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New BTS...Contantly sleeping...Normal?

newskinkman Jan 13, 2006 01:05 AM

I just bought an indo BTS, my first reptile. He walked his new terrarium a few times, chilled out on his rock, and about 20 minutes after settling in his new home, curled up under his half log in his bed off moist moss and that was it until the next morning...about 15 hours. I lifted the log just make sure that he didn't curl up and die. He hissed (or rather exhaled heavily) at me, allowed me to pick him up, he ate about 5 mealworms that were hand fed, and promptly went back to his log and went to sleep. Today I had to wake him up at like 1 pm, fed him calcium coated mealworms (3). I kept him active until about three, and put him in his tank. He lasted in the open (both hot and cold side) for one hour, and it was back to the log to sleep. As of the typing of this message (2 am friday morning) he had not emerged rom the log.

He does not appear sick, and acts appropriate from what research I have done when he is awake. But there is not much of that.

Just someone reassure me that this is normal for a baby BTS in a new home!!

Thank you in advance

Replies (2)

reptayls Jan 13, 2006 03:36 PM

Actually, it sounds like a typical "new skink" day. Since you didn't say where you got your skink (pet shop / breeder / online source), I can't imagine what the skink may have gone through before he came to your house. Give him a few days to acclimate.

BTW, they love their logs! Some of our younger ones will lay on top of their logs and warm up - but many will remain under the log and snooze. Typically, juvenile BTS will have active periods during the day: looking for a drink or food. They also like tubes to crawl through and digging in their substrate.

The more interaction you have with your skink, the more they will adjust to it and look forward to it. We have "out of enclosure" time for all of ours - and some just can't wait their turn! They are smart and can problem solve too - so keep your eye on yours!

Enjoy...
Morgana

quackzilla Jan 20, 2006 11:51 AM

Basically, that is what all reptiles do. They bask in the heat.

Their body temperature is not internally regulated, so if they are cool they will just sit in the warmest spot they can find. (or sit on people, who are quite warm)

How warm is your house? You may need to get him a heating pad.

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