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Posted by Silly-atus fan on October 03, 2002 at 08:58:22:
In Reply to: Dave Thanks for responding :~) posted by STARMOM on October 03, 2002 at 08:04:44:
The white 'stuff' is urate, the reptilian answer to urine. There should be some from even a small crestie, but it might not be easy to spot if you have a soil or peat type substrate. Sometimes I find a few white spots on the branches, but it's hard to find in the soil.
As for bathroom habits being different than leopards - oooooh yes, and with good reason. Leopards are terrestrial, whatever poop is on the ground is there, waiting for them to step into. It makes more sense to try to keep it in one corner, so you don't end up stepping into it or having to watch where you walk. Cresties are mostly arboreal - since gravity takes over, their poop is out of the area in no time (uless it hits a leaf or branch). Generally speaking, they can just stick their behinds over the edge of the branch, let go, and not worry about running into it again. In this case, why worry about where to put it, let someone else on the ground worry about it. (I think they love playing seagull :)))
Rhacs in general can live on surprisingly little food, something you really notice if you're working with leachianus. I find that cresties under about 4-5 months eat very little compared to a leopard gecko the same age. I've never seen a scientific explanation, but possibly it's connected to the weather. The leopards have a period of brumation each year, so they have to pack on the stored fat while the weather is warm enough. If they don't grow fast and store fat, they might not have enough resources to last the winter. They have no choice but to eat fast and furious like little pigs while the food supply lasts. New Caledonia is pretty hospitable all year long, the geckos are up and around without brumation coming on to the scene. They can take their sweet time eating, no need to eat excess to store as fat.... they only have to eat enough to see them through today. Leos (and other brumating species) are in effect eating 'double portions' - one for now, one for storage. Compared to them, cresties would need only half that much food.
