outgrowing the "baby-cage" stage

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Posted by Esther on February 25, 2001 at 23:05:34:

In Reply to: none...more... posted by Niki on February 25, 2001 at 20:00:29:

I agree with Nikki when she says that no tank is going to work for them as they get bigger and bigger.

It will obviously start to affect their little psyches if they are kept in the glass tanks, as they scrabble relentlessly against the sides. I understand that in some people's circumstances, cleared and enclosed space may be difficult, but you need to begin sectioning off parts of your house and yards to accomodate their growth. They want and need a lot of space to roam around in (just make sure that they can't get "lost" in the space or wedged under something harmful).

Once Chanel outgrew his "baby-cage" he would violently protest being put back into any confining space, even if it was temporarily to travel to the vet's or Grandma's. Just like little kids that have graduated from training wheels to more grown-up bikes and look down on training wheels as "for babies," your sulcatas will become sensitive and upset if you try to "re-baby-cage" them after giving them more freedom. OK, enough of my goofy comparisons. . .

A possible solution is to have several hidey spots with pig blankets and lighted areas (and heated hidey spots that are dark as well) set up around the house/garage/yard whatever, so that your proudly growing sulcata has the autonomy to come and go as they please. Just always be aware of where they are so that they aren't tripped over or kicked or hiding under something dangerous like a couch, bed or electric appliance. And the electric appliance is especially weird - they have an affinity for wires and love to get tangled up on them, or turn power surgers on and off so put it all out of reach. It is a little like having a very determined and curious toddler with a shell.

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: I agree with Nikki when she says that no tank is going to work for them as they get bigger and bigger. : It will obviously start to affect their little psyches if they are kept in the glass tanks, as they scrabble relentlessly against the sides. I understand that in some people's circumstances, cleared and enclosed space may be difficult, but you need to begin sectioning off parts of your house and yards to accomodate their growth. They want and need a lot of space to roam around in (just make sure that they can't get "lost" in the space or wedged under something harmful). : Once Chanel outgrew his "baby-cage" he would violently protest being put back into any confining space, even if it was temporarily to travel to the vet's or Grandma's. Just like little kids that have graduated from training wheels to more grown-up bikes and look down on training wheels as "for babies," your sulcatas will become sensitive and upset if you try to "re-baby-cage" them after giving them more freedom. OK, enough of my goofy comparisons. . . : A possible solution is to have several hidey spots with pig blankets and lighted areas (and heated hidey spots that are dark as well) set up around the house/garage/yard whatever, so that your proudly growing sulcata has the autonomy to come and go as they please. Just always be aware of where they are so that they aren't tripped over or kicked or hiding under something dangerous like a couch, bed or electric appliance. And the electric appliance is especially weird - they have an affinity for wires and love to get tangled up on them, or turn power surgers on and off so put it all out of reach. It is a little like having a very determined and curious toddler with a shell.

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