Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought a pair of yellow ackies last weekend and decided to go purchase a third from the same clutch. The two I have had for a week seem to be very calm and not active. The smaller of the two has been seclusive until the last few days, while the larger sits in a crevice and closes his eyes. I havent seen them be real active like the one I brought home today. The newest member hasnt set still yet! I never find any of them in the hot spot, but they crap all over it and needs to be cleaned daily. Because I work, I am not home all day to monitor activity, however of what I've seen they arent all that active. They appear very healthy, no cloudy eyes no stuck sheds, and all are eating well on a diet of crix dusted with rep-cal. I guess the question I have is, is this just part of ackies personality differences or am i doing something wrong? Should the hot spot be in direct lighting or should I aim to get the favorite crevice to the hotspot temp?

The temps are 120-25F in the hotspot, 100F in the favorite spot/crevice of the large, and between 85-87 throughout the rest of the cage. I mist the cage about once a day to ensure soil moisture, and it will hold a burrow.

Ackies all have their own personality, yes. Very yes hahaha. I have a fantastic male that scratches at the window to come out, he'll come out crawl around on me for a min then go back in while then I have another male who wont come to me at all, but will watch everything I do and knows at all times whos doing what. The personalities are as different as ours.

Secondly...any reptile does what you describe when you first get them, they investigate their new home. You don't have to get crazy with the cage, I would say just relax and enjoy yourself.

To base decisions for husbandry on your first week with them may not be the best idea. I would wait once you think everything is setup ok, a couple months. If you notice some behavior taking place consistantly and think the lizard(s) is talking to you, then act on it. But for the first week, just relax and have fun watching them do their thing.

Cheers,
Mike.

Oh also....just thought of this, I do find that they like to relax in a room temperature type of environment too. I offer a wide degree of temps and usually, they are in the 75-80ish area.

Cheers,
Mike.

Thanks Mike. I know I cant base decisions on what they are doing now as they are relatively new, and the smaller one did not even allow me to walk in the room without retreating for cover until the other day. So I understand where you are coming from. I just am very picky about keeping the ideal setup. A $480 investment is the most I've ever paid for a group of reptiles and I want to insure that they are getting the best care, not only because they were expensive, but also because I despise people that take ill care of any animal in captivity. It sounds like I am on the right track, I just want to ensure that others with more experience believe so also. I believe the animals are healthy, with the exception of the one that sits for hours at a time in the crevice and I have not seen him in the hotspot. But all are eating and visually appear healthy. Thanks for your time.

OBTW, Monitors have been the largest learning curve I've experienced in keeping reptiles! I'm hooked now and having a blast!

Hahaha just be patient, they will come around. Keep the heat and food and you'll be good. Also keep researching the forums in the past archives, good (and bad, youll be able to tell the differense) info in there.

Goodluck,
Mike.

haha yeah, I've been living on these forums for the past three months! I think I've read every care sheet available at least twice. Thanks for the info.