BTS HISSING VIDEO HELP

[LGgecko]

ok so i posted a topic before he has had over a week to settle in and was nothing like this in the store y is he doing this i wanna return him if hes going to keep this up PLZ WATCH VID http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPbu_QJb ... plpp_video

[Fatal_S]

That's not hissing. That is huffing. He's a bit scared, is asking you not to eat him, and you're not doing anything to reassure him that that's not the plan. BTS are not dogs or cats. They do not associate getting petted with anything pleasant. With practice they may tolerate it, but it's not a natural behaviour. He's not being threatening in any way, so freaking out and returning him is a big overreaction IMO.

Approach slowly, making sure he sees you. Talk him him a bit. Bring your hand nearby and let him look at it. Then simply pick him up around the back legs, and quickly support the front legs with your other hand. Hold him on your arm or against your chest and take him somewhere safe and quiet to explore and get to know you. It takes a bit of practice but it's not hard once you figure it out.

[Katrina]

He is a scared little guy. In the store he was likely too cold to be fully alert and so he seemed more docile. This is completely normal and will last for a little while until you gain his trust, which will take a lot of patience.

If you want to return him because he is scared of the giant predator overhead that keeps trying to touch him then you probably should have done a bit more research before your purchase. This is totally normal and will happen with most any little baby.

[missmacabre]

What the others said. I've had mine for almost 3 years and he still gives the odd huff when he's annoyed. It takes time and effort to tame an animal and simply returning it to the pet shop because it's not acting the way you think it should isn't the answer.

[NennaMeerkat]

Have had my BTS for a little over a under and he still huffs and puffs at me every time I take him out of his tank. Simple solution is to do what the others have said. But if you are gonna overreact to what he is doing I would almost think you didn't do a lot of reading up on the species to know what the huff puff is. I would -really- suggest calming down! If you are acting the way you sound in this post around your new lizard he is likely to pick up on those "vibes". Do some research and learn your lizard. Settle down and have some patience.

[Bird_Brain]

Im going to comment on this thread (instead of your new one) simply because the link to the video is posted on this one. IMO, that interaction with the skink was about 18 seconds too long. Within the first 6 seconds, you could quickly and calmly picked up that skink. Some skinks are "territorial" of their cage (or so it seems). With in the first 6 seconds, the skink was aware of your presence. From the video, it appears your hand is in the sleeve of the sweat shirt. This just adds to the skinks insecurities. It will not know what the heck is coming at it. If I were in your position (after having sleeves rolled up), I would have quickly and calmly reached and grabbed the skink behind its front legs. Again I would quickly and calmly bring it to my chest or other hand/arm and support the rest of its body. Once out of their cages, most skinks are ok.

But again, you messed around for another 18 seconds, upsetting the skink even more. I just practice the "grab and go" method and dont mess around with chasing it around the cage, upsetting the skink more than it should.

[A.VinczeBTs]

You look like a big predator coming to get him! (Saw the other thread) They bite when scared, like any other animal. Calm down, don't poke him. I'd give him a week of not touching him, only go in to give food, change water. Sit by sometimes and talk so he hears you, but do not touch! Win his trust first, by only bringing food and cleaning when needed, try and stay calm, he didn't mean to hurt just to warn.

Give him a treat maybe, to calm him. Go in slowly, and put a blueberry near him, then back away. Do this maybe once a week, and he'll learn to expect food when you're near. Then work your way to trust. Give him time, like cats they don't automatically like you (well most don't) you have to earn their love.

Don't give up!! Listen to the knowledgeable people above!

[LGgecko]

hey guys i hand feed him then he allowed me to pick him up with no huffing but he peed on me lol were working on it

[Bird_Brain]

I have skinks that I have owned for 3+ years who still pee on me! It means he likes you!

[NennaMeerkat]

I have heard of skinks peeing on those that pick them up, but it doesn't seem to be a trait that Mr. Blue has. Though he did pee all over my bathroom counter-top tonight.