BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

So my lizard never refuses food, but I haven't seen much of him except in the morning and when he runs up to the door for food. Have held him, and he seems normal. No weird noises or discharge.

Is this him trying to brumate? Because he still has a really healthy appetite, but he hides so much more despite his terrarium being 75 cool x 95 warm during the day, 68-69 degrees at night?

Edit: I'm not going to attempt to cool him unless 100% positive I'm sure it's safe for a 7 month old skink to. This is my first year with brumation aaaaaaaa

LeapingLizards wrote:So my lizard never refuses food, but I haven't seen much of him except in the morning and when he runs up to the door for food. Have held him, and he seems normal. No weird noises or discharge.

Is this him trying to brumate? Because he still has a really healthy appetite, but he hides so much more despite his terrarium being 75 cool x 95 warm during the day, 68-69 degrees at night?

Edit: I'm not going to attempt to cool him unless 100% positive I'm sure it's safe for a 7 month old skink to. This is my first year with brumation aaaaaaaa

Yes, sounds like brumation. This will go on until Springtime, do not worry! Just let him do his natural thing. My boy is slowly coming out of his brumation. Some go in early, some go late. It's normal and I wouldn't worry unless he starts to show any concerning symptoms (eye discharge, wheezing, panting, etc.)

CircusCandi12 wrote:

LeapingLizards wrote:Yes, sounds like brumation. This will go on until Springtime, do not worry! Just let him do his natural thing. My boy is slowly coming out of his brumation. Some go in early, some go late. It's normal and I wouldn't worry unless he starts to show any concerning symptoms (eye discharge, wheezing, panting, etc.)

Thank you, I thought so haha

I'll have to wait to cool him, since Saturday was the last time I fed him then.

It is not necessary to cool him if you are not breeding.

splashy07 wrote:It is not necessary to cool him if you are not breeding.

So should I just leave his temps as is and feed him still, despite having not seeing him in days? (There is evidence of activity, like shuffled substrate but that's pretty much it)

If he is not eating no sense leaving food in there. I leave dry food in for mine in case, and so as not to waste or have them make a mess of it. When they go into breeding mode they do not care about much else. My females may eat a little at this time although they prefer live food such as rat pups. I'm sure they know at this time they need the protein offered by whole prey items. When ovulating they may look uncomfortable, squirmy and bloated and will refuse food also. My males usually do not consume anything from late October until the breeding season is over in late March. They go into this mode regardless of presence of opposite gender. You can have one single male that will go absolutely insane during this time.
Just a suggestion that may entice him, scramble an egg for yourself and drizzle a bit on top of his favorite food when he's out an about. Stick it in his face. Works for one of mine.

splashy07 wrote:If he is not eating no sense leaving food in there. I leave dry food in for mine in case, and so as not to waste or have them make a mess of it. When they go into breeding mode they do not care about much else. My females may eat a little at this time although they prefer live food such as rat pups. I'm sure they know at this time they need the protein offered by whole prey items. When ovulating they may look uncomfortable, squirmy and bloated and will refuse food also. My males usually do not consume anything from late October until the breeding season is over in late March. They go into this mode regardless of presence of opposite gender. You can have one single male that will go absolutely insane during this time.
Just a suggestion that may entice him, scramble an egg for yourself and drizzle a bit on top of his favorite food when he's out an about. Stick it in his face. Works for one of mine.

Yeah, he's gonna be a pet unless I decide not to in the future, but I might not. I would rather try other reptiles before I consider BTS.

However, I did find out he's a boy yesterday due to watching him poop.