Introducing "Pierce" the rescued skink

[PrairieSkink]

I've had Pierce (formerly named "Marty") the Merauke skink for about two months now and he's come a long way since he unexpectedly came into my life.

Pierce hasn't had an easy life. From what I was told, his first owner lived in an apartment, skipped out on his rent, and abandoned Pierce. Two months later, the landlord discovered him in the abandoned apartment and the only reason he was still alive is because he didn't have a heat lamp on (thus, he did not become dehydrated and die). Pierce's "rescuers" named him "Marty" and took him in. Despite their good intentions, Pierce again became a victim of neglect. He was fed a liquid/blended diet because they believed he would not eat solid food. He was rarely handled, never given a bath, and was covered in layers of stuck shed. When his second owners decided they didn't want him anymore, he was dropped off at the pet store where I work in very rough shape. He was skinny, scared, and smelled terrible. I had bought a Northern blue tongue skink only a month earlier and ended up taking Pierce in because no one had time for him.

I've been working with Pierce (I renamed him Pierce to signify a new beginning for this little guy) to get him healthy again and he is doing so much better! He just had an excellent shed last night and his skin is now smooth and bright. I feed him twice weekly because he was skinny when I got him. He now eats a varied diet of fresh collard greens, dandelion greens, endive, carrots, Blue Buffalo small breed dog food, Repashy veggie burger, and I'm working on getting him to eat nightcrawlers. I'm not sure why his former rescuers believed he wouldn't eat fresh veggies but he readily eats when I feed him.

Sadly, due to not having stuck shed removed from his feet by his previous caregivers, Pierce lost most of his toes.

Here are some pictures of little Pierce during and after he shed.

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[DianaBlueTongue]

Aww, thankyou so much for taking him in, he definitely sounds like he deserves to have a happy life from now on. You're a good skink mama and little Pierce is absolutely GORGEOUS

[SmaugTheBluey]

You've restored faith in humanity to me, just how can someone possibly do that to a living animal?

[MechHAN]

Well the luck finally come to him...he looks great,the toe lose looks bad but it seems recovering?

[Teacup]

He is a beautiful skink, and so lucky to be in your care! Thank you for taking him in and treating him right. People like you are what make this hobby great!

[Lexilou]

I really look up to people like you.. This is so amazing. He's beautiful

[Ophidiophile]

That is one beautiful Merauke. So glad it finally found a caring keeper!

[JoshChimera]

Great to hear of the news of this story has changed for the better! This bts looks happy.

[Richard.C]

I rarely handle mine and generally never bathe them,i dont see that as a sign of neglect,good to see its now in a better place

[Katrina]

He looks to be in great shape for what he's been through. Toes don't look bad at all. Nice acquisition!