You know . . .I really have no idea what went wrong. They were doing great. Got noticably fat and happy during the first few months that I had them ~ very healthy and active. Then they just stopped eating. Don't know why. Nothing really changed except I put them into a much bigger cage (which wouldn't really cause them to stop eating). I'm still trying to figure it out. They were ADORABLE!!!!!



Their diet was mainly crickets and about 20 or so ants a day (depending on how many they'd eat). I also gave a few small mealworms but not many. I also threw in a few other "bugs" I could find in the yard (beetles, etc).



I didn't have a UVB light but took them outside for 20-30 minutes every day to get direct sunlight. I was told 20 minutes of direct sunlight was more effective than an entire day of a UVB lamp. In addition, they were just "happier" when they could be outside. So I boxed in 3 sides and sat on the 4th side and let them roam around in the sun. I do agree that they need the UVB rays whether you give them the direct sunlight or use the lamp. Eventually, it will take its toll.



I had them for several months. They lost about half their body weight in just a couple of weeks of not eating. The particular species I had are particulary difficult to keep in captivity. When I saw how much weight they lost so quicly I turned them over to someone who keeps his HL outside (to hopefully live longer than I think they would have with me). He also just has so much more experience than I do and I wanted them to have a chance at living. Don't know if they are still alive or not and to be honest . . .I really don't want to know. Too hard. Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss. I prefer to think of them when they were fat and happy then to think they died. Be careful . . .these guys are easy to become attached to!! (They'll mean more to you than you will to them!) lol



To be honest . . .these guys are so difficult to keep alive that I think the best chance you have is to follow the advice people give you to the "T". Once in awhile someone does it "all wrong" and their lizard seems to live a long time. But that's rare. Usually, their HL will pay the price with their life.



It's not easy providing ants unless you order Harvester ants if they'll eat them (mine wouldn't). Otherwise, catching them is your best bet. I used a bug vacuum because I'm not skilled enough to use other methods! lol



I wish the best for your little guy, Man . . . it's not easy but they're definitely worth the effort. Hope yours lives a long and happy lizard life!!! lol Too bad about the camera. Would love to have seen a photo.

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