Does Your Skink Have These Behaviors?

[blackmailchan]

In my attempt to be more active on the forum, I present to you these questions of how my Northern, Roosevelt, behaves almost on a regular basis. Let me know if your skink has the same behaviors, or if any of the behaviors I listed are negative ones.

1. After defecation, his tail remains raised for atleast a minute or so.
2. He closes both of his eyes when his head is rubbed.
3. If I stroke his body, he arches his back as my hand goes over it like a cat.
4. If something interesting is going on around him while I pet him, he only closes one eye.
5. If I pet near his nose, he tries to lick my finger
6. If he doesn't want to eat something, he nudges it away from his face.
7. He doesn't like his tail being touched and will dart away if you touch it.
8. The space inbetween his eye and his nostril is his favorite place to be pet
9. He looks over the edge of tables or somewhere high off of the ground, but he never jumps off; Just turns around.
10. If he's awake, and in his cage, ( his cage is next to my bed ) he will always be on the side of the tank that my head is on, WATCHING me.
11. He's not afraid of cats, but deathly afraid of dogs.
12. If anything new is introduced to his tank, he ignores it for the first three days, then he'll just stop what he's going and go on a tongue fest over it.
13. Also after defecation, which he normally does outside of his cage, he tears off to hide somewhere.

[critterguy]

I've observed most of those except 10,11,12,7.

Of course it is debatable if they really enjoy being pet-but mine does seem to enjoy a head rub or around the ear area(at the least-he will usually stop walking away from you and just sit there).

On the case of 9-I would not trust him not to jump. He's gauging if it is too high to go for it or not. The older they get-the bolder they get...if the floor is 1-2 body lengths away mine will happily slide off the table after looking down for a few minutes(unless I tap him on the nose and get him turned around). Sometimes depth perception is not so good especially if-say-chairs are near a high table. So while it is good to know he's not going to run off right away-don't get too trusting of his judgement.

[Lea]

In my attempt to be more active on the forum, I present to you these questions of how my Northern, Roosevelt, behaves almost on a regular basis. Let me know if your skink has the same behaviors, or if any of the behaviors I listed are negative ones.

1. After defecation, his tail remains raised for atleast a minute or so.

They are naturally clean animals and possessing no hands to wipe their botts, probably just want to keep it that way.

2. He closes both of his eyes when his head is rubbed.

I should think, rather than being a comforted eye-closing, he'll be doing it in the effort than when he opens them, the annoying thing stroking his head will have disappeared. Sorry, but BTS's are not affection animals.

3. If I stroke his body, he arches his back as my hand goes over it like a cat.

Sorry, but while cats do this to lean into the hand and get us to stroke them more, skinks do this to try and look bigger and tougher.

4. If something interesting is going on around him while I pet him, he only closes one eye.

Instinctively watching surroundings, in case they perceive a threat.


5. If I pet near his nose, he tries to lick my finger



6. If he doesn't want to eat something, he nudges it away from his face.

In their own time ... even if they like something, if they aren't hungry or it's just the wrong time of day, they'll reject the best of treats. There are exceptions though- a lots of us have at least one slightly "big-boned" skink.

7. He doesn't like his tail being touched and will dart away if you touch it.

A common and instinctive reaction. Don't try and grip the tail, he may dart forward and pull it off. It's a tough thing to do, but if he think he's in danger he'll pull forward pretty hard.

8. The space inbetween his eye and his nostril is his favorite place to be pet

How do you know this? Interesting to see what you mean here.


9. He looks over the edge of tables or somewhere high off of the ground, but he never jumps off; Just turns around.

They have terrible depth perception and will launch without warning! keep him safe in your hands at all times when holding him at any height.

10. If he's awake, and in his cage, ( his cage is next to my bed ) he will always be on the side of the tank that my head is on, WATCHING me.

You are the only animate object- either you are interesting, or he sees you as a threat and worthy of being kept a watchful eye on!


11. He's not afraid of cats, but deathly afraid of dogs.

Hmm, interesting to know how you discovered this one. Any sensible skink would be afraid of cats ... and any sensible owner would keep them well apart so they don't have a chance to become fearful ...

12. If anything new is introduced to his tank, he ignores it for the first three days, then he'll just stop what he's going and go on a tongue fest over it.

Eyeing it up, making sure it isn't dangerous, perhaps.


13. Also after defecation, which he normally does outside of his cage, he tears off to hide somewhere.

Hard work to push out a stinky poo, then they want to get as far from the smell as they can. Quite often they will bury them before leaving the poop, just to mask them even more. In the wild this could be to hide their presence from predators more than a "domesticated cleanup" though.

[blackmailchan]

I would figure that if Roosevelt didn't like being pet, he would move his head, walk away, or huff. Instead he kind of leans into my hand with his eyes closed and relaxes his head down on whatever is below him. If I stop petting him, he walks closer to me.

When he arches his back, he's not keeping it up the whole time, it only arches when my finger goes over it, like an undulate motion.

If I pet the spot between his eye and nostril, he relaxes alot faster than regular petting.

I watch him at all times when he's around my cat, and high ledges. My cat is completely harmless and has never tried to actually kill a live animal before, he's been around mice and baby birds and done nothing but smelled them. So he just smells Roosevelt and then walks away, Roosevelt continues doing his own thing. If my dog comes in my room, Roose will tear off, hissing and puffing.

And maybe you don't believe in lizards being affectionate, but I think that's what makes owning a pet fun; Taking care of them for affection in return. Their affectionate disposition was the whole reason I wanted a blue-tongue in the first place. The first day I got him no one could believe how incredibly affectionate that he was. Maybe it was all coincidence that he was cuddling up next to me and drifting off to sleep in my warmth or that it just so happened that he likes to watch what I'm doing and follow me around. c:

[blue_soda025]

Hm, Marley definitely doesn't ilke being petted, especially inside his tank. When he's out, he's usually not so huffy when he's petted but doesn't show any signs of enjoying it either. The weird thing is he doesn't really mind having his tail touched though.

[blackmailchan]

Mine didn't like being pet at first, he just sat there a bit confused ( I doubt his previous owner even held him, he was really stressed out. )

Once we took him out of his tank and held him for a while, he calmed down and enjoyed the petting more. Maybe it just depends on personality and age. Mine is just a year old.

[MissMeg]

1. After defecation, his tail remains raised for atleast a minute or so.
2. He closes both of his eyes when his head is rubbed.
3. If I stroke his body, he arches his back as my hand goes over it like a cat.
4. If something interesting is going on around him while I pet him, he only closes one eye.
5. If I pet near his nose, he tries to lick my finger
6. If he doesn't want to eat something, he nudges it away from his face.
7. He doesn't like his tail being touched and will dart away if you touch it.
8. The space inbetween his eye and his nostril is his favorite place to be pet
9. He looks over the edge of tables or somewhere high off of the ground, but he never jumps off; Just turns around.
10. If he's awake, and in his cage, ( his cage is next to my bed ) he will always be on the side of the tank that my head is on, WATCHING me.
11. He's not afraid of cats, but deathly afraid of dogs.
12. If anything new is introduced to his tank, he ignores it for the first three days, then he'll just stop what he's going and go on a tongue fest over it.
13. Also after defecation, which he normally does outside of his cage, he tears off to hide somewhere.

Ive also noticed that Ruckus is always resting his head on something. No matter what it is. The other day we caught him resting his head on one of the horns of a skill in his cage. (Its blunt, not pointly or anything) He must been there for a good half hour!

[Toxique]

1. After defecation, his tail remains raised for atleast a minute or so.
Mort does this, like others say its probably to keep ickies off of his tail, I know mort tends to rub himself on his substrate should he walk in his food. So I assume its because he doesn't like to have the 'dirty' smell on him or something?

2. He closes both of his eyes when his head is rubbed.
He does this too, he's fallen asleep a few times with it too.

3. If I stroke his body, he arches his back as my hand goes over it like a cat.

4. If something interesting is going on around him while I pet him, he only closes one eye.
Mort sometimes does this, its interesting seeing it. I am going to assume its the depth perception thing coming into play again? Its easier to focus one eye on something instead of the body having to focus two maybe?

5. If I pet near his nose, he tries to lick my finger
Probably smelling you, my boy will sometimes do this, but never lick lick, just the flick. The only time he's licked me was when I had a bit of mango juice on me.

6. If he doesn't want to eat something, he nudges it away from his face.
Yup! Little bugger likes to push away his peas when I try to feed them to him, now its chopped peas!

7. He doesn't like his tail being touched and will dart away if you touch it.
Yeah, I assume with them being so low and their tail so far from their head, along with where their eyes are placed in their skulls they can't see their tails very well. And because of that anything touching it, they don't know what it is and want to get away.

8. The space inbetween his eye and his nostril is his favorite place to be pet
Can't say for sure, but mort closes his eyes especially when the crown of his head is pet.

9. He looks over the edge of tables or somewhere high off of the ground, but he never jumps off; Just turns around.
Oh yes, it's quite amusing really! But I'm always within six inches with my hands to make sure there are no flying leaps.

10. If he's awake, and in his cage, ( his cage is next to my bed ) he will always be on the side of the tank that my head is on, WATCHING me.

11. He's not afraid of cats, but deathly afraid of dogs.

12. If anything new is introduced to his tank, he ignores it for the first three days, then he'll just stop what he's going and go on a tongue fest over it.
Its right away for mort if he's awake.

13. Also after defecation, which he normally does outside of his cage, he tears off to hide somewhere.

[Kelvin W]

Mine still just hides from me I think he hates me I've only had him for a month tho slowly but surely...... I hope lol

[Almostinsane]

4. If something interesting is going on around him while I pet him, he only closes one eye.
6. If he doesn't want to eat something, he nudges it away from his face.
9. He looks over the edge of tables or somewhere high off of the ground, but he never jumps off; Just turns around.(< Kind of. Charlie has launched herself off of one thing, and it was only about 1 foot off of the ground. thank goodness she is okay.)

^ I've never seen any of that behavior on Charlie. the rest she does on a regular basis.
I actually have a question though for you, have you ever seen your skink get into a "Sucky" mood suddenly? at least, thats what I call it. after awhile of being out, Charlie will nudge at my hands and crawl under them (there not in her way - she could easily go around or over them, she goes out of her way to go under them) and then arch her back into it, as if she wants pets, and she will rub her self all over me(I'm assuming she does this because I'm warm) and if shes freaked out she will only calm down when I'm touching her. I don't know what this really means for her, maybe she just thinks I'm a safe thing to be around? :S

[Kelvin W]

I hope mine tames down like all yours have mine just runs away when he see me

[Almostinsane]

I hope mine tames down like all yours have mine just runs away when he see me

He will calm down eventually. I spent a LOT of time with Charlie, shes become very tame now. She basically doesn't care what I do to her now, she only ever hisses if too many people are near watching her, or if the dogs are near her..or when I'm waking her up.
Charlie started to act really friendly around... Jan or Feb, I do believe. I have owned her since September.. I just gave her a LONG period (about 3 months of non-holding) and suddenly she was just super nice lol.

[Kelvin W]

I hope mine tames down like all yours have mine just runs away when he see me

He will calm down eventually. I spent a LOT of time with Charlie, shes become very tame now. She basically doesn't care what I do to her now, she only ever hisses if too many people are near watching her, or if the dogs are near her..or when I'm waking her up.
Charlie started to act really friendly around... Jan or Feb, I do believe. I have owned her since September.. I just gave her a LONG period (about 3 months of non-holding) and suddenly she was just super nice lol.

I tried the hand on method with nox first and now wish I didn't I've made him terrified I wish I just started with the slow method because there is no rush really I think I was just a bit exited and wanted him to like me (tolerate me) but just went the wrong way about it now I just spend most of my time in the room where he is so he can see I'm not a threat

[Almostinsane]

I hope mine tames down like all yours have mine just runs away when he see me

He will calm down eventually. I spent a LOT of time with Charlie, shes become very tame now. She basically doesn't care what I do to her now, she only ever hisses if too many people are near watching her, or if the dogs are near her..or when I'm waking her up.
Charlie started to act really friendly around... Jan or Feb, I do believe. I have owned her since September.. I just gave her a LONG period (about 3 months of non-holding) and suddenly she was just super nice lol.

I tried the hand on method with nox first and now wish I didn't I've made him terrified I wish I just started with the slow method because there is no rush really I think I was just a bit exited and wanted him to like me (tolerate me) but just went the wrong way about it now I just spend most of my time in the room where he is so he can see I'm not a threat

its not to late! if hes still super skittish and afraid of you, give him a month or two to calm down. We didn't believe Charlie was pregnant at first, so we gave her a week then started handling her.. then when we thought she was pregnant we gave her a few months before finally taking her to a vet.. where we realized shes just FAT! lol. she was super calm though after that. you have to be confident with him/her as well, it helps sooo much to not be scared and just hold him/her. I started holding Charlie on a couch and watching TV, so I wasn't paying much attention to her at all, and she loved that the most at first.

[blackmailchan]

4. If something interesting is going on around him while I pet him, he only closes one eye.
6. If he doesn't want to eat something, he nudges it away from his face.
9. He looks over the edge of tables or somewhere high off of the ground, but he never jumps off; Just turns around.(< Kind of. Charlie has launched herself off of one thing, and it was only about 1 foot off of the ground. thank goodness she is okay.)

^ I've never seen any of that behavior on Charlie. the rest she does on a regular basis.
I actually have a question though for you, have you ever seen your skink get into a "Sucky" mood suddenly? at least, thats what I call it. after awhile of being out, Charlie will nudge at my hands and crawl under them (there not in her way - she could easily go around or over them, she goes out of her way to go under them) and then arch her back into it, as if she wants pets, and she will rub her self all over me(I'm assuming she does this because I'm warm) and if shes freaked out she will only calm down when I'm touching her. I don't know what this really means for her, maybe she just thinks I'm a safe thing to be around? :S

Trying to bury under your hands. Most skinks feel comfty if something is covering the top of their head. If I want mine to just sit still and be outside of his tank, I put a blanket over his body and he pokes his head out to watch what's going on. Mine also stops being upset once he's held. It's a good thing to continue picking her up and calming her down whenever shes hissing at you in her tank. This will get her into the habit of realizing you're not a predator.

[blackmailchan]

I hope mine tames down like all yours have mine just runs away when he see me

He will calm down eventually. I spent a LOT of time with Charlie, shes become very tame now. She basically doesn't care what I do to her now, she only ever hisses if too many people are near watching her, or if the dogs are near her..or when I'm waking her up.
Charlie started to act really friendly around... Jan or Feb, I do believe. I have owned her since September.. I just gave her a LONG period (about 3 months of non-holding) and suddenly she was just super nice lol.

I tried the hand on method with nox first and now wish I didn't I've made him terrified I wish I just started with the slow method because there is no rush really I think I was just a bit exited and wanted him to like me (tolerate me) but just went the wrong way about it now I just spend most of my time in the room where he is so he can see I'm not a threat

I think allowing them the space to do their own thing for a while lets them calm down. They're like little kids, and if you move them somewhere and they don't like it, its best to just let them slowly get accustomed on their own before introducing new things.