Just not hungry?

[Songbird808]

I've had my Bluey for a few weeks now, nearly 4 or so, and I've found he is not really an enthusiastic eater. He's eaten a few night crawlers for me about a week ago, but that's it. He'll also lick at some banana-strawberry baby food and I stuck in some finely chopped kale in it so I sneaked in some vegetables. But he's starting to worry me. As far as I know, he's about 7-8 months old. I do have his heat lamp on, as well as his UVB and he does move around and bask, as well as drink. I'm a bit concerned I have taken him to the vet too, and health-wise he is fine. No blockage or anything.

[Katrina]

Your bluey is gorgeous and looks to be in good condition. They can go for weeks or months without food, so hardly eating for several weeks isn't a big concern.

I'd recommend buying a scale and weighing him, then just keep track of what he weights every week or two. As long as he doesn't lose more than about 10% of his body weight and doesn't show other signs of illness you should be just fine. Keep offering healthy meals once or twice a week and don't worry if he doesn't eat much at all. They have slow metabolisms and sometimes go off food for a while for no reason. If he isn't losing much weight you have nothing to worry about.

Love the picture!

[Songbird808]

Thanks Katrina. The vet told me he should be eating every other day, of an amount about the size of his head. Guess he was wrong? Haha. I do have a gram scale around here somewhere from when my mom was dieting. . .

[El Lobo]

First of all, your skink looks to be in good condition.

Apart from the night crawlers you have fed, what other protein is he being offered?

Younger skinks crave protein and will sometimes eat only that, to the exclusion of vegetables. While they are growing it is protein which will help their bodies to develop properly. I would suggest deleting the fruit based baby food and go for more animal protein to see if that will encourage him to eat better.

It could also be he is preparing to brumate, but if you don't intend breeding him then perhaps maintain the temperature throughout winter, feeding each 3 or 4 days until a good appetite pattern is established.

I don't necessarily think your vet was wrong.

[Susann]

The vet told me he should be eating every other day, of an amount about the size of his head. Guess he was wrong?

Oh, he wasn't necessarily wrong. General guidelines are somewhere around: 0-4 mos feed every day, 4-12 mos feed every other day, around 1 year of age gradually spread feedings to every 4-5 days; or once-twice a week if you will. But all guidelines can vary greatly depending on the condition of the skink.

If your skink is eating great, and not getting too "pudgy" (pictures on Caresheet show some overweight BTSs) then feed him every other day or so. But if your skink is starting to turn its nose up at the food that is offered, that is usually a sign of a skink that isn't quite hungry yet = maybe being fed too often. So wait a few days, and then offer a HEALTHY meal again.

My personal advice would be: don't succumb to the temptation of offering your skink only favorite foods/fruits. In my opinion, a hungry skink will eat what you put in front of it.
Of course there are times and situations that are a different matter, but a healthy BTS nudging veggies off to the side is a picky skink, not a sick one.
Just like kids, these little buggers can be darn smart about stuff, and can quickly learn that if they just wait a while, the veggies "turn into" fruit, or other yummier food!

[Songbird808]

Haha, I love the "little" guy. He does remind me of a kid, being so picky.
Oh, I have offered him Super Worms and cat food as well, but he kept turning his nose to them. I will do my best to squash the temptation to just give him baby food. :p