Eastern BTS always hiding

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Crazy76
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Eastern BTS always hiding

Postby Crazy76 » Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:57 pm

Hi there! I have an Eastern blue tongue skink who i got about 4 months ago, named Oz. His now 7 months old and came from a breeder who i think bred him outside. It has been four months now and he still seems to be really scared of me :(

He is in a 4 foot wooden enclosure and has a basking area of 31 degrees, and a cool end of 20 degrees. He has three different hides at the hot, middle and cool end, and i have even started covering the glass viewing area with a board, as he seems to only then come out and bask and move around.

Even though he hides a lot, he still eats and drinks, and poops normally (always in one spot at the other end of his enclosure, every couple of days).

Since i have had him, i religiously pull him out twice a week and sunbake with him for 20 mins approx. I am scared that since he ALWAYS hides, im scared he doesn't get enough UVB from my UVB fluorescent in his enclosure. He hisses quietly every time i pull him out, but never bites, and seems happy to sit with me.

I recently bought two shinglebacks, and they have so much character! that now i wonder is something wrong with my BTS, as i see photos on here of many other BTS wondering around in front of their owners.

JUst wondering if anyone else has issues of shyness even after months of handling? Or is this odd?
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Crazy76
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Postby Crazy76 » Fri Nov 11, 2011 5:00 pm

oh and he hardly ever eats in front of me, its always when he is alone, and there is none else in the room :(
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Linnea
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Postby Linnea » Fri Nov 11, 2011 5:18 pm

some bts are just more reserved than others and need more time.


though i think your way of handling may have caused a little of the problem, but definitely not all of it. i will try to explain why and let the others here with more experience correct me if im very wrong.

- you bts knows what body temp it needs. he probably basks when you ar not at home at all. since your skink poops it means he digests his food just well! (thus he is basking) so first rule, do not drag the bts to bask.

- bts love to hide. it may feel uncomfortable that they are so super lazy and introverted, but its part of their nature (at least for some of them).

does the enclosure have three covered sides? you may want to try this otherwise.

while taking your skink outside, have you ever tried feeding treats?
Last edited by Linnea on Fri Nov 11, 2011 5:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby Crazy76 » Fri Nov 11, 2011 5:27 pm

oh ok so maybe i should just leave him in the enclosure for a couple of weeks to just chill out? and offer treats?
I dont force him in the sun though, he sits under my crossed legs and pokes his head out or body as he pleases. I just play iphone games as he does as he pleases, but if you think that is stressing him, i wont do it as often or not at all.
yeah three of the enclosure sides are made out of wood, with just a glass front for access.
i have tried treats, but he doesnt like to eat in front of me, so i gave up, but will try again :)
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Linnea
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Postby Linnea » Fri Nov 11, 2011 5:36 pm

im not entirely sure how to deal with this so i suggest waiting for the others to answer n__n

im sorry, i think i misunderstood what you wrote about the basking.

handling is probably essential to make him used to you in the end though, but there are several way to go about this issue and i know some of the forum members have had problems like this.
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Katrina
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Postby Katrina » Sat Nov 12, 2011 2:21 pm

It is normal for them to hide lots - some do so more than others. As long as when you have him out it isn't too long (20 mins seems fine) and it isn't overly stressful, then it should be fine. It does take time to gain their trust, treats like Linnea mentioned definitely help. I wouldn't worry about him hiding meaning he isn't getting enough UVB - they are very good at taking care of themselves if given the proper conditions.

It sounds like you are doing everything right, so just continue to be patient. He will likely never be as personable or calm as the shinglebacks... it seems they all have personalities and some of mine are fairly reserved whereas others are much more personable. Don't worry - it doesn't sound like anything is wrong with him! :)
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Postby Katrina » Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:25 am

Oh - I just did the conversion and 31 isn't hot enough for a basking spot. It should be more like 35-38. :D
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Postby Crazy76 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:25 am

Thanks for ur reply katrina and everyone else! I love this forum, makes being a new mum soo much less stressful, its great to know there are many many people here ready to discuss my problems and offer advice,.....much more satisfying and reliable than any pet shop staff thats for sure!!! Its just great!
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Postby Crazy76 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:26 am

oh ok cool thanks!!
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Postby Katrina » Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:38 am

Thanks for the kind words! :D

Sorry I didn't catch that right away. :oops: We use all metric in Canada, but I am so used to giving bluey advice in Fahrenheit that I didn't even think about it!

Do you have any pictures? We'd love to see them.
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Postby Crazy76 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 1:53 am

This is Oz man having a bask with me

Image

im having trouble uploading photos :cry: so hopefully once i figure it out there will be more photos to come :lol:
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Postby Crazy76 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:05 am

Success with uploading another pic yay, more sunbaking

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[/img]
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Postby Crazy76 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:11 am

This is Kali, she is the most outgoing lizard, watches people and my dogs pass her enclosure, begging someone to take her out for a wonder all the time

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Postby Crazy76 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:15 am

And this is Neiko, his a tad shy but soo adorable, he loves to have a good wonder around the couch too! And loves loves mint, so funny

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Postby Crazy76 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:18 am

Neiko and Kali in bed :)

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Postby Crazy76 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:25 am

Oz again, showing off his guns on the couch

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Postby Linnea » Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:03 am

*___* holy shingle! theayre so cute, all three of them! love oz's bandings.
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Postby Katrina » Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:53 am

Wow - just gorgeous!! :D I love the two little faces poking out of the hide.

Oz has beautiful colors. I really love the variation in Easterns.
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Postby Crazy76 » Sun Nov 13, 2011 1:47 pm

Thanks guys, proud mum :lol: :lol:
yeah i am starting to see the huge variations in Easterns on here, its so cool
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