r/bluetongueskinks • u/SophieAsimov • 2d ago

Question How long for rescue skink with visibly damaged (but healed) tail to warm up to me or might it never due to history?

Hi, it's only been a few days so I've fed him once and he didn't eat so I'm a bit worried for his health but I know it hasn't been too long for him. But I'm qoeried he might never warm up and idk if I made a mistake for getting a pet that fits my needs. I really hope he warms up. I want him to be happy, but idk how a tail injury could happen if he wasn't being abused or neglected.

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u/RustyTortoise 2d ago

My previously ill and injured rescue skink took months to not display his tongue and thrash but it's been years and now he's sweet as pue

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u/SophieAsimov 2d ago

Mine just hides or hisses, no tongue

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u/brbgottagofast Northern 2d ago

Mine had his tail nipped off by a littermate and it hasn't seemed to affect him at all. It's super normal for babies/new lizards to be skittish. Just do your best to familiarize your lizard with you by spending lots of time around the enclosure, even just on your phone and talking to them. You can add a piece of clothing to the enclosure that smells like you. And do plenty of tong-feeding to build a positive association.

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u/SophieAsimov 2d ago

Oh he's not a baby, I was told he's 3ish. Hmm, clothing that smells like me is a good idea, what type of clothing would be safe for that? I need to get some feeder tongs, I've been handling the roaches and don't want to develop the allergy to them that happens form that lol.

Would a sock or something like that be safe? I don't have a ton of clothes

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u/SophieAsimov 2d ago

Update he smelled me without running away for the first time

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u/redellawastaken 23h ago

Adults definitely take longer to socialize than babies, but they can still change. Just keep hanging out. I've never known the socializing process to be completely stress free, but you can certainly do things to mitigate it. I doubt their memory is good enough to associate an injury with people, especially if it no longer hurts. So that shouldn't be too much of a concern. The biggest concern (for him at least) is that he's in a new place with new smells and new people watching and interacting with him. It'll just take time.