Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recieved this pair of true northern skinks in a trade. They are 5 months old and seem to be very big for their age. As far as housing can they be kept together if they have since they were young? When will they be sexually mature enought to breed? I concider myself to be a jack of all trades when it come to reptiles (I'm a beardie man) but an expert of none. What would be a good resell value for these guys? Where would be a good place to market them? Are they normal phase northerns or just as common as the I.J.'s you find in the pet store? Any help would be great! Thanks
Jeff

Picture of the second one. I have no idea on which one is male or female.

They can be sexually mature at about a year old. Keeping males together after sexual maturity is not advised as they will more than likely hurt or kill each other. Females together is usually not a problem if they have enough space. A male and female together may work but be prepared to seperate them if it does not. I have not found much of a retail market for these wonderful, inquisitive and loving creatures. $100 is about all you will get for them if you are not in a rush. Try the classifieds for retail sales. You could also try wholesaling babies to pet stores for about half retail.
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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

Yes, you shoukldnt really keep more than 1 together. Those are northerns but they seem pretty pale in color so you may be able to get a little more money for them.
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0.0.1 Corucia (Bubba)
1.0 Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink (Don)
1.1 Irian Jaya Blue Tongue Skink(Sammy) & (Sausage Girl)
0.0.1 Tanimbar Island Blue Tongue Skink ( Spunky Sebastian)
0.0.1 Ornate Uro (Spike)
1.0.1 Green Tree Pythons ( Male=Floyd, Baby= Verdi)
0.1 Western Hognose (Piggy)
0.0.1 Egyptian Tortiose(Tank)
0.0.1 Sonoran Gopher snake ( Toro)
0.1 Albino Leo gecko (Sasha)

They are about to shed. That's why they look a bit pale.

They are definetly Northerns. Looks like Pastels, a trade name given to this type of color phase. All Blue Tongues need to be housed separately due to Territoriality aggression. Seimenal Plugs passed later on will tell you which is male; Breeding attemps with unsexed animals is risky with Injury. Eye Color & Head Shape Sexing is not 100%. Even Experienced Blue Tongue Skink Breeders try this for breeding attempts. Usually at 4 to 8 weeks old an experienced Breeder can sometimes POP the Hemipenes to sex; this must be done carefully before the animal is mature enough to have strong Cloacal & Tail Muscles. When I do this yearly with offspring I try to POP one animal a day per numbered box. Popping too many animals in a day makes one reconsider.

Although you can breed them in one year it is best to wait until they are two or three years old. This way Size, Hormones, and Calcium (in their Skeletal System) is adequite for producing offspring. Many breeders wave this in liue of quick reproductions and fast cash. You have a nice pair of Pastels (so it looks) that you can wait and Bank a higher return later that will make the wait more profitable.