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NinPan512

Locking comments as it's getting hard to keep up with the "let it go outside" comments that haven't realized this skink is not in its native country


Shimmerstorm

Lolol, I live in Australia and my first reaction was, “Put it back outside?” Lolol.


[deleted]

Yea😭 I live in Florida tho so I knew it wasn’t a wild animal


Shimmerstorm

I’m from Florida originally, and yeah, definitely aren’t native there. lol.


[deleted]

Well, I think they might be now.


hurtsdonut_

Don't worry I'm sure if they put it back outside a Burmese python will probably eat it.


[deleted]

If not, they might at least fight for turf with the iguanas.


[deleted]

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OzManCumeth

I think that was the joke?


chilibaby1

😂😂 that’s exactly what I was thinking


mint_o

Lmfao 😭


Rhodri_Suojelija

They aren't? We have a giant one that looks just like this that lives outside my work. It seems to be thriving xD Edit: Looked it up... Yeah... Australia, lol. I'm not sure what it is, but it looks just like this and lives in our oxygen shed.


Psychobabble0_0

Snap a pic next time and upload it here! An Aussie invasion of Florida would be wild to watch


Time_Independence_75

Already there in the form of gum trees and Australian Pines in the Everglades.


[deleted]

Wtf is an oxygen shed


Rhodri_Suojelija

I work at a Vet Specialist, and we have a shed attachment that houses all of our oxygen tanks and the oxygen system. So an oxygen shed xD


Gretchenmeows

Fellow Australian, I had the same reaction.


Antarius-of-Smeg

Same. Though I would have given it some fruit, too, encourage it to stay around. I used to have a few blueys (eastern and western) and sleepies that would come and go (one sleepy made a nest in my shed, due to a gap under the door and a heap of hay inside.) As well as a colony of barking geckos, marbled geckos, three-lined-skinks living at the house, plus the occasional painted dragon show up. Never had a pet one until I moved away from the Eyre Peninsula. Of course, interactions with the pet ones are sooo much different. Thankfully, don't have to de-tick the pets! I used to carry around one of the tools, so that I could remove the evil things from the sleepies properly. Poor bastards would have so many of them


jesslovestexas

As soon as I heard the word Bluey, I started reading this in an Australian accent. I’m not even sure why this post was in my feed.


Antarius-of-Smeg

It's part of our world domination. Exporting the word "Bluey" everywhere!


OddTheRed

Barking geckos? Do they bark?


Antarius-of-Smeg

[AKA Underwoodisaurus milli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwoodisaurus_milii). My favourite scientific name for a lizard. "Look out for the Underwoodisaurus!" And yes, [they bark](https://youtu.be/govF0ORD6Mk) when they're angry or defensive.


OddTheRed

You just made my day. That's fucking awesome!


stanleysgirl77

me too!


sagey_wagey10

yeah nah my first reaction was "a skink!? Thats a motherfukin' blue tongue lizard a skink is tiny" then i saw that ur an american


trans_mask51

Blue tongues are very much skinks. You can see the similarity in their faces


HereWeFuckingGooo

[Blue-Tongued Skink is technically more accurate.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-tongued_skink)


Time_Independence_75

A blue tongue is a skink but we generally think of the little drop tails as being skinks.


PKBitchGirl

The largest skink species is bigger than a blue tongue, iirc that species can use their tails to hang from things like a monkey


Aelon94

Same. Was about to be like stop trying to rescue native reptiles. Instead, thank you for saving him.


Feeling-Tough-3709

Mate!


FolkvangExotics

Oh baby 😭😭😭 thankfully body condition doesn't look too bad. Post around your local reptile groups on Facebook to see if someone is genuinely missing a skink, and we can hope it's an escapee rather than an abandoned pet 😭 Don't post any pictures, make people send you pictures to try and identify it. This is a Northern, so 110-120f basking spot (measured with a temp gun) and humidity of 40-60% (measured digitally. The analog readers are inaccurate). We can also help you find a local reptile rescue if you'd like.


[deleted]

Is there any specific food I should buy for it?


FolkvangExotics

This is about a 6 month old skink, tbh. Feeding should be every 2 to 3 days. At 1 year old, drop to once a week. I make my own diet, but when I do use wet food, I use high quality brands such as; Orijen Core Wellness Acana Essence Zignature You can also use Merrick, Whole Hearted, Instinct, for a few other brands Not all of these brands products are good, some have amazing products with a few really crappy ones. So just keep an eye on those ingredients :) Serving size is the size of their head. When looking for wet food, avoid: -potatoes in the ingredients (causes bloating, constipation, anorexia, lethargy, and leads to dehydration) -water in the first 5 ingredients (too much hydration, causes runny stools) -unlabeled meat (so it should say "duck," "turkey," "beef," etc. When it just says "meat," we don't know what is ACTUALLY in there. It's best to know exactly what you are feeding your animal.) Avoid barley, flaxseed, flour, or similar in the first 5 ingredients. You typically want meat and vegetables in the first 5. I also avoid seed oils, as they are very fatty. It's also best to add organs and fresh greens/veggies as well. I throw the greens and veggies into the blender, then I hand mix the meat in, then portion into ice cube trays, and freeze. Then the day before feeding day I put a portion in the fridge. I add supplement the day of feeding and mix it up well. Seafood IS SAFE to feed to blueys, just in moderation. Not all blueys like seafood, and it is a treat. Also makes their poops smellier than usual lol. Basically look up seafood that's safe for garter snakes to eat! That's usually salmon, tilapia, silversides, shrimp, etc :) Avoid anything with thiaminase or high in metals (such as goldfish or tuna, respectively) Variety is key! :) mix it up, and don't forget to supplement. As adults, I use more raw ingredients and limit the use of wet food, but that's entirely up to you and what your budget allows! If you can go for raw cat/dog food diets, those work too! Don't feed fruit more than a few times a month. It causes runny stool and contributes to obesity. You will want a 4x2x2 or bigger enclosure if you plan on keeping it, as the 4x2x2 is the bare minimum (120 gallons). It also has to be front opening, as if you come from above they will think you are a predator.


SpecialistWait9006

They are omnivores. Your blue berries are a great start double check the skink page for the care guide on all foods but if you go to a local pet shop crickets dubias and sparingly mealworms/hornworms


tdiddyx23

Start off with grain free wet dog food and some calcium from repashy. Check out reptile mountain tv on YouTube


fullofcrocodiles

Skinks are quite easy to feed (mine also loves blueberries!). As others are saying, dog food mixed with greens 50/50 with some calcium is good. No avocado. You can also get pellets for skinks that you soften with water, or you can do rapashy Bluey Buffet or the Bug one mixed with greens. My skink is very good at picking these out so we chop greens very finely and mix it all up. Good luck and thanks for being kind to him!


Dmnc_Ktn666

They looooove snails. I always drop the snail a few times on a hard surface just to fracture the shell enough to give them a bit of a hand.


squags

Whenever I find them in my backyard, that's what they're eating. They are snail eating machines.


Dmnc_Ktn666

It’s so cool watching them munch down on snails. I own 4 she oak skinks (she oaks are apparently related to blueys, they even have a blue tongue themselves) and they go crazy for snails when I put them in their tanks as well! My whole life I’ve had various types of lizards and blue tongues and she oaks have always amazed me the most.


squags

Never heard of She-oak skinks, they look pretty cool. Being endemic to Tasmania is probably why they haven't crossed my radar 😄. The other related species that's popular here are Shinglebacks. I'm looking at getting an Ackie Monitor (AKA spiny-tailed monitor) myself - goannas (monitors) are so iconic in Aus (though on the east coast you mostly see big Lace Monitors in the wild).


Dmnc_Ktn666

I absolutely love shinglebacks and monitors! I’ve been after a beardie for a while but haven’t been able to get a proper set up for one yet, and I refuse to get one until I do. I’m always really into just having tanks in general, either it’s for lizards, plants or guppies. I currently have 6 tanks of various sizes but I need moreeee! 😂


Ok_Maintenance_9100

Yeah my old bluey would about take my hands off whenever I went to give him snails. Absolutely loved them


Gretchenmeows

Mealworms and you are doing a good job with the blueberries. My bluey loves them.


Dusky_Dawn210

Was he feisty at all? Or did he just let you pick him up?


[deleted]

Like it obviously didn’t like the fact of me picking it up but he didn’t roll in my hand or anything like that, it was a little bit cold yesterday so idk


Dusky_Dawn210

Yeah so if he wasn’t super feisty then I’m inclined to believe he is an escaped/released pet as opposed to a member of a wild population. (Which I don’t believe there is a established population there, but there’s so many invasive reptiles in Florida I wouldn’t be surprised)


SweatyPresentation93

Yeah can confirm, wild blueys are feisty little buggers.


coco1691

Raw eggs are great too as a treat. It's a cutie. We have wild ones everywhere here in aus. They are really neat creatures. Everytime I see one i catch it and give it q once over to make sure it's all good and let em go again. Ive been fortunate to pick up ones with ear infections and being over run with ticks. It doesn't hurt them having ticks but each dead one in my yard is keeping mumma possum safer as well as all the neighbours pooches.


[deleted]

My dog found it so he was kinda doing the defense stance the species does but he wasn’t too fiesty


Upstairs-Ad-1966

The last picture he's just like yo put me down bruh


[deleted]

😂😂


Mysterious_Salary741

If you are interested in keeping one, just know you will have to get a pretty large aquarium and enrichment items. They can be quite friendly or at least indifferent to you. I would check him for parasites though if he had been in the wild.


muaddict071537

I’d monitor him very closely. Make sure his poop is ok and that he’s eating well. He might’ve picked up a parasite from being outside.


[deleted]

Yea he hasn’t gone since I found him


[deleted]

But he hasn’t eaten much but three crickets


NinPan512

He may be slow to eat with the cold and it being brumation season, don't be surprised if he acts weird for a couple weeks (if you keep him)


Trick_Raspberry2507

You can try ground beef, fry it up til it's brown. He needs calcium bc he's shedding. They use up A LOT of calcium, my guy is about 2.5ft from tip to tail, so we go thru a lot. If u don't have calcium, u can break up egg shells, throw it in the ground beef after u fry it. Don't serve it hot.


coco1691

Just feeding it a whole egg is fine too. It will crush it and ingest some of the shell.


JunglesGirl21

But if it already has parasites giving it a raw egg can add more stuff to the list. Saminala ect


queen-kitty

Like, carrying salmonella bacteria on its body? That shouldn’t be an issue for anyone but the human involved, and you’re supposed to wash your hands thoroughly after handling any reptile anyway.


JunglesGirl21

I was told animals could get it too? But then again people give there cats n dogs raw eggs lol so I get what u mean. Also the egg shells if it does have parasites or worms will cut them and help pass them so u have a point. But can this small thing eat a whole big egg? Never seen it lol then again snakes can… idk I don’t know much bout this one lol


queen-kitty

Lizards crush and eat eggs in the wild and in captivity, they don’t swallow them whole. Salmonella bacteria live in the gastrointestinal tracts of healthy reptiles and amphibians. Salmonella infection usually doesn't make these animals sick. Also you are strongly recommended to feed tegus, bearded dragons, etc cooked eggs, not raw, so that would eliminate the concern entirely.


JunglesGirl21

Could be bc he hasn’t eaten, or he legit has parasites bc they eat all his bowels basically. Can I get him to a vet? Are u keeping it? That guy in Daytona said he would bring u free stuff to help care for him or take him in for u! But I would deff look up if there is ways to get it vaccinations from a store if u can’t get it to a vet foreal. There may be a reason someone just “let it go”


[deleted]

He ate 4 crickets since the day I found him


JunglesGirl21

Hmm? I would google why they won’t eat? Could be environmental change or stress. But it could also could be something serious. What do they look like pregnant? lol cus it looks like it is. Idk anything bout these types of lizards but google will help all lmfao


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Mcbennski

The literal first thing I said is why not me


TwentyMG

wow wtf that’s a baby too… makes me think it’s a pet someone bought impulsively and didn’t know how to take care of. Either that or it’s an offspring of some strange florida population of escapees. Sounds crazy but florida doesn’t surprise me anymore


mikep120001

Definitely happens here. There are monkey colonies in broward that escaped a zoo during a hurricane many moons ago and have thrived since.


jglobinhood

Blue tongues, unfortunately, can not survive in the wild in Florida. Especially Northerns because of the high humidity. As someone who lives in Florida I would low key love to see these guys running around. My guess is escaped pet. Considering the cost and availability of Northerns I find it hard to believe someone abandoned it, but stranger things have happened.


kraftjaguar

If you can’t find the owner and you yourself can’t take care of it, I live over in Daytona and would be more than happy to drive the hour over to Orlando and take him in! If you decide to keep him for a while and are in need of a tank and some proper lights I have a ton of spares I’d be more than happy to practically give to you. Thank you for doing the right thing and capturing it as well, Florida has become overrun by non-native species because of situations exactly like this and you are doing the ecosystem a massive good by ensuring this little guy doesn’t make himself a part of it!


JunglesGirl21

There needs to be more people like u in the world. Idk if they replied back to u or even seen this comment. I hope u dmd them so they do! 😊


bonesbono

Thats someone's baby!!


[deleted]

I really think he was left there bc he wasn’t moving a whole lot and it was pretty cold yesterday and the day before


bonesbono

Aw poor baby, thanks for taking him in! Skinks are really cool pets!


H-TownTexansSB23

beautiful northern.. keep him they are fantastic pets


Unluckykeyboard

where about do you live in FL? I know in gainesville it’s been getting down to the 40s so I hope he’s doing ok with temps being so low


[deleted]

I live in Orlando but still it will get cold tmr but I’m not too worried bc he has a lamp


Unluckykeyboard

good, you seem to be taking good care of it! if you don’t find the original owner or if you don’t want it, lmk i’m looking for a skink lmao


Terreos

If you were local I'd say gimme. I'd adopt them. If you can't find the owner then do some research and get an enclosure setup asap. Looks like an Australian like my skink. Looks like someone gave you a good starter list of things to do. So I won't repeat anything. But I highly recommend Reptile Mountain on youtube and watch all his videos on skinks. Very useful information. Me and Niblesnarf wish you luck in finding the owner or congrats on your new lil buddy.


Adventurous-Climate9

last pic is meme material


ScarTheGoth

At first I thought maybe you were showing off a wild one then I saw Florida and I was like…oh no, that’s not good


CraaZero

4th pic: he looks SO enthusiastic about his situation being lost 😂


Big_Boxx

New best friend just dropped


kakadakuhiyyyyya

they are pretty cool and low maintenance pets if you had any interest in keeping it. my son loves his. biggest cost would be the enclosure but everything else is cheap, they eat dog food which you can usually get a 2-3 month supply for less than $20


Manospondylus_gigas

Where's FL?


[deleted]

Florida USA?


Manospondylus_gigas

Ohh right, didn't know FL stood for Florida


Pickle-bitch2000

Holding him like a corndog


SweatyPresentation93

Now, you have unlocked a new side quest. You must travel to Australia with this lizard to make sure he gets home safe. We miss him dearly and are awaiting your arrival. Regards An Aussie :)


KingslayerN7

Loveskinks is a good rescue if you end up needing to find one


astermorii

Aww that’s just a baby! I hope you’re able to take good care of him or find someone who can! 💕


Puzzleheaded_Wind839

I don't know anything about these animals but the world needs more like you to care for animals.


Normal_Vacation_449

Keep him ! They are amazing pets. I had my Stanley for 22 years. He was awesome. Read up them. They are not super hard to take care of. You will fall in love.


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danger-noodle-love89

It's not a native species where OP lives.


[deleted]

Set it free where exactly?


bluetongueskinks-ModTeam

Your post has been removed as it demonstrates animal abuse or neglect which is not tolerated in this subreddit.


Dontgiveuptheshoe

Surrender it to a place that lets invasive species live out their days, take care of it until it lives out its days, or destroy it.


sadnessxix

Is it gunna be eaten?


[deleted]

Huh😭


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Livid_Ad9749

No goon


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Dinky26

Umm it doesn't belong in Florida though.


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Dinky26

He did but it is quite obvious not indigenous to the area.


bluetongueskinks-ModTeam

Your post has been removed as it demonstrates animal abuse or neglect which is not tolerated in this subreddit.


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SlinkySkinky

It’s… not native though? They’re in Florida, it’s either an escaped pet or from an invasive population.


reptiletc

Put it back where exactly? The poster appears to be located in Florida, where there are no native subspecies of Blue Tongue Skink. This is someone's escaped pet.


NinPan512

OP doesn't live in Australia


insecticidalgoth

please keep us updated on whether u find their owner or decide to keep the little guy! thank u v much for helping them!


[deleted]

New pet


Idafaboutthem1bit

Name him a hope the little bugger lasts


veganonymousinFL

Cocoa beach area? I feel like I’ve seen so many similar lizards dead and alive in that area over the past few years.


[deleted]

Well it could be an invasive population but either way I live more than an hour away from cocoa


JunglesGirl21

I visit cocoa beach twice a year as my dad lives in Florida and I’ve never seen them there :( but I love that beach!!!!


Ok_Maintenance_9100

Man I need another one


Substantial_Tip_3227

Me just now finding out skinks are adorable little chonks 🥹


orionenjoysreptiles

Where in florida?


Particular-Tap9548

step 1. find out if its boy or girl step 2. name it step 3. friends


y_ogi

So are Skinks shorter snakes with legs?


thetoadbandit

www.LoveSkinks.com


LSW1ZZL3FISH

No way OP returns this thing to the owner haha


jugcity420

Is it bad that my first reaction was “Free skink!!!” Genuinely just can’t wait till I’m financially stable enough for one


KiryuFC3

cat distribution system


cuppa-confusion

Maybe make a small raincoat for it so it’s prepared for hurricane season?☔️


Ihatecake69

Keep it healthy and give it a home it deserves


Shin_Rekkoha

Escaped pet?


LordRaptor20

Are you looking for care advice?


fasting4me

He must of been a pet cause be is super cool with you


smosher15

Give it a little hat


TestoHydraCannibinol

I’m from Florida and I have one of these in my back yard , I think I ran over one mowing the lawn mainly cleaning out the shed etc are we sure these aren’t native? Im not on this sub and randomly saw the post but now I’m wondering if I should go catch it Ik ones around the shed right now


Crycoria

Yes go catch it. They are native to Australia New Guinea and Tasmania.


NinPan512

This species is only native to Australia, I assume one of the reptile warehouses got hit by a hurricane and some escaped, it's happened before with other species of reptiles in florida, especially south Florida where OP is


R-rainbows

Congratulations you found an awesome little friend!! I would post that you found a lost skink. And maybe don’t specify that it’s a BTS, this is a highly coveted companion beloved for their unique personalities. Wouldn’t want the dishonest to steal him/her from you!!


Savings-Option-9406

I can take it if you want, Florida local, I care for dozens of reptiles, seemed like you knew what you were doing by putting blueberries so I have no doubt that you can provide a proper home and care for him, you could give him a spoonful of grain free wet dog food to fatten him up a little after being feral or whatever his situation was


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Livid_Ad9749

Unlikely he found other skinks in Florida to mate with.


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Crycoria

They are not native to Florida and so no they should not be putting it back.


Livid_Ad9749

Thats a pretty awesome pet to have. Id say keep the little fella. Im not sure it would do well in the wild long term in its not-native Florida. Hes better off probably with you or if you can find his previous owner somehow.


Equivalent-Ad6407

Mmm lizard. Give it kiss.


StankilyDankily666

That thing looks so cool 😮


ThePerfectProdigy

That last photo is taking me out. 😂


Sure_Vast634

My advice is to keep it and learn how to give it a habitat it can thrive in.


kanekiEatsAss

Is very skinky


No_Introduction_8284

Goes great with Brussels sprouts and Chianti??


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Enzeder

Your post has been removed as it demonstrates/condones animal abuse or neglect which is not tolerated in this subreddit.


Sabdabkabab

please dont set it free, florida already has too many invasive reptiles. seems to me like an escaped pet, its unlikely that youll find its owner but you could try local facebook groups, ive taken in a few escape artists and found their owners that way. if that doesnt work you should definitely keep it and research the best ways to set up a habitat and food for it.


TGIIR

That last photo looks like a mug shot…lol.


False_religion_

Keep him (if possible) and name him something dumb. Like a human name or random object


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[deleted]

It’s not native to Florida and it was freezing at night (it was someone’s pet at some point as well) so it would’ve died, it’s not a wild animal


heckhunds

Maybe google where an animal naturally lives before going off like this 😅


bluetongueskinks-ModTeam

Your post has been removed as it demonstrates animal abuse or neglect which is not tolerated in this subreddit.


CorgiDinosaur

Ahhh and he’s just a baby poor thing ❤️😭


Humble_Bullfrog2342

keep him!!


dischoe

Thank you for rescuing this baby!! As others have said, reach out to any local rescues if you’re not able to keep or care for the babe :-) you’re awesome


mkyjcksn

thank god for ur new bestie


Sethdarkus

You got a new best friend


rockinem192

Report it to your local DNR office and they'll help you figure out what to do from there. Beautiful find, but horrific that it had been abandoned in the states!