Looking for some information on BTS

[doliver82]

I was just at a reptile show today and saw 2 adult BTS. They were absolutely amazing and the kids loved them. I promised myself that I would first research the animal before adding one to our family foolishly.

My first question to you all would be that I've noticed and read that there is several different species of BTS. Can someone break down their characteristics for me?

2nd question - What should I look for when purchasing a BTS?

3rd question - Anyone know of any breeders near or around Pittsburgh, PA?

[Dood]

This website gives an indepth description of the different species and sub-species of BTS - http://www.bluetongueskinks.net

But keep in mind only Northerns, Irian Jaya, Meraukes, Indonesians and the hybrids of the 4 are commonly available in North America.

BTS birthing season is in the summer over here but adults can often be found for sale in classifieds or juvenile imports of IJ's, Merauke or Indo's. Northerns and the other Australian species are all captive born and bred (CBB) as Australia prohibits the export of their wildlife.

[Susann]

Welcome to the BTS forums! Congrats on finding an amazing future pet for your family, and thank you for doing some research before buying.
Please read through the caresheet for the basics on BTS keeping: http://bluetongueskinks.net/care.htm
I would suggest you have any older kids read through as much as they can as well.
For what to feed: http://bluetongueskinks.net/foodchart.html

I would also suggest that you get your skink from a breeder rather than trying to find someone near you. People selling at expos rarely seem to be very knowledgeable on the skinks they sell unless they mainly breed BTS, same with pet shops.
When you buy from a reputable breeder you can be much better assured of getting, not only a healthy quality animal, but all the support you'd need in the beginning, and be much better able to trust what is said about the baby, the parents and the lineage.
Here is a list of our recommended breeders:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19635

If you go to bluetongueskinks.net on the left side you'll find details of the different species and subspecies, but as you are in the US you will be most likely to find Meraukes, Indonesians, Irian Jayas, or Northerns. With a Northern you are guaranteed a CBB (Captively Bred and Born) animal regardless of its age; with the gigas species (Meraukes, Indonesians and Irian Jayas) the animal, unless purchased from a breeder, may very well be WC (Wild Caught). The other species, if available at all, will be harder to get a hold of and more expensive.

As luck would have it the Northerns, the Meraukes, and the Irian Jayas are also most often the calmer, friendlier ones, excellent beginner skinks! Note though that babies can be more skittish and flighty, but they do almost always calm down with age.

The other pro with buying from a breeder is that you don't need to know all the signs of possible problems or illnesses when looking for your animal; if there is anything about the animal or its temperament that is less that optimal the breeder will be much more likely to disclose it before you send them your money.

Looks like Dood beat me to the response Now you get to read some of it twice.

[doliver82]

Thank you both for your kind replies.

May I ask, when the breeders usually have "available" BTS? I was told today that they only have 1 clutch per year. Is that true? and if so when "roughly"? I also see that most breeders have a waiting list, is this a usual thing? How long can I roughly wait for my new family member? And, roughly what is the cost to be placed on their waiting lists? Just trying to get all my ducks in a row, and get an idea of how much time I have to get what is needed for my new family member to be

and I apologize for all the questions. I really want to know all I can about these magnificent animals and educated myself as much as possible.

[Susann]

One litter (as they don't lay clutches but give birth) per year is it, and they usually are born through the summer, May through about Aug --although my earliest was Apr.
I've never charged for people to go on my waiting list but I may start doing that this coming season as it's been very time consuming tracking people down to see if they're still interested; seems to me $20 is about the lowest I've seen for going on a waiting list, if that gives you an idea?

[doliver82]

Do you have a website susann? I would be most interested in seeing some of your breeder that you have lined up for this year. Also what do you normally charge? I am thinking a northern to start.

[Susann]

I only breed Meraukes, and I still haven't gotten my act together and put a website up... But here are my three litters posted in the classifieds this past season:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=25908
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=25575
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=25463

The same three females were bred, but I have strong doubts whether anything will come from Xyla as she only mated once.

I've been the only person to consecutively breed Meraukes for the past few years, so for that reason and also because many of my babies are high in Orange color, I've been charging more than what you can find many other BTS for out there, especially babies born to recently imported females --which almost all other baby Meraukes were. I believe this past season most other gigas babies I saw for sale were between $150-250, and seems to me many Northerns were in that same range.

[doliver82]

Nice BTS! I am going to start with one for now but may want to add a second in the future, (not for breeding) but would eventually like to have 2 that get along. Is this recommended and what sexes go best together? Also, while we're on topic, how is it best determined to sex when they are so little?

[Susann]

Reliably sexing young BTS is impossible, even as adults its most often a guessing game. Until you see a male evert his hemipenes or see a female give birth, there is no way to say with any accuracy. It is ill advised to house skinks together, even just to take them out of their separate tanks to have them "play" is in my opinion more risk than it's worth. Yes, most of them do ok when put together as long as both aren't male, but why? They aren't social, it's not like they interact. I understand if you have kids and they each have their own skinks, it'd be good to know that they won't attack each other while the kids have their skinks out at the same time in the same room, but more than that is, again in my opinion, pointless as far as having skinks "be friends".
If both are male likelihood is high that they would attack each other, if one or both are female it is likely they would ignore or avoid one another.
Sorry my response isn't more positive on this one.

[doliver82]

No offense taken. I appreciate all honesty regarding BTS. I want whats best for them. IF (and that's a big IF) of getting a 2nd down the road, I will plan on housing them separate and only permitting one out at a time. But again, that will come down the road, several years IF at all. I'd rather "master" taking care of one rather than overwhelming myself or my family with 2+.

[Susann]

You sound like a perfect owner!
Once you get to know your skink's temperament and body language and feel confident, there would be no problem having them both out at the same time, as long as a capable person is at hand at all times to break up a fight the instant it starts in case it should happen.

[doliver82]

Andrew's email that is listed on his website came back as a returned email. Anyone know another way that u can contact him?

[Dood]

Have you tried to private message him? - viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26287