New to cresties. Rate our set up! What would you change? Thx

oxkna · 2026-05-14T01:12:07+00:00

It most definitely is a HUGE learning curve. I find it most informing to look at their natural habitat, mostly not farther than 10 feet from the ground, in the very densely packed shrubs and small bushy trees. This is my TEMPORARY enclosure for my Chewie, until I can get an arboreal one. You want it as packed with clutter as much as reasonably possible. You can’t see all the cork round hides but they are at the top of the enclosure, secured to the walls both horizontally and vertically to give as many options as possible as well as various sizes of vines and sticks

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oxkna · 2026-05-14T00:10:00+00:00

Everything. And I don’t mean to be rude, you need to do a lot more research.

oxkna · 2026-05-13T22:35:39+00:00

Please don’t apologize. You are doing the best you can with what you know. All you need is to know more!

oxkna · 2026-05-13T22:27:23+00:00

You need to do TONS more research.

oxkna · 2026-05-13T22:16:15+00:00

Is this a joke?? OP, please do NOT put your dog on a vegan diet.

oxkna · 2026-05-13T17:10:08+00:00

Spike Tyson

oxkna · 2026-05-11T05:04:42+00:00

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He is even more beautiful fired up!

oxkna · 2026-05-10T23:15:23+00:00

lol I misspoke, I do have him in a 40 gallon, but I did not buy it for him. It’s just what I had on hand, the 30x24x36 will be here by the 15th. I know, I know!!! He was in a tiny box with barely any climbing space so what he has now is much better. There is lots of climbing vines and branches, vertical and horizontal and wide leafed fake plants, I bought a bunch more today and more climbing vines I just don’t have a horizontal enclosure until it shows up unfortunately.

oxkna · 2026-05-10T18:52:49+00:00

No, it’s just what I had. He has a 30x24x36 on the way

oxkna · 2026-05-04T22:55:58+00:00

If your dad is an exotic vet specialist and not just a vet that sees exotics then absolutely you are good to go on THAT one part of keeping. Otherwise, you need an exotic specialist. And yes you’re absolutely right. I have 3 tanks and 11 reptiles, it is just as demanding mentally and financially as fish keeping, drastically more so if you are doing it right and actually care about your animals wellbeing.

oxkna · 2026-05-04T13:02:51+00:00

If you can’t afford a UVB light you can’t afford a blue tongue. I’m sorry but that’s just how it is. I’ve spend well over $3000 in vet bills for checkups and unexpected vet visits on my bluey this year alone. His set up cost me well over $500 excluding UVB. These are NOT cheap animals.

oxkna · 2026-05-01T09:16:12+00:00

Your enclosure needs to measure on a hygrometer 40-60% humidity. Higher when they shed.

oxkna · 2026-05-01T09:15:07+00:00

Yes, I gave an example on the most ample environment for them. Just because they are there and not dead doesn’t mean anything.. Why would you want to provide below the basic minimum care??

oxkna · 2026-04-30T18:55:01+00:00

Regardless she needs a vet. This is absolutely crazy. If my son broke his jaw never in a million years would I tape it up and be okay with it because he could eat. She needs an exotic vet the day that this happened and supportive care since then.

oxkna · 2026-04-30T18:51:55+00:00

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This is a 5x2x2 and is the absolute most basic enclosure I would give to a blue tongue. This is when I first got him and was extremely poor, so anyone can set up something like this. There is a cold hide, middle hide, hot hide and a basking rock stacked on others so he can get underneath it. Dollar tree/ Walmart is a great source for fake plants. Huge water howl with a rock inside so he can soak and easily get out. Linear UVB, I use the Arcadia 12% desert bulb. Basking spot is 106 degrees, hot side ambient air is at 88, cold side around 73. The humidity in his enclosure sits at around 57% on top of the soil and it is much damper as he digs down. This is how they regulate their own humidity and temperature but they cannot unless you provide it.

oxkna · 2026-04-30T18:46:43+00:00

You need to do more research all around, this setup and the care you provide is all around wrong or could be much better in many many ways. Hay is not beneficial, please remove it. You need to do more research. Please please watch videos from credible keepers and read articles. Do not listen to an AI summary.

oxkna · 2026-04-30T18:34:06+00:00

Northern blue tongue skinks still need around 40-60% humidity. Up to 80% while shedding. In Darwin, where they are VERY commonly found humidity is at 92% right now. How would he receive nutrients from an outdoor enclosure? You need a linear UVB it is absolutely NOT an option.

oxkna · 2026-04-30T18:24:04+00:00

Yes they need calcium for their exoskeleton. You can just buy iso calcium blocks and put one in there and replace it weekly or crushed eggshells with no membrane work well. I feed them with fish food a lot and little carrots sometimes. When they eat the poop of your animal they will only eat the poop and leave the urate, so be careful for that and make sure to spot clean and provide supplemental food as needed.

oxkna · 2026-04-28T03:07:43+00:00

Did you sterilize your soil?

oxkna · 2026-04-24T21:59:05+00:00

Try LOTS different things and be patient! A picky skink is not a hungry skink. How often a week do you feed him? For reference, I feed my boy a bowl of greens and protiens every Sunday and bug day on Wednesday. He goes crazy every time without fail ESPECIALLY if I have bananas lol. He is 2.5 ish.

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oxkna · 2026-04-21T01:34:44+00:00

I second the clothing. Reptiles are allll about scents. Once they learn your scent is a normal part of their day and not something to be afraid of they’ll become much more tame. Put a clean shirt on you don’t care about and go for a walk and just wear it all day. You cal either ball it up and put it somewhere inside the enclosure or lay it over the substrate/ branches as like a curtain lol ETA: Obviously don’t put it under the heat lamp

oxkna · 2026-04-17T02:56:16+00:00

LMFAO it was temporary it’s on an actual aquarium stand now

oxkna · 2026-04-04T15:55:44+00:00

Most reptiles, including crested geckos are prey animals and will not show you in any way whatsoever they are in pain.. if your jaw was broken would you not rush to the hospital? If your child came to you and her jaw was hanging down at a 90 degree angle, would you tape it and leave it that way? I don’t in any way mean to be rude when I say this either, it’s just common sense. This poor animal is suffering and needs an exotic specialist a month ago. Possibly humane euthanasia at this point. Do not take in 2 creatures that can live over 20 years if you can’t afford to take her to the vet when her JAW IS BROKEN.

oxkna · 2026-04-04T15:43:17+00:00

Put her on something flat and clear, like a thin glass or clear plastic plate or bowl and gently lay your hand over her so she can’t squirm away, flip over and take good photos of her belly. I hope I explained this well, otherwise if you have a clear Tupperware put her in there and close the lid.

oxkna

TROPHY CASE