new BTS hiding all the time

[trousersnakes]

I just picked up a BTS from petsmart. After hearing that they almost solely get them as captive hatched I would have waited for a reptile expo. With that being said I have had him for about 4 days and I have been leaving veggies and a few small pieces of berry in a bowl for him to eat along with water. I have not seen him come out of the substrate once. At this point I am thinking about breaking the wait a week rule to handle him just to make sure he is still alive. Any suggestions on what else I could try? tomorrow I will put half a dozen medium crickets in there and leave the room and see if that will bring him out for a minute. Thanks!

[WanderingChai]

Step #1: Read caresheet. Over, and over, and over. Make sure you MEMORIZE it(this goes for ALL new members!!)
Step #2: Just leave him alone for a while. Make sure temps are correct, and then leave him alone for at least 3 days. He is probably very scarred(imagine if he was you! )!
Step #3: Try very gently begin to hold him(Don't wake him up, only do this when he is comfortable in his new home, coming out to bask on his own, etc. I know, it's VERY tempting! But you'll have years and years to spend with him later )
Step #4: PICTURES! Especially if he came from PetSmart, he may not be in the best of condition. Again, only do this when he's comfortable.

[Richard.C]

if its a juvie,might take it time to adjust,dont be to scared to pull it out and check it over ect,maybe stick it under the basking light and see what it does,they learn quickly that you arent going to harm then and even try some different foods,if u have a dog perhaps try a bit of wet doogfood with the vegies,he may not be used to veggies ect

[El Lobo]

BTS are viviparous so are not hatched. As for captive bred v wild caught, North American members will be able to give better advice of the situation in the US.

If it is a young skink it needs and will crave protein. Veggies and berries are OK but around 60% of the meal should consist of protein. Skip the cricket idea, if the skink doesn't get them the probability is the crickets will get it. The caresheet and other threads on here will be able to advise which worms are better.

[Katrina]

Welcome! I agree with what all the others have said, as a young baby he will need a lot more protein, so nix the crickets and offer some better feeders like silk worms, roaches, dew worms, horn worms or canned dog food.

They are live born, not hatched... and Petsmart typically has the Indonesian types that are all wild caught or else born in captivity to wild caught mothers... definitely read over the caresheet, switch up the diet, and give the little guy a while to settle in. Dog food will usually be enough to entice them out of hiding. Remember he is tiny and sees you as one giant predator, so give him lots of time and be patient. Welcome to the site, let us know how it goes!

[NennaMeerkat]

What I found helped with my guy when I got him (though he was an adult) was to sit at the tank and just talk to him in a voice that is calm and soothing. The kind of voice that you will use with him in the future. Use the voice especially when feeding. Eventually he will recognize your voice and it being used with food and he will eventually get a bit calmer with ya. Every time he is around just talk to him real sweet like My guy will now come out from his various hiding spots when he hears me talk to him, either looking for a treat or looking to get out.

[supersnakeman101]

i agree completely with what people said previously
just let him adjust to his new situation
and pics please if any animal comes from petsmart it needs to be checkout for any health problems