Too Calm... So might consider Blue TOngue Skink.

[MrHM1020]

My beardie is 11 months and for the past couple of months all he has been doing is staying in his hide all day... He eats fine, and must bask cuz he is never cold to the touch. However when i take him out he just sits there. He used to run around alottt. Now he literally just sits. I knew beardies get lazy but i thought that happens when they become older lol. Is there anyway to increase his activity levels? Also i am considering getting a blue tongue skink. From any owner with experience with blue tongue skinks, can you tell me if they are more active than beardies? And in your opinion which is more entertaining (My friend may want my beardie so i may just give it to him since he researched beardies alot, and then get a bluey). Idk... Just thinking here. Opinions please. I know there may be a bias since this is a beardie forum but please tell me honest opinions.




Edit: Friend is considering snake not beardie. Anyone here has a blue tongue skink and wants to trade for a beardie possibly? If i decide that i dont want him anymore that is. Please post opinions/offers quick. I live in New Jersey. Preferably local pick ups so the animals dont get injured.

 

[Gail]

I had a blue tongue skink for a year but recently sold it. He was the most boring pet I ever had, he hid way more then my dragon and they aren't too keen on being handled but tolerate it much like a snake will. Very awesome critters but I think you would be disappointed if you are looking for a more entertaining reptile.

Take the hide from your dragon. He doesn't need it and as you've found out, some will spend too much time hiding. Reptiles aren't the most active type of pet to have, especially if they are really tame. Be happy he like to chill with you and isn't always running away.

As far as increasing his activity some, how old is his UVB light? That can make him inactive some. Getting him outside once its warm enough might liven him up some too but make sure to use a leash.

 

[Mrkngpen]

Definitely some real sunshine on a mild day should make a difference. I live in upstate NY and when we have any day over 50*, I take Pheeny out and put her on the warm blacktop and that seems to get her in the spring fever mood. She wants to start running around a lot more. That real sunlight helps get them out of the winter brumation phase.

 

[MrHM1020]

UVB is about 5 months old. But i already ordered a new reptisun should be arriving in couple of days. Hopefully that changes his behavior. But i am also generally interested in blue tongue skinks. If Shadow becomes active i will keep him and buy another set up for a BTS. So anyone have any experience with a Blue TOngue Skink and can offer their opinions as them as pets? Are they less, more, or equally as active as beardies?

 

[bambichik39]

Why not focus on making your beardie more happy, instead of giving up on it to invest in another reptile that will probably bore you in a few months and end up getting rid of anyway.

 

[TASTIGER]

i see pets as a life long commitment if you decide to get one then you cant just give it away b/c it bores you.

 

[Gail]

I already answered your question in my first post, blue tongues are much LESS active then dragons. Sometime I wouldn't even see mine for days at a time. They are also some what more difficult to care for as far as diet and humidity go. They need lots of room and things to play in.

 

[BaskingBaby]

I've had both....I had the BTS for about a year and a half and I no longer do. They are A LOT of work...they are more involved than dragons. Humidity is a huge issue, substrate is very important, diet is a lot more difficult, and they are more like snakes in handling them. Mine quickly got mouth rot from just the texture of his diet being wrong (correct food, wrong texture which hurt his mouth...long saga dealing with 2 different vets and everything). He also lost multiple toes because he couldn't shed correctly which was due to lack of strict humidity control on my part. They have to be "helped" while shedding. They need a large enclosure too. Cleaning is a lot more nasty than dragons....due to the humidity and their diet, their poops are a lot more nasty and wet and they WILL go to the bathroom on you almost every time you handle them. The cage stinks more than the desert animals because more water in their diet and in their cage.

They are really fun, mine was friendly with only me and would hiss and lunge at everyone else. He was very active when out of the cage, would cuddle with me and fall asleep at times. I think they are awesome pets, but like I said a lot of work goes into them. The dragons are much less work and much easier to please. I'd be happy to answer any questions for you if I can help. Follow the other's advice and definitely TAKE OUT the hide in the dragons cage. He isn't getting enough UVB which is making him lethargic and blah.

www.bluetongueskinks.net i believe is the BEST forum about them. Join and talk to them for more info too.

 

[MrHM1020]

Yeah i thought about the situation again. Decided to keep my beardie. I should be receiving the new reptisun tommorrow since i ordered one a week ago because my current one just hit 6 months old. Hopefully the new one livens him up a little. If it doesnt ill just visit my herp vet for a fecal. But i am still considering getting a bluey. SO i might build an enclosure and get a bluey.

P.S. - I dont just neglect animals and keep them for a little then give them away. My beardie is happy colorful and 20inches, at 11 months old. It is just lazy and i didnt think that it would become lazy at such a young age. It is also winter so it may be inactive for this reason. So relax people. Just because at first i considered giving away my beardie to a proper owner to get another reptile doesn't mean im a bad owner... I research all my pets and give them proper care...

 

[beardie parents]

The only time our girls are active in their homes (tanks) is when they want out. This is usually when they know we are in the room their homes are in and they realize their dad will take them out immediately when they glass dance. They like to roam our bedroom so we much watch where we step when they are on the floor or in the window. They really love to watch outside. They are active when we take them out, usually midday they are active. This afternoon because of problems that cropped up after church we didn't take them outside until about 3pm and they were active for a little bit but not as much as normal. We do live in AZ so it's usually warmer here, even in the winter. In the summer time we have to take them outside earlier than in the winter.

This may help with your dragon. You are correct, tho. When it's the winter time, even in September time when it's still fairly warm most places, our girls are starting to slow down, yet in February, when it's colder than in September, they are starting to get more active.

 

[TASTIGER]

im sorry i was rude i was thinking about my sister who has a problem with getting pets and giving them away later because she doesnt think about all the work that goes into a pet please forgive me

 

[GeckoGarden]

BTS can be a pain to tame, I spent months a work taming one to the point where I could walk around with her on my shoulder.. Granted she still hissed and didn't like anyone else touching her.. I could even get her to eat crickets from my fingers with out fear of being bit.

Cleaning is pain though.. The humidity can also be a problem if its not taken care of right..

The do require cages as large as beardies, or larger depending on genetics and male or female.

Both animals make great pets if your ready to own them.

Like said before BTS love to hide.

The girl at work only came out when I opened the cage to play, feed, and bath her.. She never pooped on me thankfully.. But she did poop on others if they held her.