BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Dear forum, my skink has been biting its own tail for a few days now. It is still unclear to me why he does this and a vet with experience in reptiles is only open again on Tuesday. His tail is already completely red and crusty. I couldn't find any parasites on his scales... He almost seems to be "hunting" his tail, just like when I put grasshoppers in it... Is anyone familiar with it? thanks in advance!!

I have never heard of a skink doing this behavior. Vet visit is in order to rule out infection.

Janella wrote:I have never heard of a skink doing this behavior. Vet visit is in order to rule out infection.

We went to the reptile vet and he also couldn‘t figure out what was going on. He gave us hydrocortisel cream. And i‘m not giving him so much heat which helped bc he‘s more lazy now and not biting his tail as much…

How hot was your basking temp? How close is the lamp to where he can bask? Did he get burned then? Sure looks like it could be from that.

Janella wrote:How hot was your basking temp? How close is the lamp to where he can bask? Did he get burned then? Sure looks like it could be from that.

The lamp is since 7 years the same… since its mounted far away i don‘t think thats the case…
the vet today took swab tests, i hope that will bring clearity

Okay good. Curious to find out what it may be from.

Not good to make him cold especially if he's sick...just make sure your temps/humidity are correct for the species.

Yea, I missed that. If he is sick they need more heat not less. What is his temps?