Re: it started like this...long post

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Posted by Spike's mom on February 12, 2002 at 23:15:23:

In Reply to: it started like this... posted by Niki and Teddy on February 10, 2002 at 17:46:26:

My Spike is about 11 inches long and 8 1/2 inches long. I don't have an accurate scale, but I believe his weight to be between 8 and 10 pounds. I think that maybe he needs to be a bit heavier. I'm sure he'd eat all day given the opportunity, but I don't want him to gain to fast.
He is the most non-picky eater! Seems to love everything offered. Especially if it's dark, leafy and green! (diet research is something I've been doing quite a bit of, but I'm open for suggestions from others!) Every morning I give him a few leaves of Kale, Collard Greens, and/or Romaine. And then I alternate adding different combinations of chopped carrots (half cup or so), chopped zucchini, apple, grapes, or banana. (if I don't have fresh fruits available I give him "Tetra Terrafauna Iguana, Land Turtle, Tortoise food")
When we have dinner, I give him some more Dark Leafys, and some of whatever vegetable we're having for dinner. (thawed but not cooked)
I also give him a treat of Timothy or Alfalfa (Two handfuls, once or twice a week)
I sprinkle Bone-aid (by T-Rex) Calcium Powder and Reptivite (Zoo Med) on his food in the morning. From what I've been reading, I believe I should be giving him a vitamin with no phosphorus though, and the Reptivite has phosphorus in it. I have used it sparingly. I don't think his previous owner dusted with vitamins at all. She gave me everything she had for him, and there were no vitamins.
He was living in a galvanized square rabbit cage with a pull out tray lined with cob bedding. It wasn't very high, and in order to get him through the door, I had to pull out the tray with him on it! She did have a very nice UV Reptile light and a heat lamp.
When I got him home, I put him on the lawn (as it was September and still warm where I live) and he grazed like he'd never seen grass before! He also took care of a small grove of dandelions!
He now lives in a huge terrarium, that has a half screen, half glass top. I know it's not perfect for him, but it's the best I can do until I can afford to build something bigger....like a greenhouse! He's still at what I consider to be a manageable size to keep indoors, and in the summer he will get to spend leisure time grazing in the yard while I weed the flowerbeds. We plan on growing him some nasturtiums for a seasonal treat!
He has pyramid scutes, mild compared to some of the pictures I've seen. I have some digital pictures that I plan on posting as soon as I get the proper thing (can't remember what husband said we needed!) to transfer them from camera to computer!

Thanks to all that took the time to read my huge post. Constructive feedback welcomed!

Follow Ups:

Weighing food Cindy 02/14/02 (0)
Re: it started like this...long post Terry 02/13/02 (0)

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: My Spike is about 11 inches long and 8 1/2 inches long. I don't have an accurate scale, but I believe his weight to be between 8 and 10 pounds. I think that maybe he needs to be a bit heavier. I'm sure he'd eat all day given the opportunity, but I don't want him to gain to fast. : He is the most non-picky eater! Seems to love everything offered. Especially if it's dark, leafy and green! (diet research is something I've been doing quite a bit of, but I'm open for suggestions from others!) Every morning I give him a few leaves of Kale, Collard Greens, and/or Romaine. And then I alternate adding different combinations of chopped carrots (half cup or so), chopped zucchini, apple, grapes, or banana. (if I don't have fresh fruits available I give him "Tetra Terrafauna Iguana, Land Turtle, Tortoise food") : When we have dinner, I give him some more Dark Leafys, and some of whatever vegetable we're having for dinner. (thawed but not cooked) : I also give him a treat of Timothy or Alfalfa (Two handfuls, once or twice a week) : I sprinkle Bone-aid (by T-Rex) Calcium Powder and Reptivite (Zoo Med) on his food in the morning. From what I've been reading, I believe I should be giving him a vitamin with no phosphorus though, and the Reptivite has phosphorus in it. I have used it sparingly. I don't think his previous owner dusted with vitamins at all. She gave me everything she had for him, and there were no vitamins. : He was living in a galvanized square rabbit cage with a pull out tray lined with cob bedding. It wasn't very high, and in order to get him through the door, I had to pull out the tray with him on it! She did have a very nice UV Reptile light and a heat lamp. : When I got him home, I put him on the lawn (as it was September and still warm where I live) and he grazed like he'd never seen grass before! He also took care of a small grove of dandelions! : He now lives in a huge terrarium, that has a half screen, half glass top. I know it's not perfect for him, but it's the best I can do until I can afford to build something bigger....like a greenhouse! He's still at what I consider to be a manageable size to keep indoors, and in the summer he will get to spend leisure time grazing in the yard while I weed the flowerbeds. We plan on growing him some nasturtiums for a seasonal treat! : He has pyramid scutes, mild compared to some of the pictures I've seen. I have some digital pictures that I plan on posting as soon as I get the proper thing (can't remember what husband said we needed!) to transfer them from camera to computer! : Thanks to all that took the time to read my huge post. Constructive feedback welcomed!

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