DieselDinoguy
New member
Hey Boys and Girls, this is my first time posting on here, so ill give you a little background.
I have been raising North American Desert tortoises for 18 years now, and until here recently had not branched out. A few years back I ran into a Golden Tegu in a pet store and fell in love with the poor creature, at that point i was unable to take on a creature of his responsibility level. Well this last week while at a local feed/pet store i came across a 24 inch/3 month old Nile Monitor, he was in a 15 gal tank, and i couldnt stand to see him suffering. I bought a set or leather work gloves and brought him home. This is my first personally owned carnivore, I have been around almost every reptile from Black Mambas, to Gila monsters, but this is the first i have owned. I could use a little guidance, and helping hands. He is now residing in my basement wired with a zoomed 20gal pad, 175 total watts day/75 IR watts night, a corner bowl large enough to submerse, temp from left of tank to right is 105 left to 80 right during the day, and drops to 80 total at night, humidity is kept around 65-75% at all times. Im planning on completing his permanent structure by the end of the year.
My current worries are, he hasnt eaten since i brought him home, the pet store said they had fed him the 26 of july a mouse or two, unsure of amount. I brought him home on the 29 and havent been able to hand/captive feed him as of yet. He is also knocking his poor nose bloody. He is taking crickets out of the tweezers during handling, but is not eating them, he grabs them and spits them out. He DOES have plenty of energy and appears to be finishing shedding, and overall mood seems to be improving. I am making the commitment to handle him everyday for atleast 15-20 minutes, and have moved from leather work gloves to mid arm length welding gloves with much success.
Thank you ahead of time for your help, and your guidance.
And by the way I am in the Bremerton, Wa area, for those not in the know, that would be west of Seattle, Wa 30 miles as the crow flies.
Blessed Be all
Nick
I have been raising North American Desert tortoises for 18 years now, and until here recently had not branched out. A few years back I ran into a Golden Tegu in a pet store and fell in love with the poor creature, at that point i was unable to take on a creature of his responsibility level. Well this last week while at a local feed/pet store i came across a 24 inch/3 month old Nile Monitor, he was in a 15 gal tank, and i couldnt stand to see him suffering. I bought a set or leather work gloves and brought him home. This is my first personally owned carnivore, I have been around almost every reptile from Black Mambas, to Gila monsters, but this is the first i have owned. I could use a little guidance, and helping hands. He is now residing in my basement wired with a zoomed 20gal pad, 175 total watts day/75 IR watts night, a corner bowl large enough to submerse, temp from left of tank to right is 105 left to 80 right during the day, and drops to 80 total at night, humidity is kept around 65-75% at all times. Im planning on completing his permanent structure by the end of the year.
My current worries are, he hasnt eaten since i brought him home, the pet store said they had fed him the 26 of july a mouse or two, unsure of amount. I brought him home on the 29 and havent been able to hand/captive feed him as of yet. He is also knocking his poor nose bloody. He is taking crickets out of the tweezers during handling, but is not eating them, he grabs them and spits them out. He DOES have plenty of energy and appears to be finishing shedding, and overall mood seems to be improving. I am making the commitment to handle him everyday for atleast 15-20 minutes, and have moved from leather work gloves to mid arm length welding gloves with much success.
Thank you ahead of time for your help, and your guidance.
And by the way I am in the Bremerton, Wa area, for those not in the know, that would be west of Seattle, Wa 30 miles as the crow flies.
Blessed Be all
Nick