Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is a new video of my SHL juvenile drinking from a dropper.

Link
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www.phrynosoma.com

Very interesting! It looks as if he recognized the dropper as a water source from previous waterings.

You are right Jeff, they do seem to recongnize the water source. The hernandesi are the most energetic drinkers, which makes sense knowing that they come from a more moist climate. The DHL's are second and will also come to the dropper readily. The solare are almost repulsed by it, and will only drink grudgingly. I would be willing to bet their water retention from food is probably near the highest and they just don't seem to need much in this way. The cornutum will drink readily this way but don't seem to associate the dropper with water like these SHL's do and it takes some coaxing.
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www.phrynosoma.com

very intresting...do you observe this behavior generally with most SHL hatchling & juveniles who are captive bred as opposed
to wild captured SHL? or are the wild captures as eager to drink this way after some familiarity?
what about the other species you have that are less enthusiastic, are they captive bred as well?
I notice the wild caught Cornutum is not very fond of drinking often, or the proximity of any watering sprayer or other utensil. however, seemed to enjoy ( or at least tolerate more ) the occasional skin conditioning spray treatment. though there have been no detectable problems with this, I don't use this method much anymore ( maybe just in assisting molting ). didn't want to block any pores with oils that could mess with thermoregulation, and, they don't get this in the wild anyway.

fireside3@hotmail.com

Actually, this is a wild caught. I have no captive born SHL's at this point. All of the SHL young I have observed have reacted this same way to the dropper. They also readily take water droplets from the glass. The Solare are captive bred and do not show this enthusiasm, but will take water this way and will even occasionally drink from a standing pool as the video on my web page shows. I have one DHL CB juv who is similar to the solare when it comes to drinking, very reluctant, but will drink.
Regarding Cornutum, if they are outside and you simulate rain with a spray bottle you will see they will drink, although reluctant at first (because of the temp change I believe), but will eventually settle in to their rain harvesting posture. Often all species will either climb a rock or stand up beside one to drink. I have two theories on this. They are either trying to recover heat from contact with the rock, or they are heading for high ground from a possible thundershower flood, or both...

Those are my thoughts. I am sure there are many more with unique experiences...

Cheers!
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www.phrynosoma.com

wild capture? wow! that's a young'un for sure. no more than about 5 months old now or what? caught him as a neonate?

I don't have any trouble getting the Cornutum to drink, so long as it's on his schedule. he'll hold steady and harvest from his back if it's been about a week since his last shower. generally if offered any more often than twice a week, he might scurry away until acclimated to the water temp. then drink. it seems the favorite though is to take from the glass when I spray the side. if he doesn't want it at all though, this one has had a tendency on occassion to go under. I thought this odd given the same reasons of expected environmental behavior you thought.

on another note...he just molted tonight. saw him last night and earlier today and did not observe any signs it would start today. noticed about a month ago he was about to soon, removed some early molting skin that was obstructing the nostrils. was starting to wonder why the big delay on the rest of it coming off. I walked in this eve, and it took a sec. to click...was wondering what the hell all the paper mache was doing in there! but, yonder there next to the tree sat a brand new lizard!

post a pic soon

Yes, he's just a whippersnapper.
I'd like to hear more about your Cornutum and diet. What are you feeding?
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www.phrynosoma.com