BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

So my four month old blue tongue doesn't really do anything...but burrow. I understand, they're burrowing animals. But when it's not coming out to eat or bask for days at a time, I find it a little odd. Is this out of the norm or simply reptilian brumation?

Brumation happens in the cool months, not in the summer.

First thing is to make sure your setup is as good as it can possibly be. If he's not able to warm up comfortably, he'll shut himself down into a brumation-like state. If he's constantly in the dark, his natural daytime rhythms will be off. If he doesn't feel safe (too exposed, too much activity) he'll be unwilling to come out of hiding. Check and re-check everything.

I have a basking lamp on one side with a basking rock that heats up to 96 degrees. I'm assuming the lamp should take care of the heat and lighting. The other side (where he's burrowing) is 78 degrees. His habitat is in the corner of my room in my apartment. So it's really just me that he sees.

All my skinks are in one room, which means husbandry is exactly the same. Ema, Hunter, Virginia are always out cruising. London is mostly burrowed, but sometimes out cruising. Xaunder is buried about 95% of the time. It depends on the skink. Some like to bury more than others.

Maybe he only comes out when you don't look..? I never see Xaunder out when I'm in my room, but I always see traces of poop around the basking area.

if they have substrate depth,some will shuffle between hot and cool end under the substrate,basking withoit exposing them selves

there could be a multitude of reasons for it to hide,could be shy,staying at a comfy temp,to cool at cool emd and staying pit thinking rest of xafe is cooled

its young,so youngens can be very timid,is it new to you,new cage ect ect

sometimes they need time to get comfy enough cruising around in front of you,some choose to come out when no ones about

What concerns me is he doesn't even come out to eat. I'm currently unemployed so I'm home all day and constantly sneak peeks to see if he's out. If this is just his "thing" then unfortunately I'm not sure if I'm going to keep him. I'm new to this type of pet so I'm going to try and stay patient.

nashty wrote:What concerns me is he doesn't even come out to eat. I'm currently unemployed so I'm home all day and constantly sneak peeks to see if he's out. If this is just his "thing" then unfortunately I'm not sure if I'm going to keep him. I'm new to this type of pet so I'm going to try and stay patient.

Just curious and don't take this the wrong way. You already mentioned that they are a burrowing animal, but yet will likely get rid of him because he is doing what they are known to do? If you do decide to get rid of him, please research the replacement animal you will likely get and actually comprehend what you research. Good luck and hopefully you will be able to appreciate the skink for what it is and not what you wished it to be.

A healthy animal kept in proper conditions will not starve themselves to death. How are you measuring the temps?

If you are worried nothing is wrong with digging him up and putting him next to the food dish. But yes many days blue tongues will do basically nothing as far as we can see. And why should they? If they aren't hungry, too warm, or too cool, or looking for a mate their is no reason to move around.

I measure the temperature using a zoo-med digital thermometer.
No offense taken. What I meant by that statement is I understand they like to burrow, I just wasn't expecting for that to be the ONLY thing he would be doing. I've been told that they're somewhat active animals. I'm not giving up, just stumped on if this behavior is normal.

Maybe try taking him outside in a controlled, supervised space to explore. Or have him explore the top of your couch while you're watching. Mine personally loves exploring my bed while I'm there with him. While he's in his tank, that may be all he want to do, is burrow. They can be super active when you take them out and get to see how curious and adventurous they are!! Just make sure they are always supervised and close to you - I am personally about to build an outdoor enclosure for mine to enjoy the sun without me worrying about the baby hawk I saw the other day.

how long have you had him?
is he about to shed?
a photo could help us figure out if there is any basic problem with the tank decoration or the like, or if anything can be done to increase your chance of success with your new baby

everyone already wrote great advice, so ill give you a real world skink story example!

i have one really active skink, who is out and about all his wake time. then i have one really scared skink that could easily hide for weeks if hes not hungry. but when he decides to come out he is really active, especially if there is food inolved.
the active one can be really annoying when he keeps scratching the glass 99% of the time im in the room, but im secretly really happy he does and keep giving him attention. the one that hides is more of a rare treat of awkward cuteness!

so its all about getting to know your skink. they will get new habits, and they will become (somewhat) more interested in the outside world in time, but they will still hide even if we really wanna see them sometimes. a baby will also be more insecure than an adult.

i have no problem with them hiding for a week or two, but it is good to learn to treasure the times when theyre active by their own choosing. its wonderful to get back from school and find them being active.

how long have you had it?

what part/parts of enclosure are you measuring temps at and roughly what temps are u getting

they shouldnt hide all the time,but often they do,for many reasons

if its scared,removing hides ect and forcing them to be out in the open stresses them more,hiding gives them the feeling of security,how can they learn to trust you when u remove there security at a time they really need it

in saying that if conditions are out in cage it may be lethargic,staying down cool end thinking rest of cage is cool,could also wait till no ones about to venture out

could be alot of things

I appreciate the advice. I understand it's a stupid question. Again, I am just trying to make sure everything is good with my animal.

It's not a stupid question. So many people have replied with really good suggestions, just listen to the advice you've been given.