New skink, Advice??

[Richard.C]

How long would it usually take? During it's young or adulthood?

Also, do I take him? Every day, every few minutes or every few days, several minutes?

Theres no set time,varies alot,i tend to leave them be to settle down,and just let them get used to me feeding them,mainly handle only if i want to check them out,some times thats the quickest way to get them to trust you,letting them do it on there terms

If u have to chase them around cage to secure them or dig them out of hiding,that actually stresses them,if the let you calmly pick them up,no huffing(sneezing like sounds) thats a sign they may not be as nervous any more or as agitated

If picking them up often is to irresistable,best bet is doing it calmly,if they flee or hide let them,allows them to feel they have a safe haven,minimises stress and leads to earning there trust alot faster,babies are quite nervous,in nature lots of things eat them,including bigger blueys,so they take extra time to settle

[The Bearded Derek]

He's shedding quicker than I thought he would

I expected head first, but he's shedding from his throat now. He's growing rather quick o.o (I'm gonna read the care sheet for shedding info)
What's better, A temperature gun or thermometer gauge?

Said in the caresheet that it's good for them to bathe, but he's been basking for a while. Would the oil they have dry up?

[Richard.C]

Temp gun is way better,faster ,so u can check all over cage quick,but either is way better than none

[The Bearded Derek]

Where can i find one? I assume it's not in pet stores, is it?

[StaceyLeigh]

Where can i find one? I assume it's not in pet stores, is it?

Here is one on Home Depot- that is where I got mine.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-Non-Co ... bI7lLWW98E

They vary in price, this one is quite reasonable and looks like it would do the job.

[Susann]

I own that exact temp gun, believe I paid about the same ($30) about 3 years ago. Haven't even changed the batteries in it yet ...I don't think...
Works like a dream.

You could call around to the pet stores near you and check to see if they have one.

[Dakota]

This is $4.25, and I haven't changed the battery out, either.. works like a charm.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Temperature-Gun ... 3f25cb7e1d

[The Bearded Derek]

He's starting to hide all over again ._.

Later should I check if he finished shedding?

[Susann]

He will never stop hiding. He is a reptile. They hide, like, 98% of the time. Or more.
Check on him if you see him, but just a day later is not reason enough to dig him out, in my opinion. Maybe instead, you could give the tank and substrate a good misting with a spray bottle to give him extra humidity.

[El Lobo]

Do you think it at all possible that he is hiding because he needs time to settle?

You have only had him for around 4 days and from what is in this thread he has been subjected to ongoing stress each of those days. Do not underestimate the deleterious effect stress can have on an animal that cannot escape such an environment.

[The Bearded Derek]

With him already walking around, basking, drinking, sometimes eating I had already assumed he settled in...

I don't dig him out, unless I need to fix something in the tank. I only pick him up If he's out side his log.

[The Bearded Derek]

My sister everyday wants to pick her up, I keep telling her "You have to let him settle in, it'll be stressed" She keeps on saying she doesn't care, just wants to hold and pet him. What should I do: Let her get it (even when it's hiding) or tell her to do it some other day?

[Susann]

There is no question what you need to do. You tell her she does not pick the skink up unless you OK it. If she doesn't listen, you will need to find a way to lock the cage. Get your parents' help.

[StaceyLeigh]

My sister everyday wants to pick her up, I keep telling her "You have to let him settle in, it'll be stressed" She keeps on saying she doesn't care, just wants to hold and pet him. What should I do: Let her get it (even when it's hiding) or tell her to do it some other day?

I know it's hard, but you need to leave them be to settle in. It is especially stressful on them to pull them out of their hides, that is one place they have to feel secure. Maybe try setting up a time once a week for now that is her(your sister) time to hold him. You need to do what is best for your new pet, and set some limits, get your parents help if you need.

[The Bearded Derek]

Thanks, I keep telling her to stop carrying him but she won't listen to me. Thanks a lot! ( My parents don't really know anything about lizards, I'm the only one in the family that truly love reptiles )

[Susann]

But if you explain to your parents that your new lizard needs peace and quiet from people bugging it to properly become used to it's new home, so it will become a nice, friendly, and easy to handle lizard, I bet they would do everything they could to help you explain it to your sister so she cares as well. Otherwise, like I said, you may need to install a lock.

[The Bearded Derek]

Alright i'll see what I can do.
I'm starting to see he's drinking from his bowl and eating from the bowl too. He's starting to settle in? Also, compared to what he pooped the first time, he pooped pretty big. First time it was like a centimeter now it's like 3.5 - 5 centimeters like a greenish brown with a urate (Well, it has a white small part so i think it's a urate)
Also, today I tried picking him up to see if he had some shedding skin on his toes that he needed help with him but when I tried to pick him up he was smelling my fingers and tried biting. Stress, fear, or hunger? (Assuming it's fear since he was walking a bit slow, put him down after 3 minutes to check on his shedding)

[Susann]

when I tried to pick him up he was smelling my fingers and tried biting. Stress, fear, or hunger? (Assuming it's fear since he was walking a bit slow,)

Since he was walking slow, and was smelling your fingers first, I would guess that he was just checking you out. They can be just like human babies and want to feel things with their mouth.

[The Bearded Derek]

I let him bite me to see what he would do. It hurt quite a bit

[Dakota]

I let him bite me to see what he would do. It hurt quite a bit

My 9 month old skink bite hurt worse than my 5 year old skink.. hmm..