this post was submitted on 03 Nov 2023
27 points (96.6% liked)

Reptiles and Amphibians

878 readers
1 users here now

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
 

So, a couple of weeks ago, I wrote to this community, asking for some advice about our new blue tongue's eating. And the advice I got really helped us start to understand the lizard brain a little better.

It's been nearly three weeks since we brought him home, and we've figured out he really likes tinned dog food, strawberries and raspberries. No luck with veggies just yet, but we're still trying new things. The important thing is he's not going hungry, and gets his calcium supplement with the dog food.

But he's still very reclusive, and quite cranky with us. Most of the time, he'll hide under his basking log, or bury himself under some substrate. When we've reached in to try and pat him, he jerks suddenly and hisses.

My daughter's been afraid to try patting him again herself so, the past week, we've just been getting her to hand feed him a small piece of fruit each day, to try and build some trust between them. It's gone well, and he's eaten out of her hand a few times now.

My biggest concerns are that either his behaviour isn't that normal and we've not done something right, or that we're running the risk of letting this behaviour become his new "normal", and my daughter won't get to have a relationship with her pet.

So I guess my question, without trying to sound too anxious or impatient, is if his behaviour at this stage would still be considered normal? Should we be doing anything different?

Once again, thanks in advance for any knowledge and experience you can share.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Yeah - got a big 4 foot enclosure with sliding glass doors on the front. But good tip/reminder to always approach at their level. Cheers.

[–] LouisGarbuor 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Sorry to be annoying, but something I just thought of that might be really important: Did you buy it as an adult? If so, do you know if it was previously owned by a person before the store got it?

I ask this because there is a chance your lizard is wild caught, which as far as I can tell would mean the store you got it from committed a crime.

Wild caught animals are usually adults when sold, and captive bred are usually juveniles when sold. Let me know if I can clarify

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

Nah - definitely a juvenile, bought from a very trustworthy retailer.

As they're native to our area, these things are policed very closely. Our regulations to become a licensed seller are pretty strict.