Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know why my blue tongue piss on me everytime when I put her on my arms or
lay her on my tummy which I used to do the same thing 1 year ago but she
didn't react like that since a few month's ago?! Thanks!

Your BTS is trying to politely tell you that it would rather not be handled, or it is fed so often that the slightest disturbance is causing a chain reaction (a full skink is like a time bomb). However, I think that it is for the first reason, or a combination of the two. Whatever the reason, you should know that it is not uncommon. It is important to always make your Blue-tongued Skink feels as safe and secure as possible during handling. I have found that blue-tongues like to have secure footing when being held. If this is provided for them, most skinks will remain quite calm. However, when a blue-tongue is picked up with its legs dangling in the air it can be very frightening for it, causing it to twist and turn in an effort to get into a more secure position. Some skinks may also defecate, urinate, or even bite in a last ditch effort to be liberated from the careless person's grasp. Blue-tongues have relatively blunt dull teeth, but they more than make up for this with shear jaw power. While blue-tongues are the most easy-going of lizards that are generally not prone to bite, it is still a good idea to avoid provoking them, as a bite from a Blue-tongue can be a painful experience. Over-handling is another mistake that is often made by many new reptile owners. Most blue-tongues are so placid that they seem to enjoy our love, causing us to have a tendency to smother them with it. It is important to realize that most reptiles do not appreciate the petting, stroking, holding, and kissing that their keepers subject them to. While Blue-tongued Skinks are usually extremely tolerant of it, they do not generally like excessive handling, and would almost always rather be left alone. However, it is still important to handle them on a semi-regular basis, for short periods of time, in order to maintain their trust. This is easily done during their basic daily maintenance through cage cleaning, nail trimming, occasional baths, and health checks. I have found blue-tongues to be one of the most curious reptiles that I have ever had the pleasure of keeping. I have a large skink enclosure behind my desk that often serves as a mini vacation for my skinks when I place them on top of it. After they have explored the area I can always catch them peering over the edge (inches from my head) watching intently over my shoulder as I write.

Your BTS is trying to politely tell you that it would rather not be handled, or it is fed so often that the slightest disturbance is causing a chain reaction (a full skink is like a time bomb). However, I think that it is for the first reason, or a combination of the two. Whatever the reason, you should know that it is not uncommon. It is important to always make your Blue-tongued Skink feels as safe and secure as possible during handling. I have found that blue-tongues like to have secure footing when being held. If this is provided for them, most skinks will remain quite calm. However, when a blue-tongue is picked up with its legs dangling in the air it can be very frightening for it, causing it to twist and turn in an effort to get into a more secure position. Some skinks may also defecate, urinate, or even bite in a last ditch effort to be liberated from the careless person's grasp. Blue-tongues have relatively blunt dull teeth, but they more than make up for this with shear jaw power. While blue-tongues are the most easy-going of lizards that are generally not prone to bite, it is still a good idea to avoid provoking them, as a bite from a Blue-tongue can be a painful experience. Over-handling is another mistake that is often made by many new reptile owners. Most blue-tongues are so placid that they seem to enjoy our love, causing us to have a tendency to smother them with it. It is important to realize that most reptiles do not appreciate the petting, stroking, holding, and kissing that their keepers subject them to. While Blue-tongued Skinks are usually extremely tolerant of it, they do not generally like excessive handling, and would almost always rather be left alone. However, it is still important to handle them on a semi-regular basis, for short periods of time, in order to maintain their trust. This is easily done during their basic daily maintenance through cage cleaning, nail trimming, occasional baths, and health checks. I have found blue-tongues to be one of the most curious reptiles that I have ever had the pleasure of keeping. I have a large skink enclosure behind my desk that often serves as a mini vacation for my skinks when I place them on top of it. After they have explored the area I can always catch them peering over the edge (inches from my head) watching intently over my shoulder as I write.