss frillie ... shes a real pickle