BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hey guys, my name is Haytum from the state of Georgia. I recently got my first blue tongue everything seems perfect so far he's about 7 inches give or take a couple. I'm saying he's I'm still unsure of the sex. I would like to know how to sex my bt and I would like to identify his specific name. Is it a northern is it an eastern ? I also would to know if anyone here can estimate the age of my bt. He seems very healthy very active, and of course non active at night. Basking has been at steady 98-100 degrees the rock it self I've measured at 105 (non heating rock). Just straight from light. I have uvb and uva dual on top of his cage. 50w for the uva/heat and 25w for the uvb both in a dual lamp, Hun about 16 inches above the tank which seems to be the perfect temp. Now please can anyone help me identify my blue. I want to mate him or her. I've watched some videos but I would like your guys insight. Image of my baby is attached below.
I paid about 140 for him at petco from the reptile show. He was 25% off 189. They couldn't not tell me the sex, age or type of blue tongue, I'm hoping you guys could help me. I'm still trying to perfect his diet, but it seems like all they fed him is 4-5 crickets in the morning and they said he haven't been eatin his veggies I got him a night ago. I finally chopped up greens graded some carrots, squash an broke an egg in there as well as some chicken gizzerds hope I'm spelling that right, also truly liver. I learned it was too big for him to eat also he's not eating any worms what so ever. So tomorrow I'm going to fin cut them see how it works. I am very well aware of their food chart I'm just trying to find the right food for him the one he chows down on. I have a cool side and a hot side for basking, I also have a 12 photoperiod I have a timer set at 10am and 10pm. Also right now is in a 30'*11 tank.
I also have a heating pad on the right side(hot side) for night time because my house is about 65 degrees at night, I like it cold. It is located directly on the bottom of the tank, on the glass. (Outside)



Thank you so much, I'm excited as well. I have another question what's his origin? Indonisia or Australia just curious about his temperatures. I can't seem to be able to go on the bluetongueskons.net to find out so was hoping someone here could tell me, he also has been dropping white poop it's not plugs it's poop.

Thanks


Thanks guys,
Haytum A.

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your new little guy!

My first inclination is to say that you have yourself a dark little Irian Jaya. But the more I stare at the pictures, the more gigas traits I see... So I think I'm going to hold off on sounding real sure until I can have Scincoides pop in to take a look at the pictures and either concur with a dark IJ or tell me to take a hike.

If he's only 7 inches then he's a newborn skink. Very young.
As far as sexing goes, no way to tell. If he's a boy he'll hopefully flash you his stuff as he grows older, or at some point drop sperm plugs, but if she's a girl then it'll be impossible to confirm until you get her with a boy skink at the right time of year and can tell from their behavior together, or about 3-4 months after if/when she delivers something. This is the bane of a skink breeder's existence.

I mostly stick with plain dog food for the first few months for my babies, all I add is a small pinch of calcium every other feeding or so.

Welcome!

What a gorgeous Irian Jaya you have. It looks to be in shed, too.

Your set up looks great, too!

Susann wrote:Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your new little guy!

My first inclination is to say that you have yourself a dark little Irian Jaya. But the more I stare at the pictures, the more gigas traits I see... So I think I'm going to hold off on sounding real sure until I can have Scincoides pop in to take a look at the pictures and either concur with a dark IJ or tell me to take a hike.

If he's only 7 inches then he's a newborn skink. Very young.
As far as sexing goes, no way to tell. If he's a boy he'll hopefully flash you his stuff as he grows older, or at some point drop sperm plugs, but if she's a girl then it'll be impossible to confirm until you get her with a boy skink at the right time of year and can tell from their behavior together, or about 3-4 months after if/when she delivers something. This is the bane of a skink breeder's existence.

I mostly stick with plain dog food for the first few months for my babies, all I add is a small pinch of calcium every other feeding or so.

.

Thanks for the fast reply..
I think you are correct, he is IJ. Also I noticed his pooping white, they don't look like sperm plugs because it's just a white drop not clear and doesn't look like it has a strain lol. I'm still having issues with her food, she goes to the bowl checks it out bites on things but she doesn't seem to it anything. I keep thinking it's too big of junks so I graded everything but the meat (my mistake) I'll so how he does tomorrow. Also I measured him he's exactly 10in.

Congratulations on your new pet, he/she is adorable! Will be interesting to see how he turns out! I'm sure he will be chowing down real soon, as soon as he he gets used to his nice new home. Wait till you see how incredibly fast he grows! Welcome, and gorgeous IJ!!

splashy07 wrote:Congratulations on your new pet, he/she is adorable! Will be interesting to see how he turns out! I'm sure he will be chowing down real soon, as soon as he he gets used to his nice new home. Wait till you see how incredibly fast he grows! Welcome, and gorgeous IJ!!

Thank you so much, I'm excited as well. I have another question what's his origin? Indonisia or Australia just curious about his temperatures. I can't seem to be able to go on the bluetongueskons.net to find out so was hoping someone here could tell me, he also has been dropping white poop it's not plugs it's poop.

Thanks

Have a look at the following link, might help you identify what your seeing with his poop. Sounds like urate, which you should be seeing.
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=23702

IJ's are an Indonesian species. Some of the other members can likely give you move in depth information.

With the new picture sure looks more IJ than gigas.

I know it's a bit difficult with the caresheet down, but the search function can still be very useful for learning some of the basic stuff.