Re: "Leashes" for BTS

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

- Now, from my understanding of the topic the OP wants to use a leash to have a secondary defense system sort of. So if the skink somehow gets out of their vision, their will still be another way for them make sure that the skink doesn't get away. The OP also says they want to use it for when they walk their dog(Whether or not they will hold the skink or have it walk the whole way I don't know)
- First, I have used plenty of leashes to see if any would work for my skink even though I knew that they most likely would not work. For each and every one of them, they either didn't work or they worked for about five minutes and then the skink managed to slip out of it. On two occasions I was confident enough with the leashes that I left the skink in the area unattended. I thought I knew what I was doing, but I didn't. Both times when I came back the skink was out of the leash, the first time he was only sitting in the middle of the room, the second time I had lost him and didn't find him until a couple of hours later in a spot I never knew existed in my bedroom. So my overall opinion on leashes are that they are a waste of time and it is overall better to just watch them. They are not built for speed and therefore are not fast, so I wouldn't worry about a leash to hinder their ability to get away from me while I'm looking right at it.
- Second, you shouldn't have the skink with you while you walk the dog, if you want to take the skink out take it out on a separate occasion. If you want the skink to walk at the same pace as you and the dog for fifteen minutes, it doesn't have the stamina and therefore would not be able to walk that long. You also risk attacks from predators, the skink eating something, or the skink getting lose. If you plan on holding the skink the whole way and want the leash, to serve the same purpose as an airbag in a car, to cushion the fall it will to the direct opposite. It will choke/strangle the skink and then the skink will still hit the ground. If you only carry the skink, you still risk it falling and injuring itself or getting attacked by the dog or something. So I wouldn't recommend bringing the skink period.
- Third, if you still want to take the skink out to roam around and get some UV rays and sunshine, but still want to have some control and security, why not build a pen. Many Aussies and some people in Indo have built pens for skinks. Now while it doesn't have to be absolutely huge, a pen with a decent amount of space would suffice. Also, Aussies are not the only people who built pens, some people in the US and Canada have built pens for their skinks and the skinks definitely used the pens. I also believe Brad uses a small animal pen when he takes pictures of his keis. You can build it to fit all of your needs if you have snow and you worry about it ruining the pen, it doesn't have to be permanent, it could be collapsible so you can take it down and store it until it's next use. Also if you don't have a yard you could build a portable pen so you could take it to a field or somewhere to allow your skink to roam. If your not good at building things, there are many pre-made tortise pens for sale that you could buy.
Here are some more threads about pens:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=18295&hilit=pen
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11709&hilit=pen
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11073&hilit=pen
And IMO the best pen is this one:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9374&hilit=pen

[Richard.C]

You can get very light zip up screen enclosures that pack away very small,great for sunning cages

I used one permanantly for a couple of years to grow juvie blotcheds,easterns and waterdragons big enough to put in with the adults,cage didnt like being out year round though,but great for sunning them

Leash or not they shouldnt be left unnatended

[AnnaMonroe]

I don't know what you guys think, but I thought this pen was very cool! And it comes in two sizes.
Also folds up to be portable, with a removable bottom that you can take out and clean if your bluey goes to the bathroom

http://www.discountramps.com/dog-pen.htm

The biggest one is on sale!!

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

Leash or not they shouldnt be left unnatended

The pen would be similar to an outdoor cage, like what you, lobo, and lea have. I know you guys don't watch them 24/7
Unlike some of the pens I showed though, you should built a top.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

I don't know what you guys think, but I thought this pen was very cool! And it comes in two sizes.
Also folds up to be portable, with a removable bottom that you can take out and clean if your bluey goes to the bathroom

http://www.discountramps.com/dog-pen.htm

The biggest one is on sale!!

That does look good, but it would only work if you have the bottom closed. The skink would easily burrow out of it if not. But other that and the tight screening, it looks great

[AnnaMonroe]

I think so too! And the mesh top can actually be removed! =D
You'd have to read the description on the bottom, it has a bunch of different things and compartments and what not.
I think you get your money's worth with this one.
When the weather starts being nice here in Brooklyn, I'm definitely going to purchase one of these babies ;D

[Rani-May]

Im really lucky in a way, my backyard is REALLY small, as in only 15 steps long and several steps wide. and its completely grass and cement with a solid fence around the entire thing. its basically like a really big skinky pen lol i still never let them get any further than a couple meters away from me though

[Richard.C]

Mine are totally enclosed ml,have birds of prey that nest in trees above them,so wasnt taking chances,lol

[Rani-May]

I have zero birds near me because i have two cats. cats that are afraid of the skinks too mind you lol not that it means id let them near each other anyway. but even if the skinks moves in their enclosures the cats will bolt terrified of them

[Bird_Brain]

Yes if I take the skinks out I use a folding small animal play pen similar to this one
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... oduct+Type

[Rani-May]

Yes if I take the skinks out I use a folding small animal play pen similar to this one
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... oduct+Type

With a hide to get out of the sun? thats a pretty good idea, i did look into something similar a couple years ago for my older skinks but then i moved to where i am now that has the perfect pen sized yard lol

[Bird_Brain]

Yes typically a hide or cover over part of the top. I am always right next to them when I have them outside. But that playpen has served many different uses. Right now it is a temp pen for the injured chicken/duck/guinea in the coop and also used to block off large walk ways to help keep on eye on the dogs when they were puppies and potty training.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

Yes if I take the skinks out I use a folding small animal play pen similar to this one
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... oduct+Type

With a hide to get out of the sun? thats a pretty good idea, i did look into something similar a couple years ago for my older skinks but then i moved to where i am now that has the perfect pen sized yard lol

And water to prevent dehydration...

[Bird_Brain]

My skinks don't need water....

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

My skinks don't need water....

All life needs water

[Rani-May]

I think he is joking. Unless you just take your skinks out for 15 mins or so with plenty of shelter??? I'd still provide a little pool thingy for them though, but thats just me

[Bird_Brain]

I think he is joking. Unless you just take your skinks out for 15 mins or so with plenty of shelter??? I'd still provide a little pool thingy for them though, but thats just me

I'm glad you can sense sarcasm

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

I think he is joking. Unless you just take your skinks out for 15 mins or so with plenty of shelter??? I'd still provide a little pool thingy for them though, but thats just me

I'm glad you can sense sarcasm

I sensed it but then I'm like,"It's Brad he NEVER messes with me so I should trust that he's telling the truth" <- me

[El Lobo]

For the record, I don't have an outside pit. I let the blotchies out on the patio that is 10 x 4 meters and always stay with them. I make sure there are a few things around they can use as a hide if they wish.

Although it is a big area they almost never use the centre where they are exposed. If they want to go to a corner diagonally opposite they will always walk the long way around the perimeter keeping close to walls or against the 20cm planks I use to divide the area so all can be out at the same time without any conflict.

[Rani-May]

I think he is joking. Unless you just take your skinks out for 15 mins or so with plenty of shelter??? I'd still provide a little pool thingy for them though, but thats just me

I'm glad you can sense sarcasm

I sensed it but then I'm like,"It's Brad he NEVER messes with me so I should trust that he's telling the truth" <- me

LOL, yeah i was thinking...well i dont know these people very well but he comes across as an expert, so no way! im thinking the dot dot dot gave it away a bit haha