Help - I have Dr. Evil in my home!

[Twinmom2012]

So, I've posted on FB's BTS page & received some advice.... I've talked to some people at reptile shows as well.... I want to believe my newly acquired skink (got him at a few weeks old in December 2014) will end up being this wonderful addition to our family, but I'm becoming more & more discouraged!

So far, I've been bitten twice... My husband 3x. He used to huff & puff & hiss.... Has definitely gotten better, however, the nipping is driving me nuts!!! All nips have happened when he's been removed from the tank, so it's not a cage aggression thing. He seems fine at first then out of no where - WHACK! And it's not this little nibble!!!! For this little bitty guy, he certainly packs a punch. Tried giving him banana as a treat, using that 'reward with food' method. Ate a few pieces then lunged at my whole hand & even drew blood from my finger (not horrific, but I was bleeding!). Last night, I took him out & as I have been, I put a blanket on my lap & let him roam.... The remote control was on my lap next to him.... He grabbed on to the remote with such a forceful bite.... Wouldn't let it go! I literally picked up the remote & had a skink hanging from it. Of course I coaxed the little guy off, but still...

I'm seriously at my wits end. I really don't want to keep an animal around that is mean...Nor have I ever given up on an animal, so I'm at a very undesirable crossroads. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Susann]

Remind me what species he is.
And how old. And where/from whom you got him.

If he's very young it may take some time for him to calm down and mellow out. There's also a possibility he never does. But it could be an age thing.
It could be a winter/brumation thing.
It could be he just needs some tough love: (this may be a controversial approach, but) remove his hides and leave him nothing to hide in, under, or behind; sometimes the more timid skinks get a bit defensive when they are outside of their hides and anything that moves comes within attacking range.

Let him have more exploration time out of the tank where you are not involved, or where you can watch him but he can't see you --let him become more inquisitive in an unfamiliar area (ie. outside of his comfort area, his tank) without you guys being part of it. This requires you set up an area where he is feeling exposed but where there are interesting things to check out.

In other words, you may need to force him to become more comfortable outside of his tank.
I may be a bit more hesitant to take the tough love approach and removing all his comfort if he's very young, less than 9 months to a year, but if you guys are reaching the end of your rope...
I personally see nothing wrong about finding him a home where people are more comfortable dealing with his aggression --believe it or not, there are people out there who prefer their skinks/reptiles more feisty.

[splashy07]

Is he a Tamnibar? Friend of mine owns one that never stopped this behavior. Hate to ask, but is he getting enough to eat?
The babies at my friend's reptile store acted like this because they were constantly hungry, only being fed enough to keep them going until I yelled at them...you'd put your finger in the tank and they would charge at it!
Just figured I'd mention, follow Susann's instructions.

[Twinmom2012]

He is an Irian jaya. I purchased him from a reptile expo in the burbs of Chicago in December. The breeder told me he was only a few weeks old. I've been told he is likely a CB (not by breeder) although the breeder had the mother & father there for sale (or so he claimed). We have made a little progress, like I said, the hissing stopped. I can now touch him in his tank without this theatrical display of detest. Lol. But that whole nipping thing is just so frustrating. Then when he attacked the TV remote.... I was really thrown!

He gets fed daily. I usually start by putting greens in his dish in the morning - only because I'm walking around giving everyone their greens (I have beardies & torts). Then mid afternoon, I usually move to the meat! He was into dubias, but now wants nothing to do with them. He was into worms (wax, supers, silk), but now wants nothing to do with those!!! Loves dog food, and I've been providing some pretty good quality wet food, mixed with finely minced greens & a dusting of cal powder. Also, loves chicken (only fed on rare occasion), raw egg (again rare occasion) & bananas.

I will try your suggestion, Susann. Someone did suggest I go into my tub with him & let him run around & explore..... This scares the heck out of me because there are a lot of things he can latch on to!

I hope we can get to a good place. I think these guys are so beautiful. I'd love to get another one (I'm actually having cages made & will have a vacancy once they arrive), but not ready for this challenge just yet. I did conquer training one extremely insane Lab who now is this huge, obedient baby who is great w/my kids & is the love of our life.... People told me to give up on him, I didnt. I feel like I can get through this.... God willing. Lol