Son wants blue tongued skink ...?

Question

My 11 year old son wants a blue tongued skink (not sure if that is spelled right). I also have a 4 year old and two dogs in the house. I'm not sure I want this in my house. I've heard that lizards carry disease and such. I wanted to see if this is true? Also to find out from owners what other issues we could encounter should a lizard be added to our home.

Answer 1

Yes, all lizards carry germs and even internal parasites. Now the parasite load and germs that this animal carry will vary depending on where and what it was kept with before purchase. The blue tongue skink that you may buy could have been kept in a cage where it was exposed to the infected feces of other animals or may have been neglected by the employees at the pet store and left to wander in it‘s own waste for weeks. However the good news is that Blue tongued skinks usually don’t carry diseases and heavier loads of internal parasites as opposed to many other species of reptile on the market. The blue tongue is a pretty safe yet expensive investment (the starting price for a common blue tongue is about $200) and can tolerate handling. My only concern is that your son’s interest in this lizard may only be short-term and you’ll be stuck taking care of an unwanted reptile for years and years to come. Blue tongues are quiet an investment since

I. They grow to a tremendous sizes; 18-25in and will require at least a cage that is 4 feet in length and 2 feet in width.

II. It’ll require special UVB/UVA lighting, live food and a more complex diet then what most pet owners are use to dealing with

III. If they animal was to become hurt or sick finding a vet that specially deals with reptiles can be difficult to find and expensive.

If you don’t think you can provide for the long term benefit of this animal then I would highly suggest an alternative reptile; a leopard gecko. BUT that is only if you, as the parent, want a reptile in your house.

Answer 2

Blue tongued skinks are awesome! But you ask some serious questions, so here are some serious answers.

Yes, skinks, like many other reptiles carry salmonella. However, if you are faithful about washing your hands after handling you pet, this shouldnt be an issue. I have had many reptiles over the years, & never once have had a health issue with them. Plus, I work in a pet store & handle them all day long. I am kind of a hand sanitizer nut, though.

Your skink would be much less work than your 2 dogs. That doesnt mean that issues cannot crop up that are a pain to take care of. Please realize that a full-grown blue tongue can be over 3 feet long. That requires a large habitat! They also have big appetites. We feed ours (which is an adolescent at about 12 inches) fresh veggies & fruits daily along with several large crickets & even a pinkie or two now & then.

They do pretty well when handled regularly, but these are not the most active of reptiles. They enjoy sitting & basking more than scurrying around.

A lepard gecko or a bearded dragon may be another option you could look into to satisfy your sons reptile craving. Check out your local petstore & ask all the questions you can think of (habitat size, feeding requirements, heating & lighting needs, humidity issues, ect) about all of these animals. Take your son with you so he realizes that reptile pets have the same kind of responsibilities as their mammal counterparts.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

Blue tongue skinks, like any other reptile, have the propensity of carrying salmonella, mainly from walking in their fecal matter. If your 11 year old is responsible, just have him wash his hand thoroughly after handling the skink. As for your 4 year old, I'd say hands off just to be safe. Also, about the only other problem I have had with any reptile is biting. However, the blue tongue is the most docile lizard I have ever seen. For this reason, I think your son would get bored with this lizard. They have a bad habit of getting fat from little movement. Therefore I would suggest a leopard gecko. Bright, colorful, and fun.

Answer 4

As long as you keep the habitat clean as well as sanitizing your hands before and after handling, disease shouldn't be an issue. You will need to get a fecal test done when you get your animal, but this is for the protection of the animal, not really for yours. (A fecal tests checks for parasites)

I would suggest you get a different type of reptile, should you decide to get one. Skinks can be great fun, although they need a rather large habitat and your son my lose interest. Bearded Dragons also need a large habitat, but they're more active and will probably keep your son's interest for a longer time.

If you'd like a smaller lizard, I'd suggest a crested gecko or a leopard gecko. Leos can be a bit aggressive when they're younger, but tend to get more friendly as they get older. I have a crested gecko and love the little guy. He'll never get too big, is always ready to be handled, and is really easy to take care of.

Out of all the beginner reptiles, I would have to go with the crested. They come in all sorts of morphs (like leos do), but I think they're more fun.

I hope that helps!

Feel free to contact me if you need some more help.

If you'd like more information, you should head over to repticzone.com. You'll find care sheets and a lot of helpful people over there.

Answer 5

The lizard will carry fewer germs than your dogs and children.
Keeping a lizard as a pet requires a specialized habitat. The habitat would include a 55-gallon tank, specialized lighting and heating, and substrate (the stuff on the bottom of the tank). Blue-tongued skinks can get to be 32 inches long and they have to eat live crickets and some vegetables every day or two, depending on their size. They are said to have a good disposition; I've never had one. Read a book on their care, and talk to somebody who knows about their needs before you get one. They can live 15 years, so it is a commitment.

Answer 6

first of all your son has good taste. second these are very hardy animals, but will require some maitenance. as ^^ says they carry few germs although have the possiblity of transmitting salmonella. this should not be a problem if you was your hands before and after handling these beautiful big lizards. fi your looking to get one i suggest getting one at a reptile show near you. it will be alot less for the animal than at any store and you can get all the equiptment needed to keep it.

these are large lizards and will grow FAST. i recomend getting the adult sized tank when you purchase the lizard. it will require a tank or about 40 - 60 gal. but larger is always better. they can be kept in aspen shavings, DO NOT USE CEDAR OR PINE! these woods have oils fatal to reptiles.

it will need a full spectrum UV lighting and will eat vegitables and fruits and cat food and insects. buy insects at a pet shop not wild caught. the temp in the tank should be 75 - 83 ambient, with a hot spot around 100.

try googling a search for reptile shows in your area, they go yearround in my parts. Anymore questions? drop me some mail, im always helpin'

Answer 7

If you get the lizard from a healthy enviroment, I've never had problems with diseases. You are suppose to use hand sanitizer before & after handling reptiles anyways.
I've owned a Savannah Monitor, and a Schneider Skink. I also had dogs, cats, rats, etc in the household as well.
The only thing I've found to be of importance, outside of maintaining the right atmosphere.....is most reptiles should not be handled, until AFTER feeding time. (They can be grumpy, when hungry.)

Answer 8

Well, i know boys will be boys but , you have to make sure that it isnt around the other dogs or any other humans because some lizards dont tolerate alot of stress . But before buying a Blue-Tounge Sking you must know what they eat, their habitat for proper cage envirement , and also clean water.

Oh yeah this is the most important when ever he picks him up becareful because they can run from his hand and take off. Make sure he washes his hands before and after , if you dont you can catch Salmonellia, a disease from bacteria from reptiles. ok, have fun!, LOL! :)

Answer 9

All reptiles carry Salmonella. But as long as you wash your hands after touching a reptile you will be fine. They are fun, layed back lizards but boy are they expensive!

Answer 10

they don't carry diseases only wild lizards.