Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So my Skink went through its first shed since ive had it. Its been about three days now and theres still a little old skin there. Not much, really. But there is a bit on the tip of its tail and on its toes. So I gave a short soak in warm water and tried to GENTLY peel it away. What do you think I should do if theres still some skin on its toes within the next couple days?

Another question: I've heard of snakes pooping on people when theyre not used to being handled. Is it like that with skinks too? I'm very careful when I handle my BTS but the other day it crapped all over me. It was disgusting, but kinda funny. And tonight it went all over my couch. Do you think it was part of its normal cycle? Or was it maybe pissed off for some reason? I was trying to get some of its old skin off its toes, im sure it wasnt the most comfortable thing to sit through, no matter how gentle I was being.

Speaking of Skink poop, does this sound normal? When my skink goes to the bathroom, it usually starts with a weird white ball then a TON of urine, followed by a normal looking turd.
I'm not trying to be funny or anything, but that white ball of poop kinda threw me off. I wasnt sure if it was normal. thanks for your time guys.
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1.0.0 Pixie Frog
0.0.1 African Dwarf Frog
0.0.1 Ornate Horned Frog
0.0.1 Firebelly Toad
0.0.1 Firebelly Newt
1.0.0 Fire Salamander
2.0.3 Florida Bark Scorpions
0.0.1 Emperor Scorpion
1.0.0 Flatrock Scorpion
1.2.0 African Giant Millipedes
2.0.0 Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
0.0.1 Chilean Rosehair Tarantula
1.0.0 Hamster!
1.0.0 Ugly Cat
1 Small freshwater aquarium
Grunngg@yahoo.com

it is important to get the unshed skin off from around the toes, as if it stays, it could block circulation of blood to the toes and eventually they will fall off. soaking in warm water is the best way to go, or a little baby oil or mineral oil can be used on the toes to loosen the skin.

it is possible all the handling required to remove the skin off your skink's toes caused it to 'let go'. i know in snakes and some other animals if they are really nervious or scared, they will loosen their bowels all over you.

the white ball that came before the poop, is actualy the urine, reptiles pass urine as urates, which is a firm chalky white substance. the fluid part was just that, fluid and of course the brown stuff was plain old fecal matter.
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PHLdyPayne

Grunngg,
It sounds like you have experienced the "shy skink" syndrome! LOL

Many young skinks do this when they haven't been handled very much - they are kinda scared. Honest, once they get used to you, the pooping should cease. For the time being though, you might want to handle him with an old towel over your lap.

Good luck,
~Morgana

www.reptayls.com

Still having a little trouble with my Skinks toes.I've soaked her 3 times now. I work on it a little each day. I try not to mess with it to much. I want her to get used to me, ya know? I dont want her to expect someone buggin with her feet everytime shes taken from her home. I'm not worried about it to much, it's slowly coming off. Any other tips?
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0.1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Pixie Frog
0.0.1 African Dwarf Frog
0.0.1 Ornate Horned Frog
0.0.1 Firebelly Toad
0.0.1 Firebelly Newt
1.0.0 Fire Salamander
2.0.3 Florida Bark Scorpions
0.0.1 Emperor Scorpion
1.0.0 Flatrock Scorpion
1.2.0 African Giant Millipedes
2.0.0 Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
0.0.1 Chilean Rosehair Tarantula
1.0.0 Hamster!
1.0.0 Ugly Cat
1 Small freshwater aquarium
Grunngg@yahoo.com

Are you sure it is a female? It usually difficult to sex BTS.

We had one skink (a rescue) that had a bunch of old sheds on it's feet. I got an under tank heater, placed the tank over it and then put damp (not too wet) old hand towels in the tank. It was like a spa for her feet. As she walked around, the warm moisture helped soften the skin, and the texture of the towels was enough to help remove the skin.

At night we would put her back in her regular house for sleeping, but a week later the old sheds were gone.

That's about all the tips I can think of.
Morgana

"The males of some skinks have orange or red irises as opposed to the (usually) brown ones of females."

I'm just going by that line from "Reptiles and Amphibians For Dummies".
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0.1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Pixie Frog
0.0.1 African Dwarf Frog
0.0.1 Ornate Horned Frog
0.0.1 Firebelly Toad
0.0.1 Firebelly Newt
1.0.0 Fire Salamander
2.0.3 Florida Bark Scorpions
0.0.1 Emperor Scorpion
1.0.0 Flatrock Scorpion
1.2.0 African Giant Millipedes
2.0.0 Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
0.0.1 Chilean Rosehair Tarantula
1.0.0 Hamster!
1.0.0 Ugly Cat
1 Small freshwater aquarium
Grunngg@yahoo.com