Hi Mike welcome to the forum. I guess I will have to start with the basic questions..Did you purchase it from a pet store or a breeder? If it was a pet store was it a big chain like PetSmart or Petco? If so watch for signs of parasitic infestation, a classic complaint of pet store bought MHDs.

40 watts is way too hot for a MHD in a 10 gallon unless your temps are very low inside your home. These guys dont need it any warmer than 80 during the day, prefering around 77 degrees with a drop into the low 70s high 60s at night.

They love to be up high so you might want to start looking into getting a taller cage for it. An adult will do best in a set up that allows for around 3 feet or more climbing area. These are arboreal animals as a rule, a sick one is one that stays on the ground more often than not. Also, since I have heard this at pet stores and from private customers who wonder what went wrong; You cannot stunt any reptile's growth by keeping it a small cage and a 10 gallon will not happily or healthily house an adult MHD.

Chances are it wont see the water unless it moves, MHDs are very visually oriented. You can use either a drip type system or the easier bubble stone. Having a bubble stone in the water dish will also raise the humidity to help achieve the necessary 75 % RH. A good sized bowl is recommended as these little ones really enjoy soaking and playing in the water. Keep it as simple as you can as they also tend to use them as toilets and you will need to be keeping the water clean.

Lots of plants to help it hide and feel safe and also help keep humidity high. Try to find ones that will handle being climbed on and run across.

Don't fret if you don't see a whole lot of activity out of your little guy, they are sedentary lizards for the most part and will just hang out all day.

Check out FroggieB's website, it has tons of info. There is a fellow here called Joe who built a nice home for his MHDs to house them into adulthood, he has the plans for the cage on his page. There may be a few other folks with plans for their homemade MHD homes here as wellso be sure to ask.

If you have any questions feel free to ask, either here or in e-mail.

Good luck with your new little one, I think you will find it quickly becomes a favorite "pet".



Cheyanne

Spitfire Reptiles

[ Show Entire Thread ]