Blue tongue help

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Juzz22

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Hey guys, im new to this site and new to owning reptiles i just got my new baby blue tongue yesterday and all seems to be going well though i just had a few qustions for any one that can help me, first ive noticed him/her not sure of the sex trying to climb the walls of the enclosure which ive heard this is not good for them is there any way i can stop him doing this? also i got the calcium and vitamin powders to dust his food but am unsure on how often to do this any advice on these topics or anything thing else would be appreciated thanks.
 
My blue-tongues try to climb the walls all the time, it's never been a problem. If you'd like to try stopping it though, you could cover the glass at the sides and back and just leave one side for them to see out of. This seems to clam them down. You can pick up some gorgeous scenes at the pet shop now for cheap, and they're not all underwater.
Just dust his food every few times you feed him. As he gets older you can do it once a week and as he gets older still you only need to do it ever so often. While he's growing is the most important stage, so keep up the calcium.
Mine love all kinds of fruit, so I give them a wide variety. Some prefer blueberries and some prefer lychees. You just have to find their preferred foods, every one has different tastes. Mine also love mushroom and cooked pumpkin. A varied amount of all kinds of bugs and fruit and veges is good for them. Not too much banana though, and no cat or dog foods that are fish based. Chicken, beef and lamb are great though. I like the supercoat dog food brand. Mine woof it down.
Don't forget to keep his cage clean, and give him lots of attention. The more attention you give them as they're young, the better they'll be in the future and they won't be so "boring" as some people put it because they'll want to be hanging out with you and curious as to what you're doing all the time.
Good luck!!
 
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Hi there,

I have kept bluetongues and shinglebacks inside and outdoors for about 10 years.

Since it’s a new environment he is most likely looking for a way out!
The best way to prevent him trying this is to provide him with plenty of hides or places undercover so he feels secure.
I’ve attached a pic of one of my tanks that shows plenty of places to explore and hide if required.

There will be times when they want to come out regardless and will climb the walls and the best things to do are to provide a good diet to promote strong bones and muscles and if possible, let him out!
Only let your bluetongue out under close supervision, in a secure place where he cannot escape or be in danger and only when he is big enough and old enough that he is not scared of you and his surrounds.

A good diet for a growing bluetongue means variety, but at a young age you can afford more protein than vegetables.
Allow your bluetongue to grow at a steady rate because if you try to grow him too fast his bones will not be strong enough to handle his bulk.
If you provide a varied diet such as a small portion of wet dog food, veggies such as carrots, peas, squash, zucchini, mushrooms, treats such as blueberries and the occasional mealworm then you should only need to dust every 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] or 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] meal and rarely when he is an adult.

If you are able to provide UV then the need for powder based supplements can be reduced due to the UV providing the Vitamin D needed to aid the absorption of calcium.

Bluetongues love snails and they are great for them! If you can provide pesticide free snails your bluey will love you!


Good luck! Bluetongues are highly underrated and make great companions if you provide a stimulating environment and a healthy diet!

And I agree with the above … a ‘boring’ bluetongue is an unloved bluetongue !

Example of a tank with loads to explore:
Jubby.jpg
 
Man, I wish I could get some snails... You people in the southern states have no idea how lucky you are!
 
A nice deep litter to bury in will help..... I use sugar cane mulch....
 
Because they love it, and it's a good source of protein. What do you feed your dogs then? Bark?

Puns 8)
 
Some people feed wild Blueys dog food, but I understand what you're saying. It's cheap and easy I 'spose
 
i don't feed my blueys dog food at all. if i am lazy i buy raw lean beef mince and mix vegies in with calcium powder. it smells better and i personally believe its better than dog food.

dust his food every second day, hides and logs are a great idea and i put enough bark in their enclosure so they can dig and burry themselves.
 
I feed my dogs real meat, not cereal fillers and preservatives. There are plenty of other sources of protein, when was the last time you saw a wild blue tongue eating dogfood.

Down in NSW (where my family lives) they put out dog food for their dogs only to come out and find bluetongues sitting around the bowls gorging themselves. The smell draws them in for an easy feed I suppose.
 
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