Taming tips?

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Skinkylinky
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Taming tips?

Postby Skinkylinky » Tue Mar 11, 2025 10:58 am

I have had my skink for a few months but it went in to brumation it came back on march 3 and I have been taming since then
It has been okay… but it seems dis interested in food or my hand but is semi ok with me being in the room with it and the cage and has even slept out in the open, I have petted it on its back a few time but the last time it huffed so I was wondering if I was going in the right direction or am I going too fast? And I new some more taming tips I haven’t tried picking it up yet because I don’t know if it’s ready but idk.
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splashy07
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Re: Taming tips?

Postby splashy07 » Wed Mar 12, 2025 5:22 am

What species? Northerns are currently "in season" and most only have one thing on their mind...
Also, some never accept "petting", many reptiles see this as a threat rather than an act of kindness.
Many will tolerate, but as far as do they like it... I'd say they'd rather be left alone. There are exceptions of course.
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Janella
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Re: Taming tips?

Postby Janella » Wed Mar 12, 2025 6:21 pm

Hi there. What type of skink is this? How old is it? All skinks are different. Some like touch and handling and others don't. Also some species are better with handling then others. I would start by talking to it anytime you are near, so it gets used to your voice. Then, start to gradually touch it on the jead and shoulders (pets). Next, handle it for 5 minutes at a time or so. If it relaxes with you then put it away after the session and reward with a tasty piece of fruit. If it struggles, try to hang onto it until it is calm, and then put back. The idea is it get rewarded for positive behavior and being around you. You=good things. I hope this helps.
Skinkylinky
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Re: Taming tips?

Postby Skinkylinky » Thu Mar 13, 2025 1:09 pm

Janella wrote:Hi there. What type of skink is this? How old is it? All skinks are different. Some like touch and handling and others don't. Also some species are better with handling then others. I would start by talking to it anytime you are near, so it gets used to your voice. Then, start to gradually touch it on the jead and shoulders (pets). Next, handle it for 5 minutes at a time or so. If it relaxes with you then put it away after the session and reward with a tasty piece of fruit. If it struggles, try to hang onto it until it is calm, and then put back. The idea is it get rewarded for positive behavior and being around you. You=good things. I hope this helps.


it is a northern and is 10 months about this time and thanks for the tips, but I also have another question I have a top opening cage ( I didn’t buy it ) and it gets tricky trying to reach my hand in there to feed my skink is there a better way to do this other than taking the entire top off?
Skinkylinky
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Re: Taming tips?

Postby Skinkylinky » Thu Mar 13, 2025 1:14 pm

splashy07 wrote:What species? Northerns are currently "in season" and most only have one thing on their mind...
Also, some never accept "petting", many reptiles see this as a threat rather than an act of kindness.
Many will tolerate, but as far as do they like it... I'd say they'd rather be left alone. There are exceptions of course.


Yes I was suspecting that that was going on as it’s is determined to rub its face on the walls of the cage every 10 minutes and I heard that was just them trying to find a mate , but the petting was just me trying to get it used to me touching it in general before I start to pick it up, Along with the whole mating season thing how long is that supposed to last?
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Janella
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Re: Taming tips?

Postby Janella » Sat Mar 15, 2025 12:24 pm

So the top opening enclosures make it hard for some skinks. They tend to feel threatened when reaching from above. You just have to make sure your skink knows your there and try to not startle it.
If it is a Northern, it could be definitelyin season and trying to search for a mate. Mating season is from now till May.

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