Hi,

I recently recieved an overnight shipment of 3 hatchling Rhinos about 10 days ago. They were sent from Arizona to where I live in Missouri. Even though I told the seller to place a heat source in the box, he failed to do so. The temps here were around freezing when they arrived, and they sat on my doorstep for a few minutes before I got to them. When I removed them from their sacks, they were like little pop-cicles! They were so weak they couldn't even hold their little heads up, and as I warmed them up, they went into a kind of mild convulsion.

Since that time, they have been in perfect husbandry conditions with plenty of heat and a basking sight averaging about 120 degrees F. They hide a lot, but seem to be perfect otherwise. However, they don't seem to be eating much, if anything at all. At one point I took a baby ear dropper and was able to get some water and mustard green leaf juice down their throats. My question is should I force feed them by coaxing them to open their mouths and quickly placing some food in them? Also, do you think their prolonged exposure to extreme cold could be responsible. ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

peace,
wes

[ Hide Replies ]

• Help with new Rhinos.... - wesmknight, Sun Nov 9 12:33:49 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - jf, Sun Nov 9 15:34:26 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - wesmknight, Mon Nov 10 10:59:30 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - jf, Mon Nov 10 11:31:10 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - Mark M, Tue Nov 11 23:25:58 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - wesmknight, Thu Nov 13 10:17:07 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - bayzow, Mon Nov 10 14:00:06 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - wesmknight, Mon Nov 10 17:02:06 2008
• try red hibiscus flowers and leaves n/p - jf, Mon Nov 10 18:28:03 2008
• RE: try red hibiscus flowers and leaves n/p - Paradon, Wed Nov 12 04:57:05 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - Rosebuds, Mon Nov 17 14:35:57 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - wesmknight, Mon Nov 17 15:49:39 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - Rosebuds, Mon Nov 17 16:40:06 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - wesmknight, Wed Nov 19 09:33:06 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - Rosebuds, Wed Nov 19 09:51:15 2008
• RE: Help with new Rhinos.... - bayzow, Sat Nov 22 13:23:54 2008