New to forum and BTS, need a bit of advice.

[Neith]

Hello All,

I have recently acquired a BTS which I strongly believe is a WC Indonesian, my husband got it for me at a local pet store. I know ... evil pet stores but the guy told me they did not intend on getting any more because they hated dealing with this one and it's lovely personality.

It doesn't have any mites, I think it may be missing the tip on one toe and other than a couple bad scales on it's face that look like they need to be shed it looks in good shape. It has a very good appetite and is not bothered by much but it does huff at me when I try to pick it up.

It doesn't mind me putting my hands in the tank to change the water and food, it doesn't mind my camera much (and I have to admit it's pretty photogenic) and today it even took a half a blueberry from me.

I was wondering if there is hope for me to be able to tame it, it looks like it's getting used to me being around but still doesn't care to be picked up. When we do pick it up it sits still for a short while before squirming slightly and when we set it back in the tank it burrows in the aspen and gives us the "evil eye".

I am unsure of the gender yet. It is in a 30 gal. breeder but we plan on building a custom enclosure. I have a crazy idea for a 2 floor cage but the husband gives me the "evil eye" too when I mention it

[Fatal_S]

Gorgeous Indo. Welcome to the forum!

Actually, the fact that you can even approach/feed/hold it is an amazing sign. Indos are known for being quite hard to tame; not quite as bad as Tannies or Keis, but very flighty. I would say you have an excellent chance of making friends, but understand that she may never desire to come out and visit/cuddle with you.

Your bonding will probably have to be on her terms. Chances are she won't like to spend a ton of time being held, but she may get curious enough to want to come out and sit/explore near you.

What you're doing already is great. She's obviously pretty used to you if she's not freaked by the food/water changes or camera. So great job and keep it up

There are a couple members here who have managed to 'tame' Indos, so I'll let them pitch in with what worked for them. Keep in mind that for some it would take years to get to where you are now.

Always remember that if she's not everything you wanted (a cuddlebug) you can always get a second later who can fill in the gaps. I love having multiples, because every single one has it's own personality, so I can decide if I want a cuddlebug, an explorer, or a challenge And aside from an extra tank, having a couple is no harder than one (having 20 gets to be a bit more work).

[Neith]

46 views and only 1 reply

I was also wondering if anyone can "guesstimate" an age, my skink measure about 16 in.

[Coomassie]

Reptiles just take time to adjust. I'm finding that even after months or years of owning a reptile, new dimensions of their personality will emerge. WC animals can take a really really long time to adjust, if ever. Try to hang around outside the tank and let him get used to your presence.

[Lauriek]

46 views and only 1 reply

Neith, don't worry about the number of replies. Forums such as this go through cycles of lots of replies to posts, few replies to posts; people come and go. Some 'old' members (meaning have been members for a long time) still post; some don't. Others take their place.

Now having said that, you have a lovely looking skink. Many pet stores who have reptiles don't know how to handle them, nor look after them. When you get a new skink home, it is best just to leave him/her alone for a while. A week, two weeks. Provide clean water daily, food (don't worry if they don't eat every day) good temperatures, substrate, hide etc. Bluey needs to get used to the surroundings. I have no experience of Indonesians but it is good to remember that blueys are not by nature cuddly snuggly creatures (I think I said that somewhere else ! ). When you do pick him up, remember to be confident, talk quietly and remember to support him under back legs and pelvis as well as the front. The 'huffing' at you is a bluey's natural defence mechanism. They hope you will go away ! As to taming him? Only time will tell. With gentle care and handling he will calm down. By the way, I don't know if it is a 'him' or 'her'. Impossible to tell. Even an ultrasound may not show 'things'

[baltmanc]

Hey he looks wonderful I personally had a Indo for my first BTS too. He was wild caught and I got him from a pet store myself. He only ever got to 16-17" but he passed away young at almost two. Thor did take a little work to tame and would always act a little tough when I would go to pick him up (he was all talk). BUT there is for sure hope of you taming him! Thor after a little while would crawl onto my shoulder and hangout with me. If I was wearing my hoodie he would climb into my hood and hang out

[Roheryn]

Other than the advice already given, I have nothing to add but...Goodlooking skink you have there. I hope you two will have a long future together

[Spindown]

lol my first skink was an indo too! shes a huuuuuge pain in the butt, but we love her all the same. Our tamest ones are older, they are my new merauke and my northern (although hes getting cage aggressive all of the sudden) but they are super calm. having a variety helps.
Good luck taming your indo!we havent given up on her...but she still pees on us all the time *sigh*

[Neith]

Thank you all for the advice. She (I'm going to go with she for now) seems to be getting a little more used to everyone.
My husband has held her a few times and she only gets a little mad when we first get her out of her tank after that she's fine.
My kids are all in love with her, my youngest son love to turn on and off the lights in the morning and evening.
She will sometimes take a piece of fruit (usually blueberries) from my fingers and is very delicate about it.

I got a couple cute pictures of her while she was eating a blueberry.

Eating


Little tongue


Being help by my husband

[baltmanc]

Thor use to be the same way but once I took him out it was like a switch was flipped. Im thinking its because they are most likely wild caught and are not use to being grabbed like a domestic would.

[Katrina]

Welcome to the forum!

I didn't reply earlier because I didn't have time and because Fatal said it all. Take her advice!