BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hi! I have been lurking since last year, but never posted because even my most obscure questions were answered with a simple search on the forum. Thank you!

I finally have something to share in return -- my new baby Northern, Ping, who came from Andrew Seike. Some quick snapshots are below, but the real action is in this video of him eating:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dYd73LuwKpE

You can very clearly see him do the "digestion wiggle" toward the end. (At 4:27 you can also hear my upstairs neighbors do what they do best -- make a huge racket. ----> )

I'm very sad to announce that when I was getting him out of his tank to make this video, he BIT ME! SEVERAL TIMES! It seemed to definitely be out of fear more than aggression. It actually hurt, but I just let him bite until he was satisfied. You can see that he was sweet and calm once he got out of his tank. I don't know whether to respect his wishes and just let him chill all day tomorrow, or keep fooling with him to get him used to it...

It looks like he's got too many greens/veggies for a baby going on in this meal. I didn't mean for it to happen like that. That's just ONE dandelion leaf and half of the tiny bit of zucchini I grated, and I guess a little went a long way. But hey, notice that he's eating them voluntarily!

Thank you all! I can't wait to see how all of this year's Andrew babies change as they grow up. Here are the pics...

Wow - thank you for posting the video! it was great to see.

The little guy will definitely get use to you in time and you already understand him/her well!

I can't tell you how happy I am that my little baby is in such great hands. If you ever need me you know where to find me.

Thanks again for posting pics and the video. I can't wait to see how he looks in a year!

best regards,

Andrew

First of all.. WELCOMEEEEEE!!!
May i remind you that you've picked the best place to share pictures and ask question
with the most friendliest members on this forum!

He is so adorable. Also nice tank set up!
I watched the video aswell, so cute!
How long have u had ping for ??

f.C

Andrew: No no no, thank YOU! He is perfect.

Funda: Thanks for the welcome! I have only had him since Tuesday. He really likes hanging out on top of and below both of those raised slates. He boldly climbs on up, which looks like good exercise. But I need to do something about the bricks holding them up, because the space underneath will quickly become too cramped as he grows. I am afraid to just glue PVC on there in case the adhesive is toxic!

What a great set up and cool looking bluey, if you want to stick things try using clear silicone,once cured/dryed its all good, just my 2p for you mate

Leigh: Thanks!!! That's just what I was looking for. I have ideas for all sorts of "furniture", but I know I'd break stuff if I use screws or nails.

Btw can i ask, what substrate are you using ?
Looks good.
Might use it myself
Im using gravel, its not the best..
but it's the only thing i could get around here..
Thinking of using something different.

f.C

It is Carefresh. I have a bag of aspen ready, but I wanted to start him out on something extra soft.

*darn, australia doesnt sell that kinda stuff,
well from what i know...
If only we had good stuff like that around here

f.C

Welcome to the forum. That baby of yours is adorable!
It always amazes me how blueys actually like to climb. I have my basking plateforms raised up like that, and my blueys will go up and down all day!

Funda wrote:*darn, australia doesnt sell that kinda stuff,
well from what i know...
If only we had good stuff like that around here

f.C

There is in fact a product in Aus that is like Carefresh. It's called Dr. something-or-other's.... something-like-that... dangit. Ask a well-versed Aussie about it before I use another hyphen.

KW

He is adorable and I love his little tank "buddy" I did a double take when I first saw it.

Welcome to the forums

Just saw the video, MAN, he eats like a pro....LittleFoot has to be bribed to eat his greens and veggies. I also saw you are in Jersey City, I grew up in Bergen County....I miss living there sometimes....especially all the MALLS

Haha, yeah, I just fed him again and he hasn't changed his mind about the veggies. I may have to start doing all-meat meals so he takes in the right amount. I put in a TINY bit of zucchini and a TINY bit of endive, and he was seeking them out. I found that he is less enthusiastic about yellow squash.

Maybe it's that he just likes to BITE STUFF. I've got a biter. And a lunger. It was almost like that baby Taninbar video on the care sheet when I disturbed him today. Blood was drawn. So today I did not feed him outside his tank. I spent a while with my hand hanging in there to get him used to it, then I brought out the food and he let me touch him while eating. I'm leaving him alone for the rest of the day... I can't tell whether or not it's good thing for him to associate me with food...I need him to associate me with SOMETHING good!

Oh yeah, about Jersey City! I just moved to the Heights from a place right by Liberty State Park. You wouldn't believe the amount of construction just on my block. Jersey City (not just the waterfront) is now officially "up and coming." I work in Journal Square...seems like nobody else in this area has a 15 minute commute! But I used to commute to Manhattan (soho), which stunk.

KyleWeiss wrote:

Funda wrote:*darn, australia doesnt sell that kinda stuff,
well from what i know...
If only we had good stuff like that around here

f.C

There is in fact a product in Aus that is like Carefresh. It's called Dr. something-or-other's.... something-like-that... dangit. Ask a well-versed Aussie about it before I use another hyphen.

KW

Lol, thanks kyle....
Hmm any aussies out there that know this "Dr. something" stuff ???

f.C

welcome! Nice looking skink, and your setup looks sweet!

I think its Dr Harrys