First time owner with questions!

[xmangotart]

I was offered a skink by my uncle saying that hes unable to handle him daily since hes very busy so right now the skink is VERY skittish and scared. Because of this, he also was unable to feed him properly so hes also very skinny. Im already feeding it daily just until it gets to a healthy size. Ive never owned a skink before but I own a bearded dragon! So since im a first time owner i have a few questions...

-How do I befriend the skink? Its about 8 inches if that gives any idea on the age. Ive given it some treats but its really scared so it only eats them when I walk away... Any ideas on how to befriend and handle it?

-What can I use as bedding? One of my options is just using dry leaves and dirt from my yard but I dont know if thats the cleanest and safest option. Another is using shredded paper/newspaper and using paper towel for the bottom to absorb stuff. In my country we dont have special stores that sells fancy bedding for reptiles so which of the two options is the best? Or are there any other substitute substrates I can use?

-Is it safe to not feed it insects but instead just feed it an assortment of different meats like beef, turkey, etc...?

-Is a 30x16 inch tank big enough for this growing guy? Its about 8 inches at the moment



Thanks in advance!

[Dakota]

Welcome!

-Keep in mind this skink is either WC or CB from a freshly WC mother, so a huffy attitude is expected (unless you got lucky and got one of the only CBB Halmaheras ever, being in the Philippines). Also, it was probably best for the animal NOT to be held daily. Halmaheras are shy. They are like the cockroaches of Tiliqua. Think of the stress you will be putting it in. I'd keep handling to a minimum for a few weeks. Right now just give it some time to acclimate.

-Leaf litter is fine to use most of the time, unless you live where spraying of insecticides is common. I'm not sure about dirt outside, though. Surely you guys have a store where you can buy top soil or cypress mulch?

-Offering insects is a whole lot more nutritious than offering minced beef, turkey, etc. You can also feed him wet dogfood. Make sure to give it calcium with D3 added.

-That is enough room for now, but he will need an upgrade soon.

[xmangotart]

Thank you so much for answering my questions!

So is shredded newspaper bad? Id like to use it since its easy to replace, clean, etc... but yeah I can buy top soil and things like that if its better for the lil guy!
Also hes still in the bin that was given to us, how do I transfer it to the new enclosure? He gets scared even when I put food... Id like to transfer him soon cos the bin was never cleaned and its really dirty! I dont wanna traumatize the lil guy by handling him for the first time....

[Dakota]

So is shredded newspaper bad? Id like to use it since its easy to replace, clean, etc... but yeah I can buy top soil and things like that if its better for the lil guy!

I personally would not, but some people do house their skink on newspaper. Plus, top soil is actually cheaper in the long-run, if you think about it. Being in the Philippines, you will not have a hard time keeping humidity up, so it is completely up to you. I use a mixture of cypress mulch, top soil, and sphagnum moss.

Also hes still in the bin that was given to us, how do I transfer it to the new enclosure? He gets scared even when I put food... Id like to transfer him soon cos the bin was never cleaned and its really dirty! I dont wanna traumatize the lil guy by handling him for the first time....

Just pick him up and but him in his new enclosure. Most Halmaheras are all bark, but no bite. I wouldn't be so worried about it biting you, if that is what's concerning you. Picking him up will not kill him, although he may not like it and will be huffy about it.

[xmangotart]

Thank you so much for your help! For now ill start with newspaper since i dont have any soil yet and ill do my best to transfer him safely

[Dakota]

He is also very deep in shed, which can make reptiles generally more huffy than normal, too.

[xmangotart]

He is also very deep in shed, which can make reptiles generally more huffy than normal, too.

Oh really? I didnt notice, how can you tell?

[Dakota]

He is silver, most Halmaheras are orangey-brown out of shed. Their orangey-brown turns silver when in shed, but this is of course you didn't get a normal silver Halmahera, but those are not all that common. It also appears to be male, you can see his hemipenial bulge..

[xmangotart]

He is silver, most Halmaheras are orangey-brown out of shed. Their orangey-brown turns silver when in shed, but this is of course you didn't get a normal silver Halmahera, but those are not all that common. It also appears to be male, you can see his hemipenial bulge..

Whoah im learning so much haha thanks! Ill keep that in mind!