Still no new tank, but a nice green carpet has replaced the sand. I don't think he could care less about it. Then again, he is also starting to shed his forelimbs and around his eye, so he's probably just moody.
And his branch can be flipped to get closer to the heat lamp, but he always knocks it over when it's cricket time, so I figured this way is fine. He's not so tiny that he has to be directly under it.
He also now has a CHE for night time, his old night light decided to burn out at bed time one day...
I don't want his rock or his food right under his heat lamp, as the rock tends to get really hot (it's fine where it is now, I can rest the back of my hand on it comfortably,) and his food doesn't dry as fast under his UV (still need a new one of those, it's still only 5.0UV, but I've been taking him outside every day (it's nice, sunny, and hot) so he's getting at least an hour of natural sun a day (if not more).
What do you guys think? I applied to a new job recently, so I will HOPEFULLY finally get a steady source of income in order to get more of what he needs (like a bigger tank, poor baby makes tight turns to get crickets).
Looks like some pretty nice improvements! Just be sure to give the carpet a good cleaning (run it through the washer and then air dry) if it gets soiled. Frequent washing is the downside of the carpets but they're a pretty big step up from the sand in my opinion.
Looks like some pretty nice improvements! Just be sure to give the carpet a good cleaning (run it through the washer and then air dry) if it gets soiled. Frequent washing is the downside of the carpets but they're a pretty big step up from the sand in my opinion.
He's been pooping outside lately (a huge blessing) but I've already figured that the carpet will need to be cleaned often. The biggest mess so far is calcium powder from crickets ( I keep putting too much in the bag, I'm working on that) and his greens, because he runs over his food bowl to get crickets, and is just a messy eater. XD cricket legs are a common sight in his tank!
Yeah those are common issues =). As far as the supplement powder goes, try putting a bit in a shallow cup and just shake a few of the crickets at a time. Slightly tip the cup in the tank to let them hop out but not enough to dump any of the excess. It's not perfect, you'll still get some powder in the carpet, but it helps. It's easier to track the crickets in small batches too.
Yeah those are common issues =). As far as the supplement powder goes, try putting a bit in a shallow cup and just shake a few of the crickets at a time. Slightly tip the cup in the tank to let them hop out but not enough to dump any of the excess. It's not perfect, you'll still get some powder in the carpet, but it helps. It's easier to track the crickets in small batches too.
Alright, sounds like something to try. I'd usually try dumping them in his greens so the powder would get on them, but that's still kinda messy. And the twerp has managed to grab the bag out of my hand a couple of times, so I can't put in TOO far, making aiming even MORE difficult.. XD You get the diea. I'll try that cup thing, though.
Somewhat off topic, what do you think of having an enclosure near a window? not right up against it, but where they can see out? I kinda want to give my little guy that, as he LOVES looking out windows, but I'm worried about how winter would be, because the glass of the window might make the enclosure cold if it's too close, especially when he and I move to Oklahoma (which isn't for at least a year, my fiance and I are working marriage details out still and getting financially ready).
I don't like having the tanks near the window because sunlight can really heat up the enclosures quite a bit if not careful. I have my tank in the living room right in the middle of the action, but I put a small dog bed in the window sill and let Darwin sit in the window and look out during the day when I'm home.
I don't like having the tanks near the window because sunlight can really heat up the enclosures quite a bit if not careful. I have my tank in the living room right in the middle of the action, but I put a small dog bed in the window sill and let Darwin sit in the window and look out during the day when I'm home.
Ah, I did not think of the sunlight heating it up, that makes sense. Especially because I know OK summer's can get pretty intense.
I do have a couple throw blankets I could probably re-purpose for him, but he seems to not mind hanging off the back of the couch. He looks rather cute when he does that, especially when he rests his head on his hands!