Re: Scat

Posted by Lester G. Milroy III on June 03, 2002 at 21:55:17:

In Reply to: Scat posted by Jaylyn on June 03, 2002 at 21:32:45:

: Hello!

: I am so thankful for this forum - the posts are filled with great information! I bought a juvenille desert HL (at least that's what species I was told - I'll post pics later to verify) at a reptile show ~ a week ago. He is eating well and has quite an attitude - which I assume is healthy.

: I've been checking his scat for any evidence of worms - no evidence of them - but it is composed of ant 'shells' - is this normal?

: Also, was wondering if any of you handle on a regular basis or recommend handling only when necessary? He is quite agressive when I put my hand in his tank (to feed/change water) - but when I do hold him he does seem to settle down quickly.

: Thanks,
: Jaylyn

:Hello Jaylyn. Yes, the composition of the HL scat should be mostly ant exoskeletons. This part of the ant does not digest. It is chiton and does not break down. The scat should be very dry and break apart to the touch. The horned lizard will "settle down" when you hold them because of your body heat. At 98.6 degrees, plus or minus 2 degrees, you feel just like a nice warm rock (well sort of). I recommend that a minimum of handling be done for two reasons. First, the possible transfer of bacteria to the horned lizard from the human or the from horned lizard to human. The latter is less likely, but it is possible. Make sure you provide water (distilled) in a shallow water dish daily. And provide ants as the main diet. Snack cricket or two once in a while. Temps for daytime 100 - 110 degrees. 3 - 4 inches of river/stream sand for substrate. With the ant exoskeletons visible in the scat, the HL was probably wild collected very recently. Pay close attention for stress in the HL. Lester G. Milroy III

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: : Hello! : : I am so thankful for this forum - the posts are filled with great information! I bought a juvenille desert HL (at least that's what species I was told - I'll post pics later to verify) at a reptile show ~ a week ago. He is eating well and has quite an attitude - which I assume is healthy. : : I've been checking his scat for any evidence of worms - no evidence of them - but it is composed of ant 'shells' - is this normal? : : Also, was wondering if any of you handle on a regular basis or recommend handling only when necessary? He is quite agressive when I put my hand in his tank (to feed/change water) - but when I do hold him he does seem to settle down quickly. : : Thanks, : : Jaylyn : :Hello Jaylyn. Yes, the composition of the HL scat should be mostly ant exoskeletons. This part of the ant does not digest. It is chiton and does not break down. The scat should be very dry and break apart to the touch. The horned lizard will "settle down" when you hold them because of your body heat. At 98.6 degrees, plus or minus 2 degrees, you feel just like a nice warm rock (well sort of). I recommend that a minimum of handling be done for two reasons. First, the possible transfer of bacteria to the horned lizard from the human or the from horned lizard to human. The latter is less likely, but it is possible. Make sure you provide water (distilled) in a shallow water dish daily. And provide ants as the main diet. Snack cricket or two once in a while. Temps for daytime 100 - 110 degrees. 3 - 4 inches of river/stream sand for substrate. With the ant exoskeletons visible in the scat, the HL was probably wild collected very recently. Pay close attention for stress in the HL. Lester G. Milroy III

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