Enrichment

[Taterbug]

Enrichment, just like for animals in zoos, can help stimulate, challenge and overall improve the health and welfare of our pets. This is a really good read and has gotten me thinking of some new things to try with my critters.
http://rainbowsnakes.tumblr.com/post/119229812584/environmental-enrichment-for-reptiles-what-why

This video is also great, and would be a small thing to try!
https://www.facebook.com/bloodbankdragons/videos/1133664499992638/

Some ideas for dragons:
food puzzles and novel food presentations such as putting food in different places, a loose lid on the insect bowl with treat worms inside, whole plants instead of chopped salad, hang greens leaves overhead,the cat toy roach dispenser from the video above
Climbing structures, of course I always promote larger cages and a variety of decor, but if the cage doesn't allow it maybe something outside the cage with a heat lamp and a good view.
Digging areas, if your not comfortable with a loose material like soil maybe dried leaves, dried greens, shredded paper, blankets or alfalfa pellets
Using a drip system to fill up the water dish (just to full, not over flowing) instead of just adding water and letting it sit.

 

[Blankenship24]

Thanks for sharing! Loved it!

 

[CooperDragon]

It seemed to go over a lot of the ideas you already touch on and I agree with very much. I like the idea of the food puzzles and bug ball as well. I tried the live plant idea. It didn't work but I think it was more due to the situation than the idea. I did find that the plants thrive under the tank lighting though. The drip water system idea has been thrown around a bit as well and should get some testing. That may help to solve the issue of dragons ignoring standing water. Kicking around good ideas like this will help us learn more and make the lives of our dragons better going forward.

 

[SDragon]

Great post, Taterbug I agree with a huge amount of what you post and your approach to reptile keeping.

I think this is a really interesting area. For instance, (and this isn't a criticism of anyone) many people think they are showing greatest care by taking the time to hand feed, yet the lizard who doesn't share a human concept of nurture; would potentially get more from having to hunt and explore. Dragons seem particularly prone to becomimg sedentary and plenty are overweight.

I also thing a natural substrate is beneficial (not wanting to derail this thread into that debate)

If I didn't, I meant to suggest a water drip system the other day, someone had a particularly stubborn dragon. I've never had to use it personally, but it's popular with chameleon keepers. A plastic cup with a hole pricked in it can do the trick if people want to trial it.

I think there are also some great opportunities to create '3d' enclosure interiors using fake or real rock work, branches and deep substrate to help provide a far richer environment and one that allows greater regulation of temperature, uv exposure and hydration and can keep a lizard more active and engaged with its surroundings.

 

[Taterbug]

Hand feeding (well, not doing) is hard sometimes, for us anyway. It's rewarding to us as keepers in that nurturing way, but really reinforces that the dragon, already adapted to conserve energy, has only to wait around for food to come striaght to the mouth.inmight never get up and move either Foraging behavior not only stimulates them mentally but the exersize is healthy and is good for digestion as well.
The ball seems like such a great idea for keeping owners to stay involved, but challenge the dragon too. "worm fetch" would be another good thing to try

Natural substrate isn't derailing at all, I think it's a great thing to offer. There is a lot of skeptisism about it and that's understandable. Even from a maintinence point of veiw it's not for everyone. I have to vacume daily, my cage chores tend to knock debris out onto the floor.

But even still, there is a lot we can do without having to step outside our comfort zones too far. Even just clever use of objects like tiles, bricks, wood, plants and so forth can go a long way too. Such as by offering new levels, hides, different perches for different postures etc. I think a lot of the time keepers misidentify limited options for preference (say for a basking perch). If the dragon doesn't have much to do, or choose from it won't show much variety of behavior either.

I'm a big fan of height. Pepper has become quite an adept climber and can easily make impressive jumps and maneuvers now that he's "in shape" for it.

Anyway! I ramble.

 

[coffeebutt]

Oh man this is really interesting! I think the video was posted on Tumblr too and this really kind of 'inspired' me in a lame way. I'd love to change up my beardie's viv to give her more to do and hopefully stimulate her a bit more. I want to go to michaels and buy some plants i can hang up and decorate her viv and give her more elevations/levels for her to explore. god i can't wait til i move and get a houe so i can get her a bigger viv (but that's the future).

We certainly do have a lot to learn about our scaley friends and this is a great step for ppl to take

 

[coffeebutt]

Hand feeding (well, not doing) is hard sometimes, for us anyway. It's rewarding to us as keepers in that nurturing way, but really reinforces that the dragon, already adapted to conserve energy, has only to wait around for food to come striaght to the mouth.inmight never get up and move either Foraging behavior not only stimulates them mentally but the exersize is healthy and is good for digestion as well.
The ball seems like such a great idea for keeping owners to stay involved, but challenge the dragon too. "worm fetch" would be another good thing to try

Natural substrate isn't derailing at all, I think it's a great thing to offer. There is a lot of skeptisism about it and that's understandable. Even from a maintinence point of veiw it's not for everyone. I have to vacume daily, my cage chores tend to knock debris out onto the floor.

But even still, there is a lot we can do without having to step outside our comfort zones too far. Even just clever use of objects like tiles, bricks, wood, plants and so forth can go a long way too. Such as by offering new levels, hides, different perches for different postures etc. I think a lot of the time keepers misidentify limited options for preference (say for a basking perch). If the dragon doesn't have much to do, or choose from it won't show much variety of behavior either.

I'm a big fan of height. Pepper has become quite an adept climber and can easily make impressive jumps and maneuvers now that he's "in shape" for it.

Anyway! I ramble.

Oooooh I would LOVE to see a pic or two of your viv/enclosure!

 

[Taterbug]

I love big enclosures and have the luxury of space, but it's still possible to do many things in a smaller setup, or even while the dragon is out for some roaming time. I've a "lizard tower" setup with some window views for Pepper since he can't see a window from his enclosure. I think the idea of some fake plants (or even real ones :wink and various structures/levels is a great start! I've also seen a few enclosures with an "addition" built on the top for extra space. Of course it is probably harder to heat.

 

[Kingsalmonattack]

I got mine a large, fabric, fold-out pen twice the size of her tank. She likes to stomp around it and climb up the mesh on the side. I haven't managed to figure out a more reliable heat source and I haven't gotten anything to put in it yet but it's a nice relatively safe (compared to letting her run loose) space for her to exercise and chill in. I put her in there to let her dry off after a warm bath.

Thinking about maybe putting it outside in the garden on a really hot day so she can watch the outside world go by and sit in some actual sun instead of just the simulated stuff. Of course, I have to keep constant supervision over her in it with all the other animals running around the house and garden. But she's really happy in there. Bold, even. She's not afraid of anything like she's still in her hard glass terrarium.

 

[coffeebutt]

BELATED but -

@taterbug omg that's beautiful! i especially love his outside-the-viv area that's a great idea. I know my Sasha just LOVES sitting on the window sill, getting to look at the great outside world.

@kingsalmonattack oh man i want to get something like taht for my beardie to hang outside in without me worrying or having to be out there with them. that's perfect yes I'm sure they'd love to use that to get some sun!

 

[aepstein]

I got mine a large, fabric, fold-out pen twice the size of her tank. She likes to stomp around it and climb up the mesh on the side. I haven't managed to figure out a more reliable heat source and I haven't gotten anything to put in it yet but it's a nice relatively safe (compared to letting her run loose) space for her to exercise and chill in. I put her in there to let her dry off after a warm bath.

Thinking about maybe putting it outside in the garden on a really hot day so she can watch the outside world go by and sit in some actual sun instead of just the simulated stuff. Of course, I have to keep constant supervision over her in it with all the other animals running around the house and garden. But she's really happy in there. Bold, even. She's not afraid of anything like she's still in her hard glass terrarium.

You wouldn't happen to have a link for where you found this? Contemplating making an outside "enclosure" for Falkor to explore while im in the yard. If its large enough, it would be perfect to decorate/ bring climbing stuff into...

 

[Kingsalmonattack]

I already posted about it in this thread as well as with some pictures and pros and cons. It's more expensive in the US than the UK considering the dollar to pound ratio.