How to tell?

[smy_749]

So the mangrove is pretty skittish and doesn't take anything from tongs unless hes in the bath. Even if its bloody and smelly, he'd rather hide than take it from me. Not a big deal with rats and shrimp / fish, but its hard to deal with feeding dubias. I put them in a container and always wonder whether he ate them or they just got out and started free roaming, because I do see them wondering around his cage.

Anyways, I started to notice every morning when his light first turns on, theres a few dead roaches that drown in his water, and around noon, all of them are gone lol Does anyone else notice this in their cages?

[DeadlyDesires]

Originally Posted by smy_749

So the mangrove is pretty skittish and doesn't take anything from tongs unless hes in the bath. Even if its bloody and smelly, he'd rather hide than take it from me. Not a big deal with rats and shrimp / fish, but its hard to deal with feeding dubias. I put them in a container and always wonder whether he ate them or they just got out and started free roaming, because I do see them wondering around his cage.

Anyways, I started to notice every morning when his light first turns on, theres a few dead roaches that drown in his water, and around noon, all of them are gone lol Does anyone else notice this in their cages?

first question, bloody and smelly? how would it get bloody? and if its smelling are you changing the water once a day? im a little confused.

also just throw the roaches in there, they will dig down in the dirt, thats fine, he will dig them out and eat them when hes hungry my monitor loves to dig for dubias lol.. with them dying in the water im sure he sees them floating in there and eats them its normal mine does it as well.. just make sure the water is clean you wouldn't want him to get a bacterial infection.

edit - nevermind, i read that wrong lol, i was wondering why the water would be bloody or smelly. scratch that you were talking about the feeder prey being bloody and smelly lol..

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by DeadlyDesires

first question, bloody and smelly? how would it get bloody? and if its smelling are you changing the water once a day? im a little confused.

also just throw the roaches in there, they will dig down in the dirt, thats fine, he will dig them out and eat them when hes hungry my monitor loves to dig for dubias lol.. with them dying in the water im sure he sees them floating in there and eats them its normal mine does it as well.. just make sure the water is clean you wouldn't want him to get a bacterial infection.

I think you missed the point completely....bloody and smelly was referring to rats. Even if I poked a hole in its head, and it wreaked of rat, he won't take from tongs. And the second thing, which you completely missed my point on, is if hes digging them up, you don't know how many he ate, or if he ate any for that matter. They could all still be in the dirt, if you didn't see him eat them.

[DeadlyDesires]

Originally Posted by smy_749

is if hes digging them up, you don't know how many he ate, or if he ate any for that matter. They could all still be in the dirt, if you didn't see him eat them.

i did edit my post and say i miss read that.. just saying...

also why does it matter if you see how many he eats? im sure hes eating them. as long as hes not getting skinnier i wouldn't even worry about it honestly, he eats pinkies right? what else do you try and feed him? i did give you some advice on how to get him adjusted to you so you could start tong feeding but you said you didnt really care either way.

[smy_749]

no he eats adult mice, shrimp, fish and roaches. And its always better to have an idea of what hes eating, maybe he could take more, maybe They are slowly gathering in the cage because its too many..you didnt give tong feeding advice, you told me to leave my hand in the cage for ten minutes.... he will tong feed when he realizes tongs means food. And you edited your post after my response......just saying.