BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I've recently acquired a BTS at a reptile expo. It has been about 3 weeks and I gave him a week to acclimate. I've noticed that whenever I go to get him out, he's very agitated by it. I'm pretty sure it's because of how I'm getting him out. Because he buries himself in his substrate, I have to use a soft yet sturdy object to move his bedding around so I can find him. Obviously, this would terrify any animal! Does anyone have any tips on what I can do? I really want to start handling him more frequently but I don't want to make it unpleasant or run the risk of getting bit. Any help would be appreciated. He's in carefresh unscented paper bedding, if that helps any.

Hi, and welcome. If you are using carefresh it is way too dry. Being you purchased at an expo you most likely have an Indonesian, and they need high humidity. A humidity holding substrate like cypress mulch would be great, and a large water bowl. What are your temps? A picture of your new pet and his setup would help.

Agreed — can we get pics of your setup, skink, and info about your temps? A lot of skinks like to burrow, but staying perpetually buried can indicate stress. If he is Indonesian (which is most likely) he probably doesn't feel very good in a dry environment. Cypress mulch, coconut husk, coconut fiber, sphagnum moss, etc. are all ways you can boost humidity to 60-80%.