Yet Another Poop Question

[RobinAZ]

I'd continue to feed Tyrion daily.

Thank you, Elizabeth. You have been a huge help to me.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

It's been fun helping you and Tyrion get started, Robin.

 

[RobinAZ]

I took a new picture of Tyrion today. He's gotten so big and his tail is nice and thick. Still feeding him ever day - 10-12 mealies (on weekends he gets a treat of crickets or roaches) - I want to make sure I should still feed every day or if it's time to cut back. I can't believe how big he's getting!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I took a new picture of Tyrion today. He's gotten so big and his tail is nice and thick. Still feeding him ever day - 10-12 mealies (on weekends he gets a treat of crickets or roaches) - I want to make sure I should still feed every day or if it's time to cut back. I can't believe how big he's getting!
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I'm very sorry that it's taken me awhile to reply, Robin. Hope that you did not give up.

Tyrion's looking good. Try cutting back feeding to every other day and see how it goes. He'll probably want BIG meals.

I realize you hate crickets. Maybe 1 feeding = crickets, 1 feeding = dubia, 1 feeding = mealworms? Crickets and dubia are less fatty than mealworms.

 

[RobinAZ]

Thank you! I've been giving him crickets and dubia roaches once a week. The crickets are so tiny if he doesn't get them fast they manage to get down between a tiny crack at the side of the tile and the glass. The next bigger crickets were too big. The dubia roaches I can turn over so they aren't as fast for him.

One more question - how often should he shed? He hasn't shed yet since I've had him.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

You're welcome.

Shedding depends upon growth. Youngsters shed more frequently than adults.

My leo mostly sheds in secret. Don't know how often. Telltale signs are a grayish dull look. The skin becomes loose pre-shed like Casper (the friendly ghost).

 

[RobinAZ]

So maybe I can assume Tyrion is an adult but was underfed before I got him. Because he sure grew fast with daily feedings. Twice I've seen him turn a dull color but I never found any shed. Right now he's looking that way and he's sleeping in a new place, in the corner on the warm side behind his warm hide. He did come out to eat last night but he's back there again this morning. He's getting to be such a sweet guy. I know some people say reptiles don't really respond to human touch, but I think I would disagree. When I gently stroke him, he stretches like a cat and puts his head up and likes me to stroke under his chin and belly.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

You've done good with Tyrion! Did he shed? If husbandry is correct, leos eat their sheds. It's a survival thing. They don't wish to leave evidence for predators.

Nice job bonding with him.

 

[RobinAZ]

Thank you! I love him I've continued to feed him every day for now just because he's doing well and he kind of expects it. I will start changing over to every other day soon - realizing he will probably eat way more. I'd like to get some more of these guys someday. They are great!

I appreciate all your help. It is hard when you hear/read conflicting things, but everything you've told me has led me in the right direction.

 

[RobinAZ]

Okay, Tyrion is all grown up now and I've added dubia roaches to his diet which he liked at first but hasn't eaten the last 2 times I've given them to him. He still prefers meal worms. I know we are supposed to change up their diet a bit. The problem I have with crickets or even dubia roaches is if they climb out of his bowl they squeeze down the tiny cracks at the sides of the tile in his habitat and that's that. How does everyone else feed? In a bowl or do you just turn the crickets or roaches loose? Tyrion doesn't seem too fast so not sure how he'd catch them. Also, is it really bad that he only eats mealworms?

 

[Gixxer450]

Hi there Robin the way I feed criket is that I use tong's and take off 1 back leg and they can run that fast when he want's to eat.I know it sound crule but I want me little guy to eatand when I feed dubia roaches I'll put them in a dish or some times I'll let them free in his encloser cause I want him to learn how to eat his own prey.For mealworms there not bad for leo's but don't make it a habit for him to eat just mealworm'sand That's very GOOD news to hear Tyrion is doing very well!!

 

[Zux]

For anything fast moving & shy I feed from a glass (Petri) dish. Prey can be easily seen but cant escape. If I were to let fast moving insects which like to hide free roam they would instantly disappear and never be eaten because my leo's vivarium is large with a huge amount nooks and cranny's for a shy insect to bunker down out of reach/sight.

Anything like silkworms I let free roam to stimulate natural hunting behaviors.

- Shane

 

[RobinAZ]

New Question - How often do adult leos eat? Tyrion was eating every day, then every other day but now he hasn't eaten for 3 days, going on 4. He's still looks good and healthy, pooping well. But he's gotten to be a pain as far as eating goes. I put his food in a clear petri dish so he can see it, but he still does not eat out of the dish and I have to drop worms in front of him for him to even go after them and sometimes he just licks them and then ignores them. Any ideas on how to get him to eat from his dish?

 

[JessJohnson87]

As long as the worms can't escape, you can leave them in the dish and he will eat when he gets hungry. I think this wonky weather we've all been having is affecting their eating. Mine has shown no interest in wanting food, just to stay warm and sleep.

 

[RobinAZ]

Thank you! I was just at the reptile store and the guy there told me the same thing. Cooler weather etc. and that he will eat what he needs.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Okay, Tyrion is all grown up now and I've added dubia roaches to his diet which he liked at first but hasn't eaten the last 2 times I've given them to him. He still prefers meal worms. I know we are supposed to change up their diet a bit. The problem I have with crickets or even dubia roaches is if they climb out of his bowl they squeeze down the tiny cracks at the sides of the tile in his habitat and that's that. How does everyone else feed? In a bowl or do you just turn the crickets or roaches loose? Tyrion doesn't seem too fast so not sure how he'd catch them. Also, is it really bad that he only eats mealworms?

:yahoo: for Tyrion

This is my leo's setup. You can see the clear glass 8 oz bowl. I use it for crickets with the back legs cut off and for dubia roaches. Works well for Phoenix worms and hornworms too.



Here's a link for those glass bowls:
8 Piece Set Kit. Store