Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There was a small picture of the nataliae in Reptiles magazine. I've tried to search the coronata but keep getting pictures of birds.

I've upped the temps a bit in my cages and put in 25 to 40 watt basking bulbs (depending on cage size). The armatas LOVE it. Their color is every bit as nice in the daytime as a night. Before the day color was dark. One capra is basking regularly. A female wild caught that I think is the age of my 05 babies. Size comparison is why I think that. The 05 babies move into and out of the basking area. It's only been a few days so there hasn't been to much to notice yet. They always were good eaters. Maybe this will get them to be a bit more active.
Right now I'm a bit concerned about constipation. I don't see to much poo. I've been soaking them. They don't look dehydrated and are still eating like pigs. I'm going to move everything on the floor of the cage to see if they are going behind something. Also there a 2 or 3 roaches loose (can't catch the fast critters) and I'm thinking they might be eating it. Ack! Gonna put a piece of carrot in there like I do the other cages.
Other than a bit of mineral oil and soaking (with a slight tummy stroke) is there any other home remedy that someone has had success with? They will go to the vet if necessary.

This is why I use those ugly logs, they absorb heat and radiate heat long after the light shuts off. Lizards love this for the belly heat they get without being exposed to bright light, some lizards don’t mind and use them all day, but others will climb on them as soon as the light goes off.

What you described about your lizards coloration is really important, its called photosynthesis, these lizards poses photo-cells that allows them to get lighter or darker depending on their needs, usually a lizard that needs heat will be darker and will gradually lighten it’s coloration as the temperature gets higher. Ironically photo-cells are much more affected by heat then light.

The possibility to heat up in combination with beta carotene and thiamine, allows the production of green cells known as chlorophyll, this allows full color potential in these lizards.

rgds

Nothing beats belly heat to promote digestion, therefore I haven’t experienced digestive problems with any reptiles sins the mid 80s.

>>Nothing beats belly heat to promote digestion, therefore I haven’t experienced digestive problems with any reptiles sins the mid 80s.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

I can't be sure but I am wondering if the increase in metabolism has some impact on the production of feces. I don't find that mine produce all that much anyway! It seems to me that they utilize their food very efficiently so with the increased temps perhaps you aren't going to see any more feces than you did before.

Of course, I'm just thinking, not talking from experience or anything.

I do know that if you palpate them you will feel the lump of feces on the right side of the belly. You should be able to guage if this is abnormal or not if you have ever palpated and felt the normal lump. I don't know if this is helpful or not but think it could be.

I think putting a piece of carrot in for stray feeders is a good idea. Maybe the dragons will find them while they are feeding!
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

Absolutely theirs a huge difference in faeces, first the body absorbs a lot more nutrients, thus the faeces will be the same size and produced at about the same interval, but remember you are feeding them more. The content of faeces will be different (more like dry pallets) I haven’t analysed them in anyway but nevertheless you will see a significant difference.

But the most significant difference will be seen on the growth of your next babies.

Hears a fun observation, I use 2 water bowls in my babies cages, one is heated to 82-85f, this bowl I have to clean every day because it seems like all the dragons defecates in it.
Is this cool or what? We can now puppy train them!

This is all very interesting!

Anthony