So tomorrow marks one week since I brought little Locks home. I had no idea what he was, male or female, but today, I think I am pretty certain that I have a little male on my hand.
I picked Lockdown up from my pet store, after about a month or so of research on beardies. The day I got him, I drove around several stores, and handled a series of beardies. But I am telling you, he and I clicked, and I knew, out of all of them, that he was the right choice.
He is crazy smart, has a rocking personality, and he is very much touch driven. He is attentive, curious, and quite content to find a warm spot on mama's chest, underneath my clothes, where he can sleep for hours.
I genuinely had him with me while doing chores, cooking, even driving around, and he did not move once. He licks EVERYTHING, lord mercy, and I am pretty sure he taunts the crickets. In a week he has learned how to beg for crickets, or let me know when he is hungry, takes his salad like a champ, bathes daily, and sleeps on me for several hours before lights off. Now if I could get him to poop more often than once ever 3 days, I'd be thrilled, but we will get there.
This little spiky bugger is the most adorable thing ever. I know he is a leatherback, and his eyes are a nice bright brown, but I am not sure about what his coloring is called. Maybe you guys can help a mama out?
I'm glad to hear he is getting off to such a great start! Sometimes they really do just click and you know it will be a good match. It sounds like he's happy and very curious which is a great sign =)
I'm glad to hear he is getting off to such a great start! Sometimes they really do just click and you know it will be a good match. It sounds like he's happy and very curious which is a great sign =)
You know, I never expected to ever hear that you can click with a lizard right? I would have thought someone was nuts if they told me that, but really, out of all the ones I saw, he was the one. There were others who had prettier colors, or were even bigger, but he is the only one that felt right. So glad I got the little guy.
As a quick update, since I have another thread open too, his pooping has been on point now too. Not only is it daily, but also twice a day. He eats like a pig!
The bond will grow more and more over time. I've grown incredibly attached to my little guys over the years. Frequent poops are common with young dragons. It gets easier as they get older. Look out for the butt wiggle because that's a sign that you have a few seconds. Keep some paper towel handy when he's out of the tank with you. I suggest getting some F10SC disinfectant for sanitizing surfaces that get pooped on and just use a vinegar/water mix for spot cleaning. When their growth (and appetite) slows they poop (usually) once a day or less and you can develop routines for them to follow so they poop in an easy to clean area outside of the tank.
The bond will grow more and more over time. I've grown incredibly attached to my little guys over the years. Frequent poops are common with young dragons. It gets easier as they get older. Look out for the butt wiggle because that's a sign that you have a few seconds. Keep some paper towel handy when he's out of the tank with you. I suggest getting some F10SC disinfectant for sanitizing surfaces that get pooped on and just use a vinegar/water mix for spot cleaning. When their growth (and appetite) slows they poop (usually) once a day or less and you can develop routines for them to follow so they poop in an easy to clean area outside of the tank.
What the heck is that? The F10SC. I saw something from zoo med today in the store. He seems to favor one spot in the tank, so I will try to put down paper towels in there for him.
He is only on me when he is ready for nap time. I take him out about 2-3 hours after his night feeding, keeping him on me for exploration and then nap time. Then about 1 hour later, he gets placed back in his tank for 1 more hour of heat soaking, and then it's lights out. We got the routine down pat. I missed it one night, and I got bitched at.
Every other day, he also gets a bath before cuddle time. Seems to soothe him and he immediately snuggles up. He HAS to feel my skin. It's silly to think about it, but he will only sleep on me if he feels my skin. I'm ok with that.
Quick question, at his age, he weighs 24g. Is there a place I can see how much leatherback males need to weight based on length and age?