Pygmy info for Justin

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Posted by lele on April 29, 2003 at 16:44:26:

Hi Justin,

I am just about ready to order my stumpi-cham's from Kammerflage (I am so excited!) and Liddy, who is most helpful(!) answered some ?? I had and thought I would pass it along to you - and of course anyone else who is interested :)

from Liddy Kammer:
Here are some tips about setups (including substrate) that we hope you find helpful:

1. Stumptails are best kept in a planted out vivaria. The bottom of the aquarium can be soil 3-1/2" - 4" deep (we use a brand called: Supersoil (without conditioners) which is available at most local Home Depot stores). Cover the potting soil with a thin layer of orchid bark (1/2" deep). Orchid bark is also available at Home Depot or smaller specialty plant and garden shops. The plants can stay in their little 4" containers, but be buried in the soil as well. Add twigs, dried leaves, larger pieces of tree bark, etc., to make a "forest floor" setting.

2. They prefer cooler temperatures, so a spot light at one end of the vivarium would be sufficient. You can use a UVA/UVB florescent across the top (i.e. Zoo Med 5.0 bulb) to provide them with full spectrum lighting. Since they are forest dwellers, they don't really need much in the way of direct sun so a low wattage incandescent bulb (25-40 wt.) on one end will provide them with a nice basking spot if they so desire. A basking site in the lower 80's would be perfect. You will need to use a thermometer to check for the proper temperatures. Lights can be placed on a simple lamp timer device & power strip, both available from Home Depot for approx. $5.00 - $10.00 ea.

3. Mist the foliage 2-3 times a day and use little Dixie cups with a pin hole in the bottom, as "drippers" for additional water.

4. They will eat small crickets (2 week old size is good). The cricket size should be no longer than the width of their heads since these are tiny little guys. :)

5. Supplement their crickets with a product called "Montane Shade" (30 gm size) which you can get by ordering through Walkabout Farm. It is inexpensive and will last 3 months or a longer (intended for daily dusting on your feeder insects). The Stumptails also love flightless fruit flies, mini mealworms and small wax worms. :) Check: Timberline Live Reptile Foods, Crickets , Grubco Inc or Fluker Farms for prices and availability on feeder insects.

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