Handling and caring for baby with no tail

[BlueThunder]

Hi,

I've a 2 months old Northern youngster for 2 weeks now, that had its tail bitten off by a sibling before I got it. It is in a large viv, but there are plenty of hiding places and the temps seem ok. I am considering partitioning the tank or moving the skink into a smaller tub until it is larger, but we'll see how it gets on.

It burrows most of the time, always on the cool side (perhaps I've given too much aspen as mentioned in the FAQ), usually either in aspen or below a round piece of cork bark. It has only come out on it own to bask maybe twice in 2 weeks (admittedly I'm not always there). Last night I removed the bark from above it. It stayed still for a few minutes then wandered to the hot end, basked for a few minutes, then returned to the cool end, without taking any food (so can't be that hungry....)

Anyway, first question: Given it has a small stumpy tail and I want to make sure it grows and basks, should I gently dig the skink up for petting/feeding? When I do so there is initially huffing/hissing, but it calms down quickly and has always taken food when on a towel on my lap. Providing there are no sudden moves, it becomes quite inquisitive after a few mins, walks on my hands etc. Or is it best to simply remove the cork bark, and place the food nearby as described, without attempting to take it out. I've seen mixed advice on this, so looking for further opinions.

The other thing is: It seems to be a slightly different colour on its back legs/tail stump, silvery black compared to the more golden browns further forward. I'm just wondering if could be a shedding problem. It was like that when I got it but just in case there is an issue I'm considering adding a humid hide tonight. I haven't tried to bathe it in warm water as it is only young and still getting used to its home and me, so don't want to stress it too much

Cheers!

[kingofnobbys]

Photos …. especially of the cropped (bitten) tail …. these can become infected if not cared for properly.

The tail will regenerate , might take 6 - 12 months to do so depending on how much was bitten off (a bad indicator of the husbandry by the breeder or petshop you got it from).

I would definitely ditch the aspen and cork bark. It's a ingestion and impaction risk. Something like coco coir or peat coir (is better). Something similar or course grade Kritters Krumble is very good for Northerns and Easterns. My Easterns love it, but I also mix in bluegum (eucalyptus tree) leaf litter for a more natural bedding.

[kingofnobbys]

repeated post

[kingofnobbys]

Hi,

I've a 2 months old Northern youngster for 2 weeks now, that had its tail bitten off by a sibling before I got it. It is in a large viv, but there are plenty of hiding places and the temps seem ok. I am considering partitioning the tank or moving the skink into a smaller tub until it is larger, but we'll see how it gets on.

It burrows most of the time, always on the cool side (perhaps I've given too much aspen as mentioned in the FAQ), usually either in aspen or below a round piece of cork bark. It has only come out on it own to bask maybe twice in 2 weeks (admittedly I'm not always there). Last night I removed the bark from above it. It stayed still for a few minutes then wandered to the hot end, basked for a few minutes, then returned to the cool end, without taking any food (so can't be that hungry....)

Anyway, first question: Given it has a small stumpy tail and I want to make sure it grows and basks, should I gently dig the skink up for petting/feeding?

>>> I would at least once a day so it becomes more comfortable with being handled.
>>> try to associate it with getting some food treats.

When I do so there is initially huffing/hissing, but it calms down quickly and has always taken food when on a towel on my lap. Providing there are no sudden moves, it becomes quite inquisitive after a few mins, walks on my hands etc. Or is it best to simply remove the cork bark, and place the food nearby as described, without attempting to take it out. I've seen mixed advice on this, so looking for further opinions.

The other thing is: It seems to be a slightly different colour on its back legs/tail stump, silvery black compared to the more golden browns further forward. I'm just wondering if could be a shedding problem. It was like that when I got it but just in case there is an issue I'm considering adding a humid hide tonight. I haven't tried to bathe it in warm water as it is only young and still getting used to its home and me, so don't want to stress it too much

<<<< photos will help

Cheers!

[BlueThunder]

Regarding the breeder; I have no knowledge of animal husbandry, so have no opinion one way or the other. I actually chose this one, rather than one I was offered with a perfect tail.

No aspen or cork bark? Really? I've seen these recommended in lots of posts/forums. I also tried Cypress Mulch, but it looked really sharp in places so didn't want to risk it. I have coco husk too, but could try coco coir (if they are different - I have Exoterra Coco Husk Substrate for Reptiles and Amphibians 20 l). It really seems to like the Aspen though.

I've added a few of pics. Having never seen a complete shed I was simply unsure of the difference in colours of the tail, and the slight greyness in places near where the tail changes colour. I didn't really think the colour change at the tail was a huge issue, just wanted to check whether it was worth making a humid hide, or giving it a wash in case the shed was a problem.

[kingofnobbys]

Tail stump looks fine , can't see anything there needing treatment .... already starting to regenerate, I don't think the attack happened more than month ago.

A luke warm skink elbow depth soak in water at about 34 degC will help with the shedding (I used to do this in a emptied / cleaned cricket tub for my BTs when they were little bubs like your's is now ,they loved the warm bath, I used to set it up on a t-towel on the coffee table and when would just use a soaked strip of paper towel to gently draw the water over their heads …. I think they really enjoyed this process as they usually didn't want to get out and often drank their bath water while in there.

The water soak helps loosen the shed and it literally slips off and floats away in the water.

Can you review with us the lighting
>> basking globe type
>> UV globe or tube (brand, type (coil or T8 tube or T5HO tube or MVB, wattage, UVB rating, how is it setup (in a reflector dome or nanohood or reflector hood or bare) , and distance from the basking spot)

Can you review your temperatures
basking spot
warm zone
cool zone
overnight in the viv
how are you measuring these temperatures ?

Can you review the feeding schedule and diet

Can your review the photoperiod (ie when are the lights and heating turned on and off each day)

I suggest popping him in tub and weighing him weekly (same day each week) and charting his progress. He will have a bit of a set back in the growth trajectory as a lot of the protein and calcium will go into tail regeneration. (This takes a lot out of skinks , can mean females don't produce offspring in the next season).

Just want to help you make sure everything is good so your little boy (I think it's a boy based in the head size) has the best chance of thriving and living a long happy & healthy life (a lot of health issues are established in their first 3 or 4 months of life in my observation.

[BlueThunder]

>> basking globe type
Two halogen bulbs, one 25w (about 7 inches from left hand side of tank) one 50w (about 11 inches from left). Both are about 10-11 inches above substrate. 25w is fixed heat, 9 until 9. 50w is dimming and brings the temps up from about 10am. It is a kind of failsafe in the event the 25w isn't providing enough heat. Thermostat is set to max of 31 which gives around 34c or so in the hot end.
The ceramic in the hot end is set to about 25c which seems to keep the cold end above 20c at night.

>> UV globe or tube (brand, type (coil or T8 tube or T5HO tube or MVB, wattage, UVB rating, how is it setup (in a reflector dome or nanohood or reflector hood or bare) , and distance from the basking spot)
Zoomed T5HO 10 39w, reflector hood, about 25-30cms away from basking (will have to check this). Solarmeter gave about 2.5 - 3 (from memory).

>>basking spot
The rocks can hit about 40c which is slightly higher than I want admittedly.

>>warm zone
32-37 typically

>>cool zone
normally about 22-28, usually around 25

>>overnight in the viv
hot end can go up to 35 ( measured on substrate below the ceramic, near rocks ), cool end goes down to about 21c. I keep the ceramic quite high, about 25c on the pulse thermostat to ensure the cool end stays warm enough.

>>how are you measuring these temperatures ?
Multiple heat guns, typically .95; One digital thermometer/hygrometer in each end; Probes about 1/3 of way across tank that measure ceramic and halogen temps, just about the surface and a few cms away from the back wall.

>>Can you review the feeding schedule and diet
Cat food, dog food, greens and various veg (based on diet sheet on this site), Bluey buffet (occasionally), Omnigold (not yet used). Mainly catfood with veg mixed in, with multspectrum added every few days, as well as calcium once a week. Occasional egg and blueberry/raspberry/strawberry treat added. Have some snails coming. I'm adding D3 powder once a week, but can make that more or less based on suggestions.

>>Can your review the photoperiod (ie when are the lights and heating turned on and off each day)
Dimming halogen light and UV comes on at 8 am, fixed halogen on at 9. UV and fixed off at 9, dimming at 9.30.

I think the main issue is shyness because the area of the tank can be quite noisy. There isn't a huge amount I can do about that is I don't have the room to put him elsewhere. However, he was out and about this morning and seems to like the two new snug enclosed hides I added in both hot and cold ends. As I say, he calms quickly and goes on a wander after he is put back in the tank. He is eating every time I offer food from my lap.

So, I should get rid of the cork bark pieces? Really? The little guy seems to love clambering up and over them. (There is aspen all around to soften any tumble, but he hasn't yet).

[kingofnobbys]

Can you review with us the lighting
>> basking globe type
Two halogen bulbs, one 25w (about 7 inches from left hand side of tank) one 50w (about 11 inches from left). Both are about 10-11 inches above substrate. 25w is fixed heat, 9 until 9. 50w is dimming and brings the temps up from about 10am. It is a kind of failsafe in the event the 25w isn't providing enough heat. Thermostat is set to max of 31 which gives around 34c or so in the hot end.
The ceramic in the hot end is set to about 25c which seems to keep the cold end above 20c at night.

>> UV globe or tube (brand, type (coil or T8 tube or T5HO tube or MVB, wattage, UVB rating, how is it setup (in a reflector dome or nanohood or reflector hood or bare) , and distance from the basking spot)
Zoomed T5HO 10, reflector, about 25-30cms away from basking (will have to check this). Solarmeter gave about 2.5 - 3 (from memory).

Can you review your temperatures
>>basking spot
The rocks can hit about 40c which is slightly higher than I want.

>>warm zone
32-37 typically

>>cool zone
normally about 22-28, usually around 25

<<< all above is fine.

>>overnight in the viv
hot end can go up to 35 ( measured on substrate below the ceramic, near rocks )
<<< bit on the hot side … I'd try for not warmer than 28 degC O/NIGHT, OK if only a small area.
, cool end goes down to about 21c. I keep the ceramic quite high, about 25c on thermostat to ensure the cool end stays warm enough.

>>how are you measuring these temperatures ?
Multiple heat guns, typically .95; One digital thermometer/hygrometer in each end; Probes about 1/3 of way across tank that measure ceramic and halogen temps, just about the surface and a few cms away from the back wall.

>>Can you review the feeding schedule and diet
Cat food, dog food, greens and various veg (based on diet sheet on this site), Bluey buffet (occasionally), Omnigold (not yet used). Mainly catfood, with multspectrum added every few days, as well as calcium once a week. Occasional egg and blueberry/raspberry/strawberry treat. Have some snails coming. I'm adding D3 powder once a week, but can make that more or less based on suggestions.
<<< For such a young BT I recommend mostly live insects , i'm worried the current diet is setting up for fatty liver and the preservatives in commercial cat / dog foods are not good long term in skinks diet .
If live insects are hard to get where you are , the best bets are Repashi GrubPie , VetaFarm Lizard Pellets (softened in water ) , maybe Repcal Juvenile beardie pellets (softened in water).

>>Can your review the photoperiod (ie when are the lights and heating turned on and off each day)
Dimming halogen light and UV comes on at 8 am, fixed halogen on at 9. UV and fixed off at 9, dimming at 9.30.
<<< I'd bump that up by a few hours .

I think the main issue is shyness because the area of the tank can be quite noisy.
<<< they do become accustomed to this , all my gang's tanks and tubs are in the lounge room / living area , and they all love watching their human zoo , and TV (they love watching it).

There isn't a huge amount I can do about that is I don't have the room to put him elsewhere. However, he was out and about this morning and seems to like the two new snug enclosed hides I added in both hot and cold ends. As I say, he calms quickly and goes on a wander after he is put back in the tank. He is eating every time I offer food from my lap.

So, I should get rid of the cork bark pieces?
I am concerned that any that a small enough to be ingested (accidentially stuck to food, or skinks do some sily things sometimes - looks yummy so it's tried), and this could be bad (causing serious impaction).
Really? The little guy seems to love clambering up and over them. (There is aspen all around to soften any tumble, but he hasn't yet).

[BlueThunder]

<<< bit on the hot side … I'd try for not warmer than 28 degC O/NIGHT, OK if only a small area.

I think this must be a smallish area. The probes 1/3 of the way down the tank are picking up the temperature as about 24-25c and adjusting continually, the cool end thermometer is about 20-21, so I think this reading of 34c is only because the other thermometer was pretty much under the ceramic and near the rocks. If I drop the ceramic probe further I think the tank would struggle to keep over 20c in the cool end. I guess I could always add a 2nd ceramic in the far cool end which is pulse controlled to 20c or thereabouts, and so drop the hot side temperature. I'll maybe check late one night with the heat guns to see how big the 34c area is. The ceramic is 100w BTW.

If I lose the cork bark, what would be a suitable climbing material to entertain skinky?

[kingofnobbys]

<<< bit on the hot side … I'd try for not warmer than 28 degC O/NIGHT, OK if only a small area.

I think this must be a smallish area. The probes 1/3 of the way down the tank are picking up the temperature as about 24-25c and adjusting continually, the cool end thermometer is about 20-21, so I think this reading of 34c is only because the other thermometer was pretty much under the ceramic and near the rocks. If I drop the ceramic probe further I think the tank would struggle to keep over 20c in the cool end. I guess I could always add a 2nd ceramic in the far cool end which is pulse controlled to 20c or thereabouts, and so drop the hot side temperature. I'll maybe check late one night with the heat guns to see how big the 34c area is. The ceramic is 100w BTW.

If I lose the cork bark, what would be a suitable climbing material to entertain skinky?

I have some thick fallen branches (blew / fell off the same tree I get the leaf litter from) in my tanks, and some sheets of bark that also fell off (is about 10mm thick and came off branches and trunk during a storm, my skinks love looking under for crickets (I give them all some crickets each day) , for my basking spot , I have 3 concrete pavers set up as hollow pyramid (just enough space for the big BTs to crawl under, and they also each have a jumbo sized hubbahut). Nothing small enough to be ingested other than the natural leaf litter and kritters krumble.
They like these items especially when in shed.
BTs are surprisingly good climbers …. despite their short legs.

I have wild BTs living / regularly visiting my yard and they are often seen foraging through the leaf litter and under the fallen shards of bark so I know they love that kind stuff to explore. I move the tree litter stuff about and they get really inquisitive about the rearranged stuff when I do this …. it's part of their enrichment along with daily floor time and snuggles.

When my BTs were the same age as your's they loved snuggles in the crook of my elbow , and a fav spot to curl up for a nap was in my poloshirts chest pocket.

[lifesagame]

When you say cork bark pieces do you mean biggish strips and rounds of it? Like the bark that would come off the trunk and branches and big enough to hid under as a big piece?