Argentra, thanks for your reply. I checked out the Bluetongueskinks.net and their care sheet in the past. They do not mention sani-chips. They mentioned shaved aspen though. What do you think of the sani-chip idea? Where can I get shaved aspen (instead of shredded) and how much does it run? I got the sani-chips from Amazon.com. I got a really good deal b/c the shipping was only $6.59 for a 20 lb bag and for two 20 lb bags. So I got two 20 lb bags for only $25 with the shipping. But I think Amazon made a mistake since they have now removed this product. But just google "aspen sani-chips" and look for a bargain. They are very small chips but dust-free and baked.

The turtle brittle is available from www.enasco.com. But it is rather pricey if you worry your skink won't like it. The reason I like it is b/c it is SO high in protein. I tried it once and the skink loved it, so I rotate it in with other meals. You have to soak the brittle b/c it is very hard, or offer it served in water. I only feed every other day b/c that's what they say to do for eastern box turtles; and the skink seems to eat on that schedule, too. Sometimes, she'll go three days, then hunt and scarf down three hissers (on the verge of adulthood) in ten minutes. I love watching her hunt.

The secret for me with her diet is in its variety. I always offer a protein source in her bowl (mealworms, turtle brittle, hard-boiled eggs) with fruit and/or veggies and often a carb (usually, wild or brown rice). Some of the offerings have been blueberries, grapes, corn, peas, apple, broccilli, rice (brown or wild), diced raw carrots, cantelope, cilantro, spinach, and always the dusting of calcium. She and the turtle have nearly the same diet, but the turtle can't hunt crickets and roaches - poor little slow guy.

The skink we have is off of Craig's list - free. She was born to a wild caught mom at a pet store (or so the story goes). The previous keeper said she ate cat food and fruit, but no veggies and didn't like crickets. We started her on wild grasshoppers and her hunting instinct woke up. Now she just started eating crickets after having had plenty of hissing cockroaches and mealworms, too.

How long have you been keeping BTS's?? How many do you have etc.?

If you aren't sure about the brittle, send me a pm with your mailing address and I'll send you a couple ounces to try. Or let me know if you want me to send the ingredients if they are not on the website.