So, a couple of weeks ago, I wrote to this community, asking for some advice about our new blue tongue's eating. And the advice I got really helped us start to understand the lizard brain a little better.
It's been nearly three weeks since we brought him home, and we've figured out he really likes tinned dog food, strawberries and raspberries. No luck with veggies just yet, but we're still trying new things. The important thing is he's not going hungry, and gets his calcium supplement with the dog food.
But he's still very reclusive, and quite cranky with us. Most of the time, he'll hide under his basking log, or bury himself under some substrate. When we've reached in to try and pat him, he jerks suddenly and hisses.
My daughter's been afraid to try patting him again herself so, the past week, we've just been getting her to hand feed him a small piece of fruit each day, to try and build some trust between them. It's gone well, and he's eaten out of her hand a few times now.
My biggest concerns are that either his behaviour isn't that normal and we've not done something right, or that we're running the risk of letting this behaviour become his new "normal", and my daughter won't get to have a relationship with her pet.
So I guess my question, without trying to sound too anxious or impatient, is if his behaviour at this stage would still be considered normal? Should we be doing anything different?
Once again, thanks in advance for any knowledge and experience you can share.
I know I am late on this, but I just joined this community, saw this post, and got curious. Any updates? I would also suggest checking Reptifiles (link: https://reptifiles.com/blue-tongue-skink-care/) as they have really good and really well researched care information, and potentially some useful stuff on handling (link to that: https://reptifiles.com/blue-tongue-skink-handling/)
Feel free to ping me or whatever if I can help in the future!
Hey - thanks for checking in.
Things have improved, for sure. Although he's still quite reclusive (I guess that's just how he is) my daughter's been getting him out of his enclosure for at least 10-15mins each day, and getting him used to being handled. He still hisses at times, but my daughter's wised up that it's all bluff, and she picks him up anyway.
In terms of eating, we've settled into a routine of feeding every few days or so, especially if we see him out and exploring his enclosure in the morning after his UV light comes on.
Thanks very much for the link. I'll be sure to have a read, and get my daughter to as well.
Glad to hear! Other thing I just thought of: get a front opening enclosure! Not only is it easier for you, but it also makes the lizard more comfortable, as your hands will be on the same level as the lizard instead of above the lizard. This is important because in the wild things coming from above usually want to eat the lizard instead of gently holding it
Yeah - got a big 4 foot enclosure with sliding glass doors on the front. But good tip/reminder to always approach at their level. Cheers.
Sorry to be annoying, but something I just thought of that might be really important: Did you buy it as an adult? If so, do you know if it was previously owned by a person before the store got it?
I ask this because there is a chance your lizard is wild caught, which as far as I can tell would mean the store you got it from committed a crime.
Wild caught animals are usually adults when sold, and captive bred are usually juveniles when sold. Let me know if I can clarify
Nah - definitely a juvenile, bought from a very trustworthy retailer.
As they're native to our area, these things are policed very closely. Our regulations to become a licensed seller are pretty strict.