Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm interested in getting an ackie that my friend has for sale.

I'll be able to feed it live insects when I'm at my friends pet shop but at home it's gotta be all dead insects, ground turkey, eggs,and fuzzies.

My question is, how readily do ackies take ground turkey or insects off tongs? I may try can o' caterpillars as a treat too.

Thoughts? Suggestions?
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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."

From my humble experience i have to say it all depends on the individual animal.
Some will take dead insects while others would rather starve, some of mine will eat ground turkey and others wont even look at it!
Is there no way you can store live insects while youre away from your friends shop?
Mealworms live for a long while with very little care and make a great back up for when you cant get hold of crickets etc.

Thanks for the reply.

The wife is a bug-a-phobe so live is out of the question for the most part. I may try feeding it dead at the shop and see if it takes it first.

I briefly owned a savannah many years ago and it's feces was unbearably smelly, do ackies have the same problem?
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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."

Hi Bryan,

On the feces, put it this way how many animals have crap that smells good? Not many.

You could probably tong feed crickets and give it turkey. But think about that for a second.

I have a large male ackie that can eat at ton of crickets in a day...more then 30, more then 50 probably, maybe 100, I don't know becuase I dont count - but I do know he can eat at least 50.

Lets say he can only eat 30. Are you going to sit there and tong feed the lizard 30 dead crickets one by one? Everyday? Now think about that number doubled...

It may not be the best decision if you can't feed what proven to work well in the lizards.

Goodluck,
Mike.

She's afraid of crickets but she's not afraid of a 2 foot lizard? LOL... women.

I would be hesitant to get the lizard at all to be honest. It doesn't sound like you'll keep it long if these basic needs (live insects and pooping) are issues. Did you also know it's cage needs to be filled with dirt? That dirt will end up in the cage doors and inevitably on the floor on occasion.

It'll be fed live 2-3 times a week, and prekilled or dead food the other days. I'm trying to determine how readily the non-live food will be accepted.

I've kept dozens of species over the last 20 years, but monitors only once. The feces were so foul it actually made me throw up. Wasn't sure if that's a trait of savanahs or all monitors. Thanks.
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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."

you didnt answer the other posters ? do you know how much space they need and the care of them because it seem to me that you dont and i wold like to know what did you keep the savanna in while you had and how big was it

Hey!

Ok......Ackies being somewhat smaller than your average Savannah dont have the same smell issues...in my opinion.
Look at it this way, does a Great Danes poo stink more than a Chihuahuas? (ok smart alecs, yes it can depend on what you're feeding both dogs but lets assume they're fed the same)

My biggest male Ackie eats when he wants, sometimes he'll consume 20-50 crickets...other days he shows no interest at all.
If it was me and youre really set on getting an Ackie and you have the option of being able to feed live prey 2-3 times a week then i say go for it!
I would definitely give it a go on 'non-living' prey as well.
Hope this is of some help

[I'm interested in getting an ackie that my friend has for sale.]

How long has your friend had the ackie? Is it in good health and what's he been feeding it?

It's been at my friends pet shop for a few months. He doesn't get a very herp savvy clientele, so most people don't know what they're looking at and so it hasn't sold.

His staff is feeding it pinkies exclusively but I will vary the diet as much as I can to avoid fatty liver etc.

She's about 12 inches and I'll have her set up in a 55 gallon aquarium with an appropriate deep substrate and a hot enough basking area inclusive of a Frank Retes style basking tier. I'm not worried about other aspects of husbandry, that stuff
I know, just the aforementioned willingness to take prekilled items.

After speaking to my friend today, he felt she'd take ft pinks no problem and so I think I'll pick her up whenever the new tank is set up and temps are stable.

Thanks to all, I'll let you know how it goes and post pics when I can.
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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."

"fatty liver" has more to do with poor husbandry than diet.

Foods like eggs and canned pet foods can lead to smelly and runny stools.

You want to vary your diet? Feed rodents, then feed some insects. That is plenty varied. It is proven, economical, healthy, and easy to do. All the rest of it is not needed, and just creates these other variables that scare you off.

Rodents. Insects. Done.

Best of luck.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Thanks Robyn,

I've been a fan of PE for a long time, you folks definitely have genuine insight into effective reptile husbandry. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I'd be buying from you folks if this guy wasn't down the road and only $99. If I enjoy her as much as I think I will, you'll be hearing from me soon for a trio :O)
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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."