Harley update - Page 2

BarelyBreathing · 05-21-12, 10:16 AM

Salt would explain what I am seeing, actually.

BlueButterfly · 05-21-12, 12:13 PM

I figured the salt and murcury has probably done something to his system. It really is a shame. And it was HARD to get him to eat anything else after. But his favorite is snails. It's great to watch him actually RUN across the cage after crickets too. And he has a huge burrow under the ramp which he seems to never be done rearranging lol. He is so interesting to watch. He is a great hunter. I put worms in his soil and he loves to dig them up and i always make him find his food. We never just give it to him. He searches for it and sniffs out his prey. I was wondering if there are any live plants that are safe in there. Grass? Long grass or fern or something the snails and slugs worms crickets can munch so they have food that won't hurt Harley. Does anyone know? Also Wayne we only let him roam for about half hour to an hour at this point because it is new to him. And it's still not very warm here. We are back to rain now so his walks will have to be inside for now. Anyone know how I can set up a colony of garden snails. Just because they will go away when the rain stops. So I'd like to stalk pile them do he has them year round. They are easy to get right now. Just after rain. I brought in over a hundred yesterday. That will get him through for a while.
He won't touch mice anymore. Does he need these. Maybe the adult mice are to big? Should I try smaller ones. I won't do live mice. So is there anything else that can supplement whatever it is he gets from them. Should I be limiting his food? I Dono if he's eating to much because he hunts it so there is always food in there. I figure he will eat when he's Hungrey.

**millertime89** · 05-21-12, 12:26 PM

Need mice? No, he most certainly does not need them.

Its nice to hear he's making improvements. If you check Wayne's enclosure build thread he's got grass in his, but it had a long time to take root before his little monsters got in there. A pothos or other hanging indoors plant might work well in your situation, just make sure its secured properly so that he doesn't pull it down if he decides to climb it.

BarelyBreathing · 05-21-12, 12:31 PM

There are plenty of plants that are safe for Harley, but whether Harley will be safe for the plants is a different story. He will most likey dig them up, trample them, and otherwise destroy them. If you want to try, you can try really any type of hardy ground cover (mosses, grasses, pothos are great, too). Just tossing some collard greens is enough to distract your insects from bothering your monitor.

No, he doesn't need rodents, especially at his current weight. I would avoid those like the plague, too.

As far as raising garden snails, just give them a large, wet area complete with lots of greens for them to munch on. If you are gutloading your prey items correctly, there will be no need to supplement your prey items. If you aren't gutloading correctly, I recommend Repashy brand calcium plus.

mo9e64 · 05-21-12, 01:02 PM

Under improper husbandry you should not feed rodents,under proper husbandry a monitor should not become obese feeding on rodents.Feed based on your monitors condition and conditions.Your monitor appears obese,you need to look at your husbandry if you want further recovery.

BlueButterfly · 05-21-12, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mo9e64

Under improper husbandry you should not feed rodents,under proper husbandry a monitor should not become obese feeding on rodents.Feed based on your monitors condition and conditions.Your monitor appears obese,you need to look at your husbandry if you want further recovery.

he came to us really fat... he has actually lost a little bit in my opinion... he gets way more excersize now as they kept him in an exo terra and all he did was sit all day and eat tuna... now he runs around, digs, explores chases prey, hunts etc... i mean obviously we arent going to see a weight change overnight... is his weight because of our husbandry or his prev owner? we have only had him a little over a month or so now... how long until we see an improvement in weight?

**millertime89** · 05-21-12, 02:41 PM

You don't want rapid weight loss, gradual is good. What's your hot spot at? Sorry if I missed it earlier.

mo9e64 · 05-21-12, 02:46 PM

That's a short time,so i might've been a little hard on you,i'm glad you didn't take it personally.Just don't underestimate how raising their metabolism might accomplish the weight loss without the possible stress.Remember this is still an animal that is compromised getting it healthy should be your first priority-you can't really be sure what effects social outings with humans does to it at it's current state.My point is if you're on the right path,why screw it up by stressing the monitor till you sure he is functioning properly.

BarelyBreathing · 05-21-12, 02:47 PM

Kyle is correct, rapid weight loss is bad. Make him work for his food. Burying night crawlers in the substrate, making him chase crickets and roaches, all wonderful things. If you can teach him to tong feed, you may want to have him run around a room after some food. Take him outside for some natural sunlight a few times a week, give him rock or log piles to explore.

Robyn@SYR · 05-21-12, 05:49 PM

Best of luck with your monitor.

BlueButterfly · 05-22-12, 12:06 PM

ok, last night we planted the bottom floor with mosses and grass and it looks great..I didnt plant anything in his corner where he has his burrow... i also added more soil etc for him and filled the area under his ramp where he likes to dig the most with an extra tall mountain...there was a bit of room so why not. lol.. and i also added about an inch of peatmoss to the top floor it looks perdry... this morning he was down digging his burrow..and Im sure when i get home all the plants will need to be replanted...lol...but we will see.. ill take pics later..

his hot spot measured by thermometers....is at about 135 on top floor (measured by thermometor), about 98-101 (depending on time of day) top floor cool corner and bottom floor warm end is about 85-90 cool end is 70-80 on bottom floor under ramp... im guessing its cooler in the burrow..this is where he likes to sleep.

I still cant find a temp gun...weve been looking...can only find the ones at snap on for 150.00 where the heck can we get one in BC for cheap..or can i order online??? we need one... humidity is 30-40 under basking spot, between 60-70 top floor and 75-85 bottom floor. again..burrows are more... there is fogging of the glass is that bad? and when i open the cage it feels like im entering another climate.. hot and humid...whew... he seems to like it though...

is this ok?

Lankyrob · 05-22-12, 12:19 PM

We ordered our off Ebay - just get one that doesnt mention "reptile" in the name or you will pay a lot more

BarelyBreathing · 05-22-12, 02:37 PM

That sounds wonderful, Blue.

You can get an infra red temperature gun at any good hobby store (the kinds that sell parts to build RC cars and what not).

varanus_mad · 05-22-12, 03:08 PM

Pro Exotics :: Temp Guns

temperature guns | eBay

Temp guns ^

mo9e64 · 05-23-12, 06:13 AM

fogging of the glass shows a difference in temps between the outside of the cage and inside-condensation.If you stick to the basics of limited ventilation,deep substrate low wattage bulbs with appropriate basking temps with a low end temp around 80F you don't need to worry about humidity just make sure your substrate doesn't dry out and is neither wet nor dry.
I might be concerned with a substrate temp of 70F,monitors like to burrow and will spend alot of time there,such a low temp will counteract the higher temps above substrate,there cool down temps should be around 80F from what i understand.