Brand new hello

[brandybryon]

Hello. We are brand new to BTS. We went to a reptile show to get a little gecko but fell in love with Fred instead. Luckily I had done a lot of research to try to determine what to get. One of them was a BTS, but the size and cost kinda put us off. I have a few pictures of him below with my little sister the day we got him. The lady was unsure of the type but said he was about one year old. He is so sweet and loves to be out. The information and knowledge available on this forum has been spectacular. We are so happy that there are others out there that love their BTS like we do.
I do have one quick question though. The day we got him he was so active and happy. We started noticing about two days later that he slept a lot and didn't seem to want to come out with us anymore. After looking here I think he went into brumation, so relieved that he wasn't sick! The only problem is that I feed him that Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The previous owner had been feeding him everyday but I cut back to everyother after reading the caresheet here. He has not had one poop since we got him. I am starting to really get worried. Also I have not noticed him using his basking area after eating. I called the lady I purchased him from and she recommended giving him a warm soak to help move it along, but I if he is brumating I don't want to disrupt his schedule. Yesterday he did come out and soak in his water and then cover his basking rock with as much bedding as he could, but went right back into his hide and fell asleep. Should I be worried that he has not pooped since at least Sunday? Also what kind is he? Can you tell? (I cannot even though I have looked at like every pic on this site)
Thank you all so much for all the advice and pics on this site. It has been wonderful.
Brandy, Bryon, Rebecca and Linda

Rebecca and Fred

[Tattoo]

Hard to tell from the picture what type your guy is but my guess would be IJ. Fred could be brunating or maybe getting ready to shed. Both could explain increased anti-social behaviors. If you are concerned about his lack of evacuations I don't think a little soak would hurt him. You could also try offering him some fruit to help move things along. They don't go potty every day and the stress of relocation can put that process on hold (just like some humans when they travel). Make sure you have your temps in the right range so that he can digest properly. I suspect he will surprise you with a little gift of poo pretty soon. By the way your bluey is very cute. If you have a chance

[Payday1897]

Well, mine doesn't exactly sit under his basking lights after eating always either. I would not worry about it that much. Just make sure the temps are right in the warm and cool sides and your bts will regulate itself.

As far as worrying about its bowel movements (i'm not sure they have bowels) try feeding half a boiled egg (with yolk) and some fiely sliced bananas. Both are known for initiating some runny poo very quickly.

[kman1247]

:welcome: Hard to tell from the picture what type your guy is but my guess would be IJ. Fred could be brunating or maybe getting ready to shed. Both could explain increased anti-social behaviors. If you are concerned about his lack of evacuations I don't think a little soak would hurt him. You could also try offering him some fruit to help move things along. They don't go potty every day and the stress of relocation can put that process on hold (just like some humans when they travel). Make sure you have your temps in the right range so that he can digest properly. I suspect he will surprise you with a little gift of poo pretty soon. By the way your bluey is very cute. If you have a chance

I totally agree with that and i would try not to worry. Oh and welcome

[Hijinks]

Have you gone on a poo-finding mission under the substrate? They can hide it!

[LittleFoot]

Welcome to the boards, i agree he looks like an IJ. He looks very cute.

[aalbertson3]

Welcome to the site!

[Jelot92707]

[brandybryon]

I will go searching under everything and then try some foods to help him out. Here's a few more pics. My regular camera is not focusing so all we have is the camera on computer.

[mom22wins]

Very pretty little guy! Glad he found you! Can't wait to see more pic's!

[Payday1897]

Wow he's pretty darn big there. The person you bought him said one year but he looks full grown so i'd put him closer to 2 years. Anyone else agree?

[brandybryon]

Ok, so I just went to get him out for the first time in two days. He had woke up and came about half way out of his hide. I was hoping to soak him and get a chance to look through his bedding. He was making a "weird" noise like swishing spit in his mouth. When I looked at him he has little spittle bubbles coming out of the side of his mouth!!!! He also didn't like me having him out and kept wiggling and trying to burrow so I put him back. Any idea what the spittle noise is? Also how do I soak him? How warm should the water be? I did it just a little cooler than the 6yr olds bath temp. Will that work?

[brandybryon]

Now he is basking and looking fine!! It is so nerve racking sometimes. We just want to make sure he is good and happy with us. I will get him out again in a little bit and try the soaking again.

[Tattoo]

One soak should do it. I don't think it's a good plan to repeatedly soak them. He could be wiggling because he has to go potty. My skink always trys to make a hasty exit when he has to go. I have never heard anyone discribe a noise like swishing spit in the mouth. They will make a huffing and puffing noise if they are burried and you disturb them.

I think it would be wise to review the care sheet if you have not done so already. It should be able to answer any questions you have. If he continues to plague you with doubt after that it is never a bad idea to have a vet check. Having such a long living pet means having a good herp vet on hand.

[brandybryon]

I didn't get to the soaking part. Once I noticed the spittle stuff I put him back. I plan on trying again. I just finished searching his home but don't see any signs of poo yet. He is more active than he has been recently and actually arched his back when I stopped rubbing him. Thanks everyone for all the advice. I know I am probaly overreacting and everything is just fine with him. I did the same thing when we started raising the praying mantis and they are still alive way past what they should (outside they would have died due to the cold). I plan on looking for the herp vet on Monday. A few friends in the area that I asked couldn't recommend any! Looks like the closest with good recommendation is in Detroit about 2hrs away.

[brandybryon]

He didn't enjoy bathtime very much. Used a large rubbermaid container and all he wanted was out. Some cute pics after with his best friend Bryon.

[Drew]

pictures are so cute!!
i think its an IJ, a big one too.
let him settle for another 1 wek ,some BTs just like to sleep doesnt really mean brumation. for the poo thing, yes they are correct that a warm bath would help it.

welcome!

[Zach]

I don't think it's a good plan to repeatedly soak them.

Agreed.

As far as the saliva, this could be normal, but might not be. If it's seen solely on the mouth alone, you're probably ok. "Drooling" can be caused by repetitive tongue flicks, or prolonged sleeping or nonactive states where the saliva starts to build up at the corners of the mouth. Once awake, the saliva may make squirting sounds or whatever you described once his tongue starts going again.

Welcome! That lady in the orange doesn't look happy.

[Leigh]

You could ask what it was fed on in the past, if a high fat diet was given he may appear bigger (older) than he really is, people lie about age because they think buyers want babies not adults. I'd like to see some clearer shots before saying what it is, it does look IJish with maybe a bit of mix.

[brandybryon]

The lady I got him from said she feed him crickets and spring mix salad, sometimes fruit. Even if he is a full adult we still love him and would have purchased him anyways. It just makes it so much harder to determine somethings. Also today is 8 days and no poop yet. He ate a little yesterday but has turned his nose up consistently to the eggs and banana mixture I have tried. He even picked through it yesterday and ate only the chicken and greens out of the bowl to the best of his ability. I have gotten really good and hiding stuff inside the chicken. Should I be getting worried again or just let it go and trust Fred to poop when its time?
I will get some more pics soon. The camera on this computer is great at people shots but Fred does not want to cooperate and stay still. I looked mean in the shot because he really wanted to climb into my shirt or armpit however he could. Lots of fun trying to keep him still and hit the mouse to take the shot. Thanks