new to skinks

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reddevil
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new to skinks

Postby reddevil » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:09 pm

hi all
i have taken on a rescued a blue tongue skink but do not no which substrate is best my local pet shop sugested wood chippings
but i would have thought sand would be better i have sent a new viv up which is 3ft long 2 ft wide and around 15in high
any help would be greatfull

cheers phill
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Katrina
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Re: new to skinks

Postby Katrina » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:10 pm

Welcome!! :D

There are lots of appropriate substrates. Aspen, cypress mulch, reptibark etc. are some common choices. Any of them would be fine, you may want to try a couple and see which you and the BTS prefer. Congratulations on the new bluey!
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WanderingChai
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Re: new to skinks

Postby WanderingChai » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:11 pm

The caresheet has some good info.

I use Aspen chips.
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xxmonitorlizardxx
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Re: new to skinks

Postby xxmonitorlizardxx » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:12 pm

Different chips are good.
Dont use cedar.
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reddevil
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Re: new to skinks

Postby reddevil » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:16 pm

hi
many thanks for your reply i have now printed the care sheet and will read tonight

cheers phill
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reddevil
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Re: new to skinks

Postby reddevil » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:18 pm

xxmonitorlizardxx wrote:Different chips are good.
Dont use cedar.


thanks for your information it seems chips and the way to go

cheers phill
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reddevil
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Re: new to skinks

Postby reddevil » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:20 pm

Katrina wrote:Welcome!! :D

There are lots of appropriate substrates. Aspen, cypress mulch, reptibark etc. are some common choices. Any of them would be fine, you may want to try a couple and see which you and the BTS prefer. Congratulations on the new bluey!


many thanks for the info will see what my local store can supply
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reddevil
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Re: new to skinks

Postby reddevil » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:23 pm

WanderingChai wrote:The caresheet has some good info.

I use Aspen chips.


cheers for the info i guess it will be a mixture of oak and pine in my part of the world
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xxmonitorlizardxx
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Re: new to skinks

Postby xxmonitorlizardxx » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:25 pm

Pine is dangerous
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xxmonitorlizardxx
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Re: new to skinks

Postby xxmonitorlizardxx » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:26 pm

Under no circumstances should you keep these animals on pine or cedar. Pine, cedar and other phenol-containing woods have toxins which can cause significant health problems in a variety of herps and other animals and should not be used.
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Katrina
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Re: new to skinks

Postby Katrina » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:27 pm

No, I've heard pine is ok. There are mixed reviews on it, but some people that I trust have said that they use it (and that the resin is in the needles / bark not the wood). Cedar is definitely the one to avoid.
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xxmonitorlizardxx
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Re: new to skinks

Postby xxmonitorlizardxx » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:30 pm

Better safe than sorry. I wouldn't risk it until I know for sure...
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Bird_Brain
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Re: new to skinks

Postby Bird_Brain » Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:54 pm

Katrina wrote:No, I've heard pine is ok. There are mixed reviews on it, but some people that I trust have said that they use it (and that the resin is in the needles / bark not the wood). Cedar is definitely the one to avoid.

I have heard the same as well. That and kiln-dried pine is what you would want to use if you choose pine. The high heat dries up any oils should there be any?
Brad
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