Pink Tongue Skinks AREN'T Picky Eaters... We're Just Feeding Them Wrong

[@DarkestFinale]

What a nightmare! I'm so glad the shop put you in touch with the breeder. Hopefully they'll speak to the shop too to make sure that any future pink tongues get fed correctly in their care. It's horrid when you believe you're doing everything right and the animal's still failing to thrive ❤ Glad Rex is on the up now.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yeah I don't think they'll be working with the shop again 🙈 thank you! :)

[@moomoomoo9413]

Trust me there won’t be any future pink tongue skinks from me to that shop. I told them how to keep them and they flat ignored my advice.

[@Mothobius]

@@moomoomoo9413 probably thought they knew more than you because they were "reptile experts"

[@willowweed3696]

I totally recommend peters banded skinks if you want another enjoyable skink species. They're my absolute favorite

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yeah there are so many wonderful skinks. I saw a zebra one the other day, looked like a chonky sausage, very cute :)

[@davidbeckett1565]

I don't have a pink tongued skink and will probably never have one, but that was fascinating. I am so pleased you have found the solution to Rex's issues and have the platform to share the sound advice you have based on the first-hand experience you have because of what you have seen and done - it will be extremely valuable to a large number of reptiles and their owners. If you have a decent setup for the giant African land snails you are breeding for to eat, I would love to see a video on what it's like to keep them and what sort of habitat they require to thrive as pets rather than as food!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thank you :D Yes I'm going to be doing a video on them. I think the setup needs some work because I wasn't expecting to get bigger snails, just babies which I thought I was going to feed off relatively quickly, so I'm in need of setup tips. I'm sure I'll get a few once I upload the video :)

[@davidbeckett1565]

​@@leopardgeckotalk I only heard of them because of your video and think they are fascinating because of their size, so would be interested in what you can do with your passion, knowledge, and creativity

[@luwildy]

Oh my gosh when you said how big his siblings are!!! I would be mortified too! You got this though!!! You are amazing with lizards 💚💚💚

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thank you :) yeah his biggest sibling weighed in the other day at 39g. He's got a long way to go, but we'll get there, we're just a little bit behind.

[@luwildy]

@@leopardgeckotalk he's in good hands 💚

[@ingeniouspixie]

That's fantastic news!! 🎉 And so interesting because those are all the ways "they" tell you to use when you "do your research" aren't they? Another plus for getting animals from a reputable breeder!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thanks :)

[@gingerlygingerlee3023]

I look forward to seeing the continued improvement. That's so exciting. You didn't keep doing the same thing hoping for improvement, you kept going until you got answers. That's what counts. Again, can't wait for the update. Thank you for the video and update. 👍🏻

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thanks :D Yeah I just knew something wasn't right, and no matter who i asked I couldn't get a straight answer, so I just had to find the original source, the breeder, and I'm soooo glad I did :D

[@1701Bec]

I can hear how excited and happy you are!. Im really glad Rex is doing great!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thanks :) Yeah I'm so relieved. He's now officially double the weight he was 2 weeks ago wooo.

[@spookycute81]

So glad you figured everything out, and he's doing better now :) He's so adorable!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thank you!! 😊

[@tagmopruannsilver8267]

I'm curious to see how your snail breeding project works! If love to set one up for my PTS someday. Also, I'm a little salty about the online advice screwing you over. Almost enough to not provide advice. :P Kidding. I'm so glad you've found something that Rex really likes. My PTS has been thriving on literally the exact brand of Apple Snails you showed in your video, but I got him older than Rex. (From a shop that also fed crickets, i hated that!)

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Omg really? 😅 I wonder if it's a baby thing. I found those apple snails super tough to cut, let alone rex to get through, so he'd only eat the tiniest bits 🙈 Yeah PTS do not care for crickets, do they? 😂

[@willowweed3696]

I get snails from a local aquarium stores and get a handful of extra snails that they always have in abundance and freeze them.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Ah that's awesome :) Good to know :)

[@carbon3d]

Rex is the Cutes! Keep care of him, Rebecca! Bubba (my leo says hello)

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thanks! :)

[@mischiefmaker1000]

I'm glad I found this video, as I'm researching these skinks at the moment and had read the same thing about feeding Apple snail meat from Asian markets. I'd noticed these are cooked and thought that might affect the nutritional value and taste so it's good to know that hunch was right. Glad little Rex is doing better 🙂

[@lidewijcroes1795]

Thanks for passing it on! When I got my leopard gecko he was around 3/4 months and so small, I realised later the size of probably a 3 week old or something. I’m not sure why that was, but anyway now he’s 2.5 and he’s huge. So Rex probably just has some catching up to do and it’ll be totally fine!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Aww, yeah I guess they all grow at their own pace :)

[@tracietownsend7880]

I live in Australia and I have a pink tongue and 3 blue tongue's and all of mine love dog food and boiled eggs, raw eggs mixed into the chicken and Turkey dog food and scrambled eggs.

[@luwildy]

I know you're breeding the giant Africa land snails for food but since you'll have the parents a while I would love to see some content on them they can be really cool pets

[@dookcurruff9047]

Why cool, theyre just big thats all

[@JupiterJamie]

All snails are cool, these are just extra large COOL

[@christheghostwriter]

Those snails are currently wreaking havoc in Florida

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yes, I am making a video on them because they're super cute and interesting 😊😊

[@luwildy]

@@leopardgeckotalk yay! I'm so excited!

[@PeppersnGlowworms]

Good news! GALs are great feeders! Get some garlic for getting rid of those human grade snail meat, I suppose... I always went for fresh or self-frozen snails and slugs for my glowworms. Even those caned snails for reptiles seem to be precooked...

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Nice! :) Yeah it raw snails seem to be a winner.

[@calicocriterisopod]

Keep on making more about this new little guy, I love him so much already. :)))

[@leopardgeckotalk]

thanks! will do :D

[@Footy-4-u]

Hi, am a big fan! For a couple months! Your advice is amazing for my gecko.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Aw thanks so much!

[@indoirl]

I was having difficulty getting my young pink tongue eating… thank you for this

[@leopardgeckotalk]

I hope this helps and they start eating soon, he hasn't stopped since i've offered him the live snails.

[@speckledjim_]

Happy youve got it sorted, must have been stressful

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thank you :) yes its such a relief.

[@speckledjim_]

@leopardgeckotalk Now that he's growing steadily I'd be so interested in seeing his weights on a little graph

[@catgoboom]

As mine got older she started growing much more rapidly, they do not seem to show a lot of growth until they're about 5-6 months and then they kind of pick up the pace. If you feed any fruit or veg you will probably find there's a point where Rex loses interest and just wants protein, that's when mine exploded. Females also take closer to two years to reach their full size vs males, who are usually done growing by the year mark, so if you're confused about how small yours is after a year it's probably because she's a girl. My girl is a year & change, 15" & weighs 71g, I think she was a whole 7g at 4 months

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Oh wow, that's good to know, thank you :). Yeah Rex must be around the 5-6 month age now. Won't touch omnigold, or anything that isn't a snail 🙈 but starting to grow now :)

[@moomoomoo9413]

None of the babies I kept (10) are anywhere near 7g after 4 months they are much much bigger.

[@catgoboom]

@moomoomoo9413 mine was estimated to be 4 mo when I got her. She was approx 3" total & weighed in under 10g but it's possible my scale wasn't registering her right or the breeder got her age wrong

[@sumerburton]

Hi, could you do a reacting to leopard gecko enclosures I recently got a leopard gecko and want to see your thoughts xx

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yeah I have a few upcoming videos planned, but I will hopefully do one in october or november. Just make sure you follow me on Instagram (@leopardgeckoyoutube) as that's where I usually post about it.

[@sumerburton]

@@leopardgeckotalk ok thank you very much!

[@marciacoco9549]

Aww so cute I’m so glad you found the remedy for his weight ‼️ wonder when his tongue will turn pink ?

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thanks! Ikr, that will be the big milestone when that tongue turns pink. Though it is pretty epic at the moment being blue 😂

[@marciacoco9549]

@@leopardgeckotalk you have make sure you put a video out when it turns pink ‼️ The blue is cool also . I know there are blue tongue skinks. Wonder what the differences is.

[@jasonharrison9282]

OMG I am laughing! I Live where these animals exist in the wild, and breed them too. There are very few snails here! Insects are their diet. I personally feed Good quality wet dog food mixed with insectivore mix and Calcium/Vitamin powder. Babies are 14" in 12 months, but not overfed.

[@dacisky]

I don't have a pts,but I really think someone needs to do for them what you have done for leos and cresties. This is really interesting.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yes, it would be sooo helpful, there's just not enough info out there on these guys.

[@klmaracle3062]

I have to second nutmeggs question, can you feed aquatic snails? Even a small aquarium would produce a huge number 😊

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yeah probably, see I have nerite snails so they only ever lay eggs but never hatch haha, but I am finding success with the giant african land snails.

[@gregwilliams853]

Problem here in the USA is African giant snails are banned

[@leopardgeckotalk]

You can always try other species :) this is just the type that there are tons of here that need feeding off

[@IkeAboutReptiles]

Are Pink Tonuge skinks worth the amout of money to get them and there setup?

[@jj32094]

Safer staying away from insects or snails from garden

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yeah when I think of snails in the garden I think of lung worm (as I have dogs), and all the other things they can carry, so I'm sticking to captive bred :)

[@syd4787]

awww Rex is soooo cute!! I love blue tongue skinks and I think now I might be just as obsessed with pink tongues! Does anyone know the difference between blue tongues and pink tongues? Is it just their tongue ?? Bc I know blue tongue skinks apparently love cat food

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yeah so BTS tend to be more potato-like 😂 they're round and robust, where as pink tongues can get to 15-18" long but tend to be more slender. BTS will eat quite a variety of food, but PTS tend to mainly eat snails and slugs, they also love to climb and have slightly longer legs. I would avoid cat or dog food though as they tend to lead to fatty liver disease, though I know a lot of people use it, it's just not a food designed for skinks and it's not the healthiest. :)

[@moomoomoo9413]

One thing I never feed any of my animals is cat and dog food. I try and match their natural diet as much as I can

[@jordynhasnosocialbattery3897]

Hi! So I’ve had my leopard gecko for 8 years, and he’s never had a “bad” setup, he has a 30 gallon exo terra terrarium and lots of places to climb, multiple hides, etc. The one thing i’ve been wanting to change is his heating. I’ve used a heat mat since I got him but recently saw your video on heating options and have been seeing more and more about how a deep heat projector is extremely beneficial- notably that it makes them more energetic. He never really explores his tank, which i’d like to see him do. I’d be 100% up for buying a DHP, but everyone i’ve seen use them has wooden vivarium. Do you know if there is any way to use one compatibly with the exo terra, since it has a top mesh lid? Thank you!

[@sneekyalexa2657]

a 30 gallon is a bit small for a leo, as the suggested minimum is a 36x18x18. For the DHP, you put the bulb into a heat dome/lamp, and you place the dome/lamp on top of the screen. Make sure to plug it into a thermostat, which will allow you to set the temperature to 88-92 for the hot spot. Hopefully these changes will help him be more comfortable and more active! best of luck to your and your geck.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yeah you can get a 'clamp lamp' or a dome, which you screw them in and pop them on top the mesh. Just make sure you use a dimming stat with them :)

[@-louise-163]

i have got a question i have a 4 month old leo gecko and evrytime i handle her she comes to the door and i get her out and she always wants to walk around my room and shes pretty quick and it scares me she could get lost / stuck somewhere does anyone have any tips please she is my first ever reptile so i think im a bit more skittish when holding her i try to be confident not to scare her but im just worried she will get lost if she waddles away and i cant get her

[@leopardgeckotalk]

I would keep her close to you rather than putting her on the floor, even my leos, as tame as they are, will run off if on the floor. I think because it's a new open space they feel a bit vulnerable.

[@-louise-163]

@@leopardgeckotalk ok thankyou

[@gregwilliams853]

Yuck, have to eat escargot through life😹😹😹🦎🦎🦎

[@leopardgeckotalk]

haha

[@taijiwhale]

Or…. Catfood?

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

My poor crestie has barely grown at all since I got him back in Jan. It turned a year on July 22 and it's probably only 9 or 10 grams atm. I haven't been able to feed it live food but once. I'm gonna get something for it soon, crickets or super worms or something. I got some crickets once and was able to dump some in the viv three times before they all died. I don't really have a decent way to keep them unfortunately. It's been eating more pangea. I think I wasn't giving it enough, even though it wouldn't eat all I was giving. It would eat in only one spot basically, so once I made the food deeper, it would eat further down into it, whereas I was just covering the surface of the dish initially. Now I pretty much fill up the cap. Glad your skink troubles appear to be solved.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Ooo try the breeding and growing diet by pangea, or the fig and insect one, they're high in protein, the geckos seem to like them and they should help your gecko grow. I wouldn't leave any crickets in the viv though.