I don't think Lacerta's apetite is normal.

[Lacerta]

Hey all, I'm just a little concerned about Lacerta's eating - she really doesnt have much interest in eating at all.

After watching how much the wild BTS in Australia would eat (easily a small dish of catfood and as much fruit you could give them) I don't think Lacerta is eating properly.

I will put about a dessertspoon amount of her food mix (cat food, fresh fruit and veges) and she will only eat about 1/4 to a 1/2 of it. It's summer now and I'm kind of worried coz I expected her to turn into a pig this summer - how much should a 1 yr old BTS be eating?
I gave her quite a few snails last month which she would eat straight away.

Am I worrying about nothing? I just feel as though she should be bigger and eating more.

PS. she gets a huge new tank this weekend, I'm going to try and make it as interesting as possible.





This is a month ago, she has since shed.

[Leigh]

Looking at the pictures,there's nothing wrong with the shape or condition,but did look a little grumpy in the first photo, maybe she's depressed because she didnt get a poke this year.

[Lacerta]

Thats good to know thanks Leigh - just how much should a Skink like her eat?

Shes sun bathing in the first one, grumpy I'm taking photos

[Leigh]

They all have different appetites,likes and dislikes,she maybe holding out for something special that you feed,as long as somethings going in and coming out the other end,and there's no signs of illness try not to panic, does she seem any better in the sun,they can go off of food when its too hot as well as too cold.

[shingleback aus]

she seems to be in a healthy state as long as shes eating i dont see a problem

[Drew]

when talking about picky eaters, id say my ol' Boris has one of the most evident problems.. hehe
Leigh, Zach and others has been aware of that.
well, i guess as long its not ill, sick, injured he is gonna be fine.
try to figure out what are his like and dislikes.
like what Jenn told me before all they need is a spoonful everyday, and even go without food for months.
what i did with Boris before is to offer food every 2-3 days, make him eat more.basking him before feeding him tends to help too.

some skinks are just really really picky. goodluck
relax!

[Leigh]

When is she due a shed,that'll put a stop to eating and may explain the Forest Grump look.

[Drew]

When is she due a shed,that'll put a stop to eating and may explain the Forest Grump look.

agree

[Tattoo]

Lacerta I'm curious. How often are you feeding this critter?

[Fatal_S]

I'd say that wild BTS are a lot more likely to gobble everything in sight, they don't know when they'll be eating again. Your guy however, can confidently say he'll get food again soon, so he doesn't need to wolf it all down.

[Lacerta]

Thanks everyone

I feed her every couple of days, she will usually eat a bit during the day and leave a lot of it behind

[Tattoo]

I would try feeding every third day. Leave the food for a short amount of time and then take it out. If she gets used to a schedule and realizes she can't pick at it whenever she wants you will probably see a change in eating habits. I give Tattoo about 20 minutes to eat. If he doesn't move in for a meal in that amount of time I figure he's not hungry and I take the food out.

[LittleFoot]

LittleFoot isn't really picky, he just really likes what he likes, and refuses to eat anything that doesn't interest him. Some just know what they want and when they want it. I agree that your skink does look pretty good, and in general, a healthy animal won't let it starve itself to death. Maybe try some new things everyonce in a while. I found the best way to get LittleFoot to eat his greens is to put a little meat flavored baby food on it, there is still more green then meat, but he wolfs it down.

[Lacerta]

Hey guys, she ate her whole plate load yesterday, not picking out any of the bits which is good.

I think I will have to actually schedule feedings once every 2-3 days, I was putting a little in every day but she seems more happy to eat a lot after a break.

[shingleback aus]

thats great i think you will find a schedule will have better eating results

[NomadOfTheHills]

I agree, less feedings equals less pickiness. Also, I bet you will find that he is eating the same amount, just in different portions. For example, if he was eating 10g every day, thats 70g a week. Or, he might eat 30g, 25g, and 25g if you feed him at three times a week.