Any quirks your skinks do?

[Angcious]

Oh god...my bearded came out of a 5 month long brumation a few months ago. That was my first brumation experience and it was hell! Her personality did a complete 180, we missed her so much...it was just horrible!
My skinks slowed down a little this last season but that was it which was fine by me.

[splashy07]

Ah, yes Ali, I go through that in the winter months here...I miss their little faces greeting me in the morning!

[Janella]

Here is a quick picture I got of Noodles today. Happy early 4th of July everyone. I just love when they put themselves in position for a great photo.

[kielbasa]

Thank you all for sharing such cute pictures and stories about your little buddies! I learned just recently that Kielbasa's favorite food is blueberries, and he goes nuts when he smells one. When he's being lazy and napping in the afternoon, I lure him out with a blueberry and he darts right out!

[Janella]

Your welcome! Noodles loves blueberries! He also loves, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, peaches, and cantalope! I give him one as a treat after I put him back in his enclosure from exploring.

[AvaRose]

Whenever I bring Dandy food he will paw at the glass when he sees me put it into his dish, but then when I put the dish into his tank he will keep pawing at the glass not realizing his food is right behind him. Also, I usually feed him a mixture of pureed veggies and dog food, but I sometimes give him snails as a treat. He completely freaks out whenever snails are around. With his regular food he will eat it all slowly and gingerly, even out of my hand, but if I hold a snail out in front of him he will snap at it (with little regard for if I get bit, so I have to be careful).

He sometimes seems like he can't decide if he likes me or is scared of me. A lot of times he will poke his head out like he wants my attention (especially if I am in the kitchen - I think he figured out that is where food comes from), but then if I come over to him or open his tank he will get nervous and hide. I think a lot of what scares him is the top-opening tank. I'm hoping that when I eventually upgrade him to a front opening one it will make him a little less skittish.

Anyway he's cute. Here's a GIF of him at lunchtime (he's a messy eater).

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And here's a photo of the look he gives me when I'm in the kitchen.

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[teamh]

These posts are so cute! I love reading about all of the BTS silliness from Noodles, Sarah, Kielbasa, Mushy, Myra (and anyone else I missed) and great pics, everyone! (I'm newer to this forum; my husband aaronhouts has been posting for a while and Sue has been amazingly helpful as we've been learning about these BTS; I'm excited to get more involved with this lovely group!)

We've been having a great time learning about this amazing species. We have our two axanthic halmaheras, Zipper and Scout. As everyone has been saying, each has such distinct personalities! And I TOTALLY agree about talking to them like puppies!! Zipper is more of a floppy, cuddle-bug (like a basset hound) and Scout is more of a watchful terrier - she will sit and hang out watching what is going on and then dive under her blanket to sleep.

(This is Zipper and his blanket):



We also are working on potty training these two: as soon as we take them out of their enclosures, we put them on a sterilite tub lid with a paper towel. Sometimes they get it right away, but often they will try to walk off a few times, so we pick them up and put them back on the lids until they go. Once they are done, they can tromp around the room wherever they like.

Scout sometimes likes to trick us: she will release just a bit of urate and then will run off to freedom, only to release more somewhere else on the floor. Zipper takes longer, but once he is done, he is done for good. (This is Scout)



Also, does anyone else's BTS like to slide? We will be sitting on our futon with one in my lap, and they will start looking down to the floor; if I hold my legs out enough, they will slide on down to the ground! So funny!

As for treats, I love reading about the variety of fruit that everyone likes! We've tried many types, but our two are strictly banana fans. Any tips on introducing other fruits? (This is Zipper loving his banana)...

[Janella]

Hey Teamh, have I said how amazing Zipper and Scout are? They are absolutely gorgeous! As for introducing fruit, I personally just offer a variety and see what my Noodles likes. For instance, I will try a blueberry, the next day I will try a grape, the next a blackberry, etc. The funny thing is when I offered him a slice of banana, he didn't see to like it. Go figure. Yours loves them and my doesn't. It all just depends on their taste buds I guess. I love how you have yours potty trained as well. Noodles pretty much is also. I also love how you have them slide down your leg. I am absolutely smitten with skinks now and I can't wait to get another one.

[teamh]

I am absolutely smitten with skinks now and I can't wait to get another one.

Janella:

Aww cool! Thanks so much! We are smitten with ours, too. We used to breed boas and while those are also very, very cool animals, the personalities and looks (along with their love of eating dog food vs. mice) have made the BTS our #1 pet choice!

(We also had and bred leopard geckos for a bit. But nothing beats a BTS!)

I swear we can "see" them thinking. I was having a bit of a fussy day the other week and had Scout sitting beside me on the couch; I was all fired up about an email from someone and talking (ok, ranting) about it to my husband, and Scout watched me for a minute and then crawled right into my lap and in my arms. I looked down, mid sentence, and there she was, just cuddling with me! It was how cats and dogs can "read" your emotions... she knew it would make me smile and forget all about what was driving me crazy just a second ago. Once I had calmed and started laughing, she crawled away and resumed her exploring.

[Janella]

Aw, what a amazing story teamh! I absolutely believe that all critters have emotions and can read ours. I am completely sold on the BTS as well. I have had bearded dragons, water dragons, leopard geckos, snakes, but by far I am smitten with the BTS. They are just amazing. I look forward to hearing more stories about Scout and Zipper. Here is Noodles enjoying some sunshine from the other day.

[kielbasa]

I wish I could say the same cuddle-wise about Kielbasa. Every time I try and cuddle with my boy, he just continues walking and scratches me up. Ouch!! He can never still. I give the little snot all my attention and he just wants to get away from me! I try and give him tons of fruits to see what he likes and he only seems to like blueberries and bananas.

[Janella]

Hey Kielbasa,

Kielbasa is just so cute. Sorry to hear that he doesn't like to hold still. Keep working with him. Talk to him every time you are near, gently pet him at times without lifting, and then definitely keep trying those snuggle times. Hopefully with time he will come around. Good luck!

[kielbasa]

For right now, the only snuggles I get are struggle snuggles