My skink doesn't come up if I don't get her.

[Dx3]

Hello everyone! Recently just got a 2 1/2 month old BTS and I have a couple questions. She's (I assume a she based on some external characteristics) very healthy it would seem. Very playful, eats well, etc... However, she never eeeeever comes out in the mornings. I have a day night cycle and she usually falls asleep (burrows) before the night lights come on. Then in the morning when the day bulbs come on she doesn't come up. Lights come on around 8-9 am and I usually have to dig her up to eat, bask, and exercise. She does end up doing all that with no problem. It's just that I have to dig her up. I've checked and rechecked temps to make sure that wasn't what was causing her to burrow. She has hides, foliage, water, enrichment, and 3 inches of substrate. I'm just really worried about the way she doesn't know to come up in the daytime and feel it might lead to brumation at a young age which isn't good for her development. So...
-Is it normal that I have to dig her up?
-Is 3 inches of substrate too much for a young one?
-Should I let her brumate?
As of today, 3/24/22 I decided I wouldn't dig her up this morning and see what happens.

[splashy07]

Leave her (truthfully, a skink that young cannot be sexed) alone, digging her up only causes unnecessary stress. She will come around in her own time. What species and where purchased?

[Dx3]

Leave her (truthfully, a skink that young cannot be sexed) alone, digging her up only causes unnecessary stress. She will come around in her own time. What species and where purchased?

Hello! Thank you for responding. She’s a Northern Blue Tongue and she came from a local reptile show. I understand reptile shows aren’t the greatest, but I talked with the breeder a lot and they let me examine her before purchasing. I got to look at the parents and everything too. I inspect her when I can as well to make sure nothing bad is developing. From here on I’ll continue to leave her alone.

[splashy07]

Can you post a picture so we can verify species and age? Northerns are born from late April to mid July in this country so it is unlikely the age is correct. Just would like to take a look.
Most common, including my own, are born late May/early June.

[splashy07]

Forgot to add, brumation is from October/November till January/February, so that would not be the issue.

[Dx3]

Can you post a picture so we can verify species and age? Northerns are born from late April to mid July in this country so it is unlikely the age is correct. Just would like to take a look.
Most common, including my own, are born late May/early June.

Here are some recent photos. I don’t have any from today or yesterday because she is currently burrowed. I suppose I don’t take a ton of photos but these show her clearly enough. The brick she’s on is under the bulbs so it gets very warm. It’s surrounded by foliage so she feels hidden/secure there. The brick itself is fully buried touching the bottom of the tank so that she cannot burrow under it.

[splashy07]

Hard to tell from pictures, could possibly be older but definitely a Northern and that was what I really wanted to see, as skinks are often mis-represented at expos and pet shops. She looks good so I wouldn't worry, let her settle in and come out and about of her own doing. Very pretty, congratulations and welcome!