Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have been looking around for a northern blue tongue baby, but haven't had any luck finding one. Does anyone know of a good breeder with babies available? Thanks in advance, Tami

Hi Tami,

The northerns usually give birth in the late spring through the summer months.

We have yet to begin our breeding season - as our adult pairs are still brumating. We are aquainted with many other breeders - and the scenario is much the same with them. There is a rare exception, of course - but we haven't heard of any breeders with northern youngsters yet this year.

Waiting is well worth it...
Morgana

Thanks for the tip. I am new to BTS and didn't know exactly when their breeding cycles were. I will definately keep an eye open in the spring/summer. Is it better to get one as a baby or does age really matter in taming. I have heard they can be difficult to tame sometimes. I have several different types of reptiles so I am not a beginning herper. Thanks!

>>Is it better to get one as a baby or does age really matter in taming. I have heard they can be difficult to tame sometimes. I have several different types of reptiles so I am not a beginning herper. Thanks!
>>

Ahhh, the taming question. Sadly, there is not a simple answer. The concensus is that if you get them very young and handle them a lot - they will be perfectly mellow. As a general rule, this is true. But as with any creature (be it animal or man), they have their "bad" days. If you expect them nothing but placid for the next 15 years - that is unreasonable.

Many big breeders cannot handle the offspring much, if at all(too many babies, too little time) - therefore all babies are not "tame".

We prefer to handle our babies from day 1... this has resulted in very friendly skinks. We have purchased youngsters from other breeders who didn't handle them - and they were NOT tame. Big difference. Also - many breeders will tell you they are tame - regardless.

You can find tame adults and not tame adults - it all depends on the skinks history. You will need to find one who has a reputation for their honesty about this matter.

Also - if you get one that is not really tamed down yet - they can change, but some might not. It depends on many factors. They have individual personalities - just like people.

The easterns and northerns have a reputation for being easier to make pets out of - while there are some blue-tongues that do not make as good of candidates - like the tanimbar. But remember, there is exceptions to every rule. We have some irian jayas that were wild-caught and they are friendlier than some of our northerns! Go figure.

Have you decided exactly what kind you want - or are you looking for a pet - no matter what kind of BTS?

Morgana

I love the looks of the tanimbars and would love to have one.. but I've also heard they are NOT easy to tame. I am hoping to get a northern, I have heard them to be a little easier, then we will see from there. I have seen some nice looking adults (1-3 yrs) for sale and wondered if I should get one of them. I know some breeders don't handle their babies. I handled my babies a lot when I bred beardies, and you could always tell at the shows. I am not looking to get into breeding them, but you never know.
Thanks, Tami

Andrew Seike has BTSs of almost every kind. He's the guy with the Sunset skinks.Cheers and good luck finding one!

Ryan