hey Peter, i can't see your animals in person, obviously, but i can speculate : )



i think the behavior is more tied to stress levels and cage potentials. in a poor setup, where the animals clearly DON'T thrive, the animals are carrying such a high stress load that they can't act "natural". when you give them more tools to live a more appropriate life, stress levels drop, and their natural behavior is able to show itself.



for example, in a poor setup, with poor hidespots, the animals often "give up hope" of getting away from your predatory (in their eyes) paws. they live in such a state of shock and there is nowhere they recognize as a suitable retreat.



the same animal, when given a better setup and burrow, recognizes that as safety and security, and finally has something to flee to, a natural instinct. in a way, folks are "medicating" and "sedating" their animals unknowningly, with improper setups.



along the same lines, low temps will also shut down an animal's system and reactions. hence the "tame" Nile monitor in the aggressively poor pet store setup, that is an absolute nightmare once setup at home, with proper basking temps and heat gradient...
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robyn@proexotics.com



Pro Exotics Reptiles

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