BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hi Everyone,
First time BTS owner but not first time lizard owner.
Am a little worried about mine all he does is just hide and hiss at me his five months old I only got him two days ago.
Like this morning I woke up turned his lights on and he was no were to be found so I left and walked my dog come back and he was still no were to be found (1:30pm) I found him buried under the bark I went to stroke him and he hissed at me (Not caring much myself) I still stroke him, I picked him up and just carried him around like normal (His very tamed and never once bit me or attacked me) I put him back in his tank and gave him some food he ate his food and just went off and hide again, I was hoping to get him out and about since it’s a nice sunny day here in the UK but he just keeps hiding and keeps hissing at me and am worried.
The Tank temps are
Basking area 32 – 37
Cooler end 23 – 25
Night time Around 23-25
Since it’s a hot day today the temps are now
Basking area 37 – 40
Cooler end 32 – 36
Night time Around 23-25
(Please note does are not the temps from this morning they may of changed by now)
But again it’s the UK they will drop soon lol.

Thanks Everyone.
-Earth

You've only had him for two days? He's still adjusting to his new environment, you should give him a break and leave him alone for awhile. Bugging him before he settles in will just stress him out more.

Where did you get him? If he's not captive bred-and-born, it's likely that he'll remain feisty forever, given he's a wild animal.

Clavietika wrote:You've only had him for two days? He's still adjusting to his new environment, you should give him a break and leave him alone for awhile. Bugging him before he settles in will just stress him out more.

Where did you get him? If he's not captive bred-and-born, it's likely that he'll remain feisty forever, given he's a wild animal.

I guess you're right

I got him from a self-own pet shop his a captive bred and born, his very clam and very tamed.

Is it normal for BTS to hide a lot and even sleep a lot? Just worried about it as all… My last lizard never did this but then again he was not a BTS

They can hide alot,especially when in a new environment ,so may need to settle into new home,what are your cage temps,warm end to cool end background temps and basking spot temp

When curled up asleep or hiding and not at preffered body temp they can be more defensive,as there at more risk,huffing and hissing and even open mouth threat displays are more common under these circumstances

What type of bluey is it?

Welcome to bts.net

Well that's good that you know exactly where he came from, you did your research. He's still in his adjustment period so you're not going to be seeing much of his real personality right now, he just wants to be left alone to adjust to his new environment.

Skinks are diurnal, meaning they're most active during the day. You're in the UK, so it would be about 5pm there right now right? Around 6-7 pm my BTS makes his way back to his cave and goes to bed, and his lights go off at 8. So right this moment he could be getting ready for bed. Again though, his present behavior won't be indicative of his future behavior since he's adjusting. Once he's more comfortable with his surroundings his curiosity will get the better of him and you'll be able to interact a little more agressively. (for want of a better term lol)

Der me,missed yhe temps part of earlier post,those are pretty warm temps,so it maybe be warm enough to just hide away without the need to pop out to bask,added to that you have only had it for a couple of days so has to get used to new surrounds and a new territory/home thats unfamiliar

Probably best to let it adjust for a couple of weeks first

Richard.C wrote:They can hide alot,especially when in a new environment ,so may need to settle into new home,what are your cage temps,warm end to cool end background temps and basking spot temp

When curled up asleep or hiding and not at preffered body temp they can be more defensive,as there at more risk,huffing and hissing and even open mouth threat displays are more common under these circumstances

What type of bluey is it?

Welcome to bts.net

Hi There Richard,
After some time being here he still hisses but he has not once open his mouth in a threat way (only for eating)

Am not sure what Bluey he is, I always wanted a BTS and I had to wait a whole year since in 2013 I missed breeding season. Here is a photo of him


And thanks for having me!

Clavietika wrote:Well that's good that you know exactly where he came from, you did your research. He's still in his adjustment period so you're not going to be seeing much of his real personality right now, he just wants to be left alone to adjust to his new environment.

Skinks are diurnal, meaning they're most active during the day. You're in the UK, so it would be about 5pm there right now right? Around 6-7 pm my BTS makes his way back to his cave and goes to bed, and his lights go off at 8. So right this moment he could be getting ready for bed. Again though, his present behavior won't be indicative of his future behavior since he's adjusting. Once he's more comfortable with his surroundings his curiosity will get the better of him and you'll be able to interact a little more agressively. (for want of a better term lol)

Hey Clavietika,

Ye I guess your right I will leave him and let him explore some more.
I never thought about it like that my one acts like this, He wakes up around 2-3pm grabs a snack and off to bed (Hide) then he would come out around 8pm ish to explore some more my lights normally would go off around 11pm-12am since of my work/sleep schedule so he would get more lights at night but less in the morning.. However his tank is next to a window so sun light does come in his tank.

Richard.C wrote:Der me,missed yhe temps part of earlier post,those are pretty warm temps,so it maybe be warm enough to just hide away without the need to pop out to bask,added to that you have only had it for a couple of days so has to get used to new surrounds and a new territory/home thats unfamiliar

Probably best to let it adjust for a couple of weeks first

Hey Richard,

Don’t worry about it we all make mistakes . It’s been getting pretty worm in his tank since right now it’s summer time in the UK so you may be right! The temps have been rising and getting hotter and hotter so I have installed a thermostat and now it seems better since it will turn off the heater once it hits 35c.

Something I have noticed when I get him out to play with and show him around the house etc.. When I put him back in the tank he seems more active and more awake and would then explore more and more. Just thought that was odd.
How long do you think in till he has got used to me and his tank and start being less hiding and such.

Looks like you have a Merauke. Just let him settle in a bit and he'll probably calm down soon enough.

donkeybuff wrote:Looks like you have a Merauke. Just let him settle in a bit and he'll probably calm down soon enough.

Thanks donkeybuff.

Now I know the breed I just need to know the sex lol but am not really fussy about that and will just wait in till it grows.

How long do you think in till it calms down?

Our 2 BTS are very sensitive about any changes in their routine, and especially, their environment. If we even move their enclosures to a different part of the room, it takes them at least 2 weeks to adjust. They will hide most of that time, and even though they know us, and are completely comfortable with being handled....they ALWAYS huff at us if they are buried under their substrate...not being able to see us, it is prolly just a notification, and a defensive mechanism to keep them safe.

[quote="Clara13" They will hide most of that time, and even though they know us, and are completely comfortable with being handled....they ALWAYS huff at us if they are buried under their substrate...not being able to see us, it is prolly just a notification, and a defensive mechanism to keep them safe.[/quote]

X2 my little dude is one of the sweetest reptiles ever and he always huffs at me when he is buried no matter what. Try showing him that you are there by talking to him and putting your hand in view before grabbing him. Talking to them helps a lot with getting them adjusted too, they may be reptiles, but a calm voice can soothe anyone

Welcome to BTS.net! If you haven't already, have a read through of some of the topics here: viewforum.php?f=24

They usually need a few weeks to settle in to a new place, especially if they are older like yours appears to be.

that is what mine does ive had her sence septerber 2013
sorry about my spelling