Skink lifestyle diversity

[findi]

There are 1,200+ skinks, including some that dive into streams, live in extended family groups, have evolved placentas, and so on; Overview: http://bitly.com/ROYPCQ

 

[Obelisk]

There's no link.

 

[findi]

There's no link.

Thanks for the note and sorry about that. Here it is (I added to original post as well): http://bitly.com/ROYPCQ

Best regards, Frank

 

[Redneck101]

Thanks, thats really cool.

 

[findi]

Thanks, thats really cool.

Thanks...glad you enjoyed, Happy Holidays, Frank

 

[Cavedweller]

Man, skinks are awesome. I had no idea there were so many species with complex social structure. Shinglebacks were the only ones I knew of that do that.

 

[findi]

Thanks...shinglebacks are amazing, long term pair bonds, despite the fact that pairs may split up and forage seperately for months (rarely works as well with us!!). Happy holidays, Frank

 

[Cavedweller]

Thanks, you too.

I don't dare to even dream of owning a pair of shinglebacks (or even a single one). Theres no way I could ever afford a 4000 dollar lizard. :'C Too bad, I consider them "the best" of the blue tongues, since they look even sillier than other Tiliqua species.

 

[findi]

Thanks, you too.

I don't dare to even dream of owning a pair of shinglebacks (or even a single one). Theres no way I could ever afford a 4000 dollar lizard. :'C Too bad, I consider them "the best" of the blue tongues, since they look even sillier than other Tiliqua species.

\
Indeed!...but plenty of others that are equally as interesting, including many, I'm sure, that we have not yet seen or studied...your in or near a bit of lizard heaven right there in Central Texas...I've wanted to return for some time. Best, Frank

 

[Cavedweller]

I was never allowed to wander too far into the hillcountry greenbelt as a kid, 'cause mom was always worried about rattlers. It would be cool to team up with someone and go hiking out there though. I'd love to get some photos of wild alligator lizards, spiny lizards, or even collared lizards. In the more urban areas, all we got are anoles, geckos, and the occasional skink.

I used to live in Arizona, now THAT is lizard heaven (too bad pretty much everything else about Phoenix sucks). Some people around there keep pet desert tortoises in their yards, which is pretty sweet. I hated the heat and the sun too much to go herp hunting in the Sonoran Desert, though.

 

[Galapoheros]

I've always been a skink fan, nice to read the article. They seem like bright, alert lizards. I picked up a baby monkey-tail here at an exotic pet store and it bit me lol, that was about 20 years ago, the lizards are gone from the store now but I think the store owner keeps some at his house. After it bit me I was not so interested in buying, ..besides learning of the price. One in Texas I've still never been able to see in the wild is the Great Plains skink further west, but I'm going to keep looking whenever I'm over there. I had a crazy Broad-headed skink, it would bite and thrash like an angry dog, I didn't keep that one very long. I've wanted a pair of Shinglebacks to try and breed, maybe if I sell this house I could do something like that.

 

[Malhavoc's]

I will admit Findi, I was hesitant to read this thread after the recent loss of my Crocodile skin to Parasites and (to my later discovery) a growth on its brain; Skinks are amazing, and you're articile did well to proving that! Perhaps in a month or so I will look to replacing my loss.

 

[findi]

I've always been a skink fan, nice to read the article. They seem like bright, alert lizards. I picked up a baby monkey-tail here at an exotic pet store and it bit me lol, that was about 20 years ago, the lizards are gone from the store now but I think the store owner keeps some at his house. After it bit me I was not so interested in buying, ..besides learning of the price. One in Texas I've still never been able to see in the wild is the Great Plains skink further west, but I'm going to keep looking whenever I'm over there. I had a crazy Broad-headed skink, it would bite and thrash like an angry dog, I didn't keep that one very long. I've wanted a pair of Shinglebacks to try and breed, maybe if I sell this house I could do something like that.

Thx for the feedback...Great Plains skinks are wonderful creatures, generally overlooked by private keepers and zoos, hope you follow up with them. Good one re the shinglebacks! Happy new year, Frank

---------- Post added 01-05-2013 at 01:58 PM ----------

I will admit Findi, I was hesitant to read this thread after the recent loss of my Crocodile skin to Parasites and (to my later discovery) a growth on its brain; Skinks are amazing, and you're articile did well to proving that! Perhaps in a month or so I will look to replacing my loss.

Hi thanks for the kind words. Crocodile skinks can be tricky, we have lots to learn and still run into trouble in zoos as well, Let me know if you need ideas when you are ready, Happy new year, Frank