How to tame? & some weird behaviors

[DimetroDork]

I've been wondering has any specific experiences or details with taming down their bluey. I have a 4 month old Merauke, and he's a sweetie. But taming him can be kind of hard, and I'll explain why.

The first few days I had him, he was all huffy and snorted at me now and then, and when he did I would stop doing whatever was bugging him. Other than that he never bit or displayed or anything, he's pretty calm. But whenever I take him out of his tank and onto my big bed, it's hard to even try to pet him sometimes! The first few times I ever did this, he was a bit more curious about my boyfriend and I than anything else, crawling on our legs or sniffing our hands, ect. But after the first couple times he was much more curious about the bed and what is beyond it.

Now, my bed is too high for the little guy to go off of without hurting himself, so I keep a barrier either with my hands, pillows, or by making the blanket into a wall while he walks along the edge. Each time he is more and more interested in getting over the edge. He just won't give up! Now he spends almost the whole time attempting to get beyond the "walls". Since making barriers never stops him, a few times we've tried letting him go to the edge and seeing for himself that it isn't safe to climb down (with supervision of course). He stared, maybe tried going down a little, and then turned around. Sometimes he tried to get all the way down anyway! In which case we lifted him back on the bed (my bedroom floor isnt very skink proof; too many nooks and crannys and holes).

So with being busy every time we take him out trying to not let him fall, we don't get to try and pet him or hold him! He doesn't mind petting anymore when we do, but he just walks off of us if we put him there and squirms out if we hold him. He's so curious! To solve this problem, I've brought him to another area of my house that is very skink proof. He explores all around my dining room and just kind of stays completely active. He somehow never gets tired! Even though we've taken him out to these areas quite a few times now.

If you guys know of any ways to get him to chill out at all so I can get more accustomed to handling him, please let me know. Or any taming techniques, or your own experiences.

[splashy07]

Mine will do the same if I allow him to explore, but if I sit him on my lap and stroke his head he goes to sleep.
They are curious by nature, an just love to explore their surroundings!

[DimetroDork]

Mine will do the same if I allow him to explore, but if I sit him on my lap and stroke his head he goes to sleep.
They are curious by nature, an just love to explore their surroundings!

that's the thing; if I put him on my lap, it takes him only a few seconds before he's disinterested and walks right off, he doesn't have an interest in being pet. I can't get him to stay near me or even stay still at all. I can't handle him for more than several seconds each time I pick him up/pet him or anything. He stays moving almost the whole time, insisting on either exploring or getting past my boundaries. I wish there was a trick to making him sit still for a moment. He never tires, either.

[NickBrahz]

Im on the opposite boat for the life of me it is very difficult to get my Skink to explore he will just sit there on my bed and not move for 2 hours or if he is on my lap he doesn't move, only once a week or so he actively explores when i take him out.

[wermy]

that's the thing; if I put him on my lap, it takes him only a few seconds before he's disinterested and walks right off, he doesn't have an interest in being pet. I can't get him to stay near me or even stay still at all. I can't handle him for more than several seconds each time I pick him up/pet him or anything. He stays moving almost the whole time, insisting on either exploring or getting past my boundaries. I wish there was a trick to making him sit still for a moment. He never tires, either.

Your skink sounds just like mine! Always on a mission. I chalked it up to being young and restless. I've recently tried bribing him to stay around me with baby food, and had some success with Rafferty's Garden Apple+Blueberry+Banana flavour. He loves it, I've had my finger nearly bitten off a few times now. But it requires strong willpower not to give him too much, gotta keep him hungry for his daily proteins.

[Susann]

Number one, he's very young and likely won't stay still for a long time to come. Some skinks are just very active when young.
Number two, skinks are not dogs but reptiles ( obviously you know this) and rarely do they enjoy being touched. "Petting" is not something that evokes pleasure in reptiles, rather the opposite, they get nervous and would rather you stop. I can't say that I don't sometimes rub the top of the head or under the chin of my skinks, but it is very rare; unless I am picking them up, holding them, or carrying them somewhere, I rarely touch my reptiles. You need to stop thinking of your skink as a puppy. It's hard! I know. It goes against our nature to not be stroking our beloved pets, but we have to realize that they don't enjoy it.

What you are describing sounds like a tame BTS to me, but I assume you've read this? viewtopic.php?f=24&t=20375

[DimetroDork]

Number one, he's very young and likely won't stay still for a long time to come. Some skinks are just very active when young.
Number two, skinks are not dogs but reptiles ( obviously you know this) and rarely do they enjoy being touched. "Petting" is not something that evokes pleasure in reptiles, rather the opposite, they get nervous and would rather you stop. I can't say that I don't sometimes rub the top of the head or under the chin of my skinks, but it is very rare; unless I am picking them up, holding them, or carrying them somewhere, I rarely touch my reptiles. You need to stop thinking of your skink as a puppy. It's hard! I know. It goes against our nature to not be stroking our beloved pets, but we have to realize that they don't enjoy it.

What you are describing sounds like a tame BTS to me, but I assume you've read this? viewtopic.php?f=24&t=20375

Yes, I've read that along with the entire caresheet.
Though I don't necessarily agree all the way with you, I understand that my skink won't really actively enjoy me petting him. In my opinion and experience, it completely depends on personality and owner whether or not they "enjoy" being pet. I've had many a friend with very affectionate, clearly loving reptiles that obviously have a connection of some sort to the owner. I think that perhaps that is just your experience with them.
I was mostly just looking for an easier way to be able to calm him down enough to not have to monitor him the entire time he's out, but thank you.

[Saber]

Can I hijack the thread? I had a really similar question. I've got my new friend here and he's very energetic. When he noses the glass I've been trying to let him out, but when he comes out he just wants to drop off my lap and run around the whole apartment. That's not a huge problem except that he hates being picked up! I try to pick him up and hold him the right way but he always panics, squirms, even peed AND pooped one time when he decided he was very distressed. So he doesn't want to sit still and he won't let me pick him up so I'm not sure how I can interact with him outside the cage. AND he's 4 years old so it's not due to being a baby. Any advice? I would be happy to watch him run around the apartment if I could pick him up when he needs to go back home.

[DimetroDork]

I have exactly the same thing. Though nothing has worked long term at all for me so far, some things that may or may not help you are forcing him to be in a smaller space rather than your whole apartment, like your bed for example and blocking him from leaving with your hands, or just introducing him to your hands as much as you can. She him them, pet him lightly sometimes, let him walk over them, ect. Maybe he's not accustomed to your hands yet.
But being the OP, I have the same problem and no one has helped me quite yet so I'm sorry if my answers don't help you.
(also hey you're in Oregon too! c: )

[wermy]

Can I hijack the thread? I had a really similar question. I've got my new friend here and he's very energetic. When he noses the glass I've been trying to let him out, but when he comes out he just wants to drop off my lap and run around the whole apartment. That's not a huge problem except that he hates being picked up! I try to pick him up and hold him the right way but he always panics, squirms, even peed AND pooped one time when he decided he was very distressed. So he doesn't want to sit still and he won't let me pick him up so I'm not sure how I can interact with him outside the cage. AND he's 4 years old so it's not due to being a baby. Any advice? I would be happy to watch him run around the apartment if I could pick him up when he needs to go back home.

Spring fever I believe! It is spring where you are, yes? If it indeed is a male, he'd be looking for a female for breeding season, but should calm down as the months roll on.

[Saber]

Yeah I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of response in this thread. Don't touch them? When I see people holding their skinks all the time? I know they won't probably ever enjoy being held but how do you get to the point where they don't flip out and squirm?

[alichamp]

I also have the opposite problem, our 2 month old alpine blotchy tends not to explore and will sit in the same spot for a while, in the *freeze* position. It will move around a little though and so when it moves too far away I will just lay my hand out flat in front so it will walk into it and then I can bring it back. That way you can also try and be involved in its exploring but not interrupt it. Have you tried this way? Another thought I have is whether your skink is feeling too overexposed when out and is trying to find a nice safe place to feel more protected? You could try have a few things on your lap that will help cover it up (hidey holes, old toilet paper roll if it will fit in one) so it feels more safe.

Maybe there haven't been a lot of responses because what you are describing is actually a tame sounding skink, ie it is not aggressive, can be handled and is not overly huffy. You probably just have a very curious and active skink. It may settle down a bit over time but for now isn't is a good sign that your skink is active and curious? (I sometimes worry about mine being the laziest skink ever known )

Try not to be disheartened. To me, the relationship that skinks have may be simple learning and associations. Not based on any real experience, though, just my interpretation of what I've read. Remember too that if all goes well you and your skink will be together for years and years! Stick with gentle contact and continue to let it explore. It is only young, but it also could just be your skink's *personality* to wander!

[NickBrahz]

One of my skinks loves to run around, i have found that laying down on my bed with a jacket on with the Bluie on my tummy/chest if i put my jacket covering up to there neck they will sit there for as long as you will let them and sometimes even fall asleep.

Skinks can live for 20 years or even longer if taken care of so don't be scared if for a few weeks or months they aren't to sociable, mine were like that for a few months and now my little guy will sit and rest his head at the sliding door on his enclosure for me to come up and pat him and give him attention.

[Susann]

So with being busy every time we take him out, we don't get to try and pet him or hold him! he just walks off

You were mentioning petting your skink's head a few times in your initial post, so in addition to answering that lots of skinks are busy and active when they are young and that otherwise your skink sounds plenty tame, I chose to also address the petting by telling you that:

"Petting" is not something that evokes pleasure in reptiles, rather the opposite, they get nervous
It goes against our nature to not be stroking our beloved pets, but we have to realize that they don't enjoy it.

I was merely saying that by petting your skink you may make his constantly trying to get away from you worse. I personally at least don't think it's helping your case.

unless I am picking them up, holding them, or carrying them somewhere, I rarely touch my reptiles.

Don't touch them? When I see people holding their skinks all the time?

Did I say don't ever touch or hold your skink? Did I even say that I never touch or hold my skink? I was just trying to tell you that when you are interacting with your skink (ex. picking him up, holding him, or carrying him somewhere) maybe you should try to stroke him less. When I said I rarely touch my reptiles, right after I mention picking them up, holding them, and carrying them somewhere, I was talking about touch as in petting and stroking.
When he is on your bed, obviously be there with him, pick him up if you need to or want to, but don't pet him. Let him learn that you are something to explore and someone who gives him fun things to do and eat, not just someone to try to get away from. Let him discover you without making him annoyed (or nervous) by your hand touching him without something good happening.

I also said that RARELY do they enjoy being touched, that doesn't mean never either; there are many skinks who seem to pause and fall asleep when stroked over their eyes (personally I think it can be debatable whether that means that they actually enjoy it, but since our skinks can't tell us it's up for interpretation), so obviously not all are annoyed by it, but when you are looking for ways to make your skink stay on your lap or close to you I was merely giving you the suggestion to pet him less.

[DimetroDork]

Yeah I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of response in this thread. Don't touch them? When I see people holding their skinks all the time? I know they won't probably ever enjoy being held but how do you get to the point where they don't flip out and squirm?

Oh my goodness, yes!! Thank you! Exactly what I was saying! I was really upset to see this thread die down and the only responses being "stop thinking of them as dogs" or "they don't wanna be touched", when that statement is completely controversial and depends highly on personality of the individual. It was totally not helpful and I still don't know what to do to get mine to be calmer and not run around literally non-stop when outside the tank.

I think that (at least most people?? right?) people want these animals as pets. And pets are meant to be handled and interacted with and even played with if possible. Why would you want to have a skink only to touch them as little as possible and never hold and interact? I think something that is still seriously lacking on this forum is detailed descriptions on how to handle, tame, and enjoy your bluey and hopefully get them to enjoy you too. Of course I suppose not everyone believes these reptiles are capable of enjoying their owners, but for those who want that kind of experience out of it, I think there should be expansive long threads about this topic! I would love to see that happen.

[DimetroDork]

So with being busy every time we take him out, we don't get to try and pet him or hold him! he just walks off

You were mentioning petting your skink's head a few times in your initial post, so in addition to answering that lots of skinks are busy and active when they are young and that otherwise your skink sounds plenty tame, I chose to also address the petting by telling you that:

"Petting" is not something that evokes pleasure in reptiles, rather the opposite, they get nervous
It goes against our nature to not be stroking our beloved pets, but we have to realize that they don't enjoy it.

I was merely saying that by petting your skink you may make his constantly trying to get away from you worse. I personally at least don't think it's helping your case.

unless I am picking them up, holding them, or carrying them somewhere, I rarely touch my reptiles.

Don't touch them? When I see people holding their skinks all the time?

Did I say don't ever touch or hold your skink? Did I even say that I never touch or hold my skink? I was just trying to tell you that when you are interacting with your skink (ex. picking him up, holding him, or carrying him somewhere) maybe you should try to stroke him less. When I said I rarely touch my reptiles, right after I mention picking them up, holding them, and carrying them somewhere, I was talking about touch as in petting and stroking.
When he is on your bed, obviously be there with him, pick him up if you need to or want to, but don't pet him. Let him learn that you are something to explore and someone who gives him fun things to do and eat, not just someone to try to get away from. Let him discover you without making him annoyed (or nervous) by your hand touching him without something good happening.

I also said that RARELY do they enjoy being touched, that doesn't mean never either; there are many skinks who seem to pause and fall asleep when stroked over their eyes (personally I think it can be debatable whether that means that they actually enjoy it, but since our skinks can't tell us it's up for interpretation), so obviously not all are annoyed by it, but when you are looking for ways to make your skink stay on your lap or close to you I was merely giving you the suggestion to pet him less.

I appreciate your opinion and you explaining further. I just think my opinion defers from yours on reptiles and their ability to enjoy things or not. I just didn't enjoy the idea of you thinking that I "think of them as puppies" or whatever, because that is not the case, or I would not own a reptile. Of course, I do not expect him to enjoy anything that comes at him, petting included. But my goal is for him to like me at least a bit, and to interact with him frequently and happily and lovingly, like any animal, while still respecting all of his boundaries of what upsets him or makes him uncomfortable. For me personally, I have seen plenty of proof that reptiles are fully emotional beings that can have a definite attachment to their owners. Not in all cases, because it depends on the individual, yes. I just think you and I see things differently, and I just hope for a different experience out of it than a low-interacting irritable animal who I should be expected to never pet or treat affectionately, and I think it's entirely possible for me to have a relationship with my skink.

All this aside, I merely wanted to not have to monitor him constantly when out-of-tank and to get him adjusted to me holding him or being near him.

[NickBrahz]

Well the thing is Dimetro they all have very different personalities, there is no one way to handle them or to tame them etc all 3 of my skinks have wildly different personalities so i handle them in different ways it's really a trial and error thing.
And when it does come down to it reptiles for the most part do not like to be touched, dogs cats mice etc they love a good pat and they will seek that out, lizards and reptiles just go about there business.

Nobody here is saying in anyway to not handle them we are just saying they are not going to be say as loving towards affection as a dog or a cat is.
My Louie comes up to his glass for me to give him a little scratch on his noggin and attention, and then my Myra will most times run away when i go to pick her up and my 3rd skink Zippo will just sit there and not care.

[alichamp]

The great thing about this forum is that newbies to BTS - including myself - can get advice on all our questions. There are people on here who have a HUGE amount of experience and knowledge about BTS and keeping them (including Susann). And they are willing to share with us! YAY!! I personally find this incredibly valuable because reptiles are very very different from us. Most often there will be helpful tips and things to learn on the forum. Take what is helpful to you and if you wish to ignore the rest of the advice, well that's your choice isn't it?

[Richard.C]

seriously guys,you want people to reply but when they do you shoot them down,eg susann offered great advice which led to half being dissed and half being accused of telling you not to touch them

re read what she said and theres zero mention of that

they arent lap dogs that love to hang out on your bed watching sport or mushy movies with you,other peoples reptiles that may just sit there with them are not nessacarilly content and happy to be sitting there either,some reptiles are extremely tolerant to what people want,some are scared and often there response to that is sit still and close eyes,which is often seen by alot of keepers as a sign of a happy content animal kicking back with you,sime are also taken out of warm rnvirnonment and ate cold seeking warmth,and cover,hence restricted to a bed with you your that earmth and cover,they arent giving u cuddles or enjoying snuggles,there seeking watmth and cover,trying to do what they want

to them your just the big weierdo that btings them all things yummy,when u come home from work or school,they srent at the front of cage wiggling excitedly to see your home to give them pats,chuck a kong around for them to chase,give thrm snuggly wuggly cuddles,there thinking theres the weirdo,do they have yummies for me


peoples perspectives of what there animals doing,wanting,enjoying ect ect is probably the widest variation of peoples thoughts on the animals ive seen,alot wilder than the usual thoughts on care,diet,uv or no uv ect ect

these animals dont get imprinted on humans like cats,dogs or even parrots do,one of the main things forgotten is dome reptiles including bluetongues are just very very tolerant of there keepers

[Scotts1au]

They accept their environment, even if humans are part of it.