Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My sandfish skink has developed a very fat tail...I read this is normal that they store fat in their tail for their hibernation period (winter months). But is it a problem in captivity where he does not undergo seasonal change? should I somewhat mimick the seasons? Or should I just feed him less for awhile, and make his body use that excess fat? Or should I let him regulate his own fat reserves, meaning I don't change a thing?

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-David

1.0 ball python (Pandora - don't ask)
1.0 argentine boa (Prometheus)
0.1 hogg island boa (Andromeda)
0.0.1 brazilian rainbow boa (Inara)
1.0 kenyan sand boa (Diablo)
1.0 normal corn snake(Cypress)
0.1 amery. corn snake (Morgan LaFay)
0.0.1 banded cali. kingsnake (Cain)
1.0 tangerine honduran milksnake (Narcissus)
0.0.1 snow corn snake (Valkyrie)
1.0 amazon tree boa (Pegasus)
0.0.1 colombian boa (Athena)
0.0.1 sandfish skink (Slick)
0.0.1 fire skink (Phoenix)
1.0 dog (Luke)

the wife's pets:
1.1 ferrets (Ares, Enyo)
0.0.1 betta fish (Captain Morgan)
1.2 cats (Galahad, Ripley and Sassy)

You might want to consider watching how much food it takes in. As with all animals, obesity can be a problem. In the wild they may store extra fat for when food is not as plentiful, but as you stated, without the seasonal changes the fat is not used. To help remedy the problem, make sure the skink is on a substrate through which it can burrow. This normal activity will help keep it active and its metabolism will be "sped up." If your substrate is good and your temps are correct, then I'd cut back on the food until some of the fat is used.