New Bluey scared and hides

[AtomShards]

I baught a new blue tongue skink at the age of 6months and he constantly hides in the substrate and spends most of his days asleep/hiding under it all. My enclosure has one end with a heat lamp and the other with UV, generally the heat lamp side is around 30°-40°C and the other around 19°-24°C and its winter here right now. Also im concerned about his breathing, it always seems like it takes effort and is quite sharp. He has plenty of other hiding spaces and places to explore, i offer food and he runs and hides, i also havent seen him at his water bowl but i have cleaned up his feces as i left a little food in his enclosure. I also checked his UV and its the correct light for a blue tongue (5.0). Im really worried about his health and quality of life if he is always scared or unable to breathe properly. All help and advice is greatly appreciate.

[lunarisx]

Probably humidity problem or your bts is adapting or just having shy personality.

They are smart lizard and can recognize pattern. Just dont give reward for bad behavior.

[Janella]

Can you provide more information about your skinks? What species is it? What is your humidity? What size enclosure and substrate? Diet? All these will help us give you the proper answers. As for breathing issue...if you are concerned then a vet visit is always recommend.

[lifesagame]

How long have you had him? I can’t add anything really as I’m new to skinks but I don’t think I’ve ever seen my skink in his bowl but he definitely visits it as he makes a mess in it sometimes.

[splashy07]

Give him time to get used to you. As far as the breathing, they always breathe hard and sometimes loudly when scared. Offer him enticing foods, experiment to see what he likes best. He will learn to trust you, it may take a little time depending also on his previous care.

[AtomShards]

Thank you all for your help, it seems he is just adjusting to the new home and everything. He sleeps all day untill i pull him out of wherever he is hiding then he will stay being curios and sitting on his rock and stuff so im not sure what to do about all that. Also does anyone hav ideas on how to stop them from urinating and pooping on my.