How often...?

[jskinner]

I was just wondering how often your skinks go into hiding/burrowing? I am just Curious because I know they go in before a shed but some people make it sound like they do it for days at a time quite frequently...Is this true? To what extent and for how long?
-thankyou in advance

[Fatal_S]

Every night. Most days. Sometimes for an hour, usually for several hours, occasionally for a couple days at a time.

They're a reptile that tends hide a lot.

[jskinner]

Thankyou Fatal_S! That is what I was thinking. I remember people saying they are more of a hiding reptile but just wanted to make sure. So what is your opinion Fatal..Do they make up for it in personality? haha, I'd assume that you see them plenty with feeding and basking...

On a different topic sort of... I have heard people say not to make the basking rock a hide also... Is this just so they can't hide and maintain temp at the same time?

Thankyou for all of your help!!! haha

[Fatal_S]

I don't know who would say not to make the basking rock double as a hide. It's an awesome idea because it means they can stay warm while feeling safe.

While they do hide a lot, I still get to see them all the time. For one, I have multiple skinks, so someone is always wanting attention. Second, once they get used to you they often come out when you're around, just to see what you're up to. Mine will scratch at the door when I walk by because they want to come out (or get fed). I actually wouldn't mind if they'd hide more, especially at night when I'm trying to sleep The personality definitely wins you over.

[Katrina]

I don't know who would say not to make the basking rock double as a hide. It's an awesome idea because it means they can stay warm while feeling safe.

Agree completely - give them every opportunity to feel safe, the safer they feel the more confident they will be to come out and check things out. I really think that the more you allow them to hide and have safe places, the more confident they will feel about exploring and coming out - because they know that if they want to hide they will be left alone. They do hide lots, but that is very important for reptiles - if they aren't searching for food or basking then the best thing they can do is hide and be safe from predators. Luckily they are also very curious, so once they feel safe in a home they will often come out and hang out and watch quite often.

As for how much they hide... it depends on each BTS, but most of mine are up and watching for at least a couple hours every day, some seem to be up the majority of the time.

[jskinner]

See this is why I ask!!! Haha. I cannot thank the people on this forum enough for all of the help and knowledge you infinitely supply. That is why I was confused and I am constantly second thinking things especially when it comes to living creatures...Thankyou to both of you.

[jskinner]

On the topic of the basking/ hide rock-- I think the people might have been actually speaking for Uromastyx when I was researching them lol. It had something to do with UVB, but seems as they would possibly be burrow anyway haha

[LarissaLurid]

Mine sleeps all day burrowed and wakes up for a few hours very late afternoon/night then goes back and is up again around 9-10 and up for a while again. (unless i have him out and he will roam a lot, but eventually burrow under a blanket or something lol. They definitely do like to hide/sleep a lot. He wakes up around the same times each day and will come out and start looking for attention or basking, he's not scared just likes to burrow. :]

[Linnea]

mine sleeps in his hide and then comes out to bask the entire day, he seems to prefer to bask in his substrate mostly right now, and sometimes spends time in his extra hide (with his head and tail out).
when shedding he spends 4-7 days in hiding, except for when he gets food.

[jskinner]

Thankyou all for the help