Frank - The Blue Tongue Skink

I tried a new food for Frank.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcos...-flavored-food

It's freeze dried and smells terrible (so I figured Frank would love it), but also has a resealable and small bag and should last a little longer than the big bag of regular dried food.

Frank did really like it, but even though I soaked it, the pieces were a little big (I broke a few of the larger ones) and kind of dry inside. I plan to crush or cut into smaller pieces and soak longer and I think it will be a success.

At first he didn't know what to make of chewing them!

https://vimeo.com/348979046

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/o5M7B31.jpg

A couple of updates on Frank.

First, he ultimately was not a big fan of the freeze dried ferret food. Even when I broke it up more, I don't think he liked the consistency. So, I went back to the normal ferret pellets (dry then soaked in water) with his veggies and fruit and an occasional canned or live insect.

Secondly, he started brumating a few weeks ago. He hasn't eaten much at all, but I still offer weekly now, not more. He's also hiding most of the time and occasionally will come out to drink and he's had a few urines in the past few weeks and only one poop.

He did this last year as well and it's normal as they mature for this to happen. I let him do it and do not force the issue either by bothering him too much or adjusting temps to encourage it.

Frank Shed. Thought I would share. He's looking dapper.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/HMdclqP.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/DLMvWLc.jpg

He's a handsome boy

Frank shed and since then has been picking at his food weekly. He's not as hungry as in the summer, but he's slowed down, but not officially brumating yet.

I got a cute video of Frank drinking today.

https://vimeo.com/376873711

Frank is still fairly active, and drinking and urinating, but he skipped food yesterday. I think he is starting to brumate.

I imagine he will slow down in the next few weeks and maybe pick at a few meals, but otherwise, be pretty quiet this winter.

I will still offer food weekly, but don't expect much to be eaten.

Frank's hit or miss. Last week he picked at food and today he gobbled it all down. He eats like clockwork in the summer, but does slow down in the winter. He looks good and is acting normal, so no concerns.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/dvqzF21.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/5hEteVd.jpg

I tried a new food/food additive with Frank today. HE LOVED IT!

It's Zoomed's Tortoise and Omnivorous Lizard Food.

https://zoomed.com/zoo-menu-tortoise...s-lizard-food/

He's eaten the Blue Tongue Skink Diet one before and liked it.

https://zoomed.com/zoo-menu-blue-ton...ink-tegu-food/

I don't give him that too often as he happily eats his pellets (moistened) and veggies and fruit. Today I tried out the Omnivorous food and it was a big hit! I only added about a teaspoon +/- into his food but really coated everything with it.

In the video below, at the end, you can even see him trying to eat the side of the bowl! Yummy!

The trouble is feeding him 1-2X a week, I am only going to use one of these foods/additives a couple times in 2 weeks maximum. It's a big can and costs $4-6. Ultimately, I end up wasting most of it.

Still, great to see him this happy and eating like a pig in the winter.

https://vimeo.com/390672161

Frank is eating 2X a week again and would probably eat every day if I let him. He gets 1 big meal with insects (dried/canned), ferret food, veggies, and fruit. Then he gets a smaller meal with a little ferret food, but mostly veggies and a little fruit.

He's back to growing and getting close to 600G. I've let him hit close to 700G before, but that's too much for him. I plan to keep him at a high of about 650G this summer, give or take.

I've tried this new Flukers food with him (link below). It's the Garden Blend veggie and fruit mix. He loves it. I mix a little in his food every meal now, or, substitute with canned food that I've talked about previously like Omnivorous and Blue Tongue Skink diet caned from Zoomed.

https://flukerfarms.com/crafted-cuisine/

I got a few pictures of him as well.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/kSGn60x.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/RLlbzru.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/XWgNVzb.jpg

Frank with the nice camera.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/HyraBXN.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/WZwPEMY.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/oPacHa8.jpg