Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had this Great Basin Collared for about 2 weeks. He didn't eat much when I first got him, but now he is eating like crazy. Yesterday I put 15 crickets in his tank and he ate about 6 within a half hour. I also put some greens in there and he ate those. 24 hours later, I think there are 2 crickets left. He is almost a foot long. Should I start feeding him pinkies? I also heard that crickets will bite your lizard. Is that correct? He doesn't seem to show any ill effects of me leaving the crickets in there for extended periods of time.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hi, welcome to the forum. Always good to have one that enjoys his food a good thing! He may feel more comfortable now, more acclimated to his new surroundings. I would let him eat. Are you sure you have a male?

Also the pinky thing is a personal choice, but not a nessesary thing. Some say that pinkies carry alot of parasites also. I have never fed any of mine pinkies, can't do it, but heck thats me, I know some who do occasionally. So you will have to decide if you want to. Just make sure to dust your insects or food with a good suppliment.

As far as the crickets biting, yes they come out at night while the lizard is asleep and cold/ metabolism is slow, and they can't move much , so they are tortured all night by a nipping cricket/s kind of stresses the lizard. What I do just incase there are any extra crickets roaming, I put a chunk of carrot , or a piece of greens in the tank at night, the crickets attack that instead of your collared.
Let us know if you need any help Oh and post some pics for us
Suncharmers. Collareds/ Care and More

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PHEve / Eve

OK, after reading from the link you sent me, he is a she. And upon closer measurements, she is about 9 inches long, maybe even less (c'mon, you know how guys exaggerate!). I am careful now to only give her 3 crickets at a time, and I don't think she's ready for pinkies yet. I think I will just try to breed crickets eventually. She seems to really love the large moths that I catch by the light at night more than anything. I wish I could figure out how to breed moths . I probably wont send pictures soon. She is in her temporary tank right now because I am moving any day and can't move her main tank if it is set up.