BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Help plz! Not long ago I agreed to take care of a 8 years old female because her old owner was too busy to even change her water.
She wasnt aggressive at all, I bought her a new big cage and I could handle her without any problems, but the problem was the food. I was told to give her some dog food, veggies and insects but she always refuse the food, moving her head away when I try to put some food in front of her.
I asked about this problem in this forum and I was told that it was normal for any BTS to have a brumation and dont eat. But I dont think she is brumating, because she spends the day outside of her cage and moves a lot,
and only returns to her hide at night. Not sure if drinks water because she always spills it.
I tried everything, raw and cooked meat, veggies, eggs, dog food, canned food, etc everything listed in the caresheet... But she refuses to eat it, moving her head away when I offer it to her. Its normal? I leave food too for one day, but they rot. Help plz!
Maybe she miss her old home and her last owner? she spent almost her life inside a old wooden cage and I think she is very healthy, but can BTS suffer depression like dogs?


One thing Ive noticed, is that she LIKES climbing! If I leave her on a flat surface she stands still or moves a little till I pick her up but if shes near something that she can climb, she does, ALWAYS climb it, and enjoy staring at the height, Normal? she always tries to climb to my shoulder when I carry her too

Even if they are active, they might not want to eat.

yes, all of mine have come out now..most aren't eating much of anything...they just walk on their food or ignore it all together...

my blueys can be very active in brumation but will refuse to eat its pefectley normal its just what they do

Sounds like brunation. If it makes you feel better you can get a scale and weigh your bluey once a week. That way you can see if there is any significant weight loss. Some of them just don't sleep as much others.

bts can also go sometime with out the need to eat and it not effect the health, maybe dont offer food for a few day, but plenty of water and then see if he/she hungry then,

Chomper comes out and runs around a bit. He is addicted to eggs and canned dog food but he refused both yesterday and he normally eats on an everyday basis even with brumentation..not as much but i assume thats cause he is still growing that he tends to eat a nibble here and a nibble there.

Get a scale and watch to see if she's losing weight. Otherwise sounds totally normal.

Yea mine is running around also but not eating. It is just how they are this time of year

Where you from?

After brumation, the males become very active and usually will not eat during this time. This is the time they're looking for females.

Otherwise, it's not uncommon for blueys to cease eating during winter even if they do not slow down -- if you keep their lights/heat on normal, they will usually not go to sleep.

Im from latin america, Panama
I guess that Im the only owner of a BTS here