• Posted 12/19/2024.
    =====================

    I am still waiting on my developer to finish up on the Classifieds Control Panel so I can use it to encourage members into becoming paying members. Google Adsense has become a real burden on the viewing of this site, but honestly it is the ONLY source of income now that keeps it afloat. I tried offering disabling the ads being viewed by paying members, but apparently that is not enough incentive. Quite frankly, Google Adsense has dropped down to where it barely brings in enough daily to match even a single paid member per day. But it still gets the bills paid. But at what cost?

    So even without the classifieds control panel being complete, I believe I am going to have to disable those Google ads completely and likely disable some options here that have been free since going to the new platform. Like classified ad bumping, member name changes, and anything else I can use to encourage this site to be supported by the members instead of the Google Adsense ads.

    But there is risk involved. I will not pay out of pocket for very long during this last ditch experimental effort. If I find that the membership does not want to support this site with memberships, then I cannot support your being able to post your classified ads here for free. No, I am not intending to start charging for your posting ads here. I will just shut the site down and that will be it. I will be done with FaunaClassifieds. I certainly don't need this, and can live the rest of my life just fine without it. If I see that no one else really wants it to survive neither, then so be it. It goes away and you all can just go elsewhere to advertise your animals and merchandise.

    Not sure when this will take place, and I don't intend to give any further warning concerning the disabling of the Google Adsense. Just as there probably won't be any warning if I decide to close down this site. You will just come here and there will be some sort of message that the site is gone, and you have a nice day.

    I have been trying to make a go of this site for a very long time. And quite frankly, I am just tired of trying. I had hoped that enough people would be willing to help me help you all have a free outlet to offer your stuff for sale. But every year I see less and less people coming to this site, much less supporting it financially. That is fine. I tried. I retired the SerpenCo business about 14 years ago, so retiring out of this business completely is not that big if a step for me, nor will it be especially painful to do. When I was in Thailand, I did not check in here for three weeks. I didn't miss it even a little bit. So if you all want it to remain, it will be in your hands. I really don't care either way.

    =====================
    Some people have indicated that finding the method to contribute is rather difficult. And I have to admit, that it is not all that obvious. So to help, here is a thread to help as a quide. How to become a contributing member of FaunaClassifieds.

    And for the record, I will be shutting down the Google Adsense ads on January 1, 2025.
  • Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

NEW LIZARD MOM...HOW AM I DOING SO FAR? HELP PLEASE?

maggiemay1969

maggiemay1969

Resident Demon
Resident Demon
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
75
Reaction score
2
Points
0
Location
Puyallup, Wa. USA
Howdy!
I am glad to have found this site! I am the new 'mom' of a mountain horned dragon named 'Ziggy'. I have had him for about a month now and am just looking for other owners to connect with/get opinions from on how to best care for him. Although there is a lot of info out there on the web, some if it is kinda conflicting to me. Anyways, I am having a blast with him so far, but am concerned as he isn't very active. Hasn't eaten a lot (some days are better than others) I keep him between 70 and 82 or so, and try to keep the humidity in his home arond 70-80 as much as possible. He has eaten mealworms, superworms and waxworms but has shown ZERO interest in several different sizes of crickets or earthworms. (Which I read they are sposta LOVE) Anyways, here are a few photos of him and his enclosure, I am VERY open to suggestion/criticism/comments of any kind. I just want to be doing the right things. Thanks guys!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0921.jpg
    IMG_0921.jpg
    210.6 KB · Views: 163
  • IMG_0909.jpg
    IMG_0909.jpg
    170.5 KB · Views: 157
  • IMG_0926.jpg
    IMG_0926.jpg
    177.7 KB · Views: 160
  • IMG_0927.jpg
    IMG_0927.jpg
    234.3 KB · Views: 160
A few more pics....

Just a few more pics of him and what I've done for him so far. We keep it humid with a homemade fogger. We got a humidifier from Walgreens and some tubing from Home Depot and it seems to work really well. Next up is to get a timer for it and the lighting...Still have to install an under tank heater with rheostat too....So, just looking for your thoughts on how he looks health-wise and/or any feedback on his enclosure. I know it's not the coolest or maybe as high as it should be, but we are trying our best! If you have any questions to ask me as to what we have done/are doing, please feel free! I need all of your expertise! THANKS! ;)
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0911.jpg
    IMG_0911.jpg
    152.8 KB · Views: 154
  • IMG_0908.jpg
    IMG_0908.jpg
    143 KB · Views: 156
  • IMG_0924.jpg
    IMG_0924.jpg
    148.6 KB · Views: 154
Wow, to me he looks great ! Healthy and alert, and really cute ! What a nice set up for him, too. I am not a M.H. D. owner, but I can tell a healthy looking lizard in general, and I DO know that they require high humidity and relatively cool temps., so you got that right. If you search some of the past threads, someone had some questions answered on here a little while ago....if you search for it, you might find something helpful...which I;m sorry to say , I am not myself. But I just wanted to say how beautiful the tank is and that your little guy is looking great.
 
Thanks Angie....that is what I am looking for, somebody with experience to tell me if he looks to be in good health. It seems I am online or reading a lizard book almost every day since I got him. I had no idea how interesting and beautiful reptiles really are, as this is first.
 
I know absolutely NOTHNG about them, but you have a real cutie there!!

I hope he works out well for you!!
 
Thanks Donna! Never knew I could enjoy a reptile so much...He's ny first and I have found myself sorta captivated by him...If I can do right by him, I am thinking about some Water Dragons maybe in the future! ;)
 
I am not versed in MHD care but I can tell from what little experience I have with them that they basically ignore water dishes and need a drop/misting system. If the drops fall into a "pool" that will work well but they do not really recognize standing water on their own.

Most MHD's you find are wild caught and in very bad shape - yours does look in good condition. However, captive life is stressful and this stress can lead to a weakened immune system to where parasite loads can take over internally.

I would suggest having a reptile vet do a fecal exam on it to check for parasites.
This is likely the person with the most experience with the genus and a great place to start learning

http://www.froggieb.com/MHDCaresheet.html
 
Thanks Ameivaboy!

I tried a dripper system that suctioned to the side of the tank, showed no interest in that (that I could see) so we do have a large water bowl with a bubbling stone in it so that the water is moving/bubbling. He does seem to like to sit in it on occasion, but I usually have to put him there every so often..

Froggie's info is fantastic, that's the first info that I found when trying to learn more about this little critter...Yes, I need to find a herp vet I think somewhere in my area and do that also, just in case. Not sure if he was wild caught or...but thinking more than likely he was....

Tell ya what, the folks at the pet store realllly didn't seem to have good or accurate info. I found so much contradicting info after I brought him home...makes me angry. :)

Again though, thanks for you input, I appreciate you responding and helping!
:thumbsup:
 
I had a pair for a while, but my imports didn't last:crying:

I noticed that they loved the waterfall I made for them. Zoo-med makes a 'kit' for their tanks that I fit into a piece of cork and they would just hang in the water flow and drink from there.

They will also need UVB light. I like the Exo-Terra compact flourescent lights, but any UVB will work (depending on your setup). They also make bulbs that are dual UVB and heat.
 
I have looked at some of the waterfalls, but none seemed to have good ratings as far as eas of keeping clean, and a lot of people said the pumps are weak or don't work well. :( I wil try to look for more options on that. I do have the big pool with the bubbling stone in it and I am constantly misting him w/spray bottle so that there are droplets on the leaves for him to drink. I've read that they get water that way a lot too. He has a great UVB light, and I use a heat lamp at times to keep the temp up around 75, as he seems to get a *little* more active if the temp goes up a few degrees....

I'm sorry to hear that your pair did not last. I am a bit nervouse about this fella. Have put so much effort and research and $$ into him at this point. Do you have any idea looking at mine how old he might be? I've found pics on here and he seems to be between juv and adult, but not sure.

Anyways, thanks for reading my post and giving me more to think about. I sure appreciate your time! :)
 
Update on Ziggy....:)

He seems to be doing better. I have been taking him out and he likes to of course crawl up my arm and perch on top of my head when I am on the computer. He is still digging the waxworms most, still no interest in crickets, occasionally mealworm or superworm. Definitely drinking more. I have set him in his water several times and he will either dunk his head, or look all around and drink the droplets from when I mist his enclosure. So, definitely getting water now for sure. Also, is pooing just fine, usually after a soak and always near his water. Next up is his fecal. Oh, and the heat is so much steadier now after attatching a small heat pad to the lower left corner of his tank. Rare that I have to use his heat lamp at all anymore, keeps it a constant 75-80 now. Perfect! Now just have to get his fogger on a timer and build his waterfall and he should be one happy lil dude. Oh, also proud new 'mom' of two adopted Beardies (see other posts!) I am starting to become this crazy reptile lady I think. Housesitter is gonna love me!
 
I'm glad to hear that your handsome boy is doing well!!

It sounds like you're getting quite an education from your new kids!!

Pretty soon, you'll be helping others deal with their questions about herps!
 
Yah, I sure hope that eventually I can be of help to others. I like to do the research before I take on something new, and I have learned a TON on here. I think between my husband and I, we have read at least 10 books on our new pets. I read several forums all night long while at work too...;)






SamanthaJane13 said:
I'm glad to hear that your handsome boy is doing well!!

It sounds like you're getting quite an education from your new kids!!

Pretty soon, you'll be helping others deal with their questions about herps!
Click to expand...
 
Hey maggie,

I also have a MHD I purchased about 2 months ago. I highly recommend to go to the vet for doing a fecal sample. I currently have the exo - terra waterfall, and also the turtle cliff. I think the turtle cliff is much better buy then the waterfall.

Reason why I hate the waterfall
Crickets get in behind where the cord from the pump is and they enjoy committing suicide in the water. Its really hard to clean which sucks.

The turtle cliff I just bought a week ago, I really like it cause its pump is strong and it has a filter on it. Looks really easy to clean also.

Your MHD is doing a little better then mine. Mine wont eat so I have to force feed her, She had parasites also. I finished the medication about 2 weeks ago and she looks alot better and moving around.

My setup is a little different then yours. I have a water substrate and she is always swimming around in it. Ill make a thread and post pictures of mine.

Good Luck if you need any info I can help you out.
 
Hi Trevor!

Hey, that would be great, would love to see the habitat you have going on. Husband has talked about doing a water type of tank. Yeah, I read some not so good reviews on the exo-terra waterfall, but hadn't checked out the turtle cliff. I will definitely check that out!

Soon as he has his next poo, it's going to the nearest herp vet that I found. Already talked to them about the process and it's not very expensive here so am lucky. less than 40 bucks.

Thanks for your input, especially about the water situation. He seems to be doing much better, dunking his head in etc. But still think he should/could have more of an appetite etc.


Looking forward to your pics!
--Donna:thumbsup:
,x nex
QUOTE=trian;1207546]Hey maggie,

I also have a MHD I purchased about 2 months ago. I highly recommend to go to the vet for doing a fecal sample. I currently have the exo - terra waterfall, and also the turtle cliff. I think the turtle cliff is much better buy then the waterfall.

Reason why I hate the waterfall
Crickets get in behind where the cord from the pump is and they enjoy committing suicide in the water. Its really hard to clean which sucks.

The turtle cliff I just bought a week ago, I really like it cause its pump is strong and it has a filter on it. Looks really easy to clean also.

Your MHD is doing a little better then mine. Mine wont eat so I have to force feed her, She had parasites also. I finished the medication about 2 weeks ago and she looks alot better and moving around.

My setup is a little different then yours. I have a water substrate and she is always swimming around in it. Ill make a thread and post pictures of mine.

Good Luck if you need any info I can help you out.[/QUOTE]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top