Popcorn is a cute name! Everything you said sounds great -- let him adjust especially put your hand in the tank and let him get used to it being there -- it may take awhile for him to adjust but just be patient-- he is so cute --- and yes hand feed him by all means that is one way for him to get used to you and your smell --- he will eventually come around but hes little and he needs a little time to adjust--- hiccup was the same way -- he would hiss and run he was around 3 months old -- but I just ignored him and did my thing cleaning his tank and feeding him his roaches - I hand fed him a couple of time -- we held him as well and he squirmed but he eventually got over it---
Karrie
Sounds good!
How long until you started holding him?
I think I'll wait until he seems comfortable with my presence, has taken food from me a few times, and lets me touch him.
Thanks!
I like to wait keeping the handling to a minimum for the first week. From there depending on if the dragon is improving appetite wise, i'll start interacting.
There is no science, no right or wrong way, it's just my own thinking and methods I've used personally over the years.
I like to wait keeping the handling to a minimum for the first week. From there depending on if the dragon is improving appetite wise, i'll start interacting.
There is no science, no right or wrong way, it's just my own thinking and methods I've used personally over the years.
The relocation stress usually kicks in on day 2 or 3. First feeding usually goes good IME. But, not all dragons will go through relocation stress. I had a friend in this hobby who swore relocation stress was a myth and that if your husbandry was proper you wouldn't see any relocation stress, or very minimal. And sure enough, none of his dragons seemed to go through it like the rest of ours. He never told me his secret, maybe it was the confidence he was putting off. :study: :mrgreen:
The relocation stress usually kicks in on day 2 or 3. First feeding usually goes good IME. But, not all dragons will go through relocation stress. I had a friend in this hobby who swore relocation stress was a myth and that if your husbandry was proper you wouldn't see any relocation stress, or very minimal. And sure enough, none of his dragons seemed to go through it like the rest of ours. He never told me his secret, maybe it was the confidence he was putting off. :study: :mrgreen:
I had no idea, I thought it would be instant. Learn something new every day eh?
I do think Popcorn may be a little bit stressed, his belly is showing pretty dark stress marks.
However, he ate crickets again this morning but didn't touch the salad haha.
I'm currently sitting outside his tank right now, and his right up at the window looking at me :lol:
I think I will wait a few days until the stress marks go away.
Here's a blurry pic of the stress marks.
Second night, still hungry!
I have a few crickets this morning, on top of a salad. Doesn't look like he ate much of the salad at the end of the day, however, a few leaves were outside the bowl. He devoured the crickets.
It's now 8 pm and I'm currently feeding him.
He loves seeing the crickets and rushing as fast as his little legs will carry him to them. Still eating like a champ.
The stress marks are still there, though significantly lighter. I'm gonna wait until tomorrow, I have the entire day home to monitor him (it's school holidays ) If he seems to have calmed down, I'll start getting him accustomed to my hand in the tank.
Well, overnight Popcorn pooped.
Looked healthy, definite two parts, not overly watery, etc.
It was incredibly cute last night after I turned the heat lamp off.
Popcorn discovered the heat mat on the side of the tank, which I turn on at night.
He went to sleep with his bellied pressed up against it, so he was standing up :lol:
Incredibly cute.
I have the entire day at home today, so I'm planning on getting a bit of bonding done. Just small stuff for now.