Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found a DHL at a local pet store. It is adorable, but it is kept in a very small (I would say 1-2 gallon) container, and seems very inactive. Perhaps they have not been giving him the best of care.. But if I bought him and started providing proper care, would everything be fine? He is already about 3 inches long, so I don't want to buy him if he's just going to end up being sickly and stressed out all the time. If it is not a good idea to buy one at the pet store, could someone tell me where else to find them?

Do you know what it takes to take care of a HL? If so and you think you can take care of it well enough then I say do it, otherwise I dunno, read up on what kind of care they need. It is unfortunate the HL does not seem well.
- Jim

Yes, I have been reading up on how to care for them and think I have all the bases covered.. from harvester ants to heating to habitat.

I'd be cautious here. The small enclosure and relative inactivity raise some yellow flags. If this pet store specializes in herps, and the staff are knowledgeable on the proper husbandry requirements, you might be okay. If not, and you really want a HL, I would look elsewhere and find a place that knows their herps and knows them well.
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MichaelB

I agree, sort of, if Modern thinks they can give it a better home and try and help it then I rather see that they have it then it die slowly in a pet store.
- Jim

The problem with that theory is that if you "rescue" the animal, whatever it is then the store has more incentive to restock. It is better for the store to lose money on an item in this so they no longer are as likely to stock them

It is shameful that these store owners care so little about their stock that they would not educate themselves and their buyers on the proper care and feeding of their animals. This probably would not have happened 25 years ago in the average store. But maybe I am wrong... :| You'd think there would be enough money in supplying ants that they'd give it a shot.

No, if they knew that they had to order ants that sting they would not do it, nor would most people unless they knew exactly what HL's are and what the need, you could try talking to the store owner to let you have it because it will die b/c it needs a staple diet of ants and high temps. Tell them they HL's aren't profitable to have because they are so high maintenence.
- Jim