Reptile & Amphibian Forums

At a NM rest stop, I caught a skink. Now, he was no problem to catch. And it looks as though his tail has never been dropped but he's a good size, 9" or so. He was not shy at all. In fact he was skinking in and out of the ladies room freaking out the patrons and likely to get stepped on. He was chasing and eating bugs. And there are a lot of dogs around there, so I thought he was in some danger. Esp being NOT shy of people.

So I'm wondering if he has been a pet. He did give me a small pinch of a bite but then settled down. Maybe he's just ... a flunkee of the "shy, reclusive school of skink behavior"..? He seems wicked healthy.

I am told that skinks are not great pets, given to be unsocial, and to being stressed by contact. This guy does not seem nearly as reclusive as I'd expect. I wonder if he is a lost pet -- or should I take him back to the area and release him,. maybe not so close to people. Problem is, if he's used to easy hunting and standing water, he might starve/not have enough food/water as he's used to or needs. I don't know where a good releasing spot for skinks is in NM.

We have a bearded dragon but I suspect they might not get along in the same cage, tho it is large. His heat needs seem less picky.

I dunno, I don't want to do him any harm. He's the coolest critter I ever caught by hand, except maybe a large black scorpion in the men's room at work once, that the guys were all afraid to evict!

Advice??

Thanks!

Susan

Hi Susan,
Some skinks are just naturally not too shy of people while others are. If you want to keep the skink, please do not house him with your beardie - this could be a big mistake. Most beardies prefer to be alone and may view the newcomber as a threat. Disaster for the skink could result.

Good areas for skinks are: old, unoccupied buildings, wood piles, places with heavy fallen vegetation. With boards, bricks or other such items laying on the ground, this makes a good place to find bugs.

Good luck with your new friend.

Hey

First thing is dont but a small lizard with a bearded dragon cuz no matter the size itll thhink the skink is some kind of new food. The reason he isnt scared of people is maybe he is so used to seeing people or like people who stoped there with kids or other herpers mite have caught it b4. They make good pet nothing sounds wrong with it so you could keep it in like a 20l or a 40 breeder. Just find out the care. But if your gonna let it go i would say take it back to its place u caught it. Im not sure about their natural habtat but im guessing plains so maybe let it go there like i said look it help i dont know much about this skink in particular(sp?)

Hope that helps

Big P