
For those interested, we got ourselves a new family member over the weekend.
She's a Blue-Tongue Skink called Lilly:
Clicky for pic :)
She definitely doesn't class as 'fluffy' but what the hell...
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:30,
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She's a Blue-Tongue Skink called Lilly:
Clicky for pic :)
She definitely doesn't class as 'fluffy' but what the hell...

Always wanted a pet snake but never brave enough to get one
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:32,
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but i was told by an expert that they make lousy pets.
seemingly they don't move about very much and they
only get animated at feeding time, they spend the rest of the time just lying about.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:34,
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seemingly they don't move about very much and they
only get animated at feeding time, they spend the rest of the time just lying about.

one of my friends has a corn snake or some such.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:36,
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or a garter snake cos they are all small and cute
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:48,
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My ex landlord's is about 9/10 foot now and she's glorious. Really sweet.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:48,
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and i've wanted one since!
do they smell?
how much room do you need for one?
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:33,
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do they smell?
how much room do you need for one?

Skinks are a lot cuter than iguanas (well to noemal people) - I might be able to get away with it.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:34,
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Also they're pretty much the only reptile which will put up with being held for long periods of time - they'll sit on your shoulders and use you as a heat mat :D
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:37,
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Oh my goodness, don't tell me things like that. I'd have a Komodo dragon if it gave me cuddles.
How much are they?
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:39,
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How much are they?

If you buy one (you can get them online) it depends hugely on the variety (there are loads of different types) and the age/colour/shape etc.
Expect anywhere between £90 for a boring looking one up to £2000 for a black shingleback.
Lilly is a Merauke with rather unusual colouring :)
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:41,
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Expect anywhere between £90 for a boring looking one up to £2000 for a black shingleback.
Lilly is a Merauke with rather unusual colouring :)

She looks kind of like large-crystal granite when you look at her up close.
Meraukes are the largest type of blue tongue - they get up to 30 inches long :)
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:44,
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Meraukes are the largest type of blue tongue - they get up to 30 inches long :)

I'm insanely jealous!
(Am I allowed to have a chameleon in this country?)
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:45,
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(Am I allowed to have a chameleon in this country?)

But chameleons can't really be handled.
If you're going to get a reptile, I'd recommend a blue-tongue all the way :) They're lovely pets.
Oh did I mention they're intelligent enough to know your face and their name? They come to you if you call them :D
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:47,
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If you're going to get a reptile, I'd recommend a blue-tongue all the way :) They're lovely pets.
Oh did I mention they're intelligent enough to know your face and their name? They come to you if you call them :D

they are fine if you handle them correctly and don't keep getting them out and putting them back in to show people.
but once or twice a day for short periods of no more then 30mins to an hour should be ok.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:51,
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but once or twice a day for short periods of no more then 30mins to an hour should be ok.

I do like the look of chameleons but they just look so fragile somehow :/
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:52,
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and are widly availible. i'm not allowed to have any more pets.
i built a viv to the same spec of yours from an old wardrobe, it was double the size if the previous one i had.
chinese waterdragons or sailfins are also good to keep, but they are climers and you'd need a 4x4x2 viv to do them justice (a male and two females)
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:57,
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i built a viv to the same spec of yours from an old wardrobe, it was double the size if the previous one i had.
chinese waterdragons or sailfins are also good to keep, but they are climers and you'd need a 4x4x2 viv to do them justice (a male and two females)

that I'm always going to want skinks now :)
I could be swayed by a cute gecko though.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:59,
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I could be swayed by a cute gecko though.

If you are, I'd recommend www.bluetongueskinks.net as a starting point on reading up about them.
They have a caresheet which tells you literally all you need to know.
Obviously I'm about too if you need help :)
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:54,
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They have a caresheet which tells you literally all you need to know.
Obviously I'm about too if you need help :)

I shall check with my mate tonight- lovely as they are, I'd prefer visits from my best bud.
Thanks for all your help!
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 14:01,
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Thanks for all your help!

they are widely available and are ok for handling.
and yemen will set you back about £50.
but remember a vivarium set up can cost you loads to set up and you will need to make provisions as they get larger.
also make sure you can source good quality live food.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:49,
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and yemen will set you back about £50.
but remember a vivarium set up can cost you loads to set up and you will need to make provisions as they get larger.
also make sure you can source good quality live food.

Blue Tongues are easier purely because they're omnivorous - they can live on just veg if they have to.
It's all personal choice though :)
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:51,
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It's all personal choice though :)

Buffy Python eats (defrosted) frozen guinea pigs though.
If you leave them on the radiator, they explode.
Well done Jeff.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:54,
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If you leave them on the radiator, they explode.
Well done Jeff.

And need less space. All lizards are excellent!
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:37,
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but if you're fairly strict with spot cleaning daily, it doesn't get too bad.
And you need enough room for a 4'x2'x2' vivarium, ideally.
They're lovely to have :) What programme were they on?
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:35,
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And you need enough room for a 4'x2'x2' vivarium, ideally.
They're lovely to have :) What programme were they on?

*however it's spelt*
My Cousin is a vetnurse, she has a house full of snakes!!
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:37,
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My Cousin is a vetnurse, she has a house full of snakes!!

And I don't usually like that. But I saw him in real life at Crufts and he was very very pretty. And he has a nice bum in jeans.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:40,
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They're getting quite unusual in Britain now.
Have another piccy:
Clickworthiness
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:40,
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Have another piccy:
Clickworthiness

We're actually not sure if she's a he or a she, in fact.
And yeah, it is - especially when she goes after Rosechafer beetle larvae :D
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:46,
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And yeah, it is - especially when she goes after Rosechafer beetle larvae :D

I want an iguana when we move but my best mate won't ever come round again. Same reason I can't have a snake.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:33,
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A stunning girlfriend and a pretty lizard :D
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:43,
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and i have no time to play the playstation, let alone the field.
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:53,
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noon sir!
I saw a mouse three times this morning out of my new kitchen window
he was merrily skipping across the path from one bush to another
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:36,
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I saw a mouse three times this morning out of my new kitchen window
he was merrily skipping across the path from one bush to another

I have pics!
www.bilbobarneybobs.co.uk/scotland/scotland.html
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Tue 5 Jun 2007, 13:40,
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www.bilbobarneybobs.co.uk/scotland/scotland.html