BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I started handling Liz the other day and she is SUPER jumpy/twitchy. If I move even a little bit she jumps. I’m chalking it up to her being a teeny tiny baby being picked up by a big scary giant and she just needs to get used to it, but I wanted to make sure this was normal.

Babies are naturally afraid of everything at first. Everything eats them in their native lands. Move slowly and try coaxing with treats rather than reaching in and grabbing. Once they realize you are not going to eat them they calm down.

She hissed and tried to strike at me today which freaked me out a little (she’s my first reptile) I tried coaxing her out with a cherry tomato but she wouldn’t go for it. I ended up leaving it in there with her and she did eat it which is cool. I guess it’s good she likes her veggies.

Babies are naturally jumpy and nervous. How long have you had yours? They can take weeks to months to adjust. I highly suggest just spending time by your skinks enclosure. Read to it and talk to it. Offer tasty treats such as banana, blueberries, grapes, insect, hard boiled egg, etc. Your skink has to get used to you as a positive thing and not just a big scary thing. Some people suggest even putting a shirt or something of yours in their enclosure so they get used to your smell. Time and patience will win yours over.