Noises and Temperature.

[kaymay528]

Bare with me I'm a new owner. Is it normal for a blue to make a puffing noise. It almost sounds like he's annoyed. Also, he always hangs out on the cool side of the tank so whenever I pick him up he's so cold! What can I do?

[NickBrahz]

When they feel threatened they puff up and hiss, some blue tongues also do it when you go to handle them, it being winter over there in US would mean its during brumation so he pretty much just wants to sleep all day which might make him more prone at puffing up and hissing, also whats the temperature in the hot side of the tank, it may be to high for him so he stays on the colder side or it may be due to brumation.

[tcopitho]

If you are referring to a huffing sound, then yes, that is very normal. He's just letting you know he's annoyed or doesn't want to be disturbed. My girl does it all the time when I first disturb her, but will quiet down after I take her out.

As for the temperature, I would make sure the hot side is not too hot, or warming the entire tank too much if its small, I keep my girls hot rock around 95 to 105F, and I think her cool side is around 70-80F, just whatever my house temp is. She will sometimes sleep on her cold side for a couple days without warming herself, which is normal, especially in cooler winter seasons. When she does this she will be quite cold to the touch, but it doesn't seem to bug her at all, and she will warm herself when she needs it. Sometimes I will take her out and get her moving, and give her a treat, after she has been a bit more active, and eaten a little, she will warm herself up under her heat lamp to digest her treat.

I'm sure you will get a lot more good info from many more people, but it sounds like he is displaying normal bluey behavior. I hope this helps.

[kaymay528]

Yes thank you both!!!

[Susann]

Welcome, and congrats on your new pet.
The sound in blue tongue skinks is referred to as huffing rather than hissing. Huffing is very normal and can be your skink's way of expressing to you a wide variety of emotions.

Not knowing the species or age of your skink it's hard to guess whether he might be trying to brumate or not, but to make sure they don't go through too much additional stress after moving into a totally new environment, we suggest you mostly leave the little (?) guy alone for a few weeks to acclimate himself. Put in food for him, change his water, check temps, make sure he has ample places in the different temperature zones where he can feel secure enough to hang out where he needs to, to control his temperature. Other than that, no need to worry about "taming" until a later time.

Check out the links here: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=27721 to make sure you've read through all the pertinent information so you can get off to a smooth start with your new buddy.

Good luck, hope you have fun watching him discover his new home, and we're here if you have any questions after perusing the "start-up" info links.
Let us know how things are going, and, we do love pictures...