HELP!!! Monitor ate crab shell!

xSerpentGoddess · 02-13-15, 04:06 PM

Our quince monitor ate some crab last night and ended up getting some pieces of shell. I'm worried he got too big of a piece. It was an accident and I'm freaking out. I realize I shouldn't have so please no bashing. His front legs were twitching like a bearded dragon when impacted. We did some cod liver oil and have him in a hot shower. He has pooped a bit and is doing a little better. Is there anything more I can do? I'm beyond worried and am in tears at that thought of losing him.

**Aaron_S** · 02-13-15, 06:05 PM

Umm how do you know it was too big? If you have the proper set up I think he'll pass it without all the extras. They are built to eat some pretty difficult stuff.

**millertime89** · 02-13-15, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Umm how do you know it was too big? If you have the proper set up I think he'll pass it without all the extras. They are built to eat some pretty difficult stuff.

Exactly. He'll most likely be just fine. Keep an eye on him but I would think if there hasn't been any complications after a week or so you're in the clear.

Sublimeballs · 02-13-15, 10:03 PM

I used to feed all my monitors,when I kept them, crayfish and crabs. You should have nothing to worry about.

jjhill001 · 02-14-15, 12:19 AM

How big is big? These things are basically land crocodiles in terms of intestinal fortitude. I'm sure they eat all sorts of things with shells much harder than crab shells IE turtles and those huge pond snails.

jjhill001 · 02-14-15, 12:22 AM

Where does the bearded dragon leg twitch thing come from? Never heard of that. Maybe he's twitching because you are bothering him while he's trying to digest his crab.

Akuma223 · 02-14-15, 05:29 PM

If your husbandry is correct he should be fine. People feed them hole prey items all the time.

reptiledude987 · 02-15-15, 10:02 AM

Not sure with those monitors spesifically but the invasive nile monitors in Fl are eating large amounts of apple snails shell and all and its not causing them health issues as theyre fluorishing in that inviroment. So their digestive tract is certainly capable of passing shells of that type so I imagine your little friend should be fine.

dinosaurdammit · 02-15-15, 03:11 PM

My argus cross can straight up eat whole crabs and digest them no problem- if kept hot enough they can darn near digest anything