Mine is like handling a baby crocodile. I've had snakes & lizards for years, but it seems untenable. So results may vary depending on species, enclosure, & human. Sadly, mine will likely need a new human..
Same. Currently have a Beardie and a Leo. Hopefully gonna get a skink, tegu, frilled dragon, salamander (Yes I know that's an amphibian), maybe a monitor, and like... 50 of each I just stated Welp! Better become a doctor!
I always say to my skink stuff like "Whatchya skinkin' about?" "Havin' a drink? havin' a skink?" "Whatchya thinkle, skinkle?" because, honestly, "skink" is just, like, one of the best animal names.
In Australia, availability and upfront costs would both get a 5 star rating. They’re pretty much everywhere in the wild and in just about every pet shop. They’re one of the few reptiles you don’t need an Australian reptile license for (depending on the species and sub species) and they cost from $20-80. They can live for over 30 years too, so really good for a first pet. Also, there’s a lot of mutations in Australia that aren’t in America, like Albino and Melanistic (completely black).
In Western USA we have wild blue TAILED skinks but since they are endangered you cannot capture one, however you can own a bought captive bred blue tail (they are only 10 dollars) in Idaho, not sure about other states.
your right about them being the best, I let my bluey run around my room. She is the only lizard I have ever let roam free in my room, we watch TV together, she likes to sit on my lap. If they are well trained they generally won't poop outside their cages. Also she did drop her tail once when she was young, but it grew back, it's a different color on the tip. Also a warning, if they do bite you, it really hurts, they can really bite pretty deep into you, they have really powerful jaws, but mine only bit someone hard once in about 17 years of me owning her so far, and that's because she thought the finger was a worm... don't wriggle your fingers in front of their faces also they have a rudimentary eye type thing on top of their heads that detects shadows, mine gets really spooked if I move my hand real quick over her head
Did you ever have to help Bluey get the shedding skin off her toes or did she do it on her own pretty well. I’m really interested but I don’t want to be a bad owner for a skink or any animal really.
@@tristenbrubaker4289 So far I haven't had any issues with it. Humidity really helps with shedding, so the non-Australian Blue tongue's probably have an easier time than Australian ones. I have a Merauke blue tongue, humidity is between 60 to 80%. Mine is just grumpy for a day and stays hidden, until it's time get all the skin off. Then she just crawls around the enclosure, rubbing past everything. Most of it is loose in an hour. If you increase the humidity a bit once you notice it's shedding, it likely won't have any issues. Just keep an eye on it and give it a soak in some lukewarm water if there's some difficulty shedding. Be sure to give it the option of getting out of the water, and make sure the water level isn't too high.
@@itzstellastocalife8743 Well, I've heard the season for selling these guys (captive-bred anyway) is typically around June-July, so maybe ask for it as an early Christmas gift (they may want to start contacting some breeders and get on a waiting list now). :) I unfortunately will have to wait another year before I can get one, but I know it will be worth the wait. They are one of my favorite animals to interact with.
I'd like to own a skink at some point but my mother has a dislike for snakes and skinks vaguely resemble snakes for her and I'm not sure she's ok with them . I personally adore snakes and would love to care for one once I move away from my parents :00 I really hope she can get past that and love a skink as much as I will ;;w; really great helpful video by the way keep up the great work 👍👍👍
I would advise for you to wait till you are moved out, settled down and have a steady job, the last thing you want is to ask your parents to watch an animal they wont properly care for while you are either off at college or if you happen to find employment where you are abroad or away from home a lot.
i love the enthusiastic you are about the Blue-Tongued Skink and about 4 years ago, watching this video has INSPIRED me to get one! And after all these years i have FINALLY found a good local breeder and get to bring one home TODAY! Thank you Clints Reptiles! ❤️🔥
Wow! Client's reptiles and Reptile mountain! How exciting to have you both in one post! We're researching blue tongues for our son's first lizard. We are experienced keepers that just got back in. Couple of questions though... Skinks eat dog food? Do their teeth do significant damage? Exo terra 36x18x12 or 36x18x18? What size for baby/juvenile? Last one? What's the best age/size to get? -keep in mind it will have to interact with a well behaved toddler.
Lauren Flatt Reptile Mountain recommended me to www.bluetongueskinks.org/forum/index.php and it offers a lot of info on bts. I find it extremely helpful and informative. Answers almost all the answers a person could ask about bts
Thank you so much, Clint. My son wants to get a blue-tongued skink. We are researching and found your channel both helpful and entertaining. My son says "He is funny, too."
Thanks to this video, I now own a Northern Blue Tonge Skink. I've owned (and now own) snakes for decades, everything from Reticulated Pythons to Kenyan Sand Snakes. I recently decided to try lizards for a change, and this one is fantastic!. The thing that sold me is the simple husbandry and diet. Snakes are low maintenance, and this skink is almost as easy. Thanks again for the great video, I would like to see other types of lizards on your channel.
I got my blue tongue skink from underground reptiles I spent about 300 just for him I got him October 17th as a 4 month old baby only about 6-7 inches from nose to butt and honestly it was the best 300 dollars I ever spent he’s super smart very tame now super lovable and as you said he is AMAZING as I said he was about 6-7 inches when I got him and he is now stretching at 22 inches I also have a video of him on my channel
I was about to get 2 blue tongues over my bearded dragon. I ended up with the bearded dragon because I felt bad since she’d been up for about a month. The poor babe had an arm missing and was severely underweight. She’s happy n’ healthy now. I might actually get some skinks sometime.
In testament to their hardiness, our pet blue tongue escaped a couple of weeks before we went on holiday. Couldn’t find him despite searching one end of the house to the other. The day we got back from our 4 week holiday, I heard some scuffling noises coming from a draw of clothes. Assuming it was mice that had moved in while the house was empty, I opened the draw ready to evict the little buggers, only to find our blue tongue happily scooting around in my t shirts. There were even shreds of shed skin in there too. 6 weeks of zero care and apart from being a bit thirsty he showed absolutely no signs of neglect. Still going strong several years later, he’s got to be the ultimate in hardy, simple to keep reptiles. We live in Queensland, so it’s his natural climate etc, which would’ve helped.
I got a Blue Tongue Skink myself. All I can say about these guys is that they're amazing. They're both very hardy and usually very friendly at the same time. Great lizard to show people to alleviate their fears about reptiles. Most people will believe they are snakes, at first glance, though.
I mean, they're super dangerous when they want to be, just like wolves or panthers, but attacking first asking questions later isn't a great policy when anything you attack can easily kill you in retaliation, so everything here tends to go with caution first, murder second.
watched this video a year ago and it made me fall in love with blue tongues and i ended up getting a merauke and he quickly became my favorite lizard so thanks man
I got a blue tongue skink a month ago and he's the BEST lizard ever! As a complete beginner to the reptile world it's been a wonderful experience so far.
I know petsmart sucks, but they've had the same blue tongued skink for months. They were about to get rid of the poor guy and had him marked 50% off. So I just brought him home for $150. He's in great shape though. He looks perfect and he has a great personality. They actually had him in a pretty nice enclosure. No one had bought one from them before at this location, they didn't even have the right food for him for sale. They had to give me some from the back. I'm so happy! I've been considering a blue tongue for about a year now. I got lucky finding him!
I am going to get a blue tongued skink just as I got a leopard gecko 2 years ago because of your extreme knowledge and enthusiasm for animals.keep it up!!
I ended up with one of these beautiful reptiles from watching your videos, she is fantastic and just seems to enjoy sitting with me, which is extremely nice! I love your videos, they are extremely helpful and it is so easy to see how passionate you are for them! Thank you!! =)
Great video! I have one and he's incredible. I got him at a pet store that specializes in exotics and he was about $300 and well worth the money. He loves being handled and going places. The thing that truly sold me on him was that after I held him, he didn't want to go back into his enclosure. He was very comfortable in my arms and tried to climb back up when I went to place him in. I also love his bulk. These guys don't feel like a lot of other lizards. Most lizards I've handled seem to feel kind of fragile and like you could squish them. BTS are so much more muscular. I couldn't say enough about them. I would certainly recommend them.
I bought my northern blue tongue because of this video! He's still a baby and I've only had him for less than a week, but he's already walking right up to and sitting on my lap. Absolutely loves vegetables too (Especially collard greens), so I couldn't be happier with him. Thanks Clint!
I couldn’t be happier for you. My baby Halmahera just passed away today for unknown reasons. She has everything she need but she never really had an appetite and hardly ate. I just woke up today and found her stiff next to her log hideout. It completely destroyed me. I used to have bonding sessions where I would talk to her and pet her. I really hope your little one lives 20 years or more.
I've wanted a blue-tongued skink for years; hopefully I'll be able to get one at some point! They seem like awesome pets, especially for beginner reptile owners. Thanks for this great video about them!
Really glad I live in Australia because I’ve always really wanted one of these!! They’re so cute, there’s one living under my house and I see him come out to bask in the middle of the day. Very cute, I remember seeing him around since he was a tiny little baby.
I love this guy so much, he's been doing this for so long and he's still so enthusiastic. Big thumbs up man, keep doing what you're doing cause it rocks
A good friend of mine has a blue tounge skink that they've named noy-noy, he's absolutely adorable and I've been wanting one ever since I've met her skink- my obsession is growing
Clint could have a boa eating him from his arm and he would be so explaining how it's one of the best boas it can be and that it's just giving little kisses
I always go back and forth between the blue-tongue skinks and beardies. Both are just so adorable and precious little lizards (even though they're actually not really that little lol). I've heard great things about both. So many things to think about. But, thank you for your awesome videos and enthusiasm!
Clint, good video, lots of factual information, which is nice to see because so many people are spitting out reptile videos with incorrect information that could actually harm the animals, so I'm glad to see the information you are providing is correct, but one note on your comment about availability, there may not be a lot of skinks available in your typical pet shop or reptile store but there are tons available at reptile shows, from local breeders, and online reptile classifieds such as fauna and kingsnake.com. They are still pricey, but available. The reptile show I attended last month had a huge selection of skinks from multiple breeders. They're available if you look in the right places, but, yes, they are pricey, as are most exotics.
For sure, they are nowhere near as hard to find as some of the animals on our list. That said, they are in a completely different league from beardies, leopard geckos, ball pythons... Thank you so much for the kind review! We really appreciate your feedback.
I've never had the opportunity to own a reptile but have always wanted to. Im trying to decide between a bearded dragon and a skink because they both seem like amazing companion lizards.
Ive had one for 3 years and his name is Connor. Also today is the day he turned 3! Wish him a happy birthday!!! His lil sausage legs haven't grown since he was 2 and i just now learned it is normal. I feed him iceberg lettuce tomatoes NOT potatoes (blue tounge skinks cant eat the enzymes in potatoes) beef and carrots with an occasional banana as a treat cus they seem to be his favorite i also give him mealworms and super worms along with garden snails and crickets to provide him with enrichment
My youngest bro loves them and so do I but I do prefer my snakes and will be my priority before getting a stink. They are big sweet lil pups. Had on at college and was so sweet and calm
You have helped me a lot with your awesome vids,I really appreciate that and I want you to continue making this awesome vids. Also can you please make a video about the uromastyx(spiny-tailed lizard)?(one big fan here)
I would have never guessed that me browsing through dinosaur videos would bring me to a channel that convinced me to research for months, buy a terrarium and get me in contact with one of the few Intermedia breeders in Italy. Thank you Clint, you gave me yet another expensive hobby and I'm giddily awaiting to pick up my first pet potato.
Thank you, Clint! This video helped me in my decision to get a Blue-Tongue Skink. I've had my Northern, Caleb 'Cal' for almost a year now and he's been absolutely fantastic. My mom, who usually is not fond of reptiles, has come to absolutely adore him. I was lucky to get Cal during a 50% promo which helped significantly with the price point, and he was actually fairly easy to find for me. It seems based on what lots of keepers are reporting, that while Blue-Tongues are still difficult to find, they are becoming steadily more available each year, so I'd love to see an updated BTS video to reflect this in their rating. I'd say they deserve more of a 3 or 3.5 out of 5 in availability now, as they can currently be found in chain petstores like Petco, albeit seasonally. The dog food diet (supplemented with fresh veggies and calcium) has also become more widely accepted since this video was published so I'd love to see you touch on that, and how (when done right) it can make care them even easier while simultaneously offering a very precise nutritional balance. Might be some slight hurdles with cost and availability but well worth it; having owned a leopard gecko before my bluey, I massively prefer the bluey who has much easier and cheaper long term care, is hardier with very few health concerns, and tolerates being handled more. One of the huge challenges with reptiles that BTS take with ease is travel/vacation. On the dog food diet, keepers recommend feeding 1-2 times per week which means you can go on vacation for 3.5-7 days without needing to worry about having someone feed yours, and even if they do need to be fed, it's incredibly easy for a caretaker to manage. For a short trip, you just need someone to drop by to make sure the water stays filled and that the lights are working on their timers as they should. Easier than dogsitting.
We have a juvenile blue tongue like the one you're holding at our store for $300 on sale for $150 atm. He's really pretty and quite inquisitive. This being 5 years after this video, we don't have any issue getting them in.
Trey K. you can re a just them to being touched, just feed him and stick around while he eats, and help him get used to being around you before you start touching him. also start off spending like 1 minute or so around him and slowly work your way up. it can take a while, but it's worth it and totally doable.
Great video. I rescued an adult Blue-tongue skink a year ago that was dropped off at my local vet’s office. It was not taken well care of and they did not know how old she was. The skink unfortunately lost all of her toes because the previous owners did not help her when she shed her skin. She is doing better now and her name is Bimini. 🦎
I have been in love with skinks for a while (the dachshunds of the lizard world...I'm such a sucker for the short legs!) and I'm rewatching this video because I may be taking in a rescue in the next few weeks! I know I'll be able to set him up well thanks, in part, to your video!
I’m getting my fiancé a blue tongue skink, not his first reptile but it will be my first reptile, and I’m super excited! This video got me even more excited!
Hi I was wondering with your temperature information you give can you also do Celsius because I’m from Australia and I don’t use Fahrenheit. Also do you know the supply availability in Australia? Love your channel btw
Ben Allen They're widely available in Australia because thats where they come from, well northerns come from Australia. Its harder to get them in other countries due to import laws.
Ben, depending on where you live you may well have wild blue tongues if you have a garden. I have a wild bluey who lives in the vegie garden, she has a few babies each year. Sadly the Kookaburras have their young at the same time so they almost all get eaten. Blueys love to eat snails.
im here doing research about blue tongued skinks cuz im writing a character that has one as a pet and this is a lovely video. loving the potato part especially
i absolutely adore them. i was buying my lepoard gecko in the pet store that specializes in reptiles, when i first saw this guy. he wasn't for sale tho, i was told that it's the owners lizard, just kept in the shop because he liked handling and that way he'd get more attention. i was allowed to hold him and honestly i was overwhelemd with joy - he was so chill, casually climbed on my arm to my shoulders and hugged my neck for warmth, was okay with petting and when i needed to go, he grabed my hoodie with this little legs of his and didn't want to let go. absolutely 1000/5 experience, totally recommed.
You are amazing person! I was thinking that only I love animals so much, but when I saw your video I understand that I'm not the only one who are so crazy about these cute little guys who lives around us. Me and my husband regularly watch your show. And we enjoy it so much! Very interesting, very cool, informative. We are your biggest funs. Please don't stop with your deal. ❤️
"They're pretty much like handling a potato, which is...just marvelous!"
I'm sold.
Mine is like handling a baby crocodile. I've had snakes & lizards for years, but it seems untenable. So results may vary depending on species, enclosure, & human. Sadly, mine will likely need a new human..
Edward Varby Might be wild caught. If you get a cbb baby you should be fine.
Same
Same too
i agree, they said that and i have already called a pet store
Blue tongue skinks are next on my list if I decide to become a crazy reptile lady... slowly...but surely... becoming one....
An excellent decision indeed!
Same. Currently have a Beardie and a Leo. Hopefully gonna get a skink, tegu, frilled dragon, salamander (Yes I know that's an amphibian), maybe a monitor, and like... 50 of each I just stated
Welp! Better become a doctor!
My bluey was the best pet purchase I ever made. I highly recommend them!
I became a crazy reptile guy haha I own 12 now and plan on getting two of these guys next 😄
@@ClintsReptiles ha ha hu *MEMES*
Your excitement and enthusiasm about all of the animals you show is just so infectious! Thank you!
Thank you for the feedback! I hope it is spreading!
he looks like he did a shit ton of cocain before recording this
Fucking creepy if you ask me. Proper weirdo
@@TomMattin how?
Tom Mattin that is just rude.
the one on the table didnt move the whole time lmao now thats a lizard i can get behind
Haaaa😂
@Matt L no it wasnt
@Matt L 5:30 she flicks her tongue.
Why move when you can just not?
@@bigbowlowrong4694This is fantastic life advice
They look like a fish had its fins cut off and somebody stuck legs on it.
And I absolutely love it.
They make it work!
My dad says it looks like a snake with limbs
They are literally fat log snakes with baby legs I love ittt~
or like shaved ferrets
Y U
they’re just good old scaly doggos
“skink around" I love that
I always say to my skink stuff like "Whatchya skinkin' about?" "Havin' a drink? havin' a skink?" "Whatchya thinkle, skinkle?" because, honestly, "skink" is just, like, one of the best animal names.
There is just no other way to put it :)
Better than "skank around". 😋
My skink potty trained herself! She never poops in her tank, she only poops when I take her outside her vivarium!
Oil my snake did that💩 🐍
How?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Clever girl...
MNNMMMMMMMMMMMMM help me convince my parents to get me one XD
My skink has the same quirk. He didn't even need training, he just sort of refuses to poop or pee in the enclosure.
In Australia, availability and upfront costs would both get a 5 star rating. They’re pretty much everywhere in the wild and in just about every pet shop. They’re one of the few reptiles you don’t need an Australian reptile license for (depending on the species and sub species) and they cost from $20-80. They can live for over 30 years too, so really good for a first pet.
Also, there’s a lot of mutations in Australia that aren’t in America, like Albino and Melanistic (completely black).
Totally true like i got mine on gumtree for 60$
That is true but the two pet stores in my area have both sold out of them but they have ALOT of bearded dragons and snakes
My brother bought mine and I think he bought it off gumtree but it cost about $200 but with a two year old female lizard and long cage.
The one at my local reptile store cost $300. Like why
In Western USA we have wild blue TAILED skinks but since they are endangered you cannot capture one, however you can own a bought captive bred blue tail (they are only 10 dollars) in Idaho, not sure about other states.
This guy gives off insanity vibes. but like in a good eccentric wholesome way. i like how excited he is about his reptiles
your right about them being the best, I let my bluey run around my room. She is the only lizard I have ever let roam free in my room, we watch TV together, she likes to sit on my lap. If they are well trained they generally won't poop outside their cages. Also she did drop her tail once when she was young, but it grew back, it's a different color on the tip. Also a warning, if they do bite you, it really hurts, they can really bite pretty deep into you, they have really powerful jaws, but mine only bit someone hard once in about 17 years of me owning her so far, and that's because she thought the finger was a worm... don't wriggle your fingers in front of their faces also they have a rudimentary eye type thing on top of their heads that detects shadows, mine gets really spooked if I move my hand real quick over her head
So does my Bci
Did you ever have to help Bluey get the shedding skin off her toes or did she do it on her own pretty well. I’m really interested but I don’t want to be a bad owner for a skink or any animal really.
@@tristenbrubaker4289 So far I haven't had any issues with it. Humidity really helps with shedding, so the non-Australian Blue tongue's probably have an easier time than Australian ones. I have a Merauke blue tongue, humidity is between 60 to 80%. Mine is just grumpy for a day and stays hidden, until it's time get all the skin off. Then she just crawls around the enclosure, rubbing past everything. Most of it is loose in an hour.
If you increase the humidity a bit once you notice it's shedding, it likely won't have any issues. Just keep an eye on it and give it a soak in some lukewarm water if there's some difficulty shedding. Be sure to give it the option of getting out of the water, and make sure the water level isn't too high.
Good to know about the shadow eye!
how do you train a blue-tongued to not poop outside their cage? :o
I love this guy's enthusiasm. Also, I don't believe I've ever before heard the phrase "serious little turd", lol!
Thank you so much! I really hope "serious little turd" catches on :)
I want to like your comment. But it’s at 169
@@ClintsReptiles I do to just like I really want a skink and am asking for one for Christmas
@@itzstellastocalife8743 Well, I've heard the season for selling these guys (captive-bred anyway) is typically around June-July, so maybe ask for it as an early Christmas gift (they may want to start contacting some breeders and get on a waiting list now). :) I unfortunately will have to wait another year before I can get one, but I know it will be worth the wait. They are one of my favorite animals to interact with.
Hey Clint! You should show us your set ups for your pets! Those would be really fun videos!
Great suggestion!
@@ClintsReptiles Did you do it? I'm curious to see it
Alexandre Verville yes
Yeah I want to see it also has it been done?
Yeah I want to see it also has it been done?
This video basically convinced me to buy my blue tongue, best decision ever.
I completely agree! I love mine!
When you encourage your parents to buy you a blue tongued skink
SKONKS
clint “they can’t scratch you.”
my bts with razor sharp claws *”hold my declorinated water”*
I'd like to own a skink at some point but my mother has a dislike for snakes and skinks vaguely resemble snakes for her and I'm not sure she's ok with them . I personally adore snakes and would love to care for one once I move away from my parents :00
I really hope she can get past that and love a skink as much as I will ;;w;
really great helpful video by the way keep up the great work 👍👍👍
Have you seen our video about convincing your family?
I hope she gets over her prejudice.
my mom does not like snakes but she let me get a skink which she absolutely loves
I would advise for you to wait till you are moved out, settled down and have a steady job, the last thing you want is to ask your parents to watch an animal they wont properly care for while you are either off at college or if you happen to find employment where you are abroad or away from home a lot.
Indeed, make sure your invested and in a steady location. You'll appreciate and your Bluey will appreciate it.
1:23 “...and they skink around” LOLOL I LOVE THAT
i love the enthusiastic you are about the Blue-Tongued Skink and about 4 years ago, watching this video has INSPIRED me to get one! And after all these years i have FINALLY found a good local breeder and get to bring one home TODAY! Thank you Clints Reptiles! ❤️🔥
Love the enthusiasm and passion for blueys! Great stuff Clint :-)
Thank you so much! How could I not be excited about them??
Agreed my friend!
Wow! Client's reptiles and Reptile mountain! How exciting to have you both in one post! We're researching blue tongues for our son's first lizard. We are experienced keepers that just got back in. Couple of questions though...
Skinks eat dog food?
Do their teeth do significant damage?
Exo terra 36x18x12 or 36x18x18?
What size for baby/juvenile?
Last one? What's the best age/size to get? -keep in mind it will have to interact with a well behaved toddler.
Lauren Flatt Reptile Mountain recommended me to www.bluetongueskinks.org/forum/index.php and it offers a lot of info on bts. I find it extremely helpful and informative. Answers almost all the answers a person could ask about bts
@@julissavaca6814 thank you
Thank you so much, Clint. My son wants to get a blue-tongued skink. We are researching and found your channel both helpful and entertaining. My son says "He is funny, too."
Thanks to this video, I now own a Northern Blue Tonge Skink. I've owned (and now own) snakes for decades, everything from Reticulated Pythons to Kenyan Sand Snakes. I recently decided to try lizards for a change, and this one is fantastic!. The thing that sold me is the simple husbandry and diet. Snakes are low maintenance, and this skink is almost as easy. Thanks again for the great video, I would like to see other types of lizards on your channel.
Twisty the Clown Was your skink super shy and/or aggressive when you first got it?
“They’re pretty much like handling potatoes”
LMAO, Clint you are, hands down, a comedic genius
like handling a potato...just marvelous! XD love this channel
I got my blue tongue skink from underground reptiles I spent about 300 just for him I got him October 17th as a 4 month old baby only about 6-7 inches from nose to butt and honestly it was the best 300 dollars I ever spent he’s super smart very tame now super lovable and as you said he is AMAZING as I said he was about 6-7 inches when I got him and he is now stretching at 22 inches I also have a video of him on my channel
I was about to get 2 blue tongues over my bearded dragon. I ended up with the bearded dragon because I felt bad since she’d been up for about a month. The poor babe had an arm missing and was severely underweight. She’s happy n’ healthy now. I might actually get some skinks sometime.
Just remember what he said about not letting them share a tank!
you have such a cliche animal nerd style but honestly it is so entertaining and informative
Such cute dogs.
Taylor Nicole Dean, huh?
Yup hehe Taylor Nicole Dean reference right
I think it's a Guinea pig not sure though
@@moistweasel6196 maw man, I heard it meow. It's gotta be a cat.
“It opens its mouth like a bear-trap, showing multiple rows of sharply pointed teeth….”
In testament to their hardiness, our pet blue tongue escaped a couple of weeks before we went on holiday. Couldn’t find him despite searching one end of the house to the other. The day we got back from our 4 week holiday, I heard some scuffling noises coming from a draw of clothes. Assuming it was mice that had moved in while the house was empty, I opened the draw ready to evict the little buggers, only to find our blue tongue happily scooting around in my t shirts. There were even shreds of shed skin in there too. 6 weeks of zero care and apart from being a bit thirsty he showed absolutely no signs of neglect. Still going strong several years later, he’s got to be the ultimate in hardy, simple to keep reptiles. We live in Queensland, so it’s his natural climate etc, which would’ve helped.
I got a Blue Tongue Skink myself. All I can say about these guys is that they're amazing. They're both very hardy and usually very friendly at the same time. Great lizard to show people to alleviate their fears about reptiles. Most people will believe they are snakes, at first glance, though.
"Pretty much like handling a potato."
*6 month old blue tongue huffing at me from the corner of my room*
I love how Australia has all of this horrifying wildlife yet somehow has managed to also produce some of the sweetest pet lizards.
I mean, they're super dangerous when they want to be, just like wolves or panthers, but attacking first asking questions later isn't a great policy when anything you attack can easily kill you in retaliation, so everything here tends to go with caution first, murder second.
watched this video a year ago and it made me fall in love with blue tongues and i ended up getting a merauke and he quickly became my favorite lizard so thanks man
I got a blue tongue skink a month ago and he's the BEST lizard ever! As a complete beginner to the reptile world it's been a wonderful experience so far.
I know petsmart sucks, but they've had the same blue tongued skink for months. They were about to get rid of the poor guy and had him marked 50% off. So I just brought him home for $150. He's in great shape though. He looks perfect and he has a great personality. They actually had him in a pretty nice enclosure. No one had bought one from them before at this location, they didn't even have the right food for him for sale. They had to give me some from the back. I'm so happy! I've been considering a blue tongue for about a year now. I got lucky finding him!
I am going to get a blue tongued skink just as I got a leopard gecko 2 years ago because of your extreme knowledge and enthusiasm for animals.keep it up!!
I ended up with one of these beautiful reptiles from watching your videos, she is fantastic and just seems to enjoy sitting with me, which is extremely nice! I love your videos, they are extremely helpful and it is so easy to see how passionate you are for them! Thank you!! =)
Great video! I have one and he's incredible. I got him at a pet store that specializes in exotics and he was about $300 and well worth the money. He loves being handled and going places. The thing that truly sold me on him was that after I held him, he didn't want to go back into his enclosure. He was very comfortable in my arms and tried to climb back up when I went to place him in. I also love his bulk. These guys don't feel like a lot of other lizards. Most lizards I've handled seem to feel kind of fragile and like you could squish them. BTS are so much more muscular. I couldn't say enough about them. I would certainly recommend them.
"They're pretty much like handling a potato" - Clint
“there kinda like handling a potato, and thats just marvelous” my favorite part 😂
"They're pretty much like handling a potato" I don't know, I have had potatoes jump from my hand before. Sometimes they just have a mind of their own!
🤣
I bought my northern blue tongue because of this video! He's still a baby and I've only had him for less than a week, but he's already walking right up to and sitting on my lap. Absolutely loves vegetables too (Especially collard greens), so I couldn't be happier with him. Thanks Clint!
I couldn’t be happier for you. My baby Halmahera just passed away today for unknown reasons. She has everything she need but she never really had an appetite and hardly ate. I just woke up today and found her stiff next to her log hideout. It completely destroyed me. I used to have bonding sessions where I would talk to her and pet her. I really hope your little one lives 20 years or more.
He just looks so happy with any reptile
Someone: Do they hate anyone?
Clint: Well no, but actually yes.
I've wanted a blue-tongued skink for years; hopefully I'll be able to get one at some point! They seem like awesome pets, especially for beginner reptile owners. Thanks for this great video about them!
I’ve gotta say, you did a really great job organizing all the main points of this video. Thank you for breaking things down so clearly.
I found one in my back yard once. Kept it for about a week before returning it to the wild. Really beautiful creatures.
I love it when you say oh hi there
Really glad I live in Australia because I’ve always really wanted one of these!! They’re so cute, there’s one living under my house and I see him come out to bask in the middle of the day. Very cute, I remember seeing him around since he was a tiny little baby.
Is it alive still also you should get a 40 gal and tame him and there you go free lizard all you need is the setup
I love this guy so much, he's been doing this for so long and he's still so enthusiastic. Big thumbs up man, keep doing what you're doing cause it rocks
the sheer amount of eye contact in this video is terrifying
A good friend of mine has a blue tounge skink that they've named noy-noy, he's absolutely adorable and I've been wanting one ever since I've met her skink- my obsession is growing
Clint could have a boa eating him from his arm and he would be so explaining how it's one of the best boas it can be and that it's just giving little kisses
I always go back and forth between the blue-tongue skinks and beardies. Both are just so adorable and precious little lizards (even though they're actually not really that little lol). I've heard great things about both. So many things to think about. But, thank you for your awesome videos and enthusiasm!
Clint, good video, lots of factual information, which is nice to see because so many people are spitting out reptile videos with incorrect information that could actually harm the animals, so I'm glad to see the information you are providing is correct, but one note on your comment about availability, there may not be a lot of skinks available in your typical pet shop or reptile store but there are tons available at reptile shows, from local breeders, and online reptile classifieds such as fauna and kingsnake.com. They are still pricey, but available. The reptile show I attended last month had a huge selection of skinks from multiple breeders. They're available if you look in the right places, but, yes, they are pricey, as are most exotics.
For sure, they are nowhere near as hard to find as some of the animals on our list. That said, they are in a completely different league from beardies, leopard geckos, ball pythons...
Thank you so much for the kind review! We really appreciate your feedback.
I just got a blue skink and I'm so happy with him!!
I've never had the opportunity to own a reptile but have always wanted to. Im trying to decide between a bearded dragon and a skink because they both seem like amazing companion lizards.
That is a tough choice. You can't go wrong!
If you live in Australia I would go with a skink because it is cheaper don't need a licence and they're awesome
Skinks are more "cuddly" for the most part where as a beardie might be much more active and they have sharp nails
Honesty I would go with a blue tongue
Thank you, beautiful animals. The prehensile tail, lime green guys are super cool too. Thank you Sir👍🏼
I love that peaches just lets Clint move her around like a prop
Question: have you ever put a hat on one? I bet they'd look dapper with a dandy little top hat.
Ive had one for 3 years and his name is Connor. Also today is the day he turned 3! Wish him a happy birthday!!! His lil sausage legs haven't grown since he was 2 and i just now learned it is normal. I feed him iceberg lettuce tomatoes NOT potatoes (blue tounge skinks cant eat the enzymes in potatoes) beef and carrots with an occasional banana as a treat cus they seem to be his favorite i also give him mealworms and super worms along with garden snails and crickets to provide him with enrichment
I live in Australia and have about 13 in my backyard and that's just how many I've seen 😂
My youngest bro loves them and so do I but I do prefer my snakes and will be my priority before getting a stink. They are big sweet lil pups. Had on at college and was so sweet and calm
You have helped me a lot with your awesome vids,I really appreciate that and I want you to continue making this awesome vids. Also can you please make a video about the uromastyx(spiny-tailed lizard)?(one big fan here)
Thank you! I'm so glad they were helpful. Uromastyx are likely coming up soon.
I would have never guessed that me browsing through dinosaur videos would bring me to a channel that convinced me to research for months, buy a terrarium and get me in contact with one of the few Intermedia breeders in Italy.
Thank you Clint, you gave me yet another expensive hobby and I'm giddily awaiting to pick up my first pet potato.
Quote of the year:
"Its honestly like handeling a potato"
-clints reptiles
Thank you, Clint! This video helped me in my decision to get a Blue-Tongue Skink. I've had my Northern, Caleb 'Cal' for almost a year now and he's been absolutely fantastic. My mom, who usually is not fond of reptiles, has come to absolutely adore him. I was lucky to get Cal during a 50% promo which helped significantly with the price point, and he was actually fairly easy to find for me. It seems based on what lots of keepers are reporting, that while Blue-Tongues are still difficult to find, they are becoming steadily more available each year, so I'd love to see an updated BTS video to reflect this in their rating. I'd say they deserve more of a 3 or 3.5 out of 5 in availability now, as they can currently be found in chain petstores like Petco, albeit seasonally. The dog food diet (supplemented with fresh veggies and calcium) has also become more widely accepted since this video was published so I'd love to see you touch on that, and how (when done right) it can make care them even easier while simultaneously offering a very precise nutritional balance. Might be some slight hurdles with cost and availability but well worth it; having owned a leopard gecko before my bluey, I massively prefer the bluey who has much easier and cheaper long term care, is hardier with very few health concerns, and tolerates being handled more. One of the huge challenges with reptiles that BTS take with ease is travel/vacation. On the dog food diet, keepers recommend feeding 1-2 times per week which means you can go on vacation for 3.5-7 days without needing to worry about having someone feed yours, and even if they do need to be fed, it's incredibly easy for a caretaker to manage. For a short trip, you just need someone to drop by to make sure the water stays filled and that the lights are working on their timers as they should. Easier than dogsitting.
They look so shiny
Luna VN it’s just Highlight
Just caught on to Clint's videos - absolutely fantastic, informative and fun!. And I so want a BTS, now. Keep up the great work and fun videos!
i wasnt interested in lizzard before and still not gonna own one but after your vids im definitly going to a zoo. great vids keep it up
Careful, that's how it starts ;)
We have a juvenile blue tongue like the one you're holding at our store for $300 on sale for $150 atm. He's really pretty and quite inquisitive. This being 5 years after this video, we don't have any issue getting them in.
0:40 Blueberries looked like he thought he was about to get snatched up by a hawk
You are responsible for my acquisition of a BTS. We are in Salt Lake and his name is Brigham Tongue. Thanks, guy!
Yeah blue tongues are awesome I wish I could have one but they are pretty expensive
Southern alligator lizards are a great cheap alternative
I got mine from snakes at sunset if you live in america u can order one dor about $200
I adopted one for $90 and he turned out to be nasty and hated being touched. Count your blessings
they are worth it, they live a very long time, and they can really become a friend for a long time. once you go skink you never go back.
Trey K. you can re a just them to being touched, just feed him and stick around while he eats, and help him get used to being around you before you start touching him. also start off spending like 1 minute or so around him and slowly work your way up. it can take a while, but it's worth it and totally doable.
Thanks to you, my BTS will arrive tomorrow morning! I’m so excited 🥰🥰 Your videos and enthusiasm influenced my love for reptiles. Thank you 💖
clint how much would a white skink cost? are they more if so how much? oh and i have subscribed and am your number one fan!
Unless you live in Australia, the answer is that it would cost crazy amounts of money. CRAZY! But they are all beautiful.
Clint's Reptiles thank you clint!
Great video. I rescued an adult Blue-tongue skink a year ago that was dropped off at my local vet’s office. It was not taken well care of and they did not know how old she was. The skink unfortunately lost all of her toes because the previous owners did not help her when she shed her skin. She is doing better now and her name is Bimini. 🦎
Another great video. Keep em coming. :)
Thank you so much! We sure will :)
I have been in love with skinks for a while (the dachshunds of the lizard world...I'm such a sucker for the short legs!) and I'm rewatching this video because I may be taking in a rescue in the next few weeks! I know I'll be able to set him up well thanks, in part, to your video!
R.I.P
Bobo
She was my blues and my favorite lizard, but she got stressed and drop off the tail 😭
Do they die if they do that?
mad respect to you for being the most helpful channel on YT for choosing a pet
In Indonesia, blue tongue skink is ALMOST everywere
I’m getting my fiancé a blue tongue skink, not his first reptile but it will be my first reptile, and I’m super excited! This video got me even more excited!
Clint.. NOT to alarm you but you may have a tyrannosaurus rex..
stay calm
Gus Gus be like
The categories you break the reptile up into are fantastic! Plus your kind of quirky, but in the best way possible
Its a snake with legs. Im in love
I have mine picked out!!!!!! Jarvis is coming home next Friday!! ❤️❤️
Could you do a video like this on a tegu
Coming soon!
I love how excited he always is.
Hi I was wondering with your temperature information you give can you also do Celsius because I’m from Australia and I don’t use Fahrenheit. Also do you know the supply availability in Australia? Love your channel btw
Ben Allen They're widely available in Australia because thats where they come from, well northerns come from Australia. Its harder to get them in other countries due to import laws.
i think the celsius conversion is a great idea, he can just use those annotation things that he was doing all video if he wants to
35-40 degrees is a good basking temp :) they do appreciate it a little hotter if you can provide it though. (Maybe 45)
Thanks everyone
Ben, depending on where you live you may well have wild blue tongues if you have a garden. I have a wild bluey who lives in the vegie garden, she has a few babies each year. Sadly the Kookaburras have their young at the same time so they almost all get eaten.
Blueys love to eat snails.
im here doing research about blue tongued skinks cuz im writing a character that has one as a pet and this is a lovely video. loving the potato part especially
0:03 ... hello?
i absolutely adore them. i was buying my lepoard gecko in the pet store that specializes in reptiles, when i first saw this guy. he wasn't for sale tho, i was told that it's the owners lizard, just kept in the shop because he liked handling and that way he'd get more attention. i was allowed to hold him and honestly i was overwhelemd with joy - he was so chill, casually climbed on my arm to my shoulders and hugged my neck for warmth, was okay with petting and when i needed to go, he grabed my hoodie with this little legs of his and didn't want to let go. absolutely 1000/5 experience, totally recommed.
Can you make a video on Phelsuma Grandis?
Sure can, they rock!
Clint's Reptiles Thanks for the response!
One of my all time dream reptiles. Currently doing research to get one :)
Clint is super cute
You say that to all of the excitable reptile presenters :)
Nah Clint, Just u lol-
tara windsor no u
I have an Irian Jaya Blue Tongue skink. She makes me smile every time I pass near her tank, she's super cute and well behaved.
Haircut?🤔
Indeed. Got the lot done.
You are amazing person! I was thinking that only I love animals so much, but when I saw your video I understand that I'm not the only one who are so crazy about these cute little guys who lives around us. Me and my husband regularly watch your show. And we enjoy it so much! Very interesting, very cool, informative. We are your biggest funs. Please don't stop with your deal. ❤️
It’s gonna be a serious little turd 😂
Blue tongueskinks are at the top of my list because in australia they are so quite common and cost around 80 aud which is around 50 usd