BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Got Xyla out the other day and about flipped at how white her belly is!
I'm assuming she will shed in a day or two, but thought I would throw up two pictures to compare the color difference.

amazing difference,almost looks like sun burn,lol,gets quite red

wow!

amazing difference o___o i wonder why the red is toned down to white so much when the brown is still a bit there?

xyla is really so beautiful.....before and after shed xD

wow-the difference is crazy! We will for sure need pictures once she sheds too

I have an apointment with the vet this Wed, am worried because Xyla has eaten so poorly for the whole 5 months I've had her, and she's nearing the mark of having lost 10% of her initial body-weight. I know she tends to get gray/dull before a shed; I just never noticed her belly so white before! So I'm REALLY hoping the color is all just shed-related, but am happy I have the apointment none the less; it's time for a "look-see" to relieve mommy's worries

If it IS all shed-related, I thought this was pretty incredible, and interesting to follow. Just to show you a bit more, I'll post a picture taken from the top down on the same day as her "regular" salmon-belly day, and one taken top down on the same day as the white-belly day. I will DEFINITELY take pictures after the shed and record how many days it occurred after the "white" picture was taken.

So here you go:

Blueberry 4 days before he shed:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20113&hilit=shed

Some of mine get that kind of color change as well, their red just isn't as dramatic as the one picture. But red bellies to completely white, it is amazing how they can lose all color prior to a shed.

I have a couple that have barely eaten in 5+ months, Stewy didn't eat from September until just a couple weeks ago he is starting to show interest in food. Jaxi and Callie have hardly eaten much since about November. She looks in good condition still, so I'm sure it is nothing but it can't hurt to have a checkup. But not eating for extended periods happens, Callie and Stewy were brumated for about 8 weeks of that but Jaxi wasn't brumated and has barely eaten. I'm sure she is just fine.

Katrina wrote:I have a couple that have barely eaten in 5+ months, I'm sure she is just fine.

I sure hope you're right! That's relieving to hear though; I know reptiles can go for extended periods without eating, even 5+ mos, but dealing with new skinks AND having pin worm issues--well, I'd just rather be safe than sorry... Figured, it can't hurt.

What's your guys' opinion on a tube-feed; do you think it would be a good idea to try to maybe kick-start her appetite, or would you personally hold off for her to start eating on her own? And, in that case, where WOULD you draw the line to a tube-feed; do you have a time-limit, or a weight-loss limit?

This may be of help, though your skink isn't "emaciated":
http://www.anapsid.org/emaciation.html

Susann wrote:

Katrina wrote:What's your guys' opinion on a tube-feed; do you think it would be a good idea to try to maybe kick-start her appetite, or would you personally hold off for her to start eating on her own? And, in that case, where WOULD you draw the line to a tube-feed; do you have a time-limit, or a weight-loss limit?

I would NEVER tube / force feed except under a vet's instruction. It is stressful, can cause way more harm than good and generally not necessary at all. If they aren't eating, it isn't because they have forgotten how to - either it is a natural thing, like winter / brumation or if it is some illness then force feeding doesn't solve the underlying problem. She looks in good condition and you said she has eaten not much, not nothing, right?

I'd always wait until they start eating on their own. If there is any signs of illness such as lethargy then obviously the vet is the only choice, but I would never force feed unless at the vet's instructions.

Jaxi has lost quite a bit of weight as well, but she is active, alert and eating some - there are zero signs of anything wrong, so I just keep offering meals and let her choose how much to eat. She still has a lot of meat on her bones, so I'm not concerned at all.

If you're really worried, try offering fuzzies or something.

Oh, I TOTALLY meant a tube-feed BY THE VET while I'm there! Sorry! I would NEVER do it on my own!

(I have tried EVERYTHING; if it's not alive, she's not interested. I've offered thawed pinkies, she takes it in her mouth, gums it a couple of times, and spits it out.)

Susann wrote:Oh, I TOTALLY meant a tube-feed BY THE VET while I'm there! Sorry! I would NEVER do it on my own!

I wouldn't ask the vet to tube feed, but if they recommended it then obviously I would have them tube feed... Just do whatever the vet recommends.

If those are recent pics and she is eating live food then I think you've probably got nothing to worry about though. Vet check can't hurt, the color changes are shedding though and very normal, at least from my experience.

OK, that's great to know Katrina!
I woudn't ASK the vet to do it at this point, but I have a feeling he will suggest it. Just wanted an opinion or two other than my own on whether that's something that would be beneficial to kick-start her appetite.
She does absolutely go NUTS for live food! So if that's a good sign, then maybe I'll stop worrying so much. She's lost about 65 grams in the time I've had her, but has tapered off the loss and stayed the same for over a month now, so maybe we're FINALLY turning....
I haven't wanted to give in and offer her more insects (crickets and mealworms pretty much all I can get ahold of here), but 5 months is stretching even MY resolve on "she'll eat when she's hungry"!!! Golly, it's been rough!

Started shedding today.
"White" pictures taken Apr 7th, today is Apr 15th.
Here are pictures from today:


Just to make it easier for newbies to find in a search, I'm going to to put up a new thread with these pics titled Pre-shed--Post-shed color difference.

Wow that is intense. Very cool! How often do these guys shed?

Joey1983 wrote:Wow that is intense. Very cool! How often do these guys shed?

It all depends on age. Every 3-5 weeks when they're very small, every 2, 3, 4 months when they are adults.
My big guys are 5-6 years old, they shed about every 6-8 weeks still. Not sure how normal that is...?

varies with different species to,could be worth writing sheddings down to see differences