Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there,

We have recently bought an Adult Blue Tounged Skink and were wondering if any one could give us a few pointers about some of the following things?

Lighting- We have been told so many different things about the lighting and heat temperatures for the Skink. The set up we have at the moment is a heat mat on the ground underneat the 40w basking light and a UV light running across the top of the tank, with a log for shading incase it wants to be in the shade. Is that any good? How does everyone else have their lighting? and the amount of time each should be on for?

Feeding- ITS A PAIN IN THE ASS!!! We have had her for 4 days and she hasn't tounched her food at all! In the shop she was fed on dog food and bananas. But as we have read this isn't too good for her. So we have tried a huge variety of fruit and veg and today even attempted some super worms. Because we were worried we even a small amount of dog food. but its ignored this also
any ideas of what foods we should try it with etc? Where we live there is NO WAY we can get slugs.

caging ideas- The layout we have for the log is; in the righthand side is the basking light and heat mat (with a thermomitor on the wall) and on the lefthand side is the log, and a bowl of water and a food. the floor is covered with bark. We have been advised by some one that if we buy moss for the vivarium that it is benifitial to its moisture level, any ideas about this?

general info- any advice is really useful because we have never kept a skink before because we really wnat to make it happy

sorry its so long, but it seems like the right place to ask

terry and james

How hot is it? I have a feeling that lack of appetite may have something to do with heating. I typically use 100 or 150 wat spot lamps for heat. They get the basking area around 110 give or take 10 degrees. i've never had any real problems with eating at all, just with eating the right food. Its all about being dilligent and not giving up imo, Justin

The basking temp is about 90-100F, the cooler side is about 78F. This is EXACTLY what conditions it was kept under at the store I got it (expect now its enclosure is about 4 times bigger)! I'm getting really worried now! How long can they go without food before getting ill?

Terry

xx xx

BTS still amaze me for how long they go now and then without eating and are still perfectly okay. Remember yours is still getting accustomed to his new environment. So, even if everything in the enclosure is ideal, it may still be a little while before it feels like eating. Be patient. Barring some health issue (there does not appear to be any to worry about in yours), when he's hungry enough he'll eat. No matter how worried I've been because I thought it was too long between feedings, mine have never come even close to starving to death. Continue offering a variety of good foods and when the time is right (entirely up to him), he will eat.
Remember: Nature knows best.
Best of luck and congratulations. Maybe you could post a picture of him?
Edward

Hey, Just a quick note to say a BIG thankyou to J-Cal & Edward for the advice and reassurance! I'm glad to say that he/she has eaten a small amount this morning so I'm feeling a lot better today! I tried to put up a few pictures of Hedwig but I'm not to good on the computer and don't really understand what it said in the tools and tips! Anyone got any advice for a learner as I would like to show him/her off?

Terry and James

xx xx

Erm,,,, Ok. Figured it out after all! The pictures are futher up under "Hedwigs big entrance to the forum".

Thanx!

I am also a BTW newbie as of a few months ago and have had the same feeding problems. I've decided they are just really picky. Try hard-boiled egg whites - it is the only thing I've found that my BTS wants to eat. I've mashed some mixed veggies in with the egg with varied success as well. Good luck!

Tim