Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I purchased a Yellow Ackie hatchling yesterday and I have a few picky questions that I couldn't find the answers to by ready the caresheets offered.

1. I will use paper towels as a substrate for about a month or so, but I would like to switch to dirt. Besides the soil mixes, mulch, coconut, etc are there any Pet store substrates (such as calcisand) that would be suitable? Keep in mind, I do not plan to breed and cost is not a consideration since I only have one. I am only interested in eas of care, looks, and most importantly safe for the Ackie. I would rather my a small bag of something than have to buy 20lb bags of sand, soil, etc.

2. I leave my house at 6:30 and come home at 7-7:30 every day. What is the best way for me to introduce the crickets? Should I just put them in in the morning or drop a few in when I get home? I don't want the crickets to irritate him/her, but I also don't want to miss the time of the day when they hunt (if there is even such a time).

3. It's only been a day, but I am already hoked on it's personality. What a set of b---s on this thing. I tried to move him to change the paper, but he wouldn't budge. Very confident little animal. No quesiton here...

Thanks in advance for your help with my questions
Jeff

hey jeff,

I keep yellow ackies, and they seem to enjoy the dirt that I've dug up from my backyard. The ackies tend to dig and burrow more than any of the other monitors i keep. Give them a nice deep, substrate that will facilitate burrowing.

About the feeding thing.. I would throw some crickets in the enclosure in the morning before you go to work. THis will give them all day to hunt/feed on them, as well as have significant time to digest, as opposed to only having a couple of hours or so when you return in the evening.

As for the behavior, he/she will settle in over time, and will most likely, like most ackies become quite tranquil and handleable. Just give it some time, and let them gain your trust, as opposed to reaching in and grabbing them every day or so. Let them associate you as not being a threat, this usually comes by regular feedings. Just give it time,

take care, I hope this helps a bit,

bob

The Odatriad

Hi,

I recently got two hatchling red ackies and I have them on forest bed which they love. They are burrowing all the time, in fact sometimes I don't see them till later. Hatchlings dehydrate quickly, so make sure water is always available. I would put dusted crickets in the morning like Bob said. I also have four adult yellow ackies (two from Bob) and they are bold, friendly, inquisitive and just plain fun. I know you will really enjoy your new baby! Good luck.

Pam

Mines eating like no tomorrow.He finished his first shed (in my care) this weekend. He sleeps in his burrow, but is usualy out basking or rutting around. I gave mine a cardboard roll from some aluminum foil. He uses it often throughout the day, running through it, sleeping. Later, Clint

Hi Clint...

They sure did! They are growing like weeds and fast as h#@l. I wouldn't want one of them to get away. Never having hatchlings I was used to the calm, complacent nature of the adults. LOL Glad yours is doing well.

Pam

What if I were to mix Bed-a-Beast (which I think is coconut) with playsand or other type of sand? I've used the B-a-B with Chondros and I can see the crickets getting lost in that.

thanks
jeff

I use a 50-50 mix of ground coconut (it comes in these blocks from the pet store, this may be the bed-a-beast youre talking about) and sand for my flavi./hornii cross. When it's moist it holds burrows very nicely, and its pretty cheap to mix up a very large batch of it.