Trying to decide between 2 subspecies

[FantasticBeasts0404]

Hey all, I am new here. I am planning to get my first blue tongue sometime early next year, and I have spent hours and hours compiling the knowledge I need to make sure it's happy and taken care of properly. I have a list of all the supplies I need, and will probably begin buying it all a little at a time after Christmas. I am confident that I will be ready for my new scaly child when the time comes. The only problem is, I cannot decide between a Northern, or an Irian Jaya. I was dead set on getting a Northern but after doing some more research, I realized I really like the Irian Jayas too. This reptile would be a pet only, and would be handled often. I am a teen with no job yet, (I pay for ALL of my other reptile's care needs, I don't have a set job but I do chores and work for family members to earn money) and I know how much these guys cost. Near me, I can purchase an Irian Jaya for around $200, and a Northern for $300-$400. I am just so torn because both would seem like a good fit for me, but I can't choose. I love how the Irian Jayas look, but they require a higher humidity and it's a little more difficult to keep the humidity up where I am, and from what I understand they are smaller as well. I love how "chunky" the Northern's look, and I really like that they are bigger and heavier set, but they are twice as much as an Irian Jaya. I just wanted to hear some accounts and opinions from anyone who owns or have owned either or both of these subspecies. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, thanks!

[Janella]

Hi and welcome. Both species can make great pets. However, some things you need to consider. Is these guys can live a long time. Who will care for your pet if you go away to college? Also do you truly have the means to afford this new pet. By all means I am not trying to be negative, I just truly want to make sure you are ready to commit.

As for which one. Again both can make great pets. However, for your first time with a BTS I would personally recommend a Northern. They are allot more forgiving then the IJs. You don't have to worry about humidity and such.

[splashy07]

Just a word of caution, Irian Jayas are 90 percent imported, and many imports require veterinary care soon after they arrive and that will quickly nullify your savings on the cheaper animal. Northerns on the other hand are ALWAYS captive bred and are for the most part indestructible and trouble free, and very forgiving of new owner's occasional mistakes.

[Janella]

Yes agree with Splashy on that point. Forgot to mention that also.

[FantasticBeasts0404]

Hi and welcome. Both species can make great pets. However, some things you need to consider. Is these guys can live a long time. Who will care for your pet if you go away to college? Also do you truly have the means to afford this new pet. By all means I am not trying to be negative, I just truly want to make sure you are ready to commit.

As for which one. Again both can make great pets. However, for your first time with a BTS I would personally recommend a Northern. They are allot more forgiving then the IJs. You don't have to worry about humidity and such.

I am hoping to stay close for college, so I can live at home. However, if that isn't a possibility, I will be paying my dad to take care of my reptiles. He is very experienced and is actually the person who got me interested in them in the first place. I understand your concerns about me being able to afford a Bluey, but I am confident that I will be able to take care of it properly and afford everything it needs, when it needs it. I do not take this lightly and I understand the cost of these animals and how much it costs to keep them healthy. I have been considering a Blue Tongue for years, but I didn't feel confident enough in my abilities to care for one properly, but I do now, especially after keeping multiple other species of reptiles/amphibians, including leopard geckos, a ball python, crested geckos, and frogs. I am considering a career in herpetology because reptiles absolutely fascinate me. I am ready to take on another challenge.

[FantasticBeasts0404]

Just a word of caution, Irian Jayas are 90 percent imported, and many imports require veterinary care soon after they arrive and that will quickly nullify your savings on the cheaper animal. Northerns on the other hand are ALWAYS captive bred and are for the most part indestructible and trouble free, and very forgiving of new owner's occasional mistakes.

IF I did end up getting an IJ, I would make SURE it was captive bred. I found a couple of IJ breeders that seem like they might be good if I decide to go with an IJ (although in all truth, I'll most likely get a Northern). I would really like to purchase one from a show here, since I've heard PLENTY of "horror stories" about people who had purchased one species, supposedly CB or CBB (Usually a Merauke or IJ), but ended up with a WC Halmahera or Classic Indo. I also just really like getting to choose an animal in person, since I can handle them and see which one I get attached to. My budget for the lizard itself is $350-$400 as I don't want anything fancy, and that's about how much a classic Northern will cost me. If I happen to find a really special one that i just can't live without that is in the $450-$500 range, I wouldn't mind paying that much either, but I'd really like to stay in that lower range if I can. I'm going to buy all supplies first and make sure everything is in working order before I bring one home of course.

[splashy07]

Many buyers are told their IJs are captive bred. A captive bred IJ would cost the same as a classic northern. Again, 90 percent or more IJs are not. If you decide to go that way, I am advising not to buy at an expo or pet shop. Contact a private breeder and ask for lineage and pictures of the parents and where they originated. Expos contain more liars and imports than I can ever tell you about, not enough time or space.

[FantasticBeasts0404]

Many buyers are told their IJs are captive bred. A captive bred IJ would cost the same as a classic northern. Again, 90 percent or more IJs are not. If you decide to go that way, I am advising not to buy at an expo or pet shop. Contact a private breeder and ask for lineage and pictures of the parents and where they originated. Expos contain more liars and imports than I can ever tell you about, not enough time or space.

Thanks for the advice, do you have any breeders that you would recommend for Northerns? I decided to get a Northern for sure, thanks.

[splashy07]

I breed northerns and easterns. Baby season is late May to early July for northerns.

[FantasticBeasts0404]

I breed northerns and easterns. Baby season is late May to early July for northerns.

Yeah I found the breeder list

How much do your classic Northern babies go for?

[splashy07]

I will have sunrise and possibly my light line.
325 plus shipping

[FantasticBeasts0404]

I will have sunrise and possibly my light line.
325 plus shipping

That's a really good deal, how much is shipping normally?