Finally got my BTS!!! One pic added

[B3N]

So I finally got my baby. I know I know you guys want pictures, I will take pictures once our digicam gets fixed. There isnt much to take a picture of right now anyway. I got him from Andrew, I put him in the tank he ran a half circle around a plant and semi burrowed in a corner. He start giving me some tongue shots and licked the tank a few times. Now I came back from class and it looks like he is burrowed under a hide log. Has this happened to you guys too? How long should I expect him to be burrowed?

I recommend not using fed-ex, Andrew sent him via fedex overnight priority, they said it would it would be here by 10:30am. I woke up at 7:30 and sat by the door with my laptop waiting, and checking the fedex tracking page. Finally at 9:30am it said it reached a town nearby, it got to 12:00 and there was still nothing so I called the 800 number. They told me it got to the new location after the carriers left and I would have to wait for the PM delivery's. I told them it was a live animal as indicated on the box and it couldn't wait that long and she said I could try to the fed-ex and pick it up or wait until the night. I missed my first class going to pick it up but I felt like it was important to get it out of the box. Oh well, hes home and safe now. Hopefully he comes out and plays with me soon!

Ben

[laurnerox1]

at least he's there safe...i got mine from andrew too! cant wait for pics

[B3N]

at least he's there safe...i got mine from andrew too! cant wait for pics

Really, who were its parents? Did your guy burrow shortly after getting into the tank?

Hopefully I will get some pictures by the end of the week!

[Tattoo]

I had the same receiving nightmare when my baby was shipped by UPS. I got up 5:30 and watched out the window near the computer till 9:30 when I called them. They finally found the driver and I had to go out and meet him. Finally got Tattoo home by 11:30. They deliver to my house between one and three times per week yet the driver said he couldn't find our address. The long and the short of it is I don't think there is a good carrier when there is a live animal at stake. Glad to hear your wee one arrived safely. I wouldn't worry about the burrowing. After a trip like that sometimes it takes a while for them to settle in. Some bluey's burrow on a regular basis ... it's their thing!

[B3N]

I had the same receiving nightmare when my baby was shipped by UPS. I got up 5:30 and watched out the window near the computer till 9:30 when I called them. They finally found the driver and I had to go out and meet him. Finally got Tattoo home by 11:30. They deliver to my house between one and three times per week yet the driver said he couldn't find our address. The long and the short of it is I don't think there is a good carrier when there is a live animal at stake. Glad to hear your wee one arrived safely. I wouldn't worry about the burrowing. After a trip like that sometimes it takes a while for them to settle in. Some bluey's burrow on a regular basis ... it's their thing!

Do you think if I put some food in his dish that will get him to come say hi?

[Tattoo]

Well ... have your fed him yet today? If you have I probably wouldn't feed again. When I got my baby I let her settle in for a week with only one short spell of holding each day. I would feed her and then pick her up just to say hello and then put her back in her cage. I wanted to give her some time and space but still let her know I was there and I was not a threat. When did your bluey arrive?

[B3N]

Well ... have your fed him yet today? If you have I probably wouldn't feed again. When I got my baby I let her settle in for a week with only one short spell of holding each day. I would feed her and then pick her up just to say hello and then put her back in her cage. I wanted to give her some time and space but still let her know I was there and I was not a threat. When did your bluey arrive?

Nope I didn't feed it yet, I had to run to class and didn't think it would be hidden when I got home... I just don't know if it plans on coming out soon, so I didn't know if I should put some food in now or not. I haven't held it either because I thought it said on the care sheet to let it do its own this for a few days.

[Tattoo]

If you feed now as long as it has ample time to digest it's food go ahead. My baby ate right out of the shipping box! If it doesn't eat don't worry. I would probably not pick up at least till tomorrow. We all need a rest after a horrific road trip.

[Leigh]

B3N, give Andrew a shout he maybe able to tell you if a shed is due, thats a reason for hiding, and what his/her favourite food is, try waffting a bit of chicken in the tank, mine attacks like a stone fish with this method, they will hide and stay buried for a while until settled in, no need to panic yet mate

[B3N]

Here is a picture I took with my phone, I will take more once I get my girlfriends digital camera,



He still hasn't eaten and he seems to hide anytime I walk by the tank.

[Tattoo]

Awww... such a cutie. What are you feeding him? Like Leigh said check with Andrew about when the skink should shed again and see if he has a list of favored foods as well. He is probably just getting settled and there is nothing wrong.

[B3N]

Thanks, obviously not a great picture though here is another one with it and its siblings that Andrew sent to me it is on the left if you cant tell,




I am feeding it the same thing Andrew does, so it shouldn't be an issue. He did just have a piece of food and then went to go bask again.

[aggiegirl]

He sure is pretty. Love his portholes.
The shipping thing freaked me out too. I'm just glad he is alive and doing well. My baby hid for a few days but then she was so nosey that she couldn't help but get out and explore. Give him a little space at first and then just jump in. Keep us updated!

[B3N]

He is verrrrry feisty, the minute I start to my hand in the tank he starts hissing with his mouth open. When I try to grab him, he turns his head in what ever direction my hand moves. I've been told this is really bad and that he will keep doing it if I let him get away with it. I know the bite isn't that bad, its the sound and head lunging that usually startles me and makes me pull my hand out of the tank.

As of now my plan is to give him another day to himself and the tank and hope he forgets that he kept kicking my butt.

Any suggestions?

[LittleFoot]

He is very handsome, i love little chunky guys.

[Fatal_S]

Gloves -.-' Pryce did this at first with me, so I wore gloves and let him bite to his hearts content. It did no damage to me, and he's found out it's useless to bite. I still get the glove on when he's acting up, but now his attitude seems to be more for show, and he no longer actually bites.

[B3N]

Gloves -.-' Pryce did this at first with me, so I wore gloves and let him bite to his hearts content. It did no damage to me, and he's found out it's useless to bite. I still get the glove on when he's acting up, but now his attitude seems to be more for show, and he no longer actually bites.

I used the gloves and would squirm and bite the thumb of my hand when I held him... I held him for like 2-3 minutes petting and he seemed ok then started to move again so I put him down. 45 minutes later I went to pick him up again he lunged and bit. I put him in this large Tupperware storage thing we have that is like 6 feet long with his food and he spent the whole time trying to escape... I went to pick him up to put him in the cage and he bit me again and continued to squirm. I hope he calms down.

[SailleSkinklover]

Wow, what is it with those Northerns! Ben, there's another thread on here about someone with an aggro Skinkie, with similar "bitey" type of issues. A herd of forum peeps replied to that and gave some very good advice that I have followed with my own Wild Caught rescue, Chuff Chuff. And it worked great for me.
(I haven't figured out how to post an actual thread address because I'm a computer-tard sometimes, but look for"Stupid Me, My Mistakes, and Agression under topics in the general discussion forum )
There's lots of encouragement and good advice in that thread.

[B3N]

I came home from school today to see it basking, I went upstairs to make its dinner and came down and I couldn't find it anywhere so I assume it is burrowed. I found a poop and some urate on the basking tile. I also think I found a small piece of shed. Is there anywhere I should look to see if theres more?

I just left the food in the cage and if its shedding its best to let it be by itself right?

[Shadowfax]

Congrats on your new baby! Lovely thing. Don't worry about a lot of hiding -- babies take a while to adapt to a new environment. Let it be as long as it eats and drinks and it will settle in and become more sociable once it feels secure in its new home.