Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey friends,
I got outside today and I found both my HLs sunning themselves.
This is a good thing, except that my male is looking awfully sluggish, and skinny. I realize its only noon, and that they've only been awake for a couple days, but my female looks pretty spry, and I was wondering if I should be concerned.
I offered 10 or so ants, which the female ate promptly, the male just kinda sat there. I put water in the pen and am just kinda hoping that I'm overly worried. Is there something I could do for them in the meantime? Thanks a lot.

Yours,
Phil Clevinger

Hey Phil,
What kind of ants are you feeding? I find the DHL's are much more enthusiastic about P. Californicus than P. Rugosus.
Just a thought.
Cheers!
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Cables Home
2 Kings 6:15-17

Hey Cable,
You know, thats a good question. The ants
I find do find are a Pogonamyrmex species,
As I read my Audobon guide to Deserts of N. America,
The pics I saw in there reminded me of rugosus.....
Are there certain field markers that would readily distinguish the two? The ones I find, are more or less black all over with the latter half of the abdomen a rusty color.....big, as far as a lot of ants I see go. Well, thanks for the help.

Yours,
Phil

Phil
That indeed does sound like P. rugosus if you are in the mojave desert area. It is easily distinguishable from the only other common Pogonomyrmex in the area by color and size. It is that dark brown color and much larger than californicus. If you are in the higher areas of the desert, Ie: Hesperia you might also be seeing Messor andrei.

ok someone needs to teach me what ants you guys are talking about because I have know clue???????

P. Californicus

P. Rugosus:

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Cables Home
2 Kings 6:15-17

Hello, friends.
So THOSE are californicus. I had no clue....
How funny. When I was little, they were just
"Red Ants" and rugosus were "Black Ants".
So your HLs like Californicus? Hmmm.
I'll have to try it, it would make sense,
they would seem slightly more manageable,
and here in Apple Valley, I have found both species,
so experiment, here I come! Right now,
they're eating mostly Earwigs, and Caterpillars,
wasn't sure if I should start ants, as it can be rather cold
still. I once lost an HL that got an ant biting his tongue.
He wouldn't bury himself, and it froze that night, so I assumed
that ants should be given to them when they're warm enough to take them....Perhaps I'm wrong. If anyone has had a different experience, let me know. Thanks Cable!

Yours,
Phil

Hey Phil,
I have fed my DHL's earwigs too, they seem to love them. I think it is important to feed a good ratio of ants to them also. From the reading I have done the indication is the acid from ants balances their digestive tract and keeps them in a healthy equilibrium.
It is also true that they like variety, even if you just feed ants. Mine love the different kinds of ants that I find around this area.
Other things they eat with relish:
* Bees
* Moths
* Flying ants that are caught at a black light on my patio.
* Ladybugs

I have never heard of an HL getting bit by an ant and suffering any consequences from it. They must get stung and bit on the tongue all the time I would think. I am sure there are some folks here though that could probably give you some good insight in that regard.

Cheers!
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Cables Home
2 Kings 6:15-17