A question really

[The Londoner]

Ok so I got Ocho today he of course is just a baby and a little afraid of his new family I have handled him once but he tried to run and hide and hissed just a little bit my question is should I leave him to settle into his new home or handle him as much as possible, I have left the door open of the room his viv is in so he can get used to the familys noise. Sue

[Bird_Brain]

For about the first week or so, i just let the skinks be. I dont try to "tame" them or get them used to me. The stress of them moving is usually high enough. I feel I dont need to be adding to that by handling them.

[zakkhogan]

once he get settled, you still probally find he'll still try and hide,

Lynyrd always try to get in my jumper, hoods, under cushins.. Its quite normal as they are natural burrowers..

[taekwonboys]

Leave him to settle into his new home first,I guess.

[jasjmm27]

Yeah, I would say to give him a few days to settle in and "relax" a bit...some blueys just have that in them to be "hiders"...but you can usually "break them" of that wit regular handling.

As Brad said, though...they can go through a lot of stress when being moved, so I would recommend just letting him hang out for a bit and explore his immediate area as he feels fit.

[Arkangel]

I would give him a couple days to chill. Then try handling with a soft towel to let him burrow into to hide and feel secure while you're holding him.

Good luck!

[The Londoner]

Thanks for the advise I will let him settle in he is eating well and drinking and he is very active exploring his new home and even come up to the glass when I walked pass and did not run and hide, we had some music on and he seems to like it. Sue

[SailleSkinklover]

Sue, Congrats! Ocho is sooooo sweet!

I agree with others, give a few days to relax.
Just some tips, that really helped me when I first got Chuffalumps: When you do go to handle, try and make sure your hands are warm, (it can be really shocking to them to have cold hands grab them and pull them out of a cage! ) and that you talk to him before you go to open the cage and get him out. It really helped my guy get used to me. He knew when I was approaching, so he learned to expect handling.
If he poops or pees on you, don't put him back, or he'll think thats what he needs to do to get you to leave him alone! Then you'll have a pooey skink that has you trained!
I take my guy out of his cage to feed him. That way he associates me with yummy treats and the freedom to wander around a bit.
It takes time to build a "relationship" with these guys, especailly when they're little, (they're a little more skittish that the adults in my experience) but you will have a long and rewarding time with them once you gain their confidence!
Oh, and Chuffie still huffs at me when I first take him out. I don't know if its due to excitement or that first "Ohhhhh, what are you gonna do to me. . ." nervousness, but he gets over it pretty quick!
Good luck, I'm so happy you have your new little Merauke buddy!

[jasjmm27]

Ummm....what Saille said! (all great advice)

Oddly enough, I have found that my Indo seems to "get over it" much faster when I go in with a purpose and "quickly" pick him up, rather then slowly get closer and closer to him...I just open the top, reach in , grab him (safely of course), and pull him out. He huffs then realizes its me and turns and tries to climb my arm.

My other Indo will SPRINT at the first sight of me, but when I pick her up she will just sit still....like a rock...whenever I am within a foot of her...it is REALLY weird to me.

The Northerns all just kinda watch me while I pick them up and just kinda sit there if they are supported correctly...they are all BIG, though...so not really worried about me.

[yankeefan]

I agree give them some time to settle in - we talked to Peyton often the first few days, I swear she got used to the sound of our voices. Now she can tell - if we are in my son's room near her house, and we are talking, she turns her head to us and sticks her neck all the way out like she is saying "Hey, I wanna join the party"! I just love my girl!!

[The Londoner]

Ocho is getting braver already instead of hiding in his log hide when I go near his home he is staying put and looking at me through the glass as if to say oh it's you again, One thing I have noticed he certainly has his own little personality he walks along the inner glass strip that holds the substraite in and feels he's way along till he gets to the end of the sliding door then he goes up the glass to full hight and tries to open the door when that does not work he goes to the other end to the other door and tries that one and I have got to get a picture of him doing his lord of the jungle bit he goes behind his log hide then climbs up on it and comes stalking throughn the plants with his tongue flicking I have had him one day and I am in love he is so funny. Sue

[Fatal_S]

For about the first week it's best to just let them settle in, and feel comfortable in their new home. I would sit by the tank sometimes and talk to mine and watch them, and they would ignore me.

Then I would feed them out of the tank. This really seems to help them come to like you. Also, mine like to explore, especially Pryce. He likes coming out so much he will claw at the front of the tank until I open it, then climb right out into my hands.

All 3 of mine will huff and puff and blow air when I go to pick them up. I let them know I'm coming by patting the substrate near by, they huff a bit, then I pick them up. Make sure to immediately provide support for the back legs and chest, otherwise they panic. Picking them up in a towel makes them feel quite secure, and then having the towel when they go exploring gives them a place to hide out and retreat to.

If they're burrowed and sleeping, it's best not to bother them, they'll get grumpy. If you need to though, make sure they have a lot of warning that you're coming, so they can wake up and be ready. Personally I talk to them, drum my fingers on the wall, tap the substate nearby, and wait until they've moved or popped their heads up. They usually huff a bit at this point too. Then I pick them up and quickly make sure they're secure lying on my arm or against my chest. The best time to cuddle is when they're up and about already.

Lastly, if they attempt to bite you, pee on you or poop on you, I find it's best to let them do it and just keep doing what you were doing. The bite hurts, but that'll fade, and they'll get bored of trying to scare you off. I also find that if they're going to poo, they'll do it within the first 5-10 minutes of coming out and moving around. It's pretty obvious when they're going to, so just move them onto a towel, let them go, then continue. I always keep a towel or 2 nearby, it helps.

[shingleback aus]

just let him settle in to his home, then gradulally get him out a little bit every day or so let him have a bit of an explore around the house i found even wild bts calm down after you handle them for a long period of time.

[aggiegirl]

Like all the advice given. Glad he is settling in. You will love him more as time goes on.

Now, sorry to change topic but JASJMM27 do you REALLY have a TRKonowi??????? If you do but you haven't posted many pictures, you are in soooooo much trouble. Cruel and unusual torture!!!!!!!!

[Tattoo]

Like all the advice given. Glad he is settling in. You will love him more as time goes on.

Now, sorry to change topic but JASJMM27 do you REALLY have a TRKonowi??????? If you do but you haven't posted many pictures, you are in soooooo much trouble. Cruel and unusual torture!!!!!!!!

Nice catch Aggiegirl ... what gives Jas? Have you been holding out on us?

[Bird_Brain]

Like all the advice given. Glad he is settling in. You will love him more as time goes on.

Now, sorry to change topic but JASJMM27 do you REALLY have a TRKonowi??????? If you do but you haven't posted many pictures, you are in soooooo much trouble. Cruel and unusual torture!!!!!!!!

Nice catch Aggiegirl ... what gives Jas? Have you been holding out on us?

I caught that last night and know the scoop. But I will not ruin it for him.

[Fatal_S]

Brad you and me are ahead of the game! Right on! So happy.

[jasjmm27]

[Leigh]

I do not agree with every thing said. My skink came to me already quite tame, and didnt mind being played with from day one, he was happy to come to the cage front and be tickled and stroked, only you can tell what he is or isnt ready for, I found that after the first time(day one) I offered him a bit of chicken, and a slice of banana by hand, he was more than happy to be handled. I think it best to talk as you approach the cage, open the lid/door, if he bolts dont leave but carry on talking and see if he comes back out,try the bit of chicken in the fingers to tempt him back out, you may find he's happy to do what you want straight away, as long as you're not having to chase him round his tank for a grab,i dont think you'll have to worry. I am a firm believer that a front slider door is a better way to get into the enclosure,as a top entry would seem to much like a preditory attempt of a snatch.