Reptile & Amphibian Forums

At what point should i be concerned about my new baby Rhino not eating , or eating very little . I have had him three days and i avoid going in the room he's in . Only to check the temps and humidity and changing his food and water . Its 75-85 on the floor 120 on his basking table and 51% humidity right now . I can see hes has eaten a little and pooped . Every time i peek through the crack in the door to check the temps he's just laying next to the hot spot , i never see him moving . Is he just still scared and needs more time alone and peace and quit ??

Dont worry.. he can go for 2 months with no food... just give him space.. make sure he can get his body temp up to 110F under the spotlight.. and ambient temp 80F.. just leave him alone.. try different foods like banana catfood mealworms to get him going.. they love mealworms.. Rhinos do need 5% animal protein in their diet..

Good luck

3 days irs only been 3 days, relax its probably still freaked out. a week to 10 days is pretty common. I wonder where it says they need 5% protein?

jf

a lot of people as you know give them living rats,, 5% is keeping it on the safe side.. they prob dont need it at all.. but it does help them to get going.. and a bunch of Cyclura research shows that they do eat animal matter in the wild.. but i think only breeders realy need the protein.. and fussy eaters..

some one please post a link.. i dont have it saved on this laptop..

I covered the front part of the cage so he can't even see me when i peak in to check the temps . He seems to like that and is eating and moving around more . As soon as he's eating really good i will uncover part of the cage, and then the rest a week or so later and see if that helps .

he will do fine.. =)

I am sure he will . I feel like we ( my wife and i ) just had a new baby and worry way too much about this little guy . I have wanted one of these for over 15 years , Now that i am retired we have plenty of time , money and room, My kids are all gone , even though i don't like that they are gone , but i do have plenty of room , we have three empty bed rooms and a living room in our basement . His cage is in a 10'x12' room by its self . Can't wait ( but will ) until i can start taming and working him .

thats great.. =) the best way to tame a rhino is to leave it alone... they are not like green iguanas or as cubans... and put the cage at head level so you arent looking down on him.. this makes him feel bigger and calms him down.. start by petting him inside the cage while his mouth is full of food.. so he cant bite you.. they are also the happiest while eating..dont look at him when you clean the cage or walk past.. so he doesnt feel targeted by a predator.. this is a instinct they have the first two years.. so your only job is to not freak him out the first two years.. then you will have a stable tame iguana =)
good luck!