BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hi,
I'm Mark, and I recently purchased a Meruake BTS from Austin at AE pets here in Arizona.
I've had her for about 10 days at this point, and all seems to be going well.
She's currently in a 24x24 glass tank (will soon be upgraded to 36x24) I house her in a micro-climate 78-85* 60-70% humidity
Her hot spot gets to 92* at its hottest.
I originally kept her on an Eco/vermiculite mix which I use for my tarantulas, but have since switched to straight Eco-Earth.
She has been eating well every third day, and defecating the following day or two.
her current diet has been, Merricks dog food, Red leaf lettuce, Snails, Bannana, and egg.
I haven't really interacted with her much as of yet as I'd like her to get comfortable.
My house is full of animals with six legs or more, but not much in the way of four legs, I'm really just trying to provide the best care I possibly can, and although I had a nice long talk with Austin, I'm bound to have forgotten/missed something.
So if I'm doing anything wrong please let me know.

Welcome! Looks good - she's lovely! As you have more time, I'd add more into the diet; at least other greens and veggies. Feel free to ask any questions you might have, they are fairly easy to care for so I'm sure you're doing great.

Beautiful Merauke from a great seller! Bumping up the hot spot a few degrees wouldn't hurt.

Mark! She looks like she is doing great. Im glad to see you post here, please keep updated pics coming. Great advice given so far, veggie variety, im currently using spring mix and frozen mixed vegetables, and try to keep the hot spot at 95 and everything will be perfect. It was great getting to meet you in person, and the tarantulas that you brought to the shop are doing great.

Katrina wrote:Welcome! Looks good - she's lovely! As you have more time, I'd add more into the diet; at least other greens and veggies. Feel free to ask any questions you might have, they are fairly easy to care for so I'm sure you're doing great.

Thanks! I plan on varying the diet, but as it is, I've only had her for four feedings. I have a couple Tortoises, that eat me out of house and home, and I'm going to steal from their diet a bit lol.

donkeybuff wrote:Beautiful Merauke from a great seller! Bumping up the hot spot a few degrees wouldn't hurt.

Thanks, that's not a problem I can do that pretty easily, I'll get a higher wattage bulb, and hook it up to a rheostat to keep it from getting too hot.


Have I mentioned I'm already thinking about getting a Northern? lol

Nada wrote:Have I mentioned I'm already thinking about getting a Northern? lol

That's the way it goes.
Welcome!
I'm so jealous you've met Austin in person; he's a great guy who knows his stuff.
Looks like you're doing great so far. Have fun!

Valley Reptiles wrote:Mark! She looks like she is doing great. Im glad to see you post here, please keep updated pics coming. Great advice given so far, veggie variety, im currently using spring mix and frozen mixed vegetables, and try to keep the hot spot at 95 and everything will be perfect. It was great getting to meet you in person, and the tarantulas that you brought to the shop are doing great.

Hey Austin! glad my bugs are doing well by you.
I don't use Spring mix, as the stuff we get down here in phoenix is pretty nasty. My torts are on red and Green leaf, Turnip greens, Mustard Greens,Dandilion greens,endive,Raddichio,mushrooms,green beans,carrots,Pumpkin,ground beef,eggs,shrimp,mazuri,and the occasional meat ball consisting of ground turkey,mango juice,kale,blueberries,and pumpkin.. they eat a lot of pumpkin.
I figure I'll just piggy back off of their food. and add the dog food to the skinks diet.

the Hot spots already been bumped up. and is at 97* as of now. I can drop it if need be.

No need to drop temps. And diet sounds magnificent!

Thanks!

7 months later