Help on handling tips

[rixusaku]

So I've been working with my northern, Noodle, for some months now trying to handle him. He's good when I put him on my lap or shoulder and he'll let me pick him up as long as he's a few inches away from the surface he's on, but when I pick him up and stand up, or pick him up while I'm sitting on the floor, he'll start to panic and try and backup out of my hands. I try and hold him by his front and back with letting his body rest on my arm for support but I'm wondering if the height has anything to do with it? He used to try and walk forward which originally was no problem as I can just adjust him, but its difficult to keep holding him when he's backing up.

Anyone have any ideas as to why he's doing this and if there's something I can do to make him feel comfortable? I don't want him to damage his belly scales doing that.

[IvanDanko]

It's a bit of a funny one - I've dealt with a similar issue quite a few times with Peanut I think it comes down to rapid movements, walking into areas that are less common during handling and also when your skink can't see you i.e. facing forward. I find its not usually height as that actually makes you seem smaller to their perspective and below them instead of above (where attacks come from typically). Also can just mean Noodles is restless and wants to keep exploring. Either way I think not alot to be concerned about - if Peanut does this ill usually reset by putting him on my leg or next to me where I'm sitting and then he's fine.

[rixusaku]

Yeah I usually do the same thing by putting him back down or in my lap or something, but I don't like how his belly scales always scrape against me when he's backing up (I'm more worried about him damaging them than how it actually feels to me), and it would be nice if he didn't do it so that when I ever need to put him in his carrier or take him somewhere else in the apartment he's not trying to kamikaze himself off my arm. Le sigh x.x

I'm not concerned so much as I'm wondering if there's a way I can make him feel more comfortable so it's not such a hassle to take him somewhere. Like out of the enclosure to roam around since it's up on the desk again instead of being on the floor.

[IvanDanko]

Hmmm I'm not sure if there's an easy answer unfortunately. I assume it may take a long time for skinks to go full potato mode when you hold them, also depends on the day and how they're feeling? There's times where Peanut will back up in my hands if I take him to another part of the house and other times where he just sits there happily. I think them being in a sideways position seems to help (as I mentioned so they can see you) but that's purely anecdotal on my part.

I do wonder if you can feel friction on his belly scales when he's backing up could his humidity be slightly off? I know I've had that exact problem when the enclosure has over-dried, but when its on point it never happens, if anything he's almost slippery.

[rixusaku]

Yeah his old enclosure didn't get the best humidity which is why I got a pvc enclosure that I moved him into in the last couple days or so. It keeps humidity....very much more better than I expected lmao. I have to dry out a lot of the substrate because now it's too high. I was thinking it was due to low humidity but also wasn't entirely sure if that was just the nature of scales too.

But I'll try and hold him in a manner that makes it easier for him to see me and see if that works. A lot of times he does seem to calm down when he's trying to burrow in my elbow or climb up to my shoulder. Thanks!

[kayla990]

Just a thought - it could be an issue of your bluey feeling secure. While I try to support legs and body as best as possible when holding ours - he'll wriggle a lot and try to go backwards when carrying him around. However, when my fiancé carries him - he doesn't wriggle at all; looking very calm.

I've not yet found a good way to support all his legs (difficult with small forearms/hands!) - but it could be the reason that your bluey isn't chilling when being held. At this point I'm tempted to plop him onto a carrying pillow or box

[rixusaku]

Yeah I have have a small frame/body so I try and support as much of him as I can. I even try to support his tail when it's possible as I've found that he sometimes calms down when I do that. It's just all been pretty spotty so I probably just have to work on my handling techniques.

[IvanDanko]

Probably a fair point by Kayla re: being more difficult with smaller hands/upper limb. I'm 6'4 so I've got pretty big mitts, which may explain why handling has been more forgiving. Come to think of it Peanut always seems really happy in a single underhand (palms up) grip as his body then extends onto my wrist and forearm as opposed to across two hands.