Northern Blue Tongue Skink

[asssshp]

Hi! I am new to posting on this forum, but just have a couple questions about my baby, Gus.
He is about 1 year and 2 months old, and is a northern blue tongue skink. Before I got him, I did extensive research and prepared for him. His whole time with me he has had a tube UVB bulb, a basking spot at about 97F, a 4'x2'x2' custom enclosure, about 30% humidity, a large water dish, and he eats like a little piggy (I use the food chart from the care sheet as a guide). He is very active and the sweetest little guy ever.
So here is my problem: he is not very big. I don't know if this is something that I should be concerned about, he is about 14 inches. I just feel like he is so tiny. Is this normal and he will continue to grow?

[lucasrusinak]

That is a little small for the age, but it should grow bigger than that. Maybe not being on the larger side regarding northern size, but he will definitely grow a bit more. Skinks dont really stop growing at a certain age, they grow mostly when they are young depending on how much/what they are fed, and then continue to grow more as they get older, just not as fast.

[Dood]

Pictures??

[asssshp]

Sorry this took so long. For some reason I hadn't seen anyone answer. Here Gus is compared to my hand, which is on the larger size.

[asssshp]

And here he is in his custom tank.

[Dood]

I thought perhaps you had a different or mixed breed skink but he does look like a purebred northern and 14 inches at 14 months does seem a bit small.

I cannot think of anything other than an intestinal worm infestation that could impare his ability to absorb nutrients and stunt his growth but your skinks looks pretty healthy and it might just be genetics

Have you had him for most of his 14 months?

The reason I ask is a forum member and myself purchased skinks from the same litter but I got mine when he was 2 months old and he got his at 6 months old - the size difference was significant and my guy was 4 inches longer.

I don't think the breeder kept his hatchlings in the best habitat and the other members skink was a bit stunted - I don't know if he has since caught up or not.

[asssshp]

We have had him since he was 2 months. He eats really normally and has normal stool too. So you think it could be just genetics or should I take him to the vet?

[Dood]

You don't need to take him in but you could call a vet and ask about having a sample of his stool tested for parasites and how they'd like you to deliver it

[asssshp]

Thank you so much for your advice!!