Skink Proofing a room

[ReptileLover567]

I would like to let Jaxom out of is his terrarium and give him a chance to explore. His terrarium is a bit small for him, because he has grown so big and I haven't had a chance to buy/make him a new one yet. My bedroom and the whole upstairs of my house is carpet. I really don't like having carpet for many reasons, but that's another story. I am worried that he will go to the bathroom on my carpet, but I also don't want his little toes to get caught in it. Ive had a couple people suggest putting a tarp/ plastic sheet down. Would that work? I am also worried about him crawling under my bed and me not being able to get him out.

Any tips on skink proofing my room?

[kitas22]

If you cut you skinks toenails they shouldn't get caught depending on how thick your carpet is. Block up any small spaces your lizard could get into and vacum before you let him out just in case there is anything small he can swallow.

[TPceebee]

If you are worried about the carpet you could try putting down some foam mats, a little more expensive than the plastic tarp method though. Try using cardboard or foamboard and duct tape to block spaces and small gaps. Just try and spot any potential hazards and work out how to avoid them. I'm yet to get my skink, however I've used various bits and bobs to stop my pair of naughty rabbits who love getting into places they shouldn't be.

[splashy07]

It's their nature to go under things, hide wherever they can to feel secure. Probably a better idea unless you are very sparsely furnished to section off an area for him to roam around in. For a large lizard they can disappear quite suddenly!
(I could go on for days about odd places friends have had them turn up!)

[voxamoeba]

I have a big plastic kiddie pool I haul out and fill up with fun stuff when the kids need to run around. They have more room, but they're also contained so I don't have to be a helicopter mom.

[scrab]

cardboard and duct tape are definitely my go to barriers. make sure to tape the bottom of the cardboard to the floor, not just the sides. make the barriers high enough because blueys are surprisingly stubborn and will try to climb almost anything. I've even watched mine manage to climb and push itself between my mattress and the box frame underneath it. ALWAYS watch them when they first roam the room because if there is a weakness, they WILL find it. and if you lose track of them and are unsure as too where they are, DON'T STEP ON ANYTHING THEY COULD BE UNDER AND DON'T SIT ON YOUR BED. look everywhere, in bags, in the hollow part of dressers, inside laundry baskets, closets, even clothes that are hung and touching the ground (for some reason, my skink likes to climb those and sleep upright), inside pillow cases. between the bed frame and the mattress, under the mattress. my biggest fear is definitely accidentally hurting my skink while frantically looking for him if he ever gets lost. and also get those plastic things you plug into electrical outlets since they examine everything with their tongue.

sorry I'm ranting alot its hard not to underestimate our short legged little friends, they'll get into the weirdest places

[NickBrahz]

One of mine used to like to sleep in/under my printer i kept under my bed, but yeah only ever step on direct carpet and be careful if you move anything if you don't know where it is.

[splashy07]

Too much worry, I say. I like the kiddie pool idea. That way you always know where they are, and you can put stuff in there for them to play around in and not worry about where you are walking, sitting, whatever, or if a friend stops by and plops on your couch.....I know I'm extremely overprotective, but I have yet to lose track of one, and I've been up all hours listening to frantic friends who've lost theirs.

[TPceebee]

Unless you have a kiddie pool kicking around then it means extra costs. I've never had to buy a decent sized pool so I don't know how much you'd be spending, but I've always got some rolls of duct tape in the house and you can find cardboard for free if you look around. That being said you can probably see your skink is safe much better in a kiddie pool than searching the whole room.

[splashy07]

Around here they are free at the curb or on Craigslist all the time! And no worries whether or not they hold water.