Digging to hunt worms!
- Thread starter Yuk
- Start date
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
/\ That does sound cool, Yuk.
Being a "bit" of a worrier, how "clean" was that worm?
Years back I experienced one of my northern velvet geckos prolapsing on the finest of sands (Jurassic Sand) mixed with Eco Earth 1:1. She recovered, but it was not a pretty sight.
Click for link: Jurassic Sand
Being a "bit" of a worrier, how "clean" was that worm?
Years back I experienced one of my northern velvet geckos prolapsing on the finest of sands (Jurassic Sand) mixed with Eco Earth 1:1. She recovered, but it was not a pretty sight.
Click for link: Jurassic Sand
Yuk
New member
It was just natural soil 
It was in her favorite hide and she noticed it around bedtime. I'm not sure how much soil was stuck on it, but it couldn't have been much. The dirt doesn't stick to the mealworms well because of their skin, plus it is a dry soil that doesn't clump or pack well, even when wet. I have also noticed that if they do get a bit of dirt in a bite, they spit the dirt out or try to rub it away.
It was in her favorite hide and she noticed it around bedtime. I'm not sure how much soil was stuck on it, but it couldn't have been much. The dirt doesn't stick to the mealworms well because of their skin, plus it is a dry soil that doesn't clump or pack well, even when wet. I have also noticed that if they do get a bit of dirt in a bite, they spit the dirt out or try to rub it away.Completeleopard
New member
Today I noticed Mischief digging to hunt a worm that had tried to escape. I just thought it was really cool. She dug it out and ate it
That's fascinating, also when Leo's are digging randomly sometimes owners think it is boredom, improper temps/humidity, etc, could they be digging for food?
Completeleopard
New member
That's a shame, maybe build a ledge and place the plant onto it so the mealworms can't get to it?
Completeleopard
New member
No worries,
Are you sure no other animals could've deficated etc on the grasses?
Are you sure no other animals could've deficated etc on the grasses?
Yuk
New member
It's possible, but I have wild caught insects, wild caught soil, and the plants are pretty hardy. I'm making the decision to expose the girls to natural soil, plants, and insects to naturally boost their immune systems and hopefully make them hardier as adults. Toothless is in a pretty sterile environment and will be until Mischief is an adult, so I am a little bit concerned that it might be a shock to him. I would rather him be exposed to the outdoors early on. The most I can do for him is introduce the wild caught insects, but it's not really going to be the same as living in a living environment. Others have moved adults to bioactive substrate with no issues. I am hoping I have the same results I just figure it is better while they are younger and still developing their immune systems
I just figure it is better while they are younger and still developing their immune systemsCompleteleopard
New member
Oh I see , with toothless why not add little bits of wild stuff at a time, for example one month put a plant in there, next month some soil etc etc so its not loads for his immune system to cope with at once?
I am not sure regarding young Leo's immune systems, I think a adults immune system would be better as it is developed.
I am not sure regarding young Leo's immune systems, I think a adults immune system would be better as it is developed.
Yuk
New member
I am currently reading a book by a parasitologist specializing in parasites in captive reptiles. I'm going to be monitoring their parasite load carefully with the help of a vet specializing in reptiles.
That's a good suggestion for Toothless. I will keep that in mind. I might decide to keep him quarantined from the girls just in case I have bitten off more than I can chew with the natural matter in my tank.
That's a good suggestion for Toothless. I will keep that in mind. I might decide to keep him quarantined from the girls just in case I have bitten off more than I can chew with the natural matter in my tank.
Yuk
New member
Absolutely! Roger J. Klingenberg DVM: Understanding Reptile Parasites, it's on Kindle for $10 too I think it is $15 plus shipping if you order the physical book on Amazon from a seller. There is an additional book on Amazon about parasites in reptiles, but it was $150-$200, so I chose this one instead. I just started it, so I can't recommend it yet, but there are good reviews.
I think it is $15 plus shipping if you order the physical book on Amazon from a seller. There is an additional book on Amazon about parasites in reptiles, but it was $150-$200, so I chose this one instead. I just started it, so I can't recommend it yet, but there are good reviews.Completeleopard
New member
Yuk,
If the Ice Plant is ruined, apparently Haworthia is a good, safe plant!
If the Ice Plant is ruined, apparently Haworthia is a good, safe plant!
Conched
New member
Trying to maintain a parasite load in captivity is not he same as reptiles that carry parasites in the wild. Any sudden changes in the environment that causes stress on the animals could result in a spike in the parasite load.
Hopefully the items you are adding in the enclosure will not introduce any parasites.
I do like the naturalistic environment you are trying to duplicate.
Best of luck.
Hopefully the items you are adding in the enclosure will not introduce any parasites.
I do like the naturalistic environment you are trying to duplicate.
Best of luck.
Yuk
New member
Yeah, when I was talking about parasites earlier I was being too general. What I should have said was that I was hoping to introduce them to microorganisms found in the wild, not necessarily parasites, which are the ones that do harm.
I was misguided that a higher parasite load with the animal thriving with a boosted immune system was a good thing, though. They aren't actually healthier, their area to live is generally larger and they tend not to get reinfected. In captivity, the problem is the parasites reinfecting the host, so if the load is high and they have nowhere to escape to, they will be stressed by the parasites (and additional captivity stress) which actually weakens their immune system.
At the moment, I am taking precautions and spot cleaning poop until the bioactive system catches up and washing the water dish with soap and water and replacing it with fresh water daily. I'll let you all know how the fecals go.
I was misguided that a higher parasite load with the animal thriving with a boosted immune system was a good thing, though. They aren't actually healthier, their area to live is generally larger and they tend not to get reinfected. In captivity, the problem is the parasites reinfecting the host, so if the load is high and they have nowhere to escape to, they will be stressed by the parasites (and additional captivity stress) which actually weakens their immune system.
At the moment, I am taking precautions and spot cleaning poop until the bioactive system catches up and washing the water dish with soap and water and replacing it with fresh water daily. I'll let you all know how the fecals go.
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JIMI
New member
That book seems so interesting, but it's a bit expensive! Darn these are the times that I wish I had a Kindle! I've also been interested in performing my own fecals, but mainly just for the fun of it.:roll: Of course it's also a great way to keep an eye on any abnormalities in my leo's feces. If only I had a microscope!
Yuk, here is a great disinfectant that you might find useful in your mission to keep down parasite loads: F10SC 100ml-F10Biocare - Product Information - F10SC. Just thought I'd mention it.
Darn these are the times that I wish I had a Kindle! I've also been interested in performing my own fecals, but mainly just for the fun of it.:roll: Of course it's also a great way to keep an eye on any abnormalities in my leo's feces. If only I had a microscope! Yuk, here is a great disinfectant that you might find useful in your mission to keep down parasite loads: F10SC 100ml-F10Biocare - Product Information - F10SC. Just thought I'd mention it.