Questions & Introduction

[mmgee10]

Hello everyone. I've spent quite some time reading through the posts here...and you all really km now tour stuff!!! About 4 years back I had a blue tongue (I don't remember the exact species he was, but I loved the little guy). Unfortunately after starting a new job, I was forced to find him a new home. My job forced me to be gone for long periods of time and it wasn't fair to him. Now that I'm stable and have time to treat them like they deserve, I've decided to get another one. I wanted to try to get my little guy back (which was our original plan should I ever stop being away for business ), but the guy I gave him to had a daughter that fell in love.... (what can I say, he was absolutely amazing and lovable). Ssssooooo.....

NOW I have adopted another one.....and he is night and day different from Hezekiah (my previous one). Gideon, my new little guy, is a halmaheran and is....spirited to say the least. I ordered him on Thursday, got him Friday and he was pretty mad. When I placed him in his cage, he hid and won't come out. What recommendations do you all have for me to tame him. I know to place my hand in his cage and let it sit there for a while so that he can get used to me, but if he's always hiding and won't come out to eat....I don't see that helping too much.

Also should I be really worried that he isn't really eating just yet? I know these things take time, I just dont want to come home to a not so living lizard because he starved himself. Thank you everyone for your advice, and I look forward to being a part of the community.

[splashy07]

Hi! And welcome! I'm new here too, had no idea there was a site for us skinkers till a friend told me about it. I've got 2 Halys and they never come out unless I throw something live in there to eat! I find the Indonesian species to be a bit more shy than their Aussie counterparts, not nasty by any means just a bit more secretive. I'd give him time to settle in, transport can be a huge stress ordeal for reptiles. Once he starts eating and getting used to his new environment I'd introduce gentle handling for short periods. Best of luck with the little cutie, seeing him brings back nice memories of
my little darlins' as babies!

[mmgee10]

THanks! I found out from the place I adopted him from that he was eating cat food. I placed a little bit in the tank right in front of him, and left the room. About an hour later, it was all gone. At least he's eating. Now I just gotta get him to eat his veggies (Oh Joy!) lol. Thanks for the advice, I didn't know the Indonesians were a bit more shy, but it does make sense. I'll keep you posted on our progress!

[Noah H.]

I wouldn't worry about Gideon not eating too much at this point; if he gets hungry, he'll figure out where the food is. As for taming, it may take a couple of weeks for Gideon to get used to your daily presence. If you just keep up consistent, everyday interaction (holding your hand in the cage or just spending time in its vicinity), then eventually Gideon's curiosity should overcome his fear. If you haven't already, read these two articles: How to Tame a Blue Tongue Skink, New BTS - What to expect in the first few weeks. Hope this helps!

[Lauriek]

Give him time.

He will need time to get used to his surroundings; time to get used to seeing you pass his cage, open his cage, take him out to clean his cage, feed him etc.
Let him settle in first and if he hides for what you think is a couple of weeks, don't worry. Make sure he has fresh water and food. Little ones need feeding every day. (Mind you, my 3 mature blotchies like to get food every day too!).

Your skink will come out to eat and drink even if you don't see him do it. Some blueys are naturally feisty. They are also a solitary lizard and their natural instinct when threatened or frightened is to try and run away if they can.

Some blueys do get stressed if you pick them up every day, but as yours is young, he should get used to you. Be quiet and gentle with him, though.

[mmgee10]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I purchased another home for him, as the home he was currently was in was too tall, and it was hard to keep the heat in for him. It took me a bout an hour 2 hours to get him to warm up to me, but he eventually did, and I was able to easily transfer him over. I was surprised to see that he actually seemed to feel more comfortable around my hand, and kept checking it out. Needless to say, once I got him in he new cage, he immediately went to hide again. But, now that I know his cage is at the correct temperatures, he'll have plenty of time to get used to things, and I'll start working with him when he's a little more calm. Thanks again everyone.