JessJohnson87
New member
Todd...the almighty gecko disease whisperer, with one bite of the finger.
Help with Weight of my Leo please?
- Thread starter CWilson13
- Start date
CWilson13
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Lol long story short, Jess and I think Todd is a little crazy for trying to get bit by his Leos. Despite his good and even valid reasons for doing so lol
JessJohnson87
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It's a clever idea! And I get where he's coming from...strength of the bite helps with detecting early signs of disease. It's a brilliant way to do tests that a vet would perform but free and in the comfort of your own home 
At the cost of a sore finger if they latch on like his new one did :coverlaugh:
At the cost of a sore finger if they latch on like his new one did :coverlaugh:
JessJohnson87
New member
It was probably Steve-O, like the time he hung a chicken thigh from his butt to let an alligator eat it or let the baby gator bite his nipple.
amsdadtodd
New member
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess those guys you're talking about are part of that jackass team?
I outgrew those kind of antics years ago, but I will say some of my younger mis-adventures from my navy days make those guys look like amateurs! But, that's just what happens when men stay at sea for too long and then get released on an unsuspecting population in a remote corner of the world!
Back to the gecko bites, I don't think it's responsible to encourage them to bite. I allow the occasional bite when feeding by hand. I think it's useful to know what a healthy bite strength feels like so I can compare it to one that is lacking if and when the time comes to make that determination. Also, I should say that I've never been bitten when food is not involved. If I put a finger or hand in their faces, they try to climb on for a ride, not attack and bite. So, I maintain the validity of this method of keeping track of my pets health. If they were to consistently break skin then I'd probably call it quits, but at the moment, I don't see that happening.
Todd
I outgrew those kind of antics years ago, but I will say some of my younger mis-adventures from my navy days make those guys look like amateurs! But, that's just what happens when men stay at sea for too long and then get released on an unsuspecting population in a remote corner of the world!
Back to the gecko bites, I don't think it's responsible to encourage them to bite. I allow the occasional bite when feeding by hand. I think it's useful to know what a healthy bite strength feels like so I can compare it to one that is lacking if and when the time comes to make that determination. Also, I should say that I've never been bitten when food is not involved. If I put a finger or hand in their faces, they try to climb on for a ride, not attack and bite. So, I maintain the validity of this method of keeping track of my pets health. If they were to consistently break skin then I'd probably call it quits, but at the moment, I don't see that happening.
Todd
CWilson13
New member
Very true about Navy guys. My grandfather served during Korea along with Don Turnipseed (possible misspell) who was "famous" for being in the car crash that killed James Dean.
Anyhow, that is good you aren't actively trying to get bit. I figure it might take a lot of provocation for a Leo to bite unless trying for food. I honestly don't think it is a bad idea at all. Just some good natured ribbing about it.
Anyhow, that is good you aren't actively trying to get bit. I figure it might take a lot of provocation for a Leo to bite unless trying for food. I honestly don't think it is a bad idea at all. Just some good natured ribbing about it.
JessJohnson87
New member
The only time my other leo, Marley, bit me was when he thought my finger was food. It hurt but he never did it again. I used to hand feed my savannah monitor pieces of canned cat food and he never latched on to my finger, he would gently pull the piece of food out of my fingers, I even taught him how to eat off of a spoon. Only thing about the monitors is they can cause infections when they bite, they're saliva is full of nasty bacteria.
My husbands ship just crossed the equator last week and they initiated the pollywogs into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep. I'm sure you remember that Todd.
My husbands ship just crossed the equator last week and they initiated the pollywogs into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep. I'm sure you remember that Todd.
amsdadtodd
New member
I would venture to guess that the shellback initiations I underwent, and subsquently perpetrated onto others, don't look anything like those of today! With that said, I hope they enjoyed the opportunity to carry on such an ancient and treasured tradition! What kind of ship is he on? My first, and longest, was a FFG. The last of that mighty class was just recently decommissioned.
Savannah monitors do certainly seem to be among the more intelligent lizards, along with tegu's and blue tongued skinks. I know monitors in general have that reputation about bacteria laden saliva, but had thought that savannah's weren't so bad as others?
I don't think that leo's really bite people out of agression, so much as mistaking our fingers for food. I'd be interested to hear if someone had an example that would contradict that.
Todd
Savannah monitors do certainly seem to be among the more intelligent lizards, along with tegu's and blue tongued skinks. I know monitors in general have that reputation about bacteria laden saliva, but had thought that savannah's weren't so bad as others?
I don't think that leo's really bite people out of agression, so much as mistaking our fingers for food. I'd be interested to hear if someone had an example that would contradict that.
Todd
JessJohnson87
New member
I don't think Sid's was as bad, but I was warned that a bite could cause an infection. He was such a sweet boy, he got pissy with me one time and slapped me with his tail, told him if he did that again I would hurt him and he never did it again, would just hiss at me so I'd leave him alone. I used to take him to the pet store with me when I got his mice, everyone would flip out bc he was about 4ft longand most people think they're mean. I bought him for $8 in 2002-2004 ish at a reptile show in Raleigh and he was the size of the palm of my hand. Sadly I had to get rid of him in 06 bc no one would look after him while my mom and I had to move.
I'm sure its not but he said that there's still a lot of hazing and what not. He's on the CG-60 USS Normandy, which is a cruiser. He was on the LHD-3 Kearsarge (or queerbarge as an old vietnam vet told him before we moved). He was already initiated into the shellbacks a few years ago so he got to dress up like a pirate.
I'm sure its not but he said that there's still a lot of hazing and what not. He's on the CG-60 USS Normandy, which is a cruiser. He was on the LHD-3 Kearsarge (or queerbarge as an old vietnam vet told him before we moved). He was already initiated into the shellbacks a few years ago so he got to dress up like a pirate.
JessJohnson87
New member
I'm going to take a little bit of a guess here since I didn't find anything on how long it takes reptiles to absorb calcium. But I'm going to assume that once they food is eaten and digested, the body absorbs the calcium and the kidneys filter out what little bit is not needed, usually digestion occurs about 2-4 hours after you consume a meal. With reptiles that may take a little longer seeing as how heat plays a factor so you should be able to go head and start dusting again, since its been a few days to a week since Apollo ate the last of the phoenix worms.
amsdadtodd
New member
That's actually a very complex question that reminds how much we've all come to rely on a "rule off thumb" technique. Even a thoroughly calculated answer could only give an ideal case, since in the end, each individual animal metabolizes uniquely.
Just consider the variables at play here. You would have at least;
1. Calcium content of feeder
2. Calcium content of gut load
3. Residual calcium in gecko's system
4. Vitamin D content
5. gecko's temperature fluctuations
6. gecko's activity level
7. gecko's hydration
8. gecko's age/growth rate
9. seasonal variation (egg/sperm production)
10. Shed cycle
And that's just off the top of my head!
Fortunately, our rule of thumb techniques generally work well, especially when we are observant enough to catch any degradation in health. So, I guess it's just one more good reason to keep tabs on bite strength of our pets!
Todd
Just consider the variables at play here. You would have at least;
1. Calcium content of feeder
2. Calcium content of gut load
3. Residual calcium in gecko's system
4. Vitamin D content
5. gecko's temperature fluctuations
6. gecko's activity level
7. gecko's hydration
8. gecko's age/growth rate
9. seasonal variation (egg/sperm production)
10. Shed cycle
And that's just off the top of my head!
Fortunately, our rule of thumb techniques generally work well, especially when we are observant enough to catch any degradation in health. So, I guess it's just one more good reason to keep tabs on bite strength of our pets!
Todd
CWilson13
New member
Well I can and do try to keep track of some of those, at least to the best of my ability. Certain ones, like residual Calcium, are near impossible for me though. Elizabeth gave me an idea for a supplemental schedule not long ago. I will probably just go by that starting Nov. 1st. By then I should have the no d3 Reptivite making things MUCH easier. Thanks for the tips you two
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Well I can and do try to keep track of some of those, at least to the best of my ability. Certain ones, like residual Calcium, are near impossible for me though. Elizabeth gave me an idea for a supplemental schedule not long ago. I will probably just go by that starting Nov. 1st. By then I should have the no d3 Reptivite making things MUCH easier. Thanks for the tips you two
Calcium depends upon D3 for metabolism. D3 is a fat soluble vitamin, so D3 sticks around "longer". Much excess calcium is excreted in urine. However, too much calcium can cause problems.
Fat soluble vitamins: A, D, E, & K
Water soluble: C & Bs