Meet Julius - Timon Lepidus - Page 2

dannybgoode · 01-20-16, 11:20 AM

Some have labelled them a mini tegu but having never kept lizards before I wouldn't know how intelligent he was.

He is inquisitive and alert though and already recognises the sound of the key going into the viv lock and that means I may be about to grab him!

He's happy to be out and about with me watching through the glass but the moment I do much as put the key in the lock he hides.

Hopefully though that means he will also been to associate me with the ensures supply of crickets he gets through!

It takes a bit of confidence to chase him round the viv and grab him ever so gently but firmly with that he can't get away. Then it's a case of holding him with enough resistance that he can still move but just not quickly. Once he realises I'm not going to eat him and I've let him nibble a finger of two he chills out and will lie on my hand for a short while before scampering off again at which point I usually let him go. 5 minutes at a time once a day at the moment but will build that up over time.

dannybgoode · 01-21-16, 06:22 AM

Cracked the proper camera out to take a photo of Julius without my hand in it and to try and better capture his juvenile colours.

He's rather full of crickets in the pic but luckily you cannot see his belly!

Sylphie · 01-21-16, 06:34 AM

Oh, oh, is he soo blue in real too? <3

dannybgoode · 01-21-16, 06:56 AM

Hi Sylphie - I realise I had overdone the processing just a smidge.

I have re-done it and replaced so if you hit Control + F5 it will refresh your browser whilst flushing the cached image.

Now a much better representation - but yes in general it wasn't far off but the new version of the photo is truer to life...

Sylphie · 01-21-16, 07:48 AM

No problem

And he's stunning for sure, and cute, and oooh that pattern is so nice!

dannybgoode · 02-24-16, 07:45 AM

Thought I'd post a few new photos of Julius - he eats like a pig and has grown considerably since I got him.

He's also beginning to colour up nicely too.

**Minkness** · 02-24-16, 07:52 AM

Wow, he's amazing! Love it when you share pics of him! =)

That blue is unreal!

Sylphie · 02-24-16, 08:07 AM

Sooo beautiful <3 How is handling going? Still jumpy, or is there progress?

And can you maybe post a pic of his enclosure? And what do you feed him, how often, do yous use any vitamins? And what UV do you use?
Sorry for a lot of questions but I love talking to the owners of species I would like to have in future, as it's a sure way to not do any unnecessary mistakes

dannybgoode · 02-24-16, 08:18 AM

Thanks guys - I am very pleased with how he is coming along.

@Slyphie, I will post a pic of his viv - not much to show at the moment and I'm planning many improvements. He's also only in a 3'x18" at the moment and when he's a bit bigger he'll go in a 4x2x2.

He is still very jumpy but I am taking it very slowly in getting him tamed up. There is progress but I am purposefully handling him less and just being around his viv more, putting my hand in, getting him used to the fact I feed him etc. Before I only had to put the key in the viv lock and he was off and now more often than not he will stay in the open whilst I open it.

I feed him most days, crickets and locusts. Most feeds are just dusted with calcium powered but twice a week with a full spectrum vitamin supplement.

UV is underpowered at the moment - a 30" T8 tube. I get paid though for the first time since November (long story) and the first thing I am going to buy is a very high output D3 UV Flood like this (fon't know if you get Arcadia outside of the UK but they are top pieces of kit)

https://www.reptilecentre.com/arcadi...m#.Vs20XJyLSUk

Should help him colour up even more.

macandchz · 02-24-16, 08:31 AM

can't wait to show my dtr. julius. she's the lizard keeper here and she'll love him.

dannybgoode · 02-27-16, 11:19 AM

No photos but just an update on the viv (as much for y own records as anything).

Bought an Arcadia D3 24W Compact UV system. Really nice power UV lamp that allows for a photo gradient in the viv much like thermal gradient. Should help Julius stay nice and healthy and colour up even more.

I also bought a Microclimate Evo thermostat. Don't think you get them in the US but they're awesome. Can set 4 different temperatures per 24h period to allow for a nice natural temperature cycle and also will control a light on the second plug.

Once I've got the viv a bit more how I want it aesthetically I'll post some pics but felt he had enough stress today with me faffing around with the electronics etc.

Sylphie · 04-11-16, 06:54 AM

Any updates?

dannybgoode · 08-06-16, 09:01 AM

Realised I have posted an update onot Julius for a while. Recent photo below. His greens are just so bright now.

Also a sneak preview of some succulents I'm letting root up in readiness for going in his viv.

Albert Clark · 08-06-16, 10:17 AM

Wow! He really has benefitted from all your efforts. Great job.

dannybgoode · 08-06-16, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Wow! He really has benefitted from all your efforts. Great job.

Thanks Albert - he's benefited most from the high power UV. Timons LOVE their UV.

I've also gone to a bioactive substrate which he adores - can tunnel and burrow to his hearts content.

He's still flighty but taking it nice and slow with him. He will now occasionally let me touch him in his viv and he is very tolerant of my just putting a hand next to him.

I force a hold every so often but very infrequently at the moment so as not to stress him.

Diet-wise - he just loves his locusts! Proper gannet. They are fed on spinach and other green leaves.

He's at about 14" inc tail now and when I move house he's getting a nice 5x2x3 or something around there so he will tons of space.