Mufasa and Norberta

I already introduced me and Fasa, but I thought you all might like to see his cuteness, lol. I also have a question for you professionals: do you have any idea what morph he is?

Here he is sleeping in his new tree, slept in it all of last night.
Mufasa will just sit on my chest and nap or watch whats going on.
One last question: Half the time he doesn't eat his crickets, is there anything I can do to help him eat?
Well, I think that's all for now!
Makayla.

 

[sweetiepie9]

How old were they when you got them, because they seem awfully small for over 3 mo old, probably 4 mo old by now, right? So I'm wondering about their feeding and how hot the basking spot is, how often they bask. Are you getting closer to having another set up put together because I think they'd grow to their proper lengths (unless you're not including their tails when you measure?) if they were alone. I'm not trying to tell you you're doing anything wrong but they both should be at least 10" long at their ages, if not longer. Let me know, k? I'm a bit concerned.

 

[MufasasMomMakayla]

I really don't know their exact age, I don't think they could have been very old when I got them I'd guess about 4 months old now. I've had Mufasa since June 6 and Norberta since Aug 6. The basking spot is about 105+ F and they usually spend a lot of time on it, at least 2 hours I'd say. I should hopefully soon have enough if I can find a $ per gal sale, but then lights will be a bit longer. I don't really have room for two 40 gal, (I'm a teen so still at home) so do you think it would be OK for me to get a 30 gal? I am including their tails. And I know your not telling me that, don't worry, I really appreciate your help, thank you!

 

[sweetiepie9]

So what I'm wondering is how often and what are you feeding them? They're still small for their age. That's why I'm wondering about food. You're dusting one meal a day each with calcium, 5 days a week & 2 days with vit/min powder, right? The basking temps are good & I'm glad they're on the basking platform, but that should be for more than 2 hours a day. How is the UVB set up, I know you have the Reptisun 10.0, is it inside above the basking platform, that's the optimum place to have it. Maybe 105 is too hot for them and it should be 102F? It's hard to say because I'm not there but maybe a lower household bulb wattage? That's the cheapest light for basking for them and it's perfectly fine to use as it's the heat they need. That's what I used before I switched to mercury

I understand you're a teen, so having funds for a tank is alot They seem to be doing well in the 40 gallon you have right now, so keep looking for a $1 sale and get a 40 gallon. Do you mean you don't have room because they're in your room? They can be side by side if that helps. Do your folks not want them anywhere else in the house? I know some parents (like mine) aren't keen on reptiles, but I'm 60 this month and have a good job so it helps for me. Not so much for you. The reason I'm saying a 40 gallon breeder is because it's 18" wide and that's what's needed once they're grown full but that takes a year. Hard to tell, but they're fine together for now, so hopefully that will continue and give you some time, like maybe by January after Xmas, you might get some Xmas $, right?

So let me know about the questions I've asked. We'll figure it all out.

 

[MufasasMomMakayla]

I feed them once a day crickets and try to do salad at least every other day. I do do the calcium but haven't gotten vitamin, I should be getting that this week though. I don't have the uvb inside, but I'll figure out how this week. I will look around for a lower bulb, we should have at least one. I will keep looking for tanks. I don't really have room in my room, I share it and it's the smallest bedroom. They are not pet enthusiasts, lol, they tolerate them in my room. I have the tank on a small table atm in my room. I should get some Christmas $$, so that will help.
If I missed any questions just ask again. Thank you so much Deb. I saw the pics you put up of your crew, they all are adorable.

 

[sweetiepie9]

They're too small to be fed only once a day, at least twice a day is what's needed, if not 3 times. So before and after school would be best. I understand you're sharing your room so never mind the 2nd tank right now as it does need to be the same size but not until they're both 11" long. So please start feeding them more, they're not getting enough protein. Glad you're getting the vit/min.

 

[MufasasMomMakayla]

Sorry it took so long to post. I got vitamins and yesterday got 300 dubia and we're now going to have two or more meals a day. Norberta is shedding her tail and Mufasa's beard looks like it's next to shed. I took a few pictures of Mufasa yesterday, and haven't done many Norbertas but will change that today hopefully lol.

Norberta snuggling a while ago.

Mufasa on my computer yesterday while I was supposed to be writing not doing a photo shoot. :-D
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate today!!

 

[sweetiepie9]

Happy Thanksgiving to you all today, have a wonderful day. I'm glad you're upping the feedings, you'll see them gain more weight that way and start growing faster. So the vit/min twice a week dustings on one meal, k? They need that stuff for sure. Yeah for dubia, one day you'll have to get a colony going. Expensive at first but then perpetual food!

 

[MufasasMomMakayla]

We've been eating more and using the vit, so everything is going good atm. I'm going to be looking into buying breeders and learning how so that we have a colony, but who knows how long that will take, lol.
Guess who's almost at 7 1/2?

And 5 1/2!

Both have grown about half an inch since I last mesured a week or two ago!!
Also thought I'd share Norberta's sleeping position last night, lol, took it in the morning cause she was still like that.

Deb I heard you got your boot off, that's great!!

 

[sweetiepie9]

I did, today, it was great to walk around. I need a crutch when I go outside, so support it, but I haven't slept with it on for a few days now and today it was official. I put it away! YEAH!

Tomorrow I see the physio to have an assessment of my foot. My calf is already bigger than it was, just from the walking I've been doing for the last week! I'm very pleased. It's still going to be awhile before I can walk on my own but it'll get here faster than I think!

I'm so glad they're growing, yes feed them as often as you can so they can grow, grow, grow!

 

[MufasasMomMakayla]

I don't believe my eyes, I had to check again, Mufasa was out and I measure them alot so I measured her and she's a smidgen shy of 6 whole inches!!!! Like, two centimeters! That was in just a few days. She's shedding her legs and tail, or about to as her skin hasn't "popped" but is light and sheddy looking. Norberta is a little bigger to! She's about to shed the last three of her legs. And of course one of the basking lightbulbs decided to die yesterday so had to run to the pet store today and get another. Funny thing also is Mufasa has started to react to her name, when she runs across the floor I call after her and she turns to look at me and stops, then goes back to what she was doing still. Norberta does occasionally, but she's the more rebellious one, lol.

 

[sweetiepie9]

I'm glad they're growing, but they're still small for their ages. You feed them separately and outside their tanks, right? That's a good thing, then you know how much they're eating. Still feeding them twice a day? They'll grow more quickly then, which is a good thing. They look so healthy, which is also a great thing! Thanks for keeping me updated on how they're doing. It's nice when they respond to their names, mine do, too.

 

[MufasasMomMakayla]

Sorry for how long it's taken for me to post! I make sure they both get the same amount twice a day, I do feed them in the tank but I: A. Take everything out so the bugs can't hide and B. Make sure I take out any that they don't eat. I'm glad that you think they look healthy!! I think so to but they are my babies so I need another opinion cause I think they look better every day (in my eyes lol).
I've taken a ton of pictures but here's just two.

I changed the substrate from paper napkins since we didn't have paper towels to basically newspaper without anything on it. I still need to get the uvb light inside, I've been looking at how I just need to get hooks or such. I'm also trying to find breeder roaches, where can I get what you said, 100 F & 30 M? I can only find 19 F at the most.

 

[sweetiepie9]

Hi Makayla, Merry Christmas!

They are so cute but I still find them to be small. I think it's just that they're sharing. You should feed them separately in the tank, take one out, feed the other and vice versa as they won't necessarily want to eat as much as they can when the other is there. Try that for a couple of days and see if they will eat more.

And because they get along so well, why don't you get 1 40 gallon tank for them both so they can grow more, watch out for the next Petco $1/gal sale, so worth it. As long as you have the funds, though.

I think it's command hooks you're looking for, but not sure, you should ask in the Enclosure topic as someone there would know.

Otherwise they look so healthy and really do get along <3 Maybe, if you're working in the summer, you can get them both set up in 40 gallon tanks.

Loved the pictures, especially of the two of them, not sure why they're upside down, but no worries, I just put my laptop upside down and that works :mrgreen:

So have a great Christmas and New Years and hope to hear from you soon!

 

[MufasasMomMakayla]

Merry Christmas Deb!
That does make sense, them sharing. I fed them separately today and will continue doing it. I am ordering more bugs tomorrow, maybe super worms (I found some that seem to be small enough) are they healthy enough? I think they are. Anyway what I'm saying is I'll start saving up for a second set up. I'll go ask in the forum about the hooks.
I think the pics are up side down because I use a cell to post and such. Oops, lol.

We are snuggling now, Mufasa is curled up while Norberta has been attempting to burrow in my hair and is now in my hood, lol.

All you can see is her tail hehe. How did Leo's vet appointment go? Talk to you soon!

 

[sweetiepie9]

He's on a med that's supposed to help his liver. I give him Serrepeptase (pain killer and anti-inflammatory from silk worm enzymes) twice a day, so 2 ml a day. I also give him acidophilus and electrolytes and have to give him lots of water & water on his greens. I'm making him swim every day, too, so he'll start using his legs again, he was hardly moving for awhile there. He's doing better in only a few days, sees the vet again on Jan 2. A friend of mine sent me a bottle of milk thistle liquid, that also helps detoxify livers, so helps alot with fatty liver disease. His kidneys are also affected, hoping the med will help with that. It's alot of work when they get sick.

Yes, small super worms will help them, they have more fat, so add weight, which is good for them. And continue feeding them separately, that will also help. Just make sure the super worms aren't adults, they're way too big for them. Smalls are perfect, just take out the biggest ones first, the smaller ones will then have a chance to grow. Get Wheat Bran as their substrate and feed them greens (on top of the Wheat Bran). It's the best substrate for them to live in. They can be kept in a small critter keeper or a container with a mesh top. They need LOTS of air so no mold starts. They die if they get wet.

Oh, I forgot to send you this link to good dubia roaches: http://gordosfeederbugz.com/shop/feeder-bugs/dubia-roaches/

From checking other sites, she seems to have the best prices.

Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a great 2016. And if you get a 40 gallon, they can still share as it will be much bigger, space wise. Then later on you can get another 40 gallon and they'll have separate space. You can keep the tanks together, too, so they can see each other as they're used to each other, but that won't be for awhile, so we'll discuss it.