Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, I just got back from the White Plains NY show and got my first blue tounge Sunday. He or she was born 8 weeks ago. I handled "Grimace" at the show and he was very responsive and calm. I have not handled since I have gotten him home. He spends time out of his hide boxes but as soon as my wife or myself gets close enough to be seen he heads right back into his hides. I was hoping to get your thoughts on the normality of this behavior and any tips you may have so Grimace will bond with us and trust us. Thanks Matt.
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There is sight but no seer.
There is thought but no thinker.
Examine these statements and the Truth will reveal itself.

It can take a few weeks before your new baby gets use to his new home. I would give them a few weeks to adjust then start handling them for short periods of time. You can pick them up just behind the front legs with one hand and use your other hand to slide right under the rear feet as you start to lift. THey don't like feeling no support on their hind legs and this makes them thrash about. But once they feel support, I find they are very calm...
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PHLdyPayne

that's just how it goes with babies.

I guess im from a different school because I find its easier to just pick them up quick. If you hesitate, they will run/hide/hiss/puff. Once they are in your hands, they seem to realize "oh well" and become more docile. Over time, they wont even try to run.
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1 Eastern Blue Tongue Skink
2 Tarahumara Mountain Kingsnakes - Knoblochi
1 Thayer's Kingsnake - Thayeri
2 Golden Greek Tortoises
1 Pyxie Frog - 14 years old

We learned that these skink babies need to be handled and fussed with every day to grow up as pets. Don't put it off - get in there and let him know that you are his new family.

Currently we have 4-day old notherns; 2 week old northerns (and lots of older ones too), but hubby and I take turns fussing with them - each day. If we don't - we know what will happen.

Already they are starting to come right to our hands when we reach into the enclosures - of course they are associating us with food too. So offer treats and a cuddle in the same session. I feed them and play with them during the day and hubby cuddles and fusses with them in the evenings. This way they have male and female voices around them. Heck, several have met the dog already too!

We like to offer our skinks as pets... not skiddish lizards that hide all the time. We have purchased very young ones that were absolutely not humanized.... it took months of work. But that is what happens with some breeders - these skinks are just a source of income instead of a source of pure joy!

Cuddles make the heart grow fonder.... )
~Morgana

I agree with Rep and morgan - Handle them, show them who's boss.
The more you do it - the more likely they are to be better pets.

Trust me, I'm in Australia and have handled MANY wild ones.
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'In Nothing We Trust'