New BTS Owner Needs Help

[KrisKringle]

I recently bought a beautiful Northern BTS from a trusted local pet store after falling in love with my bosses Irian Jaya. My BTS is currently on layaway because I needed time to set up his habitat so I have about another week before I take him home with me. I have a few concerns on brumation and feeding and haven't been able to find the exact information that I'm looking for on the internet. My first and main concern is about brumation, it's October in upstate NY where I live and the nights have been getting colder and colder (high 50's) and since I'm just getting my BTS I would like to figure him out a little bit before he goes into brumation. My BTS is currently 12 inches long but I'm not sure how old that makes him, do you think it would be safe to keep him out or let him go into brumation at this age and if I am to keep him out of it how would I do that? My second concern is feeding, I'm not sure how much to feed my BTS and when. I get home from work everyday around 2 pm, should I just leave a pile of food in his habitat everyday when I arrive home and just leave it there until the next day and how much food do I put in? Thank you for your help I'm very grateful to have found this awesome forum.

[Cathy20]

Sounds to me like you have a baby since its only 12 inches long. Feeding should probably be every other day and my only advice on brumation is that you can't stop it, but generally I've heard its not ideal for a younger BTS. Keeping the temps up and frequent handling may help prevent it?

And btw, CONGRATS

[Rani-May]

I have a baby myself and i personally feed every day, but mine has quite the appetite, so every day or two is ideal. Roughly the size of their head is a good amount to feed. I myself hand feed because i cant help it, i think its too cute, this also might be an idea to keep from brumating perhaps? not too sure, otherwise just offering the food is fine.
I personally dont let mine brumate, It is quite easy to prevent here, i have a night time heat lamp that keeps the enclosure around 64 degrees for her. And i handle her every day.

[Bird_Brain]

No matter what you do, some skinks will brumate regardless. Just maintain heat and food and hope for the best

[Coomassie]

My skink burmates every year. I don't change anything about his tank except bump up the temp in his enclosure because it gets colder in my apartment in the winter. He goes down every year and I stop feeding him when he stops coming out on food day (he is an adult now so that is every saturday). If it were me, I would offer food every other day but if the skink is burrowed, don't bother digging him up. If he stops coming up and eating, he is probably down for the winter. No worries though, it will only be for a few months. As far as the amount goes, I brought Coomassie home a little smaller than your guy and he ate between one and two tablespoons of food every other day. Some days they will eat it all and beg for more, others they won't finish it. I buy a can of dog food (a 12.5 oz can) and a bunch of veggies (plus whatever is in the fridge from the tortoise) throw it all together in the food processor and then freeze in single serving containers. Best of luck with your new skink and post pics when you get him!

[KrisKringle]

Thank you all so much for your help! I will be sure to post pictures as soon as I take home my skink so keep an eye out for me. =)

[Spindown]

Just wanted to say congrats on your new skink! I'd recommend getting a fecal sample done, even if you trust the store. Parasites happen, its better to be prepared than surprised.
Welcome to the boards