Skink abnormal behavior

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Susann
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Re: Skink abnormal behavior

Postby Susann » Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:32 am

Skinks don't generally ever flip over onto their sides unless they are ticked and huffing up a storm, or in the process of crawling through a tight space. The only reason I can see for him to be braced up against the side of the tank and staying like that would be because he is too hot and is trying to cool down. What are you measuring temps with?

BTS breathing can be very erratic and hard to gauge before you get used to what "normal" breathing looks like. Normal breathing can vary anywhere from a shallow breath every couple of seconds, to a deep, almost sigh-like, breath that seems to inflate the whole skink as "rarely" as every 20 seconds or more. If you are comparing to human breathing you can get freaked out real fast.

If he is eating and moving about, I would try to not worry too much. There is nothing wrong however with taking him in to a vet just to get a base-line update if he is healthy, and to get a quick start on a treatment if the vet thinks something seems to be off. So don't hesitate.
I ALWAYS suggest having a vet that you are comfortable with, who seems able and willing to treat a BTS, BEFORE there is a problem. That way you can already have discussed with the vet what you do if there's a concern or emergency in the middle of the night or on a weekend, because, far from every emergency or off-hours pet clinic will see an exotic pet.

Just some things to think about.

He also seems to be getting an awful lot of food for a 1 year old skink. I would maybe stretch out feedings to every 3-5 days with no pellets in between :) He may well be feeling rather engorged. :)
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BrendanAW
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Re: Skink abnormal behavior

Postby BrendanAW » Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:54 am

well as I stated, he is about a year old. He gets a serving about the size of a fruit cup every 2 days (eats about hald but that is how we have it divided up) and has access to food whenever he wants it. I balance out the mush with 50% greens, 40% mean, 10% fruit.

I also have a baby halmeria, she has a pink/blue tongue. The tip is a pretty blue and it fades into pink at the back of her tongue! Is this just a baby thing or specific to her type? Or is this something that seldom happens?

Thanks for all of the responses! Even though I am still on edge, I am feeling a bit better about it now.
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Susann
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Re: Skink abnormal behavior

Postby Susann » Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:57 am

Yup. That's a lot of food. Rule of thumb is to offer a 1 year old a serving about twice the size of their heads, once or twice a week.

And yes, the color of the tongue you described sounds right, Meraukes tend to have the pink/blue as well.
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Re: Skink abnormal behavior

Postby BrendanAW » Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:51 pm

Both skinks just broke their skin within the same hour. That sets my mind at ease and answers a lot of my questions. ^-^
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Re: Skink abnormal behavior

Postby BrendanAW » Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:36 pm

Oh, should I leave his lights on all night? Should I vacate the room? I need some answers fast!
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Re: Skink abnormal behavior

Postby Susann » Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:42 pm

Why would you need to leave his lights on at night or vacate the room?

I don't see any need for either ...for any reason really...
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Re: Skink abnormal behavior

Postby Richard.C » Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:45 pm

no just let lights turn off as normal at night

feed wise if they are eating and dont look super fat keep doing what you are doing,its hard to gauge how much and how often based off age as the yearling could be tiny still or adult sized,if still growing its hard to make them fat if conditions are right as they put food eaten into growth,more food faster growth,less food slower growth,then add in if they shut down over winter or not,some do even if u try not to let them

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