Brand new baby bluey here, have some questions and need all the advice...

[Athauf87]

Hi,
I just got my very first blue tongue skink! I have wanted one since I was a teenager and first fell in love with reptiles. Due to the cost and needs I never got one and when I did have the money I couldn't find one! We just went to repticon in Raleigh,NC and there was a breeder with 2 baby blueies out of a litter of 7.... my boyfriend saw my eyes gleam and told me to pick one for an early Christmas. I share I almost balled right there, definitely tears. So happy!!! I've the years I've read so much on them and everything is slightly different and vague and makes it seem like they are on the easier end of taking care of which gave me less stress in the matter. In the past I've had an iguana, lots of different teee frogs and golden geckos. I recently got back into reptiles again when my friend needed a home for his ball python he could t take care of. I now have a ball python, 3 anoles just be cause, a bearded dragon and veiled chameleon along with my new blue tongue. Everyone has different needs and I cater to all. It requires a regemine and I am dedicated to all these lovely creatures. Now I have my baby blue and I am paranoid. Since I've made this so long let's start with this... my baby is 4 weeks old. I asked the breaded what they were feeding the babies and they said ATM just collard greens and organic dog food, mostly chicken. That's what I bought him. It's been a day since I brought the little guy/girl home and after seemingly accepting the handling just scurries into the hide whennever placed in there. I had to take my baby out today and show it food so it would eat. It ate but only half, I haven't seen it drink any water. I know it's been only a day and I should be patient and let it adjust to its new home like any other reptile or pet period I guess I'm just ultra paranoid because he's so young and I want him to be the healthiest he can be. Also the supplements that are mention in every care guide I've read give very little specifics just a brief mention. Anyone have specifics? How often/ how much. By age? Please give me all the advice. I want my baby to grow up to be the happiest and healthiest!

[NickBrahz]

No need to dig the little bugger out when you put food in, they can smell it from the other side of the house and will get to the food eventually, as for supplements just use calcium + D3 powder every few meals just dust the top in a layer and mix it into the food.
Just put food and water in and leave him be for a couple weeks, they don't drink everday but he will when he gets thirsty.

[alichamp]

Ditto what Nick said. Just keep offering wet dog food (with some veggies from the food processer mixed in) every 1-2 days and take out the bowl and what's left at the end of the day.

What are your temps for hot/cool ends? What are you feeding?

Digging him out will make him feel insecure so just keep offering food and have fresh water available for the first 2-3 weeks without handling. This will give him time to settle in. Also, because they are so little they do tend to hide from bigger things. It may take a while for them to get adjusted but eventually he will start to become curious and wonder around more. After a few weeks of settling in period, you can start short handling of 10-15 minutes. In the meantime, make sure your husbandry is right.
We also LOVE photos here if you have one.

Check out the FAQs, there's heaps of info there including What to expect in the first few weeks, and Feeding your BTS. Keep an eye on the feeding and let us know how he is going.
Frequently Asked Questions

[Athauf87]

I keep the hot side under the basking light about 95 to 100, the mid section where he has been staying most is about 85 and the cool side is 75 to 80 generaly. I posted a picture of one of the times I got him to get out and eat. since then I removed the moss and replaced with the aspen substrate that he is standing in and removed the stick because I felt it unnecessary and too much clutter. The enclosure he is in a 60 gallon, I was recently told that may be overwhelming him as well. I am getting a divider cut out to make the side of the tank he is on more suitable and still allow him a hot and cool side. The tanks previous resident was a ball python I had a for a few years. he liked to sneak out and one day never came home. everything in there is clean an new bedding but that's why I had moss and a branch in there. All the hides and substrate seems very suitable for him. Ill have to post more pictures of his enclosure when I get back. We are out of town till tomorrow afternoon and I left my friend very specific instructions. I am hoping the peace and quiet of no one being home might help him get settled too.

[alichamp]

Looking good. Looks like you have a Halmahera there. These guys need really high humidity to stay nice and healthy and avoid problems. Humidity of about 70-80+% is what you should aim for.

Here is some info on halmaheras and from the FAQs on humidity and humid hides.

[Athauf87]

I was thinking my baby was a an Irian Jaya. With all the excitemtnt and other questions I had for the breeder when I first got him I didn't think to ask at all.

[alichamp]

No wait, I saw your other thread pics and looks like you might be right. Funny thing is I was just about to post on your other thread that I will leave id up to those who are much better at ids for Indo species!

Haha! Sorry.

[Athauf87]

Ok, so I did some further investigating and got in touch with the Carolina reptile rescue group that I got my baby from and they told me he was a northern blue tongued skink. I did a little research and I don't see the resemblance. The colors, patterns, the shape of his head, the scale pattern on his face, they all seem like irritant jaya or Halmahara like you suggested, alichamp. I wish I had a clear answer.

[alichamp]

I am absolutely confident it is NOT a Northern.

Link to your other pics: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=29788

I forgot to mention too that switching to a red meat dog food is a better staple than chicken. Chicken is fine for variety.

[Athauf87]

I agree, I think they have their information wrong. She also told me cat food and crickets for food. I know crickets and cat food are both not a staple for a blue tongue diet and everything I read says dog food (no additives) or finely chopped boiled chicken/ lean ground beef and finely chopped greens and vegetables for a baby with slow introductions to live insects. He had his first super worm yesterday! He loved it. I tried a horn worm but he spat it out :/. I'll try again with those because I know how nutrient they are, my veiled chameleon loves them!

[alichamp]

There is nothing necessarily wrong with cat food - it's just that dog food seems to be well suited. Cat food can include seafood which keepers tend to avoid for blueys. It also contains taurine and it's just not known what effect it has for bts. The occasional cat food shouldn't be a problem though.