"OPTIONS are everything to captive reptiles. Let this soak in, then we can talk about ways to adjust your situation."





A puerile statement to assume - that all boxies given the choice; will make the best decisions for their survival. Boxies live by instinct, not knowledge. People can acquire knowledge and make good or incorrect choices such as making an injudicious post to a sincere attempt to help a boxie.



Because a boxie reacts to heat as do all COLD BLOODS; including insects, arachnids, reptiles, amphibians and countless others doesn't

give credence to the the statement they have knowledge. Heat tropism is not a choice but rather a response variable.



An earlier post made by you stated that not all boxies are meant to live. You stated it was nature. Then if a captive one gets sick maybe it was not meant to live by your standards. Yet the person who saves it; when perhaps it would have died in nature( your philosophy) is chastised by riddles of knowledge and choice that are of one person's opinion and not substantiated by fact or studies.



Many boxies make choices that cause their sudden demise like crossing a road during heavy traffic..... Now if they had knowledge ( they had the choice) to wait just a hour.. It/ they would have survived.



Boxies don't make the best choices especially in a captive situation. Given the choice many, many boxies will eat Reptomin over Natural Foods because it's easier to gather and they get lazy. It this the best choice? It was made by the boxie?



Most boxies will choose bananas over turnip greens yet bananas are high in phosphorous and very low in calcium. If fed bananas often because it's the boxie's choice; it will lead to calcium binding and deformed shells. Yet the turnip greens that is turned down for bananas has an 8 to 1 calcium ratio, low protein which lessens the chance of pyramiding, and high vitamin A which prevents eye problems and fights respiratory diseases.



Most boxies will choose tomatoes, or cantaloupe ( both fruits which are not great foods for boxies ..but ok in small amounts) over turnip greens. Even grape leaves (great boxie food) which have a 4 to 1 calcium ratio are shunned over bananas, cantaloupe, or tomatoes. Same is true for Kale which has a 6 to 2 calcium ratio.



Most boxies given the choice will eat mealworms ( a poor choice...low in all nutrients) over turnip greens, kale, grape leaves or a dozen other foods much better for them.



Many boxies given the choice will eat cheap fatty dog-food over any of the superior foods listed above....that will greatly shorten their life span!





People can attain knowledge; and people make choices with that lack of or attainment of knowledge. Give it time and let it "soak in"



Ric K.

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