Skink always sleeping under mulch

[SkyTech6]

Hey guys, my tank is always within the correct parameters for him. Hotside 90-95 and coolside 75-80.

However, all he does everyday is burrow under his mulch and sleep. Sometimes not moving for 12 hours. He's most active for about 1 hour towards the end of the day. Yesterday he ate a good bit of lean beef, today I cleared off his mulch from his head, as I always do in the morning to let him know food is prepared. But he just isn't moving, he's immediately closing his eyes and going back to sleep.

Anyone have thoughts?

PS I've only had him for about a week and some days so he's still a bit scared of humans, however he did eat some beef out of my hand the other day, quite the achievement for him.

[starscream3232]

How old is it? I have a new baby that stays buried most of time. A few of my adults too. It's their way of feeling secure. Your temps sound fine.

[SkyTech6]

It's an adult, not sure of the exact age since we ordered it as an adult.

He sneezes a lot but I think that's due to being burrowed so much. Vet trip tomorrow to make sure it's not an infection.

[wermy]

It can take a few weeks to settle into a new environment. Just give him time to adjust. That said, all skinks spend most of the day sleeping, so it's not that unusual to only see activity for a couple hours a day. I wouldn't disturb the mulch on his head while he's burrowed, that can seem like you're a predator digging him up, making him feel more insecure in his new home and thus more likely to burrow. Try associating food with sounds instead, like a special whistle or call.

[SkyTech6]

I wouldn't disturb the mulch on his head while he's burrowed, that can seem like you're a predator digging him up, making him feel more insecure in his new home and thus more likely to burrow. Try associating food with sounds instead, like a special whistle or call.

Oh this is GREAT advise! Thank you a bunch! I'll try a sound for now on.

[alichamp]

Yes, great advice! (as usual wermy! ) You can then just leave the food in there. He will be able to smell it and will come out for it during the day when he is ready (possibly when you are not around!). Take out the bowl at the end of the day.

[Dood]

It's an adult, not sure of the exact age since we ordered it as an adult.

He sneezes a lot but I think that's due to being burrowed so much. Vet trip tomorrow to make sure it's not an infection.

If he's an adult wild caught skink he may always be a bit scared and hide most of the time except when he's hungry

A vet visit is an excellent idea - bring a fresh stool sample

Sneezing is not normal, I don't think Ive ever heard my skinks sneeze - you also say your skink is an Indo- they are more prone to respiratory infections and something called the "mystery illness" and if he's ill he'll be less active

[mdeford09]

It's an adult, not sure of the exact age since we ordered it as an adult.

He sneezes a lot but I think that's due to being burrowed so much. Vet trip tomorrow to make sure it's not an infection.

Sneezing is very abnormal BUT are you certain it is sneezing? All BTS's blow air through their nostrils a lot to clear them out and this can definitely sound like sneezing.

Does any head movement happen when the sneeze happens? They tend to throw/jerk their head pretty obviously during a sneeze but, when they are just clearing their nostrils their head doesn't move at all. You just hear a "ssshhh" sound of air being quickly pushed out.

[SkyTech6]

when they are just clearing their nostrils their head doesn't move at all. You just hear a "ssshhh" sound of air being quickly pushed out.

Ah that is a pretty good description of what he does. I guess he isn't sneezing? Haha thanks. His vet trip is in a few hours.

Really hope he's not wild caught as was previously mentioned above :/ I kinda wanted him to be human friendly to handle. I don't touch him when he does his little light hisses, but he does eat from my hand? As long as it's not coming towards him he doesn't hiss.