Best Substrates for Blue Tongue Skinks - Ep. 23

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This episode takes an in depth look at the best substrates for Tiliqua (Blue Tongue Skinks) as well as some of the unfavorable substrates as well. It is long but will cover a great deal of information about each substrate and what it offers.
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TC Houston, former professional zookeeper, SKINKAHOLIC, and reptile fanatic, shares his experiences and passion for keeping and breeding Blue-Tongue Skinks and other reptile species for the educational and overall betterment of the hobby. Subscribe to stay updated on more evidence-based, current, professional information about the reptile hobby and Blue-Tongue Skink care. Enjoy! Watch! Like! Share! Woot woot!

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1 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 241

@b1zz435 6 лет назад

Some of the most informative blue tongue skink videos ive seen so far. As a person looking for a blue tongue skink in the upcoming season, this information is gold. Thank you.

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

Thank you so much!

@texasdrrose 7 лет назад

I found no float Cyprus at Lowe's but I did have to dig for a bag of just cyprus. They also have a cyprus blend that is not what you want it has pine and cedar in it. just thought I would add that. they were stacked together on same pallets.

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

texasdrrose thanks for sharing that! Good to know for sure!

@ellaspencer4934 5 лет назад

*cypress

@britlyntrent1999 4 года назад

I can't even get a blue tongue skink yet but I'm already researching lol

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

That is perfect 👌

@tuckerjt1967 3 года назад

Same

@chibichibi51 3 года назад

Gotta start early so you’re ready! That’s why I’m here ^-^

@slaughterhater 7 лет назад

Calcium sand is also considered a no no for hermit crabs too.

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

+slaughterhater :-)

@mannox775 4 года назад

What does slaughterhaiter mean

@mannox775 4 года назад

@Iñaki Gutierrez what about sugar cane mulch

@liamsstudio_44 3 года назад

@@mannox775 interesting question

@alexslomin 5 лет назад

Another fantastic video!! I have about 3 inches of cypress mulch in my enclosure because I know blue tongue skinks like to burrow sometimes. Is that deep enough, too deep, too shallow?

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

3 inches is great!

@alexslomin 5 лет назад

Great!! Thank You

@SCHLIMEYjbeetz 6 лет назад

I don’t recommend using sphagnum moss as your main substrate lol. I tried it.... it was a nightmare haha.

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

Lol not as the only thing for sure. :-)

@liamsstudio_44 3 года назад

Oh god

@christinaserrone7023 4 года назад

Hi T.C. I just wanted to thank you for responding to my question regarding what brand of dry cat food you use. I also asked if you had any "normal" Northern blue tongues. If you have a waiting list for your babies, can you please add my name, Chris Serrone. Thank you. Your information, etc., is great and your Blue Tongues are beautiful.

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

Hey awesome! Check out my website at www.reptilemountain.com/buying for more info on how to buy from me. 😁😁👍🏼

@bradleyhukill3453 2 года назад

That's a nice fresh shirt 👕 👌

@louiethebeagledog2553 6 лет назад

Is it weird that my bluie likes to hide inside of a sock and sleep 😂 he doesn’t borrow in the substrate he just goes inside the sock

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

Haha thats funny. I guess whatever he likes.

@WickedWildlife 7 лет назад

Great informative video! I tend to use mostly cocopeat Like you said it suits variable humidities and comes in big blocks from our garden centre

@coopsreptiles2588 7 лет назад

Very good video man loving the quality info and editing. They can also start climbing walls and get back kinks if you don't have anything to bury in if using paper. Keep up the good work these videos would be extremely helpful for people new in the hobby

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Thanks man! Great point about wall climbing. I forgot about that! I have one that his previous keeper let him get a minor back dip from climbing and then sitting like that for hours.

@andrww9272 6 лет назад

Is repti-bark and eco-earth good for substrate?

@JRam0409 7 лет назад

mites can go through bags !!!!! i guess ima use my oven for the first time................... thanks for the info!!!!!! i still got lots to learn!!!

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Juan Ramirez well kind of... not all the bags are actually air tight and somehow the mites can get into the bag. Especially if its a substrate that has moisture already, the mites are drawn to that bit of moisture while on their search for more reptiles to infest. At least thats the only thing I can hypothesize.

@andrewnatanael2721 6 лет назад

Love the coco husks 11:50

@lindagewoonlinda2653 5 лет назад

2 years ago I got the chance to hold a bluetongue, I fell in love with that little guy! I'm hopefully getting my own bluetongue this sunday. Your videos are very helpfull! thank you for that :)

@12342087 6 лет назад

Yes this happened to me, bought substrate from pet store never had mites before then suffered with an infestation couldn’t figure out where they come from then it dawned on me freaked me out so much that I keep all my snakes on paper towel now,,but I am willing to try again freezing it this time just in case. Thx for the advice👍

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

👍🏼👍🏼😁

@bundun4074 5 лет назад

Hello TC!, can I mix coco fiber with cypress mulch for low humidity skinks such as the northern and eastern blue tongue skink or will it be too much humid?, also has any of your skinks experienced skin infection due to the cypress mulch?, sorry it's just that I haven't used this substrate before.

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

Hi! You can mix the two yes and they should be fine I keep all my BTS (Eastern, Northern, Merauke, etc) on coco husk or cypress mulch. With good ventilation, ensuring the substrate isn't soggy, and providing a place for them to be fully dry they have thrived without any skin issues what so ever. Also, a well hydrated and healthy skink can even accidentally ingest some and pass it without any risk of impacttion whatsoever. :-) It's fantastic substrate.

@WickedWildlife 7 лет назад

Great informative video! I tend to use mostly cocopeat Like you said it suits variable humidities and comes in big blocks from our garden centre

@ashleystubbings5631 7 лет назад

Very helpful and informative video. Thank you. You know what you're talking about!😁

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

+Ashley Stubbings Thank you. Always room to keep learning for me too.

@dxvid1417 4 года назад

Hi 👋 I am hoping to buy a northern from you (sent an email about details) and I'm worried about mites etc in my blueys substrate. Is there a surefire way to guarantee that my bluey won't get mites? Or any substrates that are guaranteed not to have any bugs or mites that isn't just paper towels? Thanks!

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

Hi, if you bake the (moist) mulch for 30 min at 300F it will kill any mites. Mites in the substrate is very rare. I haven’t had mites in my collection since 1995 doing this.

@dxvid1417 4 года назад

ReptileMountain.TV Wonderful thank you! Does that method kill other things like the tiny white bugs you might see or the gnats you talked about that were a common annoyance for you?

@LanceKirkman 6 лет назад

I've been using ReptiChip for my Northern BTS. It feels like he soils it daily being my fastest moving Coconut user. Is that normal? Should he be blowing substrate so fast? I have the Reptichip w/hides. Suggestions?

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

Hmmm i use that now too. I just spot clean....

@angusfreeman8149 2 года назад

Does coconut fibre get caught in the blue tongue skinks ears, noise, mouth and lungs

@cathleenbalboni1471 7 лет назад

Excellent work breaking down all substrate use and issues. I really wanted to use cypress for Snowy but actually heard several stories of impaction causing the death of some skinks. I am nervous now about using it and even though so many folks use it and love it for holding humidity well I can't shake the negative feeling . 😞Thank you again TC! Keep up the great work for all of us!😊

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Thanks so much. I totally understand your concerns, hard to shake real accounts :) I am curious to hear more about those impaction cases with cypress. I would probably chalk them to freak incidents as impaction can occur with many substrates or not substrate at all actually. . Some more than others of course. I always look at the eating behvior of my animals individually as I know of an animal at a zoo (Varanus ssp.) that would eat rocks... 2 surgeries later... That lizard lives on paper off display now lol. Animals are so amazingly variable.

@mylesowens8395 7 лет назад

good job keep up the great work

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Thanks Myles!

@mightymouse1111 Год назад

You have the best channel for skink care and general information. You've probably saved and improved the lives of thousands of skinks. That's awesome! Thanks for these great videos!

@beefcakejake7566 5 лет назад

THAT HAT HAS ONE HELL OF A CURVE

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

It takes years lol

@heatherriley7688 5 лет назад

Your videos are so great and informative! I'm planning to get a pet blue tongued skink soon (my first reptile, I'm so excited), and these videos are so helpful!

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

Congrats on your soon to be best pet ever!!! 🦎❤️

@Deb11-11 5 лет назад

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. It is much appreciated.

@martinwilson031614 7 лет назад

Could I purchase a baby Northern blue tongue from you??

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Hi thanks for watching! I do hope to have 2 litters of Classic Northerns this June (fingers crossed). I have plans to hold a few back and sell a few. If you follow my facebook page @ReptileMountain you will know if and when they are born and at that piont you could make a reservation. :-) I willl likely post a video short about the birth as well :-) If I have babies they will sell for $300 and up based on color/patterns etc. :-)

@fdcdrifter Год назад

Thank you very much!!

@204_mod_shop 4 года назад

Classic northern BTS , moist coco fiber? Your thoughts?

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

It can get messy and if it dries it gets quite dusty and some keepers haver reported their animals get it in their nostrils more than other substrates causing an abnormal amount of sneezing.

@ProgressiveDiscussions 3 года назад

Do you sell baby Northern blue tongues online to the public? If so what is your business website?

@ReptileMountainTV 3 года назад

Yes, www.ReptileMountain.com

@bunniebab3929 3 года назад

Hi, I got a Indonesian skink, I got him the coco husk and the zoo substrate, he keeps sneezing because of the zoo substrate! 😭

@ReptileMountainTV 3 года назад

They sneeze naturally.

@bobafettuccine666 4 года назад

Have you, or anyone here, tried Lugarti Reptile Bedding? I use it for my Bearded Dragon and was going to use it with my yet to be gotten skink. Any opinions?

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

I haven’t personally used it. Unfortunately the amounts of substrate I use makes it too expensive to try for everything. I have heard those who have used it, liked it.

@bobafettuccine666 4 года назад

ReptileMountain.TV thank you so much for taking the time to reply!! You’re videos are awesome and I’ve learned a ton from them!!! Very appreciated!!!

@guillegarcia9083 Год назад

What would be good for a northern blue tongue bioactive enclosure?

@shiby7724 Год назад

I know this is late but hopefully I can help! I've tried bioactive a hand full of times with my northern. Their poop is too large to just leave and hope the bugs deal with it, so you'll still need to clean it. I've found ABG mix and reptisoil work very well for BioActives, as well as some flake soil for the bugs to munch

@srubio9817 7 лет назад

what do you recommend for baby bts? Can we use the same cypress mulch and jungle mix?

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

+Sonia Rubio For baby Northerns I use just cypress mulch (ZooMeds Forrest Floor) for Indonesian species I mix it with Eco Earth that is moist (when dry its not so good).

@suka2aja460 6 лет назад

good info sir..keep updating video😊

@ethanweaver4006 5 лет назад

Can I use eco earth for a northern if I live in ny

@addicted2inverts596 7 лет назад

Hi, I'm Kind of new to blue tongue skinks and I would like to know what kind of bedding to give a baby, I don't know what kind it is going to be yet, but I have herd that the baby's try to eat the substrate some times. If you know what would be good for them please let me know!

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Hi, I've seen many keepers keep newborns on paper towels and them move them to cypress mulch once they've got the feeding thing down. I've seen adults eat bedding as well but it was during feeding and some food scent got on the bedding. If you can feed on a full size dinner plate and let the baby climb onto the plate you'll reduce your risk of bedding ingestion. I use cypress mulch on babies that are 1 week old.

@akramcharif7040 5 лет назад

I believe if you live in the USA cypress mulch is the best but if you living in Australia sugar can mulch is the good option

@CaptainQuoll 10 месяцев назад

Is tree fern mulch good?

@ReptileMountainTV 7 месяцев назад

I haven’t worked with it. Id have to research it to say.

@chinzotic9798 4 года назад

What is your best recommendation for a merauke blue tongue substrate that is not bioactive? Please reply I am getting a blue tongue in 2-3 weeks!!!!

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

Cypress mulch mixed with sphagnum moss

@chinzotic9798 4 года назад

ReptileMountain.TV can you also tell me what temperature the heat light should be for merauke blue tongues? Thanks.

@Joeyravioli0414 3 года назад

I just got a Irian jaya, I know you said to do your research before you get one but when I heard this little guys previous owner had abandoned him in the garage I had to take him in, especially since we live in Chicago and it gets pretty cold, I now am doing everything I can to ensure he gets what he needs and lives a happy healthy life, my skink unfortunately is missing a few toes and fingers, but he seems happy now that he's getting his food and water and has warmth, thank you for posting all these videos, and informing people on the care that these little guys need, it really helps.

@ReptileMountainTV 3 года назад

Thank you for your kind heart!

@buffalophil3630 3 года назад

You're a saint..we all have to rescue reptiles at sone point it's heartbreaking

@victorskinner1998 6 лет назад

I like you!!! You’re a cool guy!

@hectoresquivel2418 4 года назад

I use cypress mulch with coco fiber for my northern and I am finding the mulch in his poop. Is this bad?

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

Should he fine as long as he is hydrated

@hectoresquivel2418 4 года назад

Thank you

@kingsreptiles6481 7 лет назад

good video but u forget to mention centralian, western and shingleback blueys which are from desserts and can be on desert sand or low humidity substrate. and blotched blueys which are mild humidity like easterns

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Thanks for watching! I love centralians, westerns, and shinglebacks...blochies are neat too!!! You are very right I did leave those guys out but it was kinda on purpose since they are so incredibly rare outside of OZ and my vids are slightly directed toward a US/Europe audience which doesn't have much opportunity to buy such cool animals. When they do go up they are 3-6K or more :-0 Do you keep any centrailians? They are my favorite bluey.

@kingsreptiles6481 7 лет назад

No worries, u have great content. Yea so do i! ah ok, im from australia! Ok cool, have u seen Ty Park collection, he has some in florida! , yeah they are very expensive here too, but not like they are for u. Sadly not, i am in NSW so we have a licence system sadly. I keep Eastern now (8 of them and 1 is albino) and i breed them, i am getting a couple blotchies soon when we have the big outdoor pit ready for them, and i am getting a pair of Shinglebacks when i get the right size eclosure ready! To get Northern, Western, Centralian here, i have to upgrade to a class 2 licence sadly, when i do (next year) i probably will try and get one! haha yeah awesome, they are one of my favourites too along with shinglebacks and westers

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

That's awesome! I wish I could have an albino. Yeah I saw Ty has some westerns and shingles and albinos and hypers. He is set up...lo.. I gotta find a way to be put in his will. lol. I hope you get your class 2 so you can keep some of those centrailian and westerns as well. :-)

@kingsreptiles6481 7 лет назад

yeah it is. yeah they really cool! Ty has a great collection! Hahaha yeah lol that be good haha. Yeah so do i cant wait haha

@buffalophil3630 3 года назад

@@kingsreptiles6481 did you ever get your license?

@libertyranger1301 6 лет назад

Hi mate. Im currently using sugar cane mulch for my skink about 9 months now. So far so good. Would you recommend a more suitable substrate prehaps? He is an eastern and lives in native brisbane australia.

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

Hi I know many in OZ who use sugar cane mulch. Are you having issues with it? I know additive free top soil is popular also. I prefer mulch personally.

@libertyranger1301 6 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV no real issues with it that im curtain of. I know my bearded dragon had impaction issues, weather it was anything to do with the mulch im not sure. My blue tongues feet do get abit sticky with the shedding of his feet. Again not too sure if its anything to do with sugar cane mulch.

@LanceKirkman 6 лет назад

Paper w/hides & sphagnum moss for burrowing? Northern BTS

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

Are you changing the reptichip completely with every poop?

@LanceKirkman 6 лет назад

TC, I spot clean, I can't afford full replacement per poop... :D Compared to my snakes, he's going through it SO much faster Tomorrow I'm doing a full replace of my ReptiChip in all my tubs as I upgrade my snakes

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

Mine poop maybe 2-3 a week max which yeah is more than some snakes.

@LanceKirkman 6 лет назад

Ah, ok! So it's all about perspective. He's going through substrate as you'd expect, which just happens to be more than what I'm used to from a reptile.

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

Yep exactly 👍🏼

@thefantasticferrets3922 4 года назад

So I do not like the look of aspen substrate and I live in a more humid state. I am looking to get a northern bts so is it ok to use cypress mulch?

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

Absolutely

@thefantasticferrets3922 4 года назад

Thx🙂

@himanshudigwal6580 4 года назад

Won’t they get impaction?

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

@jasonsmith2305 7 лет назад

Can you use straw as bedding

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Thanks for watching! If you find its not drying out your animal(s) and it works for you I don't see why not. Im not sure it will be as easy to spot clean but give ia try and take good mental notes about how it is affecting your animal(s).

@ProgressiveDiscussions 3 года назад

My BIO Active setup for high humidity Critters is the dairy cow isopod because they breed so fast, together with dwarf purple isopods. For exotic pets that need it a bit drier I would use powder orange or powder blue isopods, even though you still have to moisten one end of the enclosure once a week. They are a great clean up crew in all ways and for some smaller pets an extra food source.

@ellaspencer4934 5 лет назад

Can I use sand ??

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

Not a good choice, no.

@ellaspencer4934 5 лет назад

Thx so much I was so worried about the substrate because some people recommend it and others strongly dislike it so again I thank u so much

@gregwolley3327 3 года назад

Thanks so much! I took my halmarera to an exotic vet to get de-mited. Despite me telling him that this sp. needed high humidity, he swore by aspen and said that 30% humidity was fine. Wrong! Now I have to switch out my substrate (for the second time; the first time was heating and cleaning for mites), and I'm sure me skink Simon will be much happier.

@jcfishing7840 4 года назад

See I’ve had my younger blue tongue skink in reptile bark but I don’t like it because it gets in his eyes and then I have to wash him off so this video was vary helpful so now I will get forest floor thanks so much for the information

@theakuczynski6938 4 года назад

YO I LIVE IN COLORADO TOO!

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

Awesome!

@lexanymendiola3318 4 года назад

Do you think i can use a mix of coco husk and coco fiber for a northern or should i just stick to cypress mulch?

@dino2aa252 5 лет назад

Where are you from

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

Colorado, USA

@captsmoker2547 6 лет назад

can i use coco peat? is it same like fiber of husk?(im not good at english so dont know the diff between them)

@paullonglee 7 лет назад

Hi TC, thanks for the great channel! Quick question: any thoughts on using peat moss as a substrate? I saw it at the hardware store and wanted to get your opinion before testing this out. As long as it doesn't have any chemicals or dyes, it shouldn't be much different from top soil or coco fiber, right? At least that is my thinking. Thanks!

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

I believe its worth a try. I dont know if it has antibacterial/fungal properties though. Im wondering why it isnt mentioned much??? That makes me wonder... Keep a close eye on your animals scales, eyes, and the substrate as well for any issues. Let me how it goes know if you try it.

@paullonglee 7 лет назад

So, I am testing the Sunshine brand 100% sphagnum peat moss with my snakes (www.homedepot.com/p/SunShine-3-cu-ft-Peat-Moss-3001-CFC003P/205883917). Been a few days now, so far so good, no visible issues. I did a little research online and found some people have been using it for tortoises. They mention it being pH 3.5-4.5 and therefore mold resistant. I have noticed it being very airy and light if it drys out, so the trick would be to keep it moist, otherwise, it becomes quite dusty. If there are any issues, I will update them here. This is looking pretty promising so far!

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

+Kung Paul Cool! Yes please keep me in the loop. I appreciate that info!

@paullonglee 7 лет назад

UPDATE: I am noticing the peat moss collecting around the tongue openings of some of my snakes, probably being picked up by the tongue flickers and deposited there when the tongue is drawn back in. Today was the first feeding session on the peat moss and I see that if I don't properly dry out the mice/rats, small clumps will cling onto the food and is getting ingested. This worries me, I don't want to cause any impaction issues and will be changing back to my original substrate before the next feeding session. I hope this information was helpful, hopefully my snakes are just going to poop it out with no problems...*fingers crossed*

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

+Kung Paul Great update. Good info to have! Thanks :-)

@Bloodhoundfostermom 5 лет назад

My northern bts is coming today!! After a year of researching!!I'm nervously excited... Like a kid on Christmas morning....wait! The door bell just rang...gotta go!!

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

Congrats!!!

@alexslomin 5 лет назад

Hey TC, my Zoo Med Forest Floor cypress mulch is not holding much humidity. I spray the enclosure, and when I come back an hour later, the only part that is slightly damp is the cool side. Have you had this issue with forest floor substrate? I am getting sphagnum moss and an exo terra monsoon mister, but the cypress mulch is frustrating me. Everyone says that it holds humidity well, but my hygrometer reads around 80% for 2 minutes then drops to 35 - 45%. I have an Indonesian skink who needs humidity and I'm worried that he will develop something bad.

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

How much ventilation is provided? It sounds like there is too much ventilation.

@schrosserpentsbu7873 4 года назад

My dad didn’t really want me to get a bluei because I live in Colorado too and he said monitoring the humidity would be a problem, so do you have any recommendations for humid enclosures (preferably a tub) for a northern???

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

Northerns do just fine here if you mist them a couple times a week. However, a Kages pvc enclosure is the best for holding humidity and providing quality space.

@briannaboucher4452 5 лет назад

Hi the average humidity in my city is 35-45%. Will using aspen chips work

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

It depends on what species you're keeping. Its best to measure the humidity inside the cage rather than what's outside as it does vary quite a bit in most cases. I recommend a digital hygrometer. They are quite inexpensive on Amazon. :)

@IsaacsonSeth 5 лет назад

I used to use Kritter Crumble coco fiber, but we’ve had both of our northerns on bioactive substrates for several years and they are thriving.

@fuzedtrayzern7741 5 лет назад

I have Kritter Krumble and was wondering if I could mix it with normal soil? If so do I need to do anything before mixing them

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

I would use organic topsoil to mix in. I would also bake the topsoil to kill anything living in the soil you don't want in your enclosure.

@lokiwolfgirl1855 4 года назад

Question. I live in colorado with you. Do you think i could do coco blocks on the cold side with the water and fade it into aspen fibers on the warm side?

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

you could try but aspen is tricky and will end up on the wet side and get wet and then mold. Cheers fellow Coloradan.

@keonia.9553 5 лет назад

Would peat moss with cypress mulch work for an irian jaya?

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

Yep that can work!

@SavF2000 6 лет назад

Opinion on nonadhesive shelf/cabinet liner (with an added burrowing box)? I use it for my bearded dragon and it is so easy to clean up after her. For a Northern BTS.

@SavF2000 6 лет назад

(Humidity in my area stays around 40-60% and I use a humidifier in the winter when the humidity drops into the 30’s)

@ashlowry755 6 лет назад

I was told by a breeder here in AUS that paperbased chemical free cat litter is a good substrate as its easy to clean up the mess and it can be ingested with easy passing Would you recommend this?

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

Yes and no. Paper based litters can be very dry and end up drying the animal out, especially their feet. I would instead use something that can and does hold a small bit of moisture. However, if you live an a very humid environment and the enclosure is also humid then it could be fine.

@broskiwankenobi 5 лет назад

I’m getting a young Merauke in a few days and I currently have cypress in the tank. Should I mix in some sphagnum moss I have laying around or just keep the cypress alone??

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

I would mix it, it does really help with humidity

@darkfist9889 7 лет назад

Hey TC, I'm thinking of getting a pet Merauke Blue Tongue Skink. I live in Malaysia, its a tropical and humid country. I've done my research already but is there any advice you can give me specifically for Merauke BTS ? Thank you, your videos are helpful.

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Hi Ameyr, thanks for watching. I'm not an expert on Merauke's by any means but from what I do know they tend to be longer in total length than the other blue tongue species and as you know do well in higher humidity set ups. I'd say give them a bit more space and keep them humid. I believe they burrow more also so deep substrate could be nice. Check out 221B's video on Indonesian blue tongues in my "liked" videos playlist. Best wishes.

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

I would do a mix of 1:1:1 cypress : cocofiber : sphagnum moss or substitute the cypress for orchid bark/repti-bark

@Chagsis 7 лет назад

I use Kritter Krumble, the coarse version. It's quite good at holding humidity. I have a Halmahera.

@darkfist9889 7 лет назад

Chagsis Nice where i'm from the species of blue tongue skink are almost always from Indonesia/Papua like Merauke and Halmahera idk why they don't sell Australian bts i guess because its more expensive and there's little demand for bts.

@suka2aja460 6 лет назад

Ameyr ye btol..amik dri indon mungkin murah sikit..tapi tak brapa cantik..

@finchy4205 6 лет назад

Hi tc is a eastern blue tongue a high humidity skink or low humidity skink

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

They can tolerate lower humidity

@lemonyfish3303 3 года назад

is sphagnum moss good?

@vandemanferretstasmania.ni9576 3 года назад

My big female (in Tasmania) Splotched Blue Tongue, is a rescue that survived a large dog attack. She has trouble shedding due to her scarring. We have tried many types of substrate to create a natural environment for her, but, she hates EVERYTHING that isn’t a puppy training pad and a felt cloth

@ReptileMountainTV 3 года назад

Hmm. Poor girl. Have you tried adding some crumpled up papers in addition the the puppy pad?

@vandemanferretstasmania.ni9576 3 года назад

@@ReptileMountainTV yes, we’ve tried everything, she just gets upset, trashes the enclosure and tries to push it out over the top of her enclosure, then goes back to her heat pad and blanket

@sarahgardner5461 4 года назад

I have had an unknown type of BTS for a year now. I am her 3rd owner in 7 years and have had her on Zilla's Jungle Mix since I brought her home. She has not had any issues shedding, but I mist her enclosure occasionally with giving her access to a pretty large water bowl. Would there be a way I can send you pictures of her to see if you can identify her? Curious as to what she is and if the substrate is the right one for her. Thanks!

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

post a photo on bluetongueskinks.net or Blue Tongue Skink Enthusiasts FB page they can ID it for you.

@sarahgardner5461 4 года назад

@@ReptileMountainTV Thank you!

@begrateful8934 3 года назад

Baking it right now!

@211Rastaman 7 лет назад

I want one, I want one

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Awesome! They are great pets and one of the best captive lizards around.

@adeonsajakarta2923 5 лет назад

So can I use wood chippings for my coming soon panana halmahera baby?Can it stand if I spray it to make it moist and not dangerous?

@paint2278 5 лет назад

Adeon Sajakarta I have a halmahera and I normally use cypress mulch with a bit of sphagnum moss, since they would need higher humidity than an eastern would, I like using these two cause they hold humidity well and won’t mold quickly or at all!

@adeonsajakarta2923 5 лет назад

@@paint2278 I will try to find those things you mentioned.I live in Indonesia and it is really hard to get stuff like those things😂😂😂DAMN Spagnum moss is so expensive😂😂😂Time to get broke for the little guy

@Brian_Earl_Spilner 5 лет назад

Hi, thanks for the video, I’m trying to pick the pest substrate and want to go with your recommendation of cypress mulch, but I’m confused as cypress is a pine. Well it is here in Australia. Is cypress pine ok to use?

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

I have heard from other Aussies that the treated pine bedding there works well. But I cannot say from experience

@Brian_Earl_Spilner 5 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV Thanks for that, I just want to hurt my little bluetongue as you say to avoid pine. I wonder if Aussie pine is different?

@bobstranzenbach4700 4 года назад

Very nicely covered.👍

@nicolafrench3977 5 лет назад

What outdoor bedding would you recommend

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

Mulch or topsoil

@andrww9272 6 лет назад

Is a combination of repti-bark and sphagnum moss a good substrate for a northern?

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

That should work well.

@andrww9272 6 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV Ok

@guggemannen9783 4 года назад

best blue tounge skink channel!!

@ReptileMountainTV 4 года назад

Thank You!

@SCHLIMEYjbeetz 6 лет назад

Also do you think if I order substrate online, there’s less of a chance of it having mites?

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

Probably safer yes. But I have no way of knowing really.

@SCHLIMEYjbeetz 6 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV okay thank you!!

@unroem9912 6 лет назад

I have a repti fogger for my merauke bts and I have two moist hides with sphagnum moss. Can I use reptile carpet as a substrate?

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

+Ящер Ящерович you can yes if the humidity stays up. Keep in mind they naturally tend to burrow so allowing them to do so would benefit their wellness. 😊

@unroem9912 6 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV okay. He will be able to burrow in the moist hides. He is currently on coco husk and I’ve never seen him burrowing in it+ it is sometimes hard to clean, especially when I feed him repashy mixes. I think reptile carpet would work really well.

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

+Ящер Ящерович sounds good 😊👍🏼

@mantidgirl 7 лет назад

Could i use some plain tiles for a flooring in my tank, then add hay on one side for them to hide & burrow? For an Australian blue tongue

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

As long as you provide and maintain a clean environment and hay or something so they can exercise their behavioral needs to burry and "root" through strata I don't see why not.

@mantidgirl 7 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV Awesome, thanks! Awesome videos by the way :)

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Thank you :)

@ellabarkdoll4884 7 лет назад

Is fir bark okay for my Indonesian? Sorry if you explained in the video, I'm up late for research and don't want my parents to hear me.

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

+Metanoia Lol yes As long as its natural and not dyed. I believe fir bark and orchid bark (reptibark) are the same thing. Many mix it with sphagnum moss at 1:1 mix to get high humidity

@ellabarkdoll4884 7 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV Awesome! Thank you! I was honestly more worried about having humidity being too high (our house is messed up, usually humidity is 60%). Most websites I've been too say they only tolerate 25%-45%.

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

+Metanoia 25-45% for an Indonesian? Those websites are wrong. Indonesians need between 60-80% humidity.

@ellabarkdoll4884 7 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV Well, that's great! Thanks :)

@ellabarkdoll4884 7 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV Oh, also, am I suppose to bathe him? I know warn water helps with shedding, but other then that?

@twiggy_being 6 лет назад

everybody say colerado

@twiggy_being 6 лет назад

im a geraff

@ashlyntyrie234 6 лет назад

can you use shredded paper other than normal paper

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

You can yes shredded is better than just flat.

@ashlyntyrie234 6 лет назад

will it make their toes fall off, I'm getting an Australian northern skink in a few months and I'm new to this so I'm doing as much inquiry as needed to give it the best life possible so your videos are super helpful , I'm also saving up for them I'm super excited I've always wanted one and my mum said now that I'm a teenager I can get one :) thanks for your information but will a UVB light burn the paper? thanks.

@ReptileMountainTV 6 лет назад

No a UVB should not burn the paper. I would recommend mulch over paper.

@alexisolaes935 7 лет назад

Hi, I am planning on getting a Northern blue tongue, and I live in a pretty dry and hot place. What type of substrate would be best? Also, since it does get pretty hot here, like high 90's to low 100's over summer daily, I was wondering if there is anything I can/ should do to keep part of the tank cool?

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Are you keeping them indoors with climate control or outdoors? If outdoors there is a crittercam video where Peter visits Joe Ball's place and Joe has a great set up for out door blue tongues to keep them from over heating and getting too wet during down poors.

@alexisolaes935 7 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV Indoors! We use AC but it still does get hot in my house randomly and that's when I use fans also. Would that be okay?

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

I would invest in a quality thermostat for your heat elements. If you use an under tank heater/ heat tape/cable I'd set the thermostat right at the temp you want. I'd get a temp gun ($11 online) to ensure the temps in the cage are just right. If you are using a lamp I'd still use a thermostat but set it to just above the max temp so that if your house were to get too hot and the entire temp range would go up the thermostat would cut off power to the heat lamp and not cook your lil skink :) By setting the lamp one just higher you avoid the thermostat turning the light off and on all day long which could stress your skink.

@alexisolaes935 7 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV Thank you so much! That is so helpful, I'll definitely invest in that before I get a bts :)

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

You're very welcome. I hope you have a great experience with your soon to be best bud!

@Awesomekittyness 5 лет назад

Can I use eco earth instead of aspen?

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

You can but people have reported it gets everywhere and some skinks don’t like how it gets stuck in their nostrils.

@Awesomekittyness 5 лет назад

@@ReptileMountainTV ok thank you for replying so fast

@taniahines1568 7 лет назад

Question! I live in wpg mb and we get very very cold in winter. It is my first year owning a northern bts. I did notice his belly scales got very dry during the times it was very cold. He hates any sort of wet (baths or humid hide) cause he is a big fat skinky pants. Anyways wondering if in winter (like seriously we get to -45) I should use a different sub for him that is more humid? What would you sugget?

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Hi Tania, great question. I had a similar problem with my Northerns in the dry winter. I use cypress and actually spray it down once a day just so the top layer is damp and that fixed it right up for me.

@coley8842 5 лет назад

How do you store your extra substrate after baking!

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

I use a storage bin

@coley8842 5 лет назад

Thank you! So any closed container will work? No need to bake again?

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

Not unless you keep it in a place where lots of pests could get in.

@coley8842 5 лет назад

Thank you!

@theaussiewildlife370 5 лет назад

Could you use a mix of soil and sand ?

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

yes but I don't recommend it as a best choice

@theaussiewildlife370 5 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV I want something which looks similar to natural land of eastern blue is there anything you can recommend

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

Topsoil

@zkeifer1367 7 лет назад

Your website doesn't seem to work

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

Oh no! Are you on a mobile device? What operating system? Sometimes I have to clear my search history and cookies on some devices. Im sorry for that. Thanks for letting. Me know.

@zkeifer1367 7 лет назад

Yes on a mobile device running Android 7.1.1

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

I looked into the issue and it "should be fixed" sorry about that.

@fungus2116 5 лет назад

Northerns and westerns are better off with 0-10 percent humidity 30-50 is way too high

@ReptileMountainTV 5 лет назад

Northerns are from a geographically tropical region. Darwin for example is normally at 80% humidity. Westerns can be very low like you said. But Keeping a Northern at below 10% is incorrect and dangerous. 👍🏼

@bryantbk 7 лет назад

I got a question. I'm getting my blue tongue skink tomorrow, it's an indonesian blue tongue skink so i know it needs humidity and i live in indonesia. I have set up the cage with newspaper as substrate since other substrates are not easily available in my area. So is newspaper fine or is it a problem that it absorbs humidity.

@ReptileMountainTV 7 лет назад

I think that since you are in a humid environment it will be just fine :-)

@bryantbk 7 лет назад

ReptileMountain.TV alright. thanks for the reply !