Not eating

[BlueTongueBoris]

My skink hasnt eaten in a week, it's getting cold around here atleast 30 degrees so I dont know if that has anything to do with it. I've tried feeding him twice and he just licks it and walks away. I keep the heat lamp on all day and he does bask, I'm not sure what's going on. Maybe the cold is messing with his appetite?

[mb606587]

Yep cold weather will affect its appetite. When its too cold, they can't digest their food properly, so instinctively they will not eat. Some species enter into a sort of hibernation mode called "brumation" during this time of year. They will refuse food for several weeks to several months and stay mostly inactive. Do you know what type you own? And also, do you have a way to monitor the temperatures in your enclosure and how do you do it?

[xXxBORISxXx]

Hey.
This is an extremely weird coincidence?????????
My username also contains Boris in it. And as of last week, my skink has stopped eating as much. I was just about to make a post about it! I have also wondered if its due to the weather, even though temperature have remained the same in his tank.
Glad I am not alone.
I hope my guy is okay.

[Kruzeau]

How old is your skink? Could be a combination of age and him trying to brumate. Maybe try mixing in some banana or some fruit the little guy really likes, it might coax him out of bed

I hope both of your little guys are okay

[Susann]

A few threads on this topic from the FAQ section at the top of this forum:

BTS not eating?
Brumation 1
Brumation 2

[xXxBORISxXx]

Thanks for the links!
I feel much less worried now, lol.

[BlueTongueBoris]

Yep cold weather will affect its appetite. When its too cold, they can't digest their food properly, so instinctively they will not eat. Some species enter into a sort of hibernation mode called "brumation" during this time of year. They will refuse food for several weeks to several months and stay mostly inactive. Do you know what type you own? And also, do you have a way to monitor the temperatures in your enclosure and how do you do it?

I just ordered a thermometer and I try to keep my room heated but it's kinda hard when outside its 20 degrees and he's a northern blue tongue skink. I usually leave him alone and he stays in one store for a while, I'm not sure if I should leave him alone or place him in his banking spot..

[BlueTongueBoris]

Hey.
This is an extremely weird coincidence?????????
My username also contains Boris in it. And as of last week, my skink has stopped eating as much. I was just about to make a post about it! I have also wondered if its due to the weather, even though temperature have remained the same in his tank.
Glad I am not alone.
I hope my guy is okay.

Yeah Haha I named my skink boris! As you can see in the first post someone made they did say it could be weather, hope yours is okay too!

[BlueTongueBoris]

How old is your skink? Could be a combination of age and him trying to brumate. Maybe try mixing in some banana or some fruit the little guy really likes, it might coax him out of bed

I hope both of your little guys are okay

He's about a year and maybe 7-8 months? I haven't kept track for some reason mine really doesnt like bananas or strawberries, he likes blueberries though so I'll try that!

[BlueTongueBoris]

A few threads on this topic from the FAQ section at the top of this forum:

BTS not eating?
Brumation 1
Brumation 2

Thank you!

[splashy07]

Northerns may brumate this time of year regardless of temps in your tank. Once past a year old and sometimes even before, their appetite wanes prior. Perfectly normal behavior for a Northern.

[kingofnobbys]

How old is the UV source ?

I ask because if it's older than 6 months old most brands and types of UV (fluorescent type) globes and tubes experience phosphor decay and their output of both UVA and UVB will drop off considerably and to the extent that the reptile is no longer receiving sufficient exposure to UVA and this will have a impact on a reptiles appetite and food intake (amongst other issues).

[BlueTongueBoris]

How old is the UV source ?

I ask because if it's older than 6 months old most brands and types of UV (fluorescent type) globes and tubes experience phosphor decay and their output of both UVA and UVB will drop off considerably and to the extent that the reptile is no longer receiving sufficient exposure to UVA and this will have a impact on a reptiles appetite and food intake (amongst other issues).

I had UVB when I first got him but once the bulb passed out I havent used anymore, I was told that they dont need it. Should I buy another one?

[mb606587]

I don't believe in your case this has anything to do with a lack of uvb lighting. The reason I asked you what species of Blue Tongue you have is to see whether you have a Northern or one of the various species of Indonesian that do not typically brumate. As was stated above, Northerns DO brumate, and typically they go down in November. So very normal behavior. Some breeders will even turn off heat and lights during this time, UVB lights included, although if your skink is still basking for a few hours a day, its not really that necessary to do.

I'm not sure if I should leave him alone or place him in his banking spot..

I'd leave him alone. No need to force him to bask. Typically they prefer to stay burrowed throughout the winter.

I had UVB when I first got him but once the bulb passed out I havent used anymore, I was told that they dont need it. Should I buy another one?

My opinion on this is if you only have one BTS, then sure why not? But I don't use UVB light on all of my skinks, (if I only had one or two, I would use it). Many long time keepers and breeders haven't used UVB on their skinks and reported no issues as long as the correct diet is provided. It is generally recommended, but if the diet and supplementation is provided, there hasn't been any evidence that it is absolutely necessary. I haven't noticed any differences, behavior or health, between the skinks that I provide UVB to and the ones that I don't.

[splashy07]

Totally agree, I do not use it for any and every year at this time they stop eating or slow down right before brumation.
Lights out after Thanksgiving. Before I was breeding, I left their lights on all year and once they became of age still brumated. That's the nature of Northern behavior here in the states.