Is there REALLY a nicest kind of blue tongue skink?

[nmcnick]

Hey there! I was wondering whether this was just a rumor or fact- that many people say Northerns are the most affectionate, or Irian Jayas are truly the friendliest. Is it truly the species, or is it the skink itself?

[Katrina]

Just the skink itself. It really depends on individual animals, there is no single best species.

Unless you've owner Meraukes. Then they are obviously the best!

Not to be nitpicky, but I wouldn't say that any BTS is 'affectionate'. But Northerns, IJs and Meraukes all generally make great pets.

[Spindown]

Skink itself, but out of all of mine, my merauke is the "friendliest"

[Richard.C]

its an individual thing,for example northerns are usually quite friendly,but some dont follow that and are quite nutty,then some timid types,or what others may call aggressive can be anything but that

starting with a type thats generally nice though is a step in the right direction if thats your goal

[stinkyskinky]

Mine is the best, of course!

[Richard.C]

over all ive found easterns to be friendliest,with people anyways,lolbut have very friendly ones of the other aussie species to ,but over all probably a higher percentage of a single type being mellow would be easterns

[Lea]

For the Australian ones, I'd definitely go with the shingleback. But all of the others have such a good tendency to calm down and be handleable.

Even the grumpy ones are endearing though and I help falling in love with a skink that has a hissy fit if you so much as look at it, lol. Just bear in mind they aren't a cuddly animal, even though a lot if them are happy to be carried around and held.

[nmcnick]

For the Australian ones, I'd definitely go with the shingleback. But all of the others have such a good tendency to calm down and be handleable.

Even the grumpy ones are endearing though and I help falling in love with a skink that has a hissy fit if you so much as look at it, lol. Just bear in mind they aren't a cuddly animal, even though a lot if them are happy to be carried around and held.

Yeah, no reptiles are really "cuddly" although some tame herps do seem to seek out attention. Uh oh, I may have just begun an argument :O Lol. I know its hugely debated whether Blueys truely want to be held or just want to get out of their cage, but from my short experience it really seems to me they at least tolerate attention. Plus, I've seen Tegus (sorry, little off topic but on the topic of all reptiles, thought I had to bring it up) look for attention. There are many videos online of herps doing this sort of thing, but with Tegus there seem to be an abundance of them. So I do think a lizard can be "affectionate" by the definition of the word, which is: Adjective; Expressing fondness. But, by the definition many humans have given affectionate which is cuddly and appreciative, they may not.

[Scotts1au]

Baby Alpine Blotched blueys are really nice, what you do is put them up to your nose to pick the nicest one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0yz1X4c08E

[Richard.C]

is it affection really? most vids u see its more going to owner in the hope of food,not for cuddles,but there curious nature and there ascociation with keepers meaning food,tegus are shockers for it,often responding to hand movement

[nmcnick]

Sure they seek attention! Check these out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd-w0YG ... Ag&index=1

This one proves its not just for food:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jva0NDl ... Ag&index=2

For Blueys, I'm not as sure though. Nobody can read a lizards mind.. that Im aware of lol.

[Scincoides]

We have owned Northerns, keis, meraukes, Indos, and Irians, of those the Northerns seem to be the most friendly. This is a generality of course, as each personality is different, but the Northerns that we have owned have calmed down the fastest and become the most interactive of the group.

[Joey1983]

I have a Meruake. He has the be the friendliest reptile I have known. Super sweet gentle, never *prissy, never hissed or tied to bite. He is rally a sweet heart.