A
ALGeckos
Guest
HEY ALL! Long time no talk! December has been a crazy super-busy month for us and we had to take an "online break" for a while. We're still swamped with events, but we're doing the best we can to relax!
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INFO
We need some help with one of our girls. We have 3 girls, all were quarantined for about 55-60 days before being introduced into a 4-foot long enclosure. All were monitored for signs of bullying, stress, and eating habits - and so far, so good!
HUSBANDRY
We have 3 humid hides, 3 cool hides, 2 warm hides, and 3 randomly placed U-shaped logs for them to hide in. The substrate is currently paper towels. They are currently eating mealworms every other day, crickets several times a month, and wax worms once every two weeks. Mealworms are gutloaded with Cody's ProGutload and carrots and the crickets are gutloaded with Cody's ProGutload and Fluker's Cricket Quencher Water Gel. Spot temp on the warm side is 88-90F, spot temp on the cool side is 78F, and ambient air temp is approximately 86F warm side and 76F cool side (it's a really, really long and large tank, but we keep hides everywhere so they can regulate their temps. Lights go on at 7AM and they go off at 7PM. They shed fine, tails are great, they're very alert, and I'm happy with them!
MY PROBLEM
Two weeks ago, one of my baby girls, Sunkiss, found a way to get under the paper towel substrate. It was cute at first because she'd poke her head out and look like she was under a blanket. But after trying to close off every way to get under the paper towel using hides, logs, bowls, and dishes, she just starts scratching at the edges and then forces her way under. She stays there until right before Leon or I head to bed - and that's when we catch her eating or we hand feed her so we know she's really getting some food in. Once in a while, she'll be out on the warm end sleeping over the heat mat, but 90% of the time, she's under the paper towel. I separated her for a week, but she did the same thing in the other enclosure. Her tail is fine, she walks around and is fairly active when she's not under the paper towel, she's shedding great, her colors are brighter than ever, but I don't know what to do about her going under the paper towel.
Should I tape off the paper towels (I haven't yet because I don't want their toes to get caught under and stuck! Ouchies!)? Or should I switch substrates? And if I switch substrates, will she be more stressed out that she can't hide under the paper towels?
I've never had this type of experiences with any of my previous reptiles, so I'm seeking assistance!
Thank you!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
INFO
We need some help with one of our girls. We have 3 girls, all were quarantined for about 55-60 days before being introduced into a 4-foot long enclosure. All were monitored for signs of bullying, stress, and eating habits - and so far, so good!
HUSBANDRY
We have 3 humid hides, 3 cool hides, 2 warm hides, and 3 randomly placed U-shaped logs for them to hide in. The substrate is currently paper towels. They are currently eating mealworms every other day, crickets several times a month, and wax worms once every two weeks. Mealworms are gutloaded with Cody's ProGutload and carrots and the crickets are gutloaded with Cody's ProGutload and Fluker's Cricket Quencher Water Gel. Spot temp on the warm side is 88-90F, spot temp on the cool side is 78F, and ambient air temp is approximately 86F warm side and 76F cool side (it's a really, really long and large tank, but we keep hides everywhere so they can regulate their temps. Lights go on at 7AM and they go off at 7PM. They shed fine, tails are great, they're very alert, and I'm happy with them!
MY PROBLEM
Two weeks ago, one of my baby girls, Sunkiss, found a way to get under the paper towel substrate. It was cute at first because she'd poke her head out and look like she was under a blanket. But after trying to close off every way to get under the paper towel using hides, logs, bowls, and dishes, she just starts scratching at the edges and then forces her way under. She stays there until right before Leon or I head to bed - and that's when we catch her eating or we hand feed her so we know she's really getting some food in. Once in a while, she'll be out on the warm end sleeping over the heat mat, but 90% of the time, she's under the paper towel. I separated her for a week, but she did the same thing in the other enclosure. Her tail is fine, she walks around and is fairly active when she's not under the paper towel, she's shedding great, her colors are brighter than ever, but I don't know what to do about her going under the paper towel.
Should I tape off the paper towels (I haven't yet because I don't want their toes to get caught under and stuck! Ouchies!)? Or should I switch substrates? And if I switch substrates, will she be more stressed out that she can't hide under the paper towels?
I've never had this type of experiences with any of my previous reptiles, so I'm seeking assistance!
Thank you!
