BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I currently have a baby on hold from Mel, but she said she will be getting IJs as well. Does one have a better temperament from the other? Is there any size difference?

I am basically looking for a skink that will be the most easily tempered so I can actually take her/him out of their cage for cuddling and exploring. I quite like the look of the IJs but also like the look of my baby. (I have chosen Wheatley if anyone looks at her site). I was so sure but now I am torn.

I'm definitely not an expert, but from what I've read/heard, Northerns and IJs are both usually very docile, though I suppose Northerns tend to be toted as the "most" docile. It also depends on individual personalities, and how much you handle them.

Really mostly boils down to which you think you'd enjoy more.

To my knowledge northerns get larger. I dont know if northerns are better tempered than ij's but my northern is a doll. Never been aggresive and loves to explore

I am also not an expert by any means ( I don't have a skink yet, and am also on Mel's waiting list for a baby skink) but I think that it doesn't really matter, because both the Northern's and IJ's will be captive bred. Some people with IJ's have ones that are wild caught, making them less tame and not as great pets, but all Northern's in North America are captive bred, because its illegal to import (is that the right word?) them from Australia. I think this is why people say northerns make better pets, but because they are both CB, it really depends on what your'e looking for. Another thing to consider is that Mel's first litter of northern's are already old enough to be shipped soon, so you will get the baby sooner than if you wait for the IJ's, but its really up to you.

Thanks for the replies everyone! After looking at pictures I think I am going to stick with the Northern I had picked (Wheatley is adorable!). My gut says to go with a Northern so I guess I will stick with it!

I had an IJ for for years. I got her as an adult import. She was such a docile baby. Very calm when I took here out even around logs of people. She was a joy. I just got a northern a couple of weeks ago and he's pretty friendly as a baby. I think you are good with either choice you make.

It's great to hear that both are great pets! I used to have Chinese Water Dragons and loved how much they wanted to interact with me. However I have always been a fan of BTS and decided that I should give them a try, after doing research and hearing that some species were great pets I was thrilled. Makes it even better that I see everyone talking about how great they are.

From my limited experience, IJs do seem to be slightly more friendly, especially females. My month old IJ is perfectly content to sit on my hand or chest, while most of the northerns I saw were very squirmy, and generally less chill. But it really does just come down to your preference.