Handling Progression for a skink scared of... heights? Any experience?

[wushiroll]

Hello! I've gotten a lot from lurking here, so first of all thanks for all the useful information.

My situation is this: Huey is a 5 month old Northern I got from Captive Bred Excellence (fantastic experience by the way), recently confirmed male (hemipenes visible when pooping). When I first got him two months ago he was super skittish and would hide/burrow all day. He huffed and flattened whenever I'd approach, and actually bit at me once when I presented the back of my hand to him.

But within maybe two weeks he had calmed down significantly, and now two months later he's pretty used to my presence. I hand feed him a big fraction of his meals, and he's gotten used to taking food without nipping my fingers (I let him gnaw on my fingers initially until he learned they weren't edible). He enjoys (or at least seems indifferent to) back scratches and chin scratches. He seems to understand that if he scratches at the door, I'll let him out of his enclosure. Great! He's still skittish at times and I know we're only two months in, but it's a night and day difference from when I first got him.

The issue now is, despite making tons of progress in other areas, he's still completely stressed out when being picked up. I can actually get both hands under him and lift him about an inch off the surface with his body completely relaxed, but as soon as I lift him higher than that, he starts to hyperventilate (sounds like that anyway) and tense up into a C shape around my hands. Moving just makes it worse. He could have been relaxed and out in the open prior to me picking him up, but once he's panicked, as soon as I put him down he runs and hides.

It really seems like he's afraid of heights--if he's on a table, for instance, he'll be fine until he peers over the edge. Actually, it doesn't even register right away--he'll stare downwards for 10 seconds or so, then suddenly start breathing loudly and splay his limbs out (almost like a skydiving pose!). Then he'll squirm backwards and run to cover. It's honestly kinda hilarious... but also a bummer, because handling induces a similar reaction.

Is this normal? I'm perplexed, because we've made great progress in every other area except this one. I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has gotten past something like this with their skink, and if so, how they did it without stressing them out so much.

Thanks for reading to the end of my long post.

And here's Huey, who's worked up the courage to say hi!

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[Janella]

Hello and welcome. Huey is very cute. So it sounds like your guy is still getting used to handling and he doesn't feel secure just yet. It is extremely important to remember that these lizards are not climbing lizards. So they do get nervous when lifted off the ground. The key is to make sure their bodies are secure. If they feel secure they won't try to squirm their way out of your hold. Keep working with yours and hopefully he will start to come around.

[IvanDanko]

I think two months in is still pretty early speaking anecdotally from my experience, it took six months of regular effort to get my skink to be completely relaxed, with alot of big improvements along the way over seemingly short periods like you have described. Don't get discouraged

I recently watched a video which showed that often funnily enough reptiles will relax when held above you - possibly something to do with perspective i.e. makes us look smaller and they are looking down on us vs. the other way around. I have tried this and I have to say its quite an effective method but I couldn't speak for more than my individual experiences.

I found a way to progress to comfortable handling is as follows:

Sitting with your skink on a towel that is on your lap. Allowing him to move freely and in that area, gets used to being on you without holding. Also let's them burrow if they feel the need.

After that remove the towel and just have him on your lap. Shepherd gently with your forearms and allow him to get used to skin contact and scent. Pay attention to body language and breathing- Blinking, and breathing from the "neck" (gentle breaths) I find indicates when they have relaxed vs. big breaths from the ribs, and extreme stillness/not blinking indicating nervousness/tension. It can be a day to day proposition.

Following that, have him on your lap but gently treadmill with your hands flat against your legs and provide a cradle/ramp with your forearms as needed. Ideally he will explore but rest on your hands - helping to learn they are a safe place.

Then from there you could start doing short stints of holding him in your hands away from your body and seeing if he will settle. Just small amounts at a time.

See how you go - hope this helps

[wushiroll]

Thanks Janella and IvanDanko!

Yes those are some great points, I didn't think about how they're not climbing lizards (though they sometimes seem to forget that ). And 2 months is definitely a very short time in the grand scheme of things.

I actually tried handling him a bit too much these last couple of days I think, he's started being more timid around me again. That's what I get for trying to rush things, d'oh.

I'll back off and give your suggestions a try IvanDanko, that sounds like a good way to ease him into it!

[IvanDanko]

No worries - I'm sure you'll look back in a little while and think how far you've come with Huey