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Update on Life and Skinks

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 8:33 pm
by Dakota
Wow. I am not totally sure where to begin . . .

Let's see. After I returned from my awesome adventures with Susann out West, I decided to look for jobs. I emailed around, had interviews, etc. Not much luck, so my life was just stalling a bit for a while. Then a thought came to me, "Why don't I work with a reptile dealer here?" I looked into my local nature center; nothing. I then tried "Omni Reptiles", which was a small business dealing with the importation and distribution of reptiles. I had noticed they were growing in popularity, having a lot of "cool" animals for sale, so I asked if they were hiring. The reply was basically, "You can be hired full time." :woo: I started on Halloween. And it has been nothing but an upward trend from there. Basically all I do is care for the reptiles -- a curator. Something I already do at home, why not get paid to do it?!? Anyways, with a steady income of my own, I started buying some animals. I won't post any photos that aren't bluetongues, but so far I added a pair of Reticulated diving skink, a trio of Fire skink, four Pinktongues, a pair of caiman lizards, two pairs of Arboreal alligator lizards, four Yucatan spiny-tailed iguanas, and only one bluetongue. Here he is:

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I got him in California while on a business trip! What a score, right?! I've named him Mirkwood. My plans are for him to go with Alberta (silver female) next season. Hopefully produce some more reduced pattern like him.

As for my mated females, I am still not sure about them. They are starting to look a little "round" right now, but I won't be expecting babies until March or April, if any. I started my job right when they all started breeding, so I did not have time to introduce them as much as I had liked. I am not very hopeful this season, but next year I am!

Next year should be good, as I'll hopefully be "breeding" 4 female Meraukes (via 3 males; Hunter, Domino, and Mirkwood). My Kei Islands will all be old enough to breed. I am unsure of their sex ratio, but I believe at least 3 or 4 are females. Time will tell. (And then of course, the non-bluetongue animals).

Oh! And my first batch of 2016 babies all turned a year old a few days ago! Here is a tribute I made for Domino, my only holdback:

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And not animal related, but I've also picked up a new instrument -- the cello.

As hectic as this all sounds, I'm sure you can see why I have not have much time to post on here like the "good ol' days". I hope you all have been well.

Re: Update on Life and Skinks

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 8:49 pm
by Scotts1au
Congratulations, sounds like things are coming together for you. :ohyes:

Re: Update on Life and Skinks

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 9:43 pm
by donkeybuff
Great to hear about your hard work and dedication paying off! It seems like just yesterday we were both posting all over the forums here, and now I can't even remember the last time I posted. Life has been super busy but my skinks are doing great at home with my awesome parents while I'm at college. Hopefully, when I have a degree and I'm making some $$$, I can post a super cool update like this (SUPER jealous of your caiman lizards and iguanas)! Congrats on all the success you've enjoyed. Hope everyone here is doing well!

Re: Update on Life and Skinks

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:15 pm
by tcopitho
Congrats Dakota, and good to see some updates. Sounds like things are really working out for you, great to hear.

The skinks are looking amazing! Mirkwood is very cool, should make a good combo with your silver girl. Make sure to put me on the waiting list ;D

Doms looking great, I was wondering how he's developed.

Good luck with this seasons possibly gravid girls, you never know, might suprise you yet.

Re: Update on Life and Skinks

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:21 pm
by Edward
Dakota, that's an amazing looking specimen. More pics, please.

:ryo:

Re: Update on Life and Skinks

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:00 pm
by Janella
Thanks for the update. So happy for you :thumbs:
Mirkwood is gorgeous and so is Dom

Re: Update on Life and Skinks

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:12 pm
by Dakota
Thanks everyone! I hope my post did not come off as "boasting". Just wanted to express how happy I am with life right now. :D

I'll try to do a Kei Island update soon. They've grown up a lot.

Re: Update on Life and Skinks

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 11:48 pm
by tcopitho
Dakota wrote:Thanks everyone! I hope my post did not come off as "boasting". Just wanted to express how happy I am with life right now. :D

I'll try to do a Kei Island update soon. They've grown up a lot.



Naw, it's just always nice to hear some good news.

Looking forward to an update on the keis.