Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking for some advice on a couple of approximately 4-5 month old yellow ackies that I just picked up off a breeder. I'm not a newbie to ackies but I'm having troubles getting these new 2 to eat. I received them on March 24th and on the March 31st i informed the breeder that they had not eaten yet. We went down the check list of temps, hides, times, etc. and I have everything setup text book. So we agreed I should ad more Rete's stacks for hiding and i did. I also found out that he runs lights and high temps 24/7 which is nothing new but i run 12/12 on/off cycles which have never bothered my other 2 in the least. The "new" ackies seem to sleep a lot like they are brumating but the temps wouldn't dictate such. I have tried feeding anything from crickets, mealworms, and pinks with all being refused. The only thing i can think that would cause them to shut down or brumate would be the light cycles. I hate to run 24 hour light because of the other reptiles i have in the room. I should ad that when the new ackies are awake they pace the cage which is opposite of my adults. My adults are active all day and feed on command and come sunset they head for their hides. Any answers or trouble shooting ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Jason K
-----
Raccoon River Reptiles
Private Breeder: Jason Kirtley
Yale, IA 50277
641.431.1235
www.raccoonriverreptiles.com

Setting up "textbook" is still a very relative term. I have seen lots of poor textbooks, so husbandry details are still important for this type of inquiry.

Lacking that info, sounds like acclimation. Maybe.
-----
robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Textbook, as in, i setup all my ackies enclosures according to your (Pro Exotics)caresheet. So if you believe it to be acclimation then what do you recommend me doing? Do I raise my daylight hours. I really don't care what it takes as long as i can get them feeding to keep them healthy. I would have bought the trio from you but Pro Exotics ackies are hard to get ahold of. Thanks Jason K
-----
Raccoon River Reptiles
Private Breeder: Jason Kirtley
Yale, IA 50277
641.431.1235
www.raccoonriverreptiles.com

Acclimation can take 2 days, 2 weeks, or 2 months, it depends on the animals, the setup, and the keeper.

Offer some rodents, they are easy to track as far as eaten/uneaten. We use thawed crawlers and hoppers, chopped up. Try feeding in the evening.

If you see a visual problem, skinny monitors, fighting monitors, some negative indicator, then you can take further steps, but without those negative indicators, don't sweat it too much : )
-----
robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Thanks Robyn, your the best. BTW, can't wait to get that email informing me my trio of Reds are Ready!! Thanks for your input it is very appreciated. Thanks Jason K
-----
Raccoon River Reptiles
Private Breeder: Jason Kirtley
Yale, IA 50277
641.431.1235
www.raccoonriverreptiles.com

Also, What about my lighting then. Since, you and this breeder run 24/7 lighting do you recommend me switching them back or leave it well enough alone to let them acclimate to it. THanks Jason K
-----
Raccoon River Reptiles
Private Breeder: Jason Kirtley
Yale, IA 50277
641.431.1235
www.raccoonriverreptiles.com

Most of our stuff is NOT on 24/7 at this time.

It is no problem, just set it at 12/12, it should be fine : )
-----
robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles