Baby Blue STILL isn't taming AT ALL

[winkydinks]

Hello all,

A little background first...

I got a baby Halmahera three months ago at a show. He was labeled as being captive bred. While he acts like he was born in the wild, I'm inclined to believe that he wasn't due to the fact that he was VERY young when I got him, and because they had other larger ones that were labeled as being wild caught. I believe he's from the wild family though, so he'd be first generation regardless. Not sure if this makes any difference.

Anyways, I posted here about a month ago inquiring about any strategies I might utilize in order to get him to tame, as he hadn't shown any improvement. Now it's a month later, and the situation still hasn't really improved. He pretty much huffs and lurches constantly when I'm near or if he's being held. He'll allow me to hand feed him, but this generally results in getting bit and him acting no different once he's swallowed the roach I gave him. I don't hover over him, I don't grab him, I don't do anything threatening, and I spend time around him every day. I can't think of any strategies out there that I haven't tried. Has anyone had an experience like this and had it turn out well? The only slight improvement I've seen is that he seems to be more willing to venture out from his hides, but when it comes to handling, forget it. Is there anything I might not have done, or is there any chance that this will get better as he grows? Sorry for ranting, but I'm pretty discouraged at the moment.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[splashy07]

If you're feeding live that sometimes causes aggressive responses. His encounters with humans have been more than likely unfavorable thus far, and it will take time and patience. Don't force anything, but don't be fearful either. Give him time, halys are beautiful, and I've had some that could rival the personality of my sweetest northern. Even captive bred/born northerns can be feisty, I've got one here I adopted from another breeder that is absolutely psycho. He owns a shop and no one would touch this thing he was so nuts. I felt sorry for him, and was afraid someone would hurt him. He's slowly coming around but is absolutely terrified of everyone and everything. The only one in the litter like this, the rest are absolute sweethearts. I'm just letting him set the boundaries. I won't chase him or bother him when he's hiding. He will eventually realize no harm will come to him. Way back when, I've tamed huge iguanas and macaws so this is a walk on the beach.
Take your time, it will be worth it and he's worth having a chance at a great life in his new home. Don't give up on him, he's come a long hard way to become your pet.

[winkydinks]

Thanks for the response, and glad to hear that this behavior can be somewhat normal. I do feed live, and he goes into full predator mode when I do. Maybe I'll try some different strategies.

Never planning on giving up on my little guy, but was mostly just trying to articulate my wavering patience. I made a commitment to him for the long run, and I intend to keep it that way.

[mb606587]

Not unusual for your Halmahera to still be skittish after 3 months. Patience is especially key with these skinks which are not captive bred, but captive born, a distinction that is important to know when frequenting reptile shows. Your skink was likely farmed in an outdoor setting in Indonesia. In some extreme cases it can take up to a year or even into adulthood until these skinks start to tolerate human presence and contact. Give him some time, follow the advice which was given, don't get too discouraged, and the results should be rewarding for you in time.

[kingofnobbys]

How much time do you spend each day just hanging out doing quiet peaceful things ( like reading, listening to music ( headphones on your ears if you like it LOUD and BANGING ) , doing homework ) near the skink's tank where it can watch you and study you , and learn you aren't going to harm it ?
I find this works a treat with my wild rescues , a few weeks and they are even sleeping in the open and coming out to see what the human Is going to do , especially if they hear my voice. Generally hoping I'll give them some crickets or worms to snack on.
They learn real fast who the does the feeding.
I also find they respond very well to being given food by hand once they learn you are "trustworthy" and are soon ambling up and taking BSFL , mealworms , immobilized crickets, immobilized roaches and silkworms from the open up turned hand. This is worth a try with your little gut, you'll be surprised how quickly food treats given by hand tames wild skinks.

[AzulLoco]

Have to add that this is obviously key. Mine lived in a modified bin for the first month or so of his life and wasn't ever able to see day-to-day activities as I was afraid to bring him into my snake room after hearing they are generally laden with parasites. That said, I moved the little guy into a 40 breeder this weekend in a highly-trafficked area of the house with a really simple but awesome setup, a fogging system that goes on every hour and he is already out more witnessing us and the dogs. Today I went to give him a hornworm and he stayed on his cork flat and waited for it. While I generally have to hold it there with tongs for a while so he can come out of hiding and grab it, I put it on the cork for him and let him do some natural instinct stuff. Calmly walked away so as to not scare him and make the whole thing a positive interaction. I think over time things will get better and this little Halmahera will be less psycho-aggressive - especially when he's a big old turd who can't run as fast. Good luck.