Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, I got a blue tongue skink and I am unsure as to what his age is. What i know is ive had him for about 8 months and he is not a northern (am unsure what s.s. he is but i know he is about half the size of a northern, is a little more aggrsseive and is apparently MORE carniverous than the northerns) I was told this by the previous owner who had to give him up due to the time he didnt have to take care of him. He is in good health; body weight and such, but he does have the spinal curve. I know that doesnt effect their health but just mentioned it. ANYWAYS... my question is are some subspecies of blue tongue skink purely carniverous?. I came to ask this because since first time i ve had him ive given him both veggies and mealworms and that type of thing, but he never touched his veggies. Only time he has was when i didnt have mealies for like 4 days and that was all he had. now should i keep giving him veggies with the mealies or should I just use veggies as an alternative if/when i run outa mealies?

Thanks a lot!!

No species of BTS is purely carnivorous, although babies eat a lot more meat than adults.
VARIETY is the most important factor in a healthy diet for BTS. So ... you should include many types of foods: veggies, a little fruit, many different kinds of worms and insects, cooked meats, greens, etc.
Any pictures of him?
-----
Edward
Carpe diem

I wouldn't feed my BTS mealworms. When I first got him on the way home he pooped out whole mealworms without digesting them.

Barbara

n/p
-----
Edward
Carpe diem

Edward is right. Mealworms are not a good staple. I blend/finely chop squash, romain, mixed veggies, apple, and sometimes some bannana and other fruits and mix this with 50% good quality canned dog food and most of my BTS can't get enough. Look for a chicken and/or turkey canned dog food that has meat as its first ingredient and low fat content like a senior Iams or the such. I have started useing Natural Choise and though it costs more than cheaper brands the results are healthier skinks. I sprinkle vit/min supplement 1 time weekly. Mike

Most BTS prefer meat to vegies but they still need the vegies. When I got my first BTS I soon learned that they won't eat the vegies unless they are very well mixed in with meat. If you chop them small and mix them well with dog food, he shouldn't even know he's eating vegies!