Concerned

[Yellowtonka]

Hi,
We picked up our blue tongued skink on Saturday and he/she was really lively till around 8pm when it promptly disappeared till 3pm Sunday. It was quite happy to be handled, even climbing out of the viv on to my arm, it ate well and even took some crickets as well as the veggies and fruit in its bowl. He/she then disappeared again at about 8pm not to be seen until 5:30 Monday when again it was lively and quite happy to be handled. Again it disappeared around 8 and, this is my worry, hasn't been seen moving since. We can see where he is because he has buried himself and we can see the substrate moving as he breathes. My concern is; is this normal behaviour for a new juvenile bts?

Thanks

[Richard.C]

sounds reasonably normal,juvies often spend time hiding,only popping out to eat or bask for a bit then disapearing again,the 8 pm thing would be it sensing its night time so off to sleep time

if anything yours is doing well,alot of newly aquired ones barely pop out ,let alone feed for first week or so as they adjust to new cage/home ect,so it may start popping out more as it adjusts to new hone

[Toria Dawn]

This sounds normal to me. Sometimes they just like to dig and sleep, other times they enjoy attention and eating. I wouldn't worry.

Have you looked at the food chart for skinks? Crickets really have no nutritional value, and you should add a good protein to his diet. Check out this link: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=20345. 50% protein is required for an adult, and I believe that percentage is even higher for a juv. Lots of people on here use canned (wet not dry) dog food - a red meat like lamb or beef or organs, but generally avoid poultry as it depletes calcium.

[Yellowtonka]

Thanks for your quick replies. It's put my mind at rest a bit.