BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Our Bluey makes three distinct sounds: The warning hiss when annoyed, the "huff" when less annoyed but perhaps has been disturbed too early in the morning (perhaps it's a half-hearted hiss), and then there's the "snuffle" which unambiguously expresses pleasure (e.g., when he's been picked up after wanting to get out of cage, when he's being patted and cuddled (and he's in the mood for affection), or when he's in an exploring mood and he finds himself in some interesting new situation.

We've never come across a description of this third sound before; anyone else have Blueys that "snuffle" when pleased?

-Mark & Julia

Yes!!!!!!! Chuffie does that too, its almost like excited panting, only through the snout, mouth closed, yes?

I would imagine that noise is not due to pleasure, more of a variation on annoyance.

SailleSkinklover wrote:Yes!!!!!!! Chuffie does that too, its almost like excited panting, only through the snout, mouth closed, yes?

Mouth is closed, yes. Sounds almost like the beginning of a sneeze, perhaps.

A snuffling sound due to a short series of moderately sharp exhalations through the nose -- maybe two or three "snuffles".

NomadOfTheHills wrote:I would imagine that noise is not due to pleasure, more of a variation on annoyance.

No -- it's quite unmistakably a response to pleasure.

It sounds like not all Blueys make this sound when especially pleased, then?

Found this in the "caresheet" article written by Zach:

Can BTS make noise?
Aside from quiet grunting and/or funny little squeeks, BTS are completely silent. If your BTS begins struggling while you have a firm grip, once in a while he'll let out little squeeks or grunts almost like a person would while trying to reach something far away. My male Merauke (Sunny) grunts pretty loudly while being held, but I haven't heard it from any of my others. A lot of times the grunts almost sound like a whimper.

Well, I have to say this doesn't describe my BTS at all. I've never heard the struggling grunts when held in a tight grip (probably because our BTS doesn't struggle when held -- he's quite calm when held and actually quite likes being carried about.) The closest he come to struggling when held is when he might squirm when he's being returned to his enclosure when he'd rather be out and about!

But, as I mention above, the "hiss", the "huff" and the "snuffle" are three quite distinct sounds that our Bluey will make depending on the situation (and relevant attitude and mood of the BTS at the time, of course!)

Have to say, i don't think i'v heard mine snuffle.. he squeeks though.. what does that mean? heh

you should video your bluey making this noise so we can all experience it.

Pryce does the balloon noise sometimes ^.^ Haven't heard a snuffle yet, but I'll listen. Mostly I hear a lot of huffing. Grumpy skinks.

Sounds more like a half-hearted huff to me by your description. Like blotch said, record it because from what you are saying, I would just call it a huff.

ReptileKing wrote:Sounds more like a half-hearted huff to me by your description. Like blotch said, record it because from what you are saying, I would just call it a huff.

It's quite distinctively different, but more importantly, the giveaway is the context in which he makes the "snuffle" rather than the "huff".

The huff will be the result of something _you're_ doing to _him_, like waking him up in the morning when he doesn't want to be disturbed.

The snuffle might be he's just climbed on to your shoulder from the back of the sofa, and is giving you a nuzzle and a friendly greeting. Or he's been just let out his enclosure after he's been begging to get out for a while. That is, it's in typically in response to something _he_ has initiated, and it usually after he's made it obvious it's an object of his intention.

Different noises, different contexts.

Recording the noise might be tricky. The sound is quite soft, so I'm not sure what I'd use for recording equipment, and it's not the sort of thing you can easily arrange on cue (as is true with just about all animal bahaviour...)

It's interesting that more people haven't observed this, though. As I said, I hadn't seen this sound described, so I was curious if it was universal. Perhaps not... perhaps it's not even common...

Mine does it when he eats something he loves as well. . . like mango, or hard boiled egg.

yes! jak does this! would be interesting to hear what it is...
garry however, doesnt ??

NomadOfTheHills wrote:I would imagine that noise is not due to pleasure, more of a variation on annoyance.

I came into this thread with the intention of stating that, but nomad beat me to it. I hate to say it, but I do not think anyone's bluey enjoys being picked up. It is 100% unnatural for them.

my tommy dose this but him only

I do not think anyone's bluey enjoys being picked up. It is 100% unnatural for them.

I'd have to say i agreed when i bought my bluey however, if i sit on the floor and let mine wander, he'll come over and climb up onto my shoulder or into my lap. and he scratches on the front of his viv to come out...
who knows? only the blueys...

besides, cable tv and chocolate aren't naural

Guys, while I agree you can't attribute human emotions to BTS, that doesn't mean they can't enjoy things. This noise sounds like they're making it because they're pleased.

Really, if you're BTS eats banana instead of kale, are you going to say it only does that because it hates the banana less??

No, a BTS is not going to love you. However that doesn't mean it can't enjoy being around you. After all, you provide heat, food and something to do.

Pryce likes coming out if he crawls onto me, but dislikes being picked up. They can like things. I've never heard this noise, but it seems to me like it's a sound of pleasure or satisfaction.

I agree Fatal - and i love the "hates banana less" comment!

Unless you can talk or understand Bluey - your guesses are as good as anyones. Well that's what i reckon anyway.

Hey Blueyophile ... my bluey has different noises for alarm and contentment ... I hear what you're saying.

A snuffle...I think I've heard Duke do it once...when I fed him a fuzzie~ >_<

I also heard him make this chirpy/squeak sound when he was in distress. He was in the bath and wanted out so he made the sound.

Maybe I was hallucinating but it was a chirpy/squeak ^^