some questions about my new skink!

[dezarawr]

hey peeps,

it's my first post on the forums, would just like to say what a nice little informative community you got here

i got a skink a few weeks ago, but i'm a bit worried - it's tail. i dont know but to me it looks a bit weird unlike the other skinks on here. here's a pic:



should i be worried ?

[Nae]

It looks to me like he has lost quite a bit of his tail - possibly due to maybe a fight or shed issue, or even improper handling prior to when you got him. Although it looks like it has healed up nicely and so shouldn't be a problem. I believe tails also gradually grow back over time, but unfortunately they are never as nice looking as the original~

Welcome to the forum

[Jeff]

Welcome to the forum! Unless it was born with a deformed tail, your skink has definitely lost some of his tail. There is really no way to know for sure how it happened, but the good thing is, as long as it heals up well (and it looks like it has), it will cause him no problems whatsoever.

It would be great to see some pictures of the whole skink, and hear a little bit more about where you got him etc. if you have a chance.

[Susann]

I know Zach has mentioned that out of every years batch of babies, they always have one that will EAT ITS OWN TAIL!
So it may not have been anything dramatic or neglect.

You could call him/her Stumppy.

[dezarawr]

It would be great to see some pictures of the whole skink, and hear a little bit more about where you got him etc. if you have a chance.

well i got him from a pet shop, that claims to have been breeding them for the past years. he told me it's tail is normal, and will end up growing back anyway.

here's some pics, and thanks for the help !

[Susann]

Glad to see he enjoys the site! (....in front of the computer there)

As you have already seen in pitures, the tail is not normal, and unlikely to grow entirely back. It will grow, hopefully to where it won't be as obvious. He is not missing a lot.
It is "normal" in the sense that it will not hinder or bother him in any way. So no worries.

Is it a Northern? Looks quite green in the pictures. Is it the lighting?
He's got a couple scales on his head with stuch shed, but that's no big deal either. You could try to rub them gently with a wet washcloth.

Welcome to the site and forum! They are the best in the world!

[StaceyLeigh]

Pretty Skink, Welcome!

[Katrina]

Welcome!!

[WanderingChai]

Welcome!!

It may be just me, but on the last picture it looks like on the back there might be a mild cause of MBD, possibly from being in a pet store. I have a certain hatred for pet stores myself, I only go to local ones for new pets.

Beautiful little guy you have there, by the way.

[Susann]

Welcome!!

It may be just me, but on the last picture it looks like on the back there might be a mild cause of MBD

I don't think anything in the picture indicates MBD. As the skink is bending over the edge of the hand, yes there is a slight raised area, and I think that is what you reacted to?

We would definitely need to see pictures from a different angle while the skink is on a flat surface.

If you are right, cudos to you for catching it, but making statements like that based on one picture of a skink not on a flat surface can really scare some people. I know as a brand new owner to a baby skink I would get worried from a statement like that.

In the future, maybe PM a Mediator and ask them to look at the picture in question before worrying a new owner? Or, I don't know, how does everyone else feel?

[Hopeful_Herper]

Well, it does look a little humpy now that I look at it, however It could also easily be just the position of the skink. As Susann said, a picture on a flat surface will clear it up.

[Katrina]

In the future, maybe PM a Mediator and ask them to look at the picture in question before worrying a new owner? Or, I don't know, how does everyone else feel?

If people aren't sure I never mind giving a second opinion. I agree that we shouldn't worry new owners, although I don't think WanderingChai said anything that should cause panic. But it definitely would be concerning!