New bluey and interaction

[Claudia&Louie]

I just got a new BTS a few days ago and frankly I don't feel as if I prepared well - I haven't got the humidity to be high enough, I keep trying different things and it's still not where it should be, but a humidifier should be arriving in the mail tomorrow.

I got him on the 7th, it's now the 10th, and I remember when I got him the pet store clerk gave me a little shed from his toes, so I knew he was shedding. I've read about humidity and shedding and the importance of their toes (and how they could fall off). I have a decent sized casserole dish that I put water in the bottom of, hoping that he can soak in it.

He's always hiding, probably sleeping, and I feel really bad digging him out, like it's a breach of privacy and I want him to trust me. But at the same time I'm worried about him. Since it's been a few days I'd really like him to soak and get the rest of the shed off. Any advice on how to do this?

Thanks!

[Fatal_S]

While we usually recommend leaving a new skink alone for 1-2 weeks, if there's a health concern it's worth digging the skink out for a health check. If it's a typical shed and all toes looked healthy I wouldn't be too concerned yet, but if there were toes looking tight, swollen, or sore then it's important to stay on top of keeping them clear.

For shed concerns you could try adding a humid hide - a box filled with damp spaghnum moss for example. Then the skink can use it whenever it wants some extra humidity, and rubbing against the moss helps remove the shed.

Do you have any photos of your skink?

[Claudia&Louie]

I ended up getting a humidifier, which I'm not sure if I should have bought, because it makes my tank super foggy. I mean, of course that's what it's supposed to do, but the humidity levels rise quickly and a little higher than they should, so I have to keep turning it off and on, which I can't do if I'm busy. There isn't really a low or high setting, and most importantly I notice him sneezing a lot especially when the humidifier is on. I thought I got the right substrate (it's Cypress mulch). I also figured (the sneezing) would be better with the humidity being where it should be, but now I'm worried that the humidifier is doing more harm than good. Most importantly, I feel lost in interpreting my BTS's behavior and whether it's positive or negative, whether I need to change something and what that might be.

Rip the terrible lighting and my sad excuse for a hide, but he tends to just bury himself rather than sit in the hides anyway. If you'd like a better picture, don't hesitate to ask and thanks for the input

[Fatal_S]

Did you get a fogger instead of a humidifier maybe? Either can work, but both are usually better used with a timer. You can get an inexpensive power-bar timer at Walmart or such store. Program it so the fogger only turns on for like a minute or two at a time.

It also sounds like maybe your tank isn't holding humidity well. Covering up part of the top with a plastic for example can help keep the humidity in the enclosure where it's needed.

Looks like you have an indo species, so yes humidity is important and the substrate matters. The cypress mulch should do good for you. But you may want a deeper substrate so it can hold more of the moisture. Maybe mix in some spaghnum moss to your bark?

[mb606587]

Make sure the basking area is hot enough also. Without seeing a picture, I'm going to assume you have a Halmahera but please do share so we don't have to assume. They prefer it hot and humid. If the tank isn't warm enough, they tend to be sluggish also. I'd aim to keep the basking area over 100°F and the coolest area furthest away at near 80°F. But know also skinks in shed tend to be more reclusive as well as newer skinks not yet comfortable in a new environment. Try to find a digital thermometer/hygrometer to have a more accurate representation of the parameters inside the tank.