Another newb question(s) xD

fuzzhc · 01-10-13, 01:38 PM

So as I have noticed a good bit of growth in my sav I decided to try him on a "small" mouse. He had it down the hatch in no time with about 4/5 gulps. Currently his daily intake is 2-3 fuzzies and Whatever number of adult locusts he chooses to eat, generally around 4 or 5.

If I were to switch him to smalls, how many a day would be recommended? Last I measured him a few months back he was 11 inches nose to tail but has grown probably a good few since then.

What do people have to say about a mainly rodent diet?

And last but not least im wanting to add more soil/sand mixture to his enclosure but he already has burrows how should I go about this?

Cheers

infernalis · 01-10-13, 03:47 PM

A mainly rodent diet isn't fatal in itself, all the nutrients are there, But even though I could do this, I personally mix it up.

Some highly successful keepers have vibrant animals on just rodents.

When I add more dirt, I scatter it about right over the top of everything that's already there.

Build it up in layers. Scatter on a few inches, lightly water, let it bake a few days, scatter a little more, repeat.

fuzzhc · 01-10-13, 04:12 PM

Ok cool. Ill still be offering a small variety of other stuff aswell, I have ordered tubs of fruit beetle larva and earthworms to be picked up on Saturday. Its just that to buy bulk locusts I have to travel and I dont drive as of yet so when they run out he will have a couple of days just on mice.

From that video I posted of my sav eating the small mouse that was hanging, how often would you say itsrrecommended to offer of this size?

Ill do that then,

Thanks man

jarich · 01-10-13, 09:24 PM

Youre lucky, you live in Europe, so it makes it much easier for you to give a good variety. You can get both dubia roaches and locusts, both of which are easy to breed and make nice big meals. I wish we could get locusts over here. Id recommend a variety of good invert food sources aside from just the rodents.

Pirarucu · 01-10-13, 09:40 PM

Why is it we can't get locusts over here anyways? I assume it's a legal issue..

jarich · 01-10-13, 09:42 PM

Im not certain, but Im guessing its a pest issue. Imagine if some crazy breed of locust got loose in farmland areas.

fuzzhc · 01-11-13, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

Youre lucky, you live in Europe, so it makes it much easier for you to give a good variety. You can get both dubia roaches and locusts, both of which are easy to breed and make nice big meals. I wish we could get locusts over here. Id recommend a variety of good invert food sources aside from just the rodents.

Yeah, shame im s**t scared of cockroaches haha! What about fruit beetles? Ordered a few boxes of the larva.

Id imagine it down to a pest issue. If any were to escape over here at thr moment they would be frozen in a matter of seconds lol.

infernalis · 01-11-13, 03:43 AM

We have a flying grasshopper out in my meadow that are readily accepted.

They are just so hard to catch, the little buggers sit there until just before you can net it, then take flight so quick that the hit/miss ratio favors the grasshopper's safe escape.

But so much fun to watch the lizards chase.... the grasshopper always loses.

Pirarucu · 01-11-13, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

We have a flying grasshopper out in my meadow that are readily accepted.

They are just so hard to catch, the little buggers sit there until just before you can net it, then take flight so quick that the hit/miss ratio favors the grasshopper's safe escape.

But so much fun to watch the lizards chase.... the grasshopper always loses.

Get a sweep net and go hunting.. LOL You can catch unbelievable amounts of bugs that way.

jarich · 01-11-13, 08:38 AM

Ive got all sorts of live feeders running around the neighbourhood. Too bad I cant use any of them! Everyday I see rats, mice, roaches, water bugs, and thats just on the subway. All I think every time I see a rat is...well that would save me a few bucks.

infernalis · 01-11-13, 10:44 AM

Living in the boonies has advantages.

I never hesitate to feed w/c crayfish either, that creek is so clean my family will drink from it without hesitation.

The rocks and sand filter it so nice, and it's the same aquifer that feeds my well.

Pirarucu · 01-11-13, 04:21 PM

You are very lucky Wayne. I would love to live in a spot like that.

Vegasarah · 01-16-13, 06:07 PM

Do you set traps for the crayfish? I'm jealous that such a food feeder is readily available and free to you! Unless scorpions are a good diet choice, I'm pretty much S.O.L.

Pirarucu · 01-16-13, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegasarah

Do you set traps for the crayfish? I'm jealous that such a food feeder is readily available and free to you! Unless scorpions are a good diet choice, I'm pretty much S.O.L.

Scorpions will not be turned down...

Corey209 · 01-16-13, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

Living in the boonies has advantages.

I never hesitate to feed w/c crayfish either, that creek is so clean my family will drink from it without hesitation.

The rocks and sand filter it so nice, and it's the same aquifer that feeds my well.

I wouldn't drink it unless I boiled it

There's all kinds of nasty bacteria and parasites that could be in there.