Hi people ~
Thanks to all that voiced their concerns for this male Black Throat monitor. I have no idea at what point this animal stopped receiving food, but for the extent of the emaciation, I would have to suggest that it may have been fed only once every few months at best ~ just enough to keep it alive. This monitor could not even lift its own head when I received it. It's making a remarkable come back and is in typical Black Throat form now, not so much in shape of course but as in persona. It is very active and inquisitive and is also the calmest Black Throat I have ever worked with ~ (outside of feeding of course when anything moving is now potential food)!
Since I have had it, its diet has gradually been introduced as Emporer Scorpions, Crickets, Roaches and escargote Snails (ground together), along with whole Chicken, Turkey and some Beef. In an effort to add necessary actual "fat," Ground Chicken and Rice Dog Food has been offered once a week.
He actually now feels heavy to lift and his belly is rounded instead of flat and pulled inward.
This monitor had been owned for 11 years by its previous owner and I was shown photos of it as a baby. It had been purchased as captive born from a Maryland Reptile Expo.
The attached photo is from last night.
Thanks.
Skin & Scales
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Neglected Black Throat update ~
Replies (4)
That's great news, keep us updated over the coming months please.
Good luck!!
Mark
Hello,
Glad to hear that you have stabilized your blackthroat. Just curious, was the kinked tail in the baby photos also? Best to you- Mike S
Hey ~ no the tail was normal in the photos I saw of the animal up until it was about a foot long (I saw no photos of it after that size). Its weird, it looks as if they had the tail around a spool to "shape" it ~ or I could imagine to prevent it from using its tail aggressively? It just doesn't look as if its been broken, the curves are too even and smooth. this photo was taken around the time that it was dropped off. What do you think?
Skin & Scales
looks like you are doing a very good job with that guy! keep up the good work!
