Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My MHD (Turkey- because his neck is like a turkey's) seems to be a very picky eater. It seems like sometimes he goes for days even a week without eating and it worries me. Sometimes my girlfriend will force feed him just to make sure he's got something in his tummy. I got him as a hatchling and he's just over a year old. Is this normal?
Also, where can i get earthworms? I thought of going to a bait shop but I'm scared those worms are not clean and probably carry parasites considering they're just bait. Please help, I love my Turkey even though he has the weirdest personality of all my lizards.

I used to get mine at Bait Shops, have not had an animal reinfected yet. But I recently got an order online that should (if they live that long in my fridge) last me all winter
I recieved 24 boxes of 18 worms each from Armstrong. They seemed to ahve aproblem with Paypal not getting them the Money in a timely Maner, so I got athem a couple weeks ater I ordered them, instead of just 2 days
They can and do go days and weeks without eating, they are not mamals. Instead of looking at the clock, look at their legs, and activity levels, (how close to normal is it, etc.)
I have a troup of 6 in one enclosure, and just as I am sure they will NEVER eath the worms in the dish, suddenly all 15 or 20 are gone. My guys seem to be extreamly efficient with their BMs also, I am not cleaning out nearly as many as I expected to with this many animals

Keep up with he Questions, Froggie B will aswer too (I am sure)
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*

I can't really add much more. Pretty thorough answer. I will again stress that it is important to have a fecal done yearly and if you have done that and he is clear of parasites then you shouldn't have to worry.

Remember that the appetite decreases during shed and if it's a male sometimes they don't eat much through the fall and winter.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

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Signature file edited. [phw 9/13/04]

I'd just like to add this:
I have a gorgeous male (from FroggieB) and he only eats every few days, and usually only a superworm or two. However, sometimes, he will sleepwalk down to the food dish late at night for a nightcrawler. But normally, he has a superworm or two every 3-4 days.
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April
1.0 Mali Uromastyx- Embrodak,
0.1 Saharan Uromastyx- Scheherazade
2.1 Mountain Horned Dragon- Beren, Luthien and Tinuviel
3.0.5 Hermit Crabs- Violet, Polly, Jennifer, Trogdor, Hedwig, Penelope and Sinistra
1.1 Five lined Skink- Leela and Fry
1.0 Bettas-Nuala

Thanks everyone for your advice, I feel much more comfortable now.