Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

I've recently run into a couple of small snags in my HL husbandry, and was hoping to get some insight from fellow keepers.

My problem is fairly simple. My DHLs used to be fed in the afternoon, around 4 pm. I'd feed them because they would come out, and the air was a lot cooler than say noon. Now the temps are too hot for them until around 6:30pm. Since I don't always have the time to get out at 6pm, whereas 4 was no problem,
I've tried switching their feeding schedules to the morning, but have run into similar problems. Both HLs would be barely waking up at 9AM, and hiding by about 10.

I have seen them eat at around 6, but ants seem to be repugnant to them. I'll drop 30 californicus in there, and both (which used to eat with the fervor of nine rabid weasles) will eat maybe one or two, and then go back to head bobbing or basking. I've tried feeding them different bugs (bees, beetles, and tomato worms), with some success, but I know they need to stay on those ants. They just don't seem all that interested in them.

My thoughts would be perhaps I need to stay a little further away, so they would feel more comfortable and eat the ants. I honestly don't know how much either is eating, although their legs, tails, and stomachs all appear to be as plump as ever. and both will eat the bees in front of me, they're just a bit difficult to catch anymore. I also increased watering in the pen in case they need it. I water their pen twice a week now, as opposed to 1x.

I'm running out of ideas, although it is blazing hot out here now. Perhaps the increased heat is messing with their feeding schedules/appetites?

My last wondering is, I know how much they eat, I've seen them both eat large amounts of ants. I threw 50 californicus ants in there today, even though they weren't out. Should I continue to do this? I don't want to scare them, but they need to eat. If they're eating when I'm not outside to watch them, it would seem like a good idea to throw some ants in there, just in case. Any opinions on the matter?

Finally, I am not worried about these guys right now. They seem to be functioning quite normally, but I would like to better prepare myself for these small curveballs....Thanks for your help!

regards,
-Phil

I have found that in Texas with the heat either late in the evening or early in the morning, more often on the morning. It is not unusual for lizards to estivate during heat waves, you might try some wax worms, or capture some native insects with a bugnapper, just be sure you know what a firefly looks like as they are deadly to lizards. I have found during the heat of the day they are not so apt to eat. I am sure your animals are in good shape and healthy, I assume these are desert Hl's, I'd be careful about too much water not that there is too much but they should be fine......some times a change in diet for a short time is helpful, might try some 1/4 inch crickets as well. Cheers!! If they cut down on eating all together for a week or so then I'd be concerned, might even let them go two ro three days before feeding next time. You'll notice the end of the year they will inhale everything before they go down for the winter.
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Phrynosoma.com

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signature file edited. [phw 11/14/04]

Not any advise, but I have noticed the same thing in my DHL's. In the last 4-5 days, they have considerably reduced the numbers of p. californicus they will take. I can feed them each about 5 or so, and for a while they're not interested in food at all. I have to keep throwing them in throughout the day and late afternoon just to get a decent number in them.

It would seem that the heat has everything to do with it!
Ryan

Most HL species are in estivation at this time of year so don't be surprised if they are not as active as normal.
I have yet to see normal estivation activity (or inactivity) while in captivity, even in the large enclosure. I'm not sure why but it could be due to insuitable microhabitat.
But I have seen marked times where my HL's slow down or don't seem to come out for a day or two.
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Phrynosoma.Com

Hey guys,

thanks for your input. The weather has been very humid for the past week with the thunderstorms blowing through, so perhaps the air is too muggy for normal activity. I have stopped putting ants in for a couple of days, as the large female hasn't come out. The male is out when the weather is cool enough, but he won't eat the ants for some reason. He has been eating bees, and a couple beetles here and there. I will put in some californicus today and see if the little HLs decide they're hungry after all.
thanks again guys.
-Phil

PS the rugosus are staring to fly queens in my backyard =)

Hey guys,

I just got in from feeding my pair of DHLs about 130
P. californicus ants. The female took to them, like she normally does, and the male looked very interested, but didn't want to eat with me around. He continually ran away when he saw me. I thought if perhaps I came in from behind the pen....the 2 1/2' side maybe that would help him not be so afraid of me. well, he ate a bee right off, and then ran on top of the rock basking site, where I fed him 10 californicus ants. either this plan worked, or he was too hungry to complain, and he ended up taking out over 40 ants! his best by far. So I will continue to do this, and see what happens. thanks again for your help!

-Phil