Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, I have been maintaining the little rescue monitor I got in the Fall on mice and crickets. It was mostly crickets at first but I have started relying on the mice more as he is bigger and I have less access to the crickets on a daily basis. I have a lovely colony of Dubia but he doesn't like them.

Anyhoo, my question is more about frequency. I do not want him to get fat. I have been feeding 2 small mice every 2-3 days. I know he would eat more. I only feed the crickets about once a week now. I have tried putting the roaches in when I know he is hungry but he really avoids them.

And I have assumed all along that an occasional (as in I did this once this morning) meal of raw chicken is ok since I had some leftovers from dinner last night.

Thank you,
Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

Hi Carole, first, I`d like to ask you a few questions; can you give details of temps and humidity throughout the enclosure and how you measure those, also, what`s the size and type of tank, and do you have a couple of photos you can put up? Thanks!
As with any lean raw meats, it`s of little nutritional value unless supplements are added (calcium/vitamins), much better to just offer whole prey, as I`m sure you already know.

Hi, I probably shouldnt have even mentioned the chicken since it was once in 5 months. I know they dont eat that all the time. My question was about frequency...

Temps are 130-140 on the basking spot and about 84 on the cool end by day. The room drops to about 75-77 at night and I dont have any supplemental heat at night. Humidity is as high as I can make it which is in the 50-70% range in the winter now. I have the top of the cage almost entirely covered to keep the humidity in. He is on top soil/sand mix. It is a 48x18 tank. He is about a year old but severely stunted (and lumpy). (He came like that but has grown significantly since I have had him).

Thanks.
Carole

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www.reptilecare.com

Hi again, I`m not sure what you mean by he`s "lumpy", have you seen a vet since you`ve had the animal, if yes, what were/are the problems, health wise?
I can`t see properly, but the substrate looks very shallow, I realise that with an 18inch high tank it`s difficult to do much, but could you either modify this enclosure, or build/buy another which is higher, and would allow for deeper substrate, they are digging/burrowing lizards, as I`m sure you already know, it also helps with humidity to have a greater depth?
You`re daytime temps sound o.k, (nights too), you can feed on a daily basis. Even though the monitor will probably never reach it`s full size potential now, the important thing is to keep him/her in good health, which I`m sure you`ll try your best to do.
It`s o.k to feed a little lean meat on occasion, but dust with supplements.

I give mice a couple times a week (usually 2 mice per feeding)and some diced up fresh meat (red or white) periodically.

Mine seems to get stale on a mouse-only diet and takes them a lot less enthusiastically than the fresh cut meat.
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Mike Heinrich,
Mike@amazontreeboa.org
www.amazontreeboa.org