Okay, I Think I'm Ready to Handle!

It's so funny because I read everyone's posts, and care sheets and Blue Tongues (especially Northern's) are considered the "puppy dog" of reptiles. But, like usual, I get a grumpy one! So I have been leaving him alone all week, just going in to feed him, change his water, and tidy his tank up.

He still breathes pretty heavy when I am in there messing around but really just puffing. I haven't tried to pick him up since he displayed his beauty of a tongue at me, so I think I am ready.

Has anyone here actually been bitten by their adult Blue Tongue Skink? I love reptiles and I have had an assortment growing up but I am actually a bit nervous (sshhh don't tell anyone). I'm sure he'll still be a bit grumpy when I pick him up, with lots of hissing and puffing. I just want to make sure that this is normal and they generally won't bite unless they give all the warning signs.

I think the number 1 thing that is making him mad is the new sliding doors on the tank. He is so used to being approached from above that now we are reaching in at eye/mouth level.

Oh well I really wanted a Blue Tongue Skink because they are a good reptile to interact with, so the sooner I show him that I am not here to hurt him the sooner I can have my "puppy dog". Regardless, he is eating great, basking, burrowing, doing everything a Blue Tongue Skink does, so I don't think I should delay much longer.

Wish me luck,
the big wimp!

Just remember, when you do pick him up, hold him until he stops fussing. Don't let him win!

It looks like you just got him a few days ago, right? Give him time. They may be naturally docile, but they are still reptiles, and all reptiles need time to adjust to a new home.

Put him in a quiet area and leave him alone for a few days. Make sure he has a hide, and then just keep his food and water fresh without invading his space too much. Don't try to hold him yet. Give him at least a few days, but I'd recommend at least a week with very little interaction.

Then you should start socializing him. After he has become used to his new home and feels relatively safe.

I got him last Thursday and I have left him alone since Sunday. He actually hasn't displayed his tongue to me just my hubby. I do like the idea of just placing my hand near him until he settles down. Doing that for a few days before handling. Mind you Blue Tongue Skink are new to me so I will listen to any advice especially Blue Tongue Skink keepers. So thanks so much for the help.

Ahhh, for some reason I though you had him longer. I would definitely leave him alone for a week straight. Then just take some time sitting near the cage. Then put your hand in the cage, then go to picking him up.

Sorry I should have mentioned that, he is also almost 3 years old. He was calm when I first met him and had never displayed his tongue before now. Maybe I am just impatient, so I will leave him alone for a couple more days.
Thanks for the help.

Each animal is different, so a lot of it is feeling out bounderies as you go.

Generally if the animal is still displaying nervousness and aggression when you first get him, it means he still feels very insecure. Some reptiles only need a couple of days before they can socialize, and others need two or three weeks. Since you know that the species tends to be docile, it's likely that any hostility he's showing means he's still adjusting and afraid. So you may want to go just a little slower with him than you would with another who settles in more quickly.

But I definitely agree. When you start, start slowly.

For a few days, just come in and be a presence in the room for a little while. Sit in a chair and read, or clean, etc. Then put your hand in his cage for increasing amounts of time until he doesn't seem as nervous when you are there in his space. Then start holding him for small periods of time at first, then longer ones.

It really does take some time, but it's worth it to have a happy skink who feels safe with you. I hope everything works out well.

Originally Posted by vanessa29

Has anyone here actually been bitten by their adult Blue Tongue Skink? I love reptiles and I have had a assortment growing up but I am actually a bit nervous (sshhh don't tell anyone). I'm sure he'll still be a bit grumpy when I pick him up, with lots of hissing and puffing. I just want to make sure that this is normal and they generally won't bite unless they give all the warning signs.

A little puffing up is normal. Trust me though you don't want to be bit by one. They have very strong jaws and once they have hold they normally don't let go soon.

Originally Posted by vanessa29

Has anyone here actually been bitten by their adult Blue Tongue Skink? I love reptiles and I have had a assortment growing up but I am actually a bit nervous (sshhh don't tell anyone). I'm sure he'll still be a bit grumpy when I pick him up, with lots of hissing and puffing. I just want to make sure that this is normal and they generally won't bite unless they give all the warning signs.

Be mindful of your fingers! I have been bitten by tons of reptiles and the Blue Tongue Skink bite was my worst. I lost my whole thumbnail. I thought she had crushed my thumb.

It's not a sharp bite like the iguana, they have really flat rounded teeth, but they bite down and will not let go. Kind of like a pitbull!

Granted I did have it coming to me, I was deworming her which involved having to pry her mouth open.

Okay, I've had my Blue Tongue Skink for about a year now so let me see what I remember.

Definitely let him be until he's been in there by himself for about a week. After that, you'll want to start introducing yourself. The best way, I've seen, to do that is to give him treats as you're petting him in his cage. This will teach him that you=food. My tank opens on the side, not from the top like a typical aquarium/terrarium so I come in from the side and pet his head and back, then I offer a blueberry that I've ripped open. If you come in from the top, he's probably never going to respond well because that's where predators come from. A good thing to do if you have to come in from the top is to put your hand in across from the Blue Tongue Skink so he can see you, then slowly come over and start petting him. Let him lick you. I've also been bit by a Blue Tongue Skink (it was a wild caught one in a store) on my wrist and I didn't notice he was biting me until I looked down and saw it. My Blue Tongue Skink is tank sensitive, he hisses at me when I come towards him, but as soon as he's out of the tank he stops. I also feed my guy out of the tank so I hold him almost everyday. The more you hold him the better he'll get. However, don't let him roam freely because they can get into everything. I've talked to people who've had to take apart speakers, couches, walls, and dig huge holes in their yards and rain gutters in order to rescue their skinks. Also, make sure your temps and humidity are correct, this will help reduce stress. Let me know if there's anything I didn't answer.