Taming an Indo

[Shaggraa]

Has anyone had any luck Taming an Indo? I hand feed Ziggy and take him out at least twice a week, but he still continues to hiss and run every time i even lift the screen on his cage!

[Fatal_S]

I have not dealt with WC Indos, but I have do have some unfriendly skinks. I have better luck not taming them, as in I let them decide to interact or not. If they don't want to, I don't force it.

My first question would be, when you take him out is it a good experience for him? What do you do with him, and does he enjoy it? If it's a miserable time (he's grabbed, poked, held, bothered, etc) he's not going to get any tamer.

IE: If every time you see me I punch you, you won't like me much. But if I give you cookies, we'll probably be friends.

Second question would be does he ever seem curious about you, or like he wants to get out of the tank? Examples would be pacing the tank, or scratching at the front, or climbing the walls. That's the best time to take them out, and then let them explore a safe area.

Punches = handling, baths, nail cutting
Cookies = exploring, treats, cuddling (must be at will, not forced; as in you're sitting on the ground and the skink is curled up against you)

I have more tips, but I'm pretty sleepy, so this may be worded oddly, sorry.

[Shaggraa]

Whenever he is in his hide, or has just eaten, I leave him alone. When I take him out I usually lay on the floor and just let him run around. I guess he might just have anxiety problems.

[Fatal_S]

Sounds good. Does he ever try to get out of his tank, or look like he's wanting to be active/curious? Over time my skinks have learned to scratch at their tanks when they want out. However now with 20 skinks scratching, it does get old fast.

Can he be tempted with treats?

[Shaggraa]

Yes he is always active. Not necessarily scratching at the front, but he will be all over the place. When I lift his screen he will run into his hide, but as soon as he sees me taking out his food or water bowl he will come back out flicking his tongue to see what i have for him. He is only 6 months old so i guess it just takes more time.

[Fatal_S]

It sounds like you're actually doing really well. The first post sounded like he was freaky and agro, but it sounds more like he's just skittish. Most of the time WC Indo's are spazzy and bitey, yours sounds much nicer

Maybe try treats during explore-time? Does he hide when you approach the tank/sit nearby, or just when you open it?

[Shaggraa]

No, he doesn't hide when i approach. Only when I lift his screen. He has never opened his mouth in aggression or nipped at me. He will just huff and run when i try to grab him.

[Karen]

Even my CBB Northern baby startles at me sliding the screen out. It sounds like it could just be an instinctual flight reaction. They don't like when large creatures are looming over them and even less when they're being grabbed from above. It's one reason why I'm so eager to get front opening enclosures.

[bella3]

Even my CBB Northern baby startles at me sliding the screen out. It sounds like it could just be an instinctual flight reaction. They don't like when large creatures are looming over them and even less when they're being grabbed from above. It's one reason why I'm so eager to get front opening enclosures.

Juno doesn't like the lid either. Every time I take it off/put it on she flinches, and sometimes runs for cover in her hide. Although my skink is not a WC Indo, I find that skinks (well Juno at least) really likes when she can explore. If I take her out and let her explore around she becomes more tolerant of me handling her. I put her on the floor and set up a bunch of stuff like paper-towel rolls, empy carboard boxes, kleenex-boxes and once in a while a treat aswell. At first sometimes she seems a bit overwhelmed, but after a few seconds she starts exploring like crazy!

[Rush]

They're wild animals, not dogs or cats. Skinks take time to tame, but they will always have their wild intstincts thinking you're a predator from time to time...even with very tame and docile skinks.

[Bird_Brain]

They're wild animals, not dogs or cats. Skinks take time to tame, but they will always have their wild intstincts thinking you're a predator from time to time...even with very tame and docile skinks.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

[Shaggraa]

They're wild animals, not dogs or cats. Skinks take time to tame, but they will always have their wild intstincts thinking you're a predator from time to time...even with very tame and docile skinks.

True. But at the same time look at how far bearded dragons have come since they became so popular. My dragon could care less about anything. He comes out and hangs out all the time. They are wild animals, but so were dogs and cats at one point.

[Bird_Brain]

They're wild animals, not dogs or cats. Skinks take time to tame, but they will always have their wild intstincts thinking you're a predator from time to time...even with very tame and docile skinks.

True. But at the same time look at how far bearded dragons have come since they became so popular. My dragon could care less about anything. He comes out and hangs out all the time. They are wild animals, but so were dogs and cats at one point.

Yes, with captive breeding programs in place, domestication can become reality. But really, the example of cats kinda helps prove Rush's point. Even though they have been domesticated for thousands of years, they still resort back to their wild instinct very quickly (feral cats). However, all this is really irrelevant seeing how we are dealing with WC animals that are far from becoming a domesticated species. Also, the natural behavior between a bearded dragon and a blue tongue skink are very different. IMO, Bearded dragons seem to be naturally more active than blue tongue skinks. Hopefully the Aussies can speak up and let us know. But again, when you get a wc skink, it is typically going to take a lot of time, effort, and patience for it to calm down.

This is not necessarily directed to you, however, this is a great example of why doing research on the different species of BTS would pay off. Purchasing a CBB skink that has a reputation for having a docile temperament would have been the best choice for someone wanting more of a "pet" BTS that is easier to handle.

[Shaggraa]

You are very right. I saw him in the pet shop and got him. I knew he was a BTS but had no clue what kind. I was told he was CB but I guess that isn't true. I don't mind it at all tho. I still take care of him and let him roam around the house. Even if he doesn't like me