Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well we have had Sam for a few months now and he is growing well and seems nice and healthy and very alert. Ella is doing okay I think. We have had her a few weeks and I have been a bit worried about her. She seems to have her good days and bad days. She still sleeps a lot...probably since she is so young. She is eating today...yesterday she didn't want to eat and seemed to want to sleep all day. Today she seems more alert, I saw her drink some, and she finally pooped...not a lot but at least some. I will post a pic of them soon to show them off.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta

Becki, have you had a chance to take Ella into the vet for an exam and fecal check? It would be a good idea to make sure she isn't carrying any parasites. Also, opuntia cactus (prickly pear) is a food they really like and it's very good for them, so if you can offer her some of that (minced up fine so it's easy for her to eat), that might perk her up. Make sure she's well hydrated and kept warm enough. If you can get her outside for some real sunshine, that's even better.

Hope she improves, and it's nothing serious. It's very worrisome when they act like that, isn't it?
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

Good news, do you keep them in the same pen? My Heramnn's "Buddy" is 6 months now and very well adjusted. We are thinking of getting him a friend, but we are working with the breeder to figure out the best situation.

Sohni, I live in the bay area and probably can get opuntia cactus (prickly pear) at a market. How do you offer it, raw, peeled?

Terry

Terry,

I peel and dice the opuntia cactus--the skin is a little tough for them at this age, although they probably don't really need it diced. Where do you live in the Bay Area? Opuntia grows all over the place here, so you might be able to find some. I get mine from a vacant lot; it's spineless and has nice thick pads. The ones you get in the store are pretty flimsy sometimes, but it depends on where you go.

How big is your tort now? Moxie is close to 3" and about 95g at 11 months old.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

Yes they are in the same pen but I have it divided right now. I want to make sure she is free from parasites before I put them together. I would hate for Sam to get sick before I had Ella checked out. It is so cute....I could swear they can sence each other on the other side of the little divider. They seem to stay right were the other one is even though they can't see each other. Weird!
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta

No I haven't taken her to the vet yet. I was hoping I wouldn't have too but maybe I should just in case. I will call for an appointment right after I get off of here. It would be terrible if something was wrong and I waited to late to get her checked out.
So does Prickly pear cactus grow around here? What does it look like? Can I buy it at the grocery store if it isn't around here? Thanks!
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta

Here's a link for you: http://www.rivenrock.com/photogallery1.html

You know what opuntia cactus looks like, you just don't know it, lol. The stuff is everywhere, and most likely you know someone who has it in their yard and can give you some. I guess it's really easy to grow. The pads will keep quite a while--just cut off what you need and the cut will dry up, keeping the pad fresh. I'm just getting to the end of a pad I've had for a couple months, and it's still good. I don't know if you can freeze the pads, but I cut the fruit into small chunks and freeze those. I give some to the torts every once in a while, and they love it.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

Yes! I have seen those cactus everywhere. Just today as a matter of fact! I actually have a neighbor that has the stuff growing in their yard....maybe they will let me use some. Thanks!
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta