BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Posted: **Sun Aug 27, 2017 10:26 am**

Hi! Yesterday I brought home my 3 (ish - born mid-May) month old Northern. I have been preparing for him for a long time and I thought I had everything figured out! But I realized now that I still have some questions. I'll also describe my husbandry and everything and if you have any suggestions please help! I wanna make this little ones life great!

So far the little guy seems to be doing well! He's already an escape artist (already fixed that problem) and hates me, and hasn't been hiding at all, so I think he has some spunk and will settle in quite well!
He is in a 4x2x1.5 tank that I built with aspen shavings as substrate, and two hides. and a water bowl. Temperatures seem good and he's been basking a lot! I did not go with UVB yet as i didn't know how hot of a bulb I'd need - thats the next step.

Ok first - do babies/juveniles eat differently than adults? I couldn't find any info on how the young ones' diets differ from adults, other than frequency. The breeder sounded like he fed cat food (he said they need all the protein they can get since they grow so fast) and the occasional insect, ever other day. Do I need to start transitioning him to eating dog food and having greens/fruits with it instead? Do i need to change the frequency of feeding?

How long should I leave him to settle before attempting to handle/tame? He is quite hissy, but hasn't been hiding, and he ate the food I offered no problem.

If you have any tips for a new owner feel free to throw them in there! I have experience with several other reptiles but never a skink! thought i had it all figured out but the feeding thing is confusing me now...

Posted: **Sun Aug 27, 2017 12:24 pm**

Egfi224 wrote:Hi! Yesterday I brought home my 3 (ish - born mid-May) month old Northern. I have been preparing for him for a long time and I thought I had everything figured out! But I realized now that I still have some questions. I'll also describe my husbandry and everything and if you have any suggestions please help! I wanna make this little ones life great!

So far the little guy seems to be doing well! He's already an escape artist (already fixed that problem) and hates me, and hasn't been hiding at all, so I think he has some spunk and will settle in quite well!
He is in a 4x2x1.5 tank that I built with aspen shavings as substrate, and two hides. and a water bowl. Temperatures seem good and he's been basking a lot! I did not go with UVB yet as i didn't know how hot of a bulb I'd need - thats the next step. <<< I'm not so sure aspen shavings are such a good bedding for a NTB.
<<< I think you need a basking spot about 35 degC (???) for a NBT.
<<< I think a 10% UVB

Ok first - do babies/juveniles eat differently than adults? I couldn't find any info on how the young ones' diets differ from adults, other than frequency. The breeder sounded like he fed cat food (he said they need all the protein they can get since they grow so fast) and the occasional insect, ever other day. Do I need to start transitioning him to eating dog food and having greens/fruits with it instead? Do i need to change the frequency of feeding?
<<< Personally I'd avoid cat and dog food for a baby and juvenile , get insects see http://www.completecritter.com/blue-tongue-skink.html , aim for insects with higher Ca/P and less fat see
https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/vi ... 4#p1807834

How long should I leave him to settle before attempting to handle/tame? He is quite hissy, but hasn't been hiding, and he ate the food I offered no problem.
<<< mine were very much into snuggles and crawling all over me from the getgo , I chose the two who crawled over to check me out and wanted to climb out onto me at the breeder's
If you are lucky you'll get one who's been handled and is very friendly.
If not let the BT take things it's own pace.

If you have any tips for a new owner feel free to throw them in there! I have experience with several other reptiles but never a skink! thought i had it all figured out but the feeding thing is confusing me now...

Posted: **Mon Aug 28, 2017 2:34 am**

Hi! No silly questions here!

Temps - hopefully you are getting a good temp gradient in the enclosure, around 35 celcius at the basking spot and around 18-20 celcius at the cool end.

Feeding - they eat pretty much the same, except for frequency. Nothing wrong with feeding cat or dog food many long time keepers and breeders do it with no problems and it is recommended by them on this forum. More people choose dog food over cat food, so give it a go. how often are you feeding?

Handling - it's suggested that leaving to them settle in for a week or so before handling works well, the idea is that they should have enough time to get used to the change in environment and it also gives time to make sure husbandry and set up is right and they are feeding well etc. Start off offering mouthfuls of delicious treats by hand (melon, berries, mushies) so they learn you bring good things, and then handle slowly at first, 10 minutes at a time and put it back.

Check out the FAQs section in the general discussion forum for some info on substrates, handling, and what to expect when you have a new BTS. The diet chart gives great info.

And we LOVE pics so bring them on :ohyes:

Posted: **Mon Aug 28, 2017 9:49 pm**

Thanks you guys!

Yes the temperature gradient is great

Thanks for the info on feeding, I'll start transitioning little Houdini to a diet with fresh fruits and veggies, and insects to compliment the dog food that I will switch him to. I've only had him two days, but the breeder was feeding him every second day, so I will likely continue this until he has grown enough to decrease feeding frequency!

I don't think I was lucky enough to get a skink that will cuddle right from the get-go.. He seems to be settling in well but he also has a bit of a temper and doesn't like hands anywhere near him! i think that the hand feeding treats technique will be started at the end of this week to hopefully start building a relationship with him!

Pics will come... I don't have very many yet but when I have the chance I will upload a couple

Posted: **Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:11 am**

I don't know If I'm allowed to do this (I wanted to private message you but I just registered so I can't haha) but I really wanted to ask you about your tank
You said that you built it yourself... How did you do it? I mean, which materials did you use? Can you post some pics if possible? thanks

BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

New BTS owner - some silly questions and looking for feedback.

New BTS owner - some silly questions and looking for feedback.

Re: New BTS owner - some silly questions and looking for feedback.

Re: New BTS owner - some silly questions and looking for feedback.

Re: New BTS owner - some silly questions and looking for feedback.

Re: New BTS owner - some silly questions and looking for feedback.