Male tail wagging

[Suzle87]

First time I’ve ever seen Ventress do this. He’s 1 year 9 months old, definite male, but today I got him out of his enclosure as usual and let him have a run round. Next time I saw him he was just sat there wagging his tail in a really elaborate almost figure of 8 style. Typically soon as I got my phone to film him he stopped. Does this indicate anything in males? Never seen him do it before and it was a really definite movement so I’m intrigued! Thanks for any input x

[kingofnobbys]

All my skinks do this from time to time , eastern bluetongues, eastern blue water skinks , and the delicates did it too. Especially when young.

I believe it's the skink body language for I'm very alert.

My newest eastern water skink rescue has caused my older water skink to start doing a fair bit of tail wagging , can in this case mean she's being submissive , they also do headnodding (males to females) and wagging tails (female response when they are "interested" in some hankypankie.

I've noticed if the skink see's it's own reflection tail wagging is often the response.

[Suzle87]

Ah right ace,thanks for that. He hadn’t seen his reflection but he did seem to be quite hyper before and after so maybe he was just feeling very alert and boisterous like you say, almost felt like a territory marking kind of thing from how it looked.

[Angcious]

I've noticed a slow tailtip wiggle when mine have seen each other. But the tail wag I've noticed more with my oldest, who's primary goal in life (besides searching for more food) is to patrol his home. Anytime he comes across something that shouldn't be there and he's not sure of it - and he wants to stand his ground instead of running off to hide - he does the tail wag.
I was pretty proud of catching this on video. I had put a fan into their room. My oldest knew right away that there was something new in his home. He was agitated and maybe a little nervous, but more so seemed to want to let it be known that this is his home and he didn't like that thing is his room! I think it was more frustrating and intimidating because the fan was up high (could swoop down on him for all he knew, and he couldn't get to it). He was fine later on that night when he realized there was no threat
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0KsVnvhRwV/

[Suzle87]

I've noticed a slow tailtip wiggle when mine have seen each other. But the tail wag I've noticed more with my oldest, who's primary goal in life (besides searching for more food) is to patrol his home. Anytime he comes across something that shouldn't be there and he's not sure of it - and he wants to stand his ground instead of running off to hide - he does the tail wag.
I was pretty proud of catching this on video. I had put a fan into their room. My oldest knew right away that there was something new in his home. He was agitated and maybe a little nervous, but more so seemed to want to let it be known that this is his home and he didn't like that thing is his room! I think it was more frustrating and intimidating because the fan was up high (could swoop down on him for all he knew, and he couldn't get to it). He was fine later on that night when he realized there was no threat
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0KsVnvhRwV/

Thanks for your reply, yes it was like that but a bit quicker, a very definite movement. Good video! Il try and get one of Ventress if he does it again!

[splashy07]

As far as BTS, I've only seen it with my females during breeding season. I have witnessed this behavior in other lizards though, like maybe a sign of 'back off, this is my area...'