Skinkydink

[Mobius_One_Fox3]

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[Mobius_One_Fox3]

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[Susann]

Sometimes if a BTS is pacing alot, trying to crawl up the sides, it can mean that they don't have a hide that they feel secure enough in.

But beautiful IJ! Cute beard.

[SapphireTigress1]

lol at the applesauce beard

[Roheryn]

Cute beard

[Katrina]

Very cute!!

But rubbing his nose on the enclosure like that until it is red isn't normal. Does he have lots of very snug, secure hides - ones that he can go in and no one can see him? I would bet that he doesn't, and so the rubbing the nose is him trying to get out to go find a place that he can feel completely safe. Try adding more substrate so that he can burrow completely or else really snug hides like cork bark etc. He probably won't keep rubbing his nose and won't be so stressed if he can feed completely safe.

[Mobius_One_Fox3]

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[Katrina]

It does look like he is trying to get out to find a safe place - reptiles aren't generally super active. If they are always pacing and active, it means that something isn't right. When they are fed, at the right temperature and in a safe place they are happy to hide for hours and hours - that is what instinct is telling them to do. No need to go for a stroll if you might get eaten - so if they are pacing and searching, it means they don't feel safe.

I don't want to be mean, but I personally wouldn't keep a bluey in an enclosure that small. Others do, and have so for years - that is just my personal preference. To make him feel safer, I'd start by putting up the aquarium background pictures, towels or even posterboard around three sides of the tank, so it isn't so exposed. I'd also get a second hide for the cool end, so that he can choose what temperature he wants to be at and still feel safe. The large cave hides are quite nice - if you have enough substrate in there they can kind of put a wall up at the entrance and feel completely safe. See if that helps.

Also check his temperatures are good - make sure he has a 95-100 F basking surface and that the cool end isn't more than about 80. Pacing could also mean looking for a preferred temperature. The wood half log isn't a great basking spot - you can make some nice raised basking spots that double as a hide out of rocks and slate / tile with some aquarium silicone. They are cheap, work well for keeping nails filed down and double as a basking surface and hide.

I didn't even notice at first, but Susann also noticed the same thing.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

seems small

[Alioop]

What size is the tank he is in?

[Mobius_One_Fox3]

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[Bird_Brain]

Thanks for all of the advice. As for temperature its right on the money. The enclosure is 20 Liters. I like the idea of putting something on the side of the tank ill do that asap. Ill also grab another log so he can hide. I added a tad more substrate to the enclosure so he can bury deeper. I would love to get him a bigger tank but I am unable to right now.

20 liters = 5gal. If this is true, that is WAY WAY too small. You mention that you are not able to get a larger cage. IMO, if you cant properly house/care for an animal, you should not own that animal.

[Katrina]

Judging from the size of the half log, I'd think she meant 20 gallon long rather than 20 liters.

I would agree that it should have a larger enclosure, but 20 gallon long is quite a bit larger than 20 liters. Definitely make those changes and see if it helps. Try to get a larger enclosure (there are always cheap used enclosures for sale on kijiji / craigslist etc). The rubbing on the nose and 'hyperactivity' is due to stress.

Edit to add: I'd get a better hide rather than another half log. I don't really like them as hides - if you can see right through them it isn't very safe or secure, so they aren't much of a hide. Get something that he can feel completely safe in where you can't see him at all - if you can constantly look in and see him at all times then he won't ever feel safe and will be very stressed.

[WeatherMan_Tom]

This thread was great for me because Felix has been rubbing his face on one corner of the tank a lot. I always assumed it was just because he wanted to come out and explore but now I know why he always runs under my pillows or under a t-shirt on the floor. Need to do some renovations to the tank. Thanks for the thread!

[Mobius_One_Fox3]

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[smsararas2]

A really cheap way to make hides and such if you are strapped for cash is to buy some large tupperware and small storage bins and cut a hold in it for the to get into it. I have used this myself in a pinch until I could do better.

[Alioop]

20L means 20 LONG. It is a 20 gallon aquarium but, as opposed to fish tanks which are tall and narrow, it is long and low to provide more floor space for terrestrial animals. A 40 Long (36" x 18" x 18") is recommended as the MINIMUM enclosure size for a blue tongue skink. A 20 Long is not a suitable permanent home for your little one. Please be sure to thoroughly read the caresheet on this site for information to ensure your Skinkly lives a healthy, happy life.

And a little tip: My Boomer's favorite hides are shoeboxes. Cheap & easy!

[SapphireTigress1]

you can also make them from flour, salt and 'egetable oil. I can post the recipe if you'd like. Its easy. Got it from someone elses post on Iherp...that reminds me, i need to make some today, i ne'er got around to 'aterproofing...this is a must or they mold

[Susann]

There are lots of breeders who keep their BTS in rubbermaid containers. Go to Wal-Mart, or some such store, and get the biggest tub they have. (This is strictly MY opinion, but I would get a see-through one, just seems more humane to me.) Just make sure it has a top and make some good air-holes.

Then take any cardboard box big enough that he can lay in it comfortably, even just a cereal box would work. It doesn't have to be fancy, but he does need some place where he feels comfortably hidden.

If it's a see-through tub, I would wrap something around it or drape something over it, at least untill he is less stressed over his new environment.

Hey, just a thought; are you sure the red on this nose is from rubbing it raw, and not color from the substrate?

[Mobius_One_Fox3]

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