Burmation.

[mjk19]

I live in Pennsylvania and right now it's starting to get cold. From what I keep reading is that northern bts go through burmation. I'm a new skink owner and don't know what to do as far as feeding, handling, temps go. Also is it safe to dig up the skink to handle during this time? Thanks.

[Richard.C]

If they are aleeping probably best to leave them be,but nothing wrong with giving them the odd look over,peace of mind if they arent eating as it lets you know if they are loosing condition or not

[Linnea]

It might be good to know its called brumation

keep the temps as usual and youll notice if your skink gets sluggish by itself. mine just goes to sleep one day and then stay hidden until winter is over.
make sure it wont get freezing cold or anything though.

oh, and keep the water good. sometimes they come up for a drink, and its often when youre not there.

dont dig up the skink and handle. as richard said, just checking on them if youre unsure if its feeling okay is probably good.

[Cathy20]

Do skinks HAVE to go through brumation or is it kind of a thing they do if they feel the need to?

[Linnea]

Cathy, i do not think they need to brumate unless youre planning on breeding them, sometimes they can breed without even being brumated.

I did not think my skink would brumate since i live in sweden and we already have bad day light as it is compared to Aus, but like a clockwork my skink Litchie falls asleep :/
last year when i got him i had also not planned on brumating him at all, so its a thing he chooses himself when night temps and light conditions drop.

so my answer is, there is probably no need to brumate them unless youre breeding. but if they decide to brumate by themselves, let them (as long as they are in good condition).

an ill skink or a juvenile skink shouldnt brumate. check the advanced forum for the "no brumation" thread for first year juveniles - its quite interesting.

more experienced bts keepers are welcome to edit my post - i can be very wrong D: