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

maggiemay1969

maggiemay1969

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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!
 

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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! ;)
 

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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.
 
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]
 
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