helpful videos ?

[x.shell.x]

hey so its been a little over a week since i got my little guy ( cant get a overhead shot yet) and i have not handled him at all but im thinking about starting to try soon. thing is he really freaks out when i go in to the viv even when im just bringing food or water so just wondering how you guys go around handeling a real skittish skink for the first time ?

He is still pretty against me even looking at him which i understand but im unsure how to go about starting. with the geckos it was so much easier hand in they climb on and off we go. the minute i look in or open the door he is off the burrowed under the bark do i try to wait for him to come to me which will prob not happen or go i just go for it in which case its prob going to scare him and make things worse the next time round.

Anyone got any links to some good videos that could help

Thanks

[Susann]

Hello Shell, and welcome to both you and your new little guy!

What exactly do you mean by "freaks out"? He hides, or makes hissing sounds, or both? Because both of those are perfectly normal nervous behaviors of a young skink who just needs to learn that you are nothing to fear.

I would start by sitting in front of the cage as much as you can if he's not in a general, high ocupancy area of your house. Read a book or do something else close by the tank, especially if/when you see him out.

It helps him to associate YOU with something good and possitive if you remove him from the viv to eat.

First time you pick him up, if you are super nervous about getting bit, wear a pair of gloves. With or without gloves, be gentle with him. Grab him by wraping your hand around him, right behind his front legs; that way he doesn't have easy access to bite your hand/fingers. Then slide your other hand under his hind legs to support the lower part of his body. If he doesn't feel supported there he will start whipping his tail around in a circular motion, seeking for purchase, and he will pee.

He might huff and puff and hiss to try to make you think he is big and fierce, but most of the time it's all show and no bite. By the time you have him securely in your hands hopefully he'll stop huffing, but it may take some time for him to feel secure enough to stop, it's all individual.

I have two 7 month olds who both huff when I first reach in to grab them, Maddie will halfheartedly huff a few times and the start flicking her tongue and exploring. Jazz actually sounds scary with very loud huffing that goes on for a bit after she's in my hand; but neither have ever tried to bite.

If he's a baby he may put on quite a show for you with huffing; totally normal. Still remove him every other day to offer food. If he seems terribly stressed then feed him in his viv, but otherwise I would start wooing him with his food outside the cage.
If he settles down after a bit of handling, put him down in front of his food, stick his nose right down into the food--some BTS need this to start eating; my grown IJ Joey needs this every time before he'll start eating, Jazz and Maddie just needs food in the vincinity and they'll find it and snarff it down.

Just try to be as confident as you can and he'll hopefully soon learn that nothing bad happens when you come around, and he might actually start to WANT you to pick him up ...at least TOLERATE it!

There is lots of good handling advice in the Caresheet, and also use the "search" option for posts on the topic.
If after reading the Caresheet you still have questions, feel free to ask them here. We all love our skinkers and want you to have a good, loving, healthy relationship with yours!

[dsteamn]

I agree with everything Susann said, and have a couple of things I can add.

I think its actually best to handle them for short periods of time two or three times a day. The more you do it, the quicker your new pet will get used to you and make it not much of an issue.

If it is cold when you try to handle it, it was very possibly sleeping and you could have startled it awake. Try waiting until it has gone to the warm side of the tank. Then, even if it asleep when you approach the viv, it won't feel so sluggish and vulnerable.

If it tries to bite at you when you pick it up, use a wash cloth or small hand towel. Cover the animal and then pick it up in the towel. You can hold it that way too. They will often calm down when their heads are covered. It will feel protected, and your hands will be more protected from a potential bite. If it is a baby, even if it bites, there is not enough pressure to really hurt you. It just startles because it can happen so fast. Make no mistake though, if its an adult, they have a fair amount of closing power and you'll feel it if they get ahold of you.

Patience, confidence and gentleness are the keys to success. Your skink is acting like it is because it thinks you are a predator. The more time you spend with it, the more assured it will be that only good things will come from you.

Just as a tiny success story to share, my female was exactly like that when I got her. Now she sits up on the couch with me and watches tv at night. She likes to climb under the pillow and just hang out. It took a couple of months and was a battle of wits at times, but now she's a sweetie and doesn't even puff when I wake her up. She would never offer to bite and is even tolerant when the grandkids handle her.

Good luck.