Flailing back legs

[Clowesia]

It's absolutely funny to watch Apple do this and I was wondering if anyone else noticed this behaviour in their BTS or if it's something they grow out of. Anyway a bit more detail, I have only ever been pooped on twice due to this little tell Apple has when she's about to poop; she lifts and flails her back legs around before she poops. (She certainly has no trouble passing waste.) The flailing kind of looks like she's walking, but her feet are in the air so she doesn't move. It's really quite amusing to watch and it lets me know when she's gonna poop so I avoid any accidents. Is this a common thing in BTS? If it is, it's certainly a good thing to watch out for to make sure you don't get pooped on!

[Richard.C]

yeah they do that to help pass waste,some over exaggerate it like you probably see,some just keep walking and only lift the tail to

[Lizyms]

My little Lollie does that, it's a great signal.

[Fatal_S]

Most reptiles do the same general thing. Wiggling or flailing seems to help move waste along. Lifting the tail/legs out of the way keeps them from getting dirty. This is good for survival since a smelly animal is much easier to track down. It makes a great signal to expect a mess and to get some paper towel underneath or move the skink to somewhere mess-safe quickly. They will however forgo the tail raise if they're being held and want to use waste as a defence.

At my most recent expo a friend had his tegu out walking around and being petted. He was busy talking to someone about it, and I glanced over and saw the tail raising. I grabbed my paper towel roll and made a dive for it. Saved the day

[Richard.C]

if u had a camera u could have had a funny photo chance there with your friend,lol

[LarissaLurid]

hahaha, that would be funny to see. Mine only lifts his tail and squats.

[Richard.C]

isnt squatting a female thing,lol


mind u,we used to have a male dog that squatted and a female one that cocked her leg,so go figure

[LarissaLurid]

Well not squatting technically since the body is already on the ground, but pushing with the legs when he lifts his tail lol. Speaking of dogs doing that though, my Tibetan Mastiff didn't lift his leg to go to the bathroom for years and still doesn't sometimes, so who knows lol.

[Richard.C]

glad it wasnt just my dogs

[Leigh]

Yeh the old quater to three legs manouver, it's always followed by a wiggle and a squelch, forget the bogroll it's time to dive for the window

very normal........