Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 1st clutch of DHL are due to hatch within a week or so. And the female is nesting right now about to lay her second clutch.

Anyone have experience raising hatchlings that can provide me with optimum care info? I'm particularly interested in testing various diet alternatives. Would like to hear any experiences you might have had, good or bad. Feel free to email me privately if you desire.

Thanks,
Roger
rkhorne@aol.com

What do you mean about testing altermatives? I would stay away from crickets, why vary the diet of a horned lizard when their primary meal is ants? Occasional small king mealworms or even a wax worm or wild caught moths and spiders are great, but they need to have ants in order to maintain optimum health. I see many posts, about using other insects for these lizards, and while they are opportunistic, and given a chance will eat many different kinds of insects, but as a regimium I would vote agianst that, in spite of some people that would heavily disagree with me.............just my 2 cents worth.

Will you keep them outside or inside? Outside is best if possible, but if you come from cold climate then you need to
be sure you have a UVB/UVA bukb, I like the ESU 8.0 and they should be about 10 to 12" above the substrate with a basking spot light. A 20 gallon long may be about the right size cage. I'm not sure what other advice youir looking for.

I have been successful feeding as many small crickets dusted with reptivite as well as offering as many ants as they will eat. The more frequently they are fed the better. I would highly recomend using a mercury vapor UV heat lamp.