Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A MHD arrived almost dead. Limp and grey/green in color. Sprayed him often for days, provided low heat and lots of UV. He slowly regained his strength and could stand so I put a water bowl in. Since then he has been in his bowl night & day. The only way he will feed is if I open his mouth and put a waxworm in. He won't swallow until he is back in his cage. I've starved him for a few days but it hasn't effected his eating. He also has no interest in earthworms or crickets. This has gone on for a month. He is a brillant green and very alert. He has pooped several time so his gut is working. Why won't he leave his water? What can I do about his eating? Is he strong enough for a dewormer?

>>A MHD arrived almost dead. Limp and grey/green in color. Sprayed him often for days, provided low heat and lots of UV. He slowly regained his strength and could stand so I put a water bowl in. Since then he has been in his bowl night & day.

MHDs become dehydrated easily when not in proper environment. They require a high humidity so the misting would perk him up beyond a doubt. Soaking is common if the animal is shedding, had layers of old stuck shed, or females just before laying eggs.

The only way he will feed is if I open his mouth and put a waxworm in. He won't swallow until he is back in his cage. I've starved him for a few days but it hasn't effected his eating. He also has no interest in earthworms or crickets. This has gone on for a month. He is a brillant green and very alert. He has pooped several time so his gut is working. Why won't he leave his water? What can I do about his eating? Is he strong enough for a dewormer?

I’m confused here. If you are starving it to make it eat then what is it passing? How often are you putting a waxworm in his mouth and putting him back in his cage? That has to be really stressful!

Brilliant green doesn’t seem a normal color for A. capra unless it is a juvenile. Could you take a look at my species photos on my site and see if you can tell what you have? http://www.froggieb.com/MHDCaresheet.html I’m also wondering if what you have is maybe a Japalura. If that is the case I really don’t have much info on them but you could read the post about the Japalura eggs and you will find the info on a group that may be of some help to you. To determine if it is a Japalura do a search on the web and you should find at least one photo.

Also, on my caresheet www.froggieb.com/MHDCaresheet.html you will find instructions for treating for dehydration and information on force-feeding that may be helpful.

Good luck and let me know how he does.

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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

I have a Japalura and am the one who provided the link about them. So its not a Japalura. But its the brightest green I have ever seen a lizard.

As far as feeding, I am doing it once every other day and giving him 3 worms each time.

There is no old shed and does not look ready to shed. This one is about 1/2 grown and does not appear gravid.

It has pooped several times, usually in the water and they are the biggest pellets I have ever seen come out of this size lizard.

I'll check your site and try different foods.

Thanks for your help and please let me know if this info gives you any other ideas.

Mike Peter

I would like to see him eating more than 3 waxworms a day. In fact, unless he is really thin I would prefer to know it is eating something more nutritious than waxies. If that is all you can get down him right now at least he is getting something and since waxies aren't a MHD favorite you shouldn't have to worry about him getting hooked on them.

I still wonder if he would eat if you could find the right thing to temp him. I find that mine love grubs and non-toxic caterpillars. If he is half grown, 6-7" total lenght then he should be able to eat small nightcrawlers or earthworms. I leave them in a pet food dish with a little moist soil and leave for a while. When I get home from work they are almost always gone. I would sure try it. Some MHDs don't like to eat when you are around.

I am also wondering if he is A. lepidogaster. They aren't usually bright green but I have seen one that was. If it is A. capra then the babies, if well cared for and relaxed, are very bright green. The colors become duller with age but the babies are quite colorful.

MHDs do have large poop for their size! Wait till you see what come from an adult! I'm just glad it is pellets!

Good luck with him, I still encourage you to have a fecal check done but if his colors are bright that isn't a sign of poor health.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

I checked your web site and you are definitly the expert. I could not identify the species. This picture is lousy but maybe you can tell what it is. I gave him 2 small night crawlers and once I got an end in his mouth he ate them right down. Now that he's had a little more in his belly I'll try the dish with the soil tomorrow.

Another critter I got a hold of is a Polychrus marmoratus. Info seems to be almost nonexistant. Do you know of any sources?

From your photo it looks like A. capra. It also looks very thin. I am really glad you got something more than waxworms down him. He is going to need a lot of TLC if he is going to make it. His color is good though so I would concentrate on hydration and good feeding. IF he doesn't take to feeding on his own and stops taking the worms conside the strained lamb thined with boost of ensure. He really needs to be fattened up!

I never heard of Polychrus marmoratus but a search on yahoo yielded this photo http://greenfield.fortunecity.com/drongo/177/polychrusmarmoratus8991ps.JPG. If this is it it's a pretty neat looking anole. I love the super long tail! I would recommend that you find an Anole group and see if you can find more. If not you should be able to find where they are from and set up your housing accordingly.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

I'll keep working on him.

The Anole group doesn't have any thing on the polychrus. That tail is prehensile. Have set up for Guyana average conditions. If anybody sees anything let me know.