Reptile & Amphibian Forums

LLL Reptile has a habitat package called "The Desert Package" that I am considering getting for a BTS. It is a 30x28.5x16.5 screened Reptarium, and I was wondering if you thought a BTS would do alright in an all screen enclosure. I think it is a "hard" screen enclosure, and not soft the way chameleon cages are set up. I've only ever seen one on the internet though so if I'm wrong please let me know. My biggest worry is that my BTS will try to climb it and get hung up in the screen or knock the whole thing over. What do you guys think?

As with any other ectotherm, an all-screen enclosure poses the problem of keeping the temperature at the right level for the animal. Whatever the room temperature is will be what the temperature in the enclosure will be, more or less. So, if you're planning to keep a BTS in such an enclosure, plan on the room where it's located being in the 90s most of the time. My main point is that it's not a practical setup for BTS. And to reiterate, a true desert landscape is not a natural setting for a blue-tongue (with the exception maybe of some shinglebacks and western BTS, but you were referring to Tiliqua scincoides).
I hope this helps some.
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Edward
Carpe diem

I know that blue tongue skinks aren't desert dwellers. That is just the name of the setup package LLL Reptile offers. I also know that it's not a typical setup for a BTS. I was curious about the possibility because the larger professionally built cages (Vision, Boaphile, etc.) are so expensive. I'd like to try something besides a 60 gallon aquarium for a change, and a lot of reptiles do great in a screened enclosure when they are provided with proper heating and lighting. If you don't think it is adequate, that's great. That is the kind of input I'm looking for, and I appreciate it, but please don't treat me like I'm some idiot who doesn't know anything about the wild species or how to care for them in captivity.

It's too bad if you thought my informative post struck you as a lecture. I don't think lectures are bad, anyway. When I don't know something, I am glad to have a knowledgeable person educate me. My tone was not the least condescending. From what you wrote, you did not come across as someone who had a lot of knowledge already, so I thought I'd start at the basics.
I agree that the larger setups are more expensive, but also more suitable for BTS. As I'm sure you already know, these animals are very active and love to explore. A small enclosure is not right for them. As I wrote and you also already know, temperature is crucial, so a screen enclosure is simply not feasible.
Although I'm sure you already knew all of this, I hope it helps, if not you then the next person who may not know quite as much.
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Edward
Carpe diem

I should add one other concern in regard to the set up that you have inquired about. They are often to dry for BTS, and BTS often have problems shedding in situations that involve screen. Also, I really don't think Edward was treating you badly. He sounded quite polite and was genuinly concerned. He was just trying to help. There is no way he or anyone here can read the minds of the people who post. I would Cut him some slack, as he ment no offense (and neither do I). Really, Edward is a good guy.

I think your biggest worry is a ligitamite concern. The all screen enclosure is not good, and what Edward said is true of the BTS that are available to most of us are not desert dwellers. However, The Western BTS T. occipitalis is often found in the desert, as are the multifacitas (Centrallians).