BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I recently agreed to take in a seven year old Tanimbar. He was bought from this site awhile ago by a friend of mine, and they were moving so I offered to take him in. I was told it was aggressive beforehand and more of a display animal, but I was wondering if there was any chance for it to be a more handable animal?

I brought him in today, so he was very edgy and uncertain. Unhappily gaping at us, displaying his very blue tongue. I haven't attempted holding him yet, and I have a pair of gloves ready for when I do.

Any advice?

This will probably be moved to the General Discussion Forum FYI. There are tons of threads there on taming new or defensive skinks. Do some reading there

The basics:
- Give a week or two to settle in. Preferably, don't bother it much until it's more active and curious.
- You want them to learn that you are not dangerous and that you bring awesome things like food and water and treats. Be around and offer interactions, but don't try to force it, at least not at first.
- They tend to be most defensive in their tank, thus the displays. Once he's settled, maybe take him out of tank and let him have a look around a safe area and see what his personality outside of tank is like. Chances are he'll be shy and very skittish, looking for places to hide and he may freak out at any movement or noise (my Tanimbars are usually very flighty). Try offering great treats and see if that gets any interest. Best case is he's curious and explorative, or at least calm and looking for a safe place to chill.

Thank you for the tips, and I certainly will. Wasn't sure where to put at first, I'm a bit of a newbie on these forums. Lurking is different than actually posting. Thanks again!

Fatal's advice is great, as always.

And don't worry - you will figure the forums out quickly (just keep posting! ).

Welcome!!

Fatal_S wrote:- They tend to be most defensive in their tank, thus the displays. Once he's settled, maybe take him out of tank and let him have a look around a safe area and see what his personality outside of tank is like. Chances are he'll be shy and very skittish, looking for places to hide and he may freak out at any movement or noise (my Tanimbars are usually very flighty). Try offering great treats and see if that gets any interest. Best case is he's curious and explorative, or at least calm and looking for a safe place to chill.

I agree 100%. My Tanimbar is really "cage-aggressive", but after I've picked him up from his enclosure, he's just chillin' and being nice

He loves exploring.

I've held him twice and I've made a strategy with him. He honestly seems more terrified of me than anything else, the first time I just jumped in and he was startled. Me, not wanting to get bitten, placed my hand on the ground. He checked it out, just investigating and I edged my hand under him. He was fine after that. I did the same thing the second time but moved slower and he didn't mind at all. :3

That sounds great! Glad you have figured it out. I'm sure things will only get better.

You are doing well it sounds like. Keep at it. Offer some food as mentioned. Skinks think food when they see you open the cage enclosure.