Do BTS generally get cranky as they age?

[valentyt]

Hi everyone.
I recently took my IJ, Mr. Chloe, to his vet check-up and the vet made a comment that got me wondering......he said that he was happy to meet an older BTS (8-9yrs old...not really that old, right?) that was so pleasant. So that prompted me to ask, and he said that all of the older ones he has seen have been kind of cranky. I'm very curious now and I'm wondering if anyone has any evidence that this is or isn't true? (And if it isn't, should i call him on it? )

Btw, being the age that I am and hating the dr office, I get that they might be cranky at the vet. But he meant just in general.

[Fatal_S]

My guess would be that most of the 'older' ones he sees were snatched from the wild as adults, and thus are terrified of everything, or have lived cruddy lives with uneducated owners without being socialized. A CBB skink that's been loved it's whole life will get calmer and calmer as it ages. Bigger = less worried about being eaten.

[Scotts1au]

No, they tend to plateau when they mature, there is a lot variation in temperament between individuals but they don't tend to get crankier with age, more the other way, particularly if they are used to being handled. The major determinant is the environment they are kept in, i.e used to seeing and being around people. If they feel wild they will act wild, some will always be more skittish than others.

[Spindown]

wow I'm having serious connectivity issues with the forum right now, and I cant find the delete button for this post X_X

[Spindown]

Mine have ALL gotten calmer, although my oldest one is guesstimated at bout 8-10. He's cage aggressive, but a wonderful snuggler. Most people with reptiles have no clue about the animals they have...so your vet has probably seen a ton of harassed, under socialized, or even abused and teased animals.

[mom22wins]

I can only speak for my Sammy who is now 5 years old and as docile as a lamb! :-)

[tiliqua38]

I have a BTS that is at least 15 years old (I don't know his exact age). I've had him for 13 of those 15 years. He is tame as could be. I do call him moody, because he goes through times where he wants to stay buried and not be bothered. And other times where he is out all the time and active. But no matter what he is tame and in 13 years has never done anything more than given a small hiss if he's feeling uncomfortable.