Spencer Not hungry

[JasonL]

Watch his tail tip for calcium problems, as it may go soft and die. He should eat at least once a week.

[cris]

Originally Posted by PhilK

It never ceases to amaze me that monitors need such high temps!!!! As I have no idea abut any monitors locations (except Lacies 'cause they drink from my pool) - does it really get to 60 degrees in their home range?
If so - how high is the hotspot in a Lacie's enclosure?

(Sorry to hijack mate)

You will get 60C basking temps at most places in mainland Australia. Think how hot a road is to stand on on a 30C day, much more than 30C. Rocks and soil in direct sun easily can get very hot.

Post some pics as said, how much ventilation is there? I would also watch the minimum temp doesnt get to high very high temps are dangerous as they cant regulate their body temp IMO 36C or more for extended amounts of time could be potentially bad. Mine are outside in brissy and it sure isnt anywhere near 30C most of the time in winter. Yet given a basking spot continue to be active and eat like pigs. They also need hides(holow logs etc.) and/or preferably clay soil to tunnel in.

[Aslan]

I can only give you the advice that has worked for my Ackie - I have found a larger enclosure to be beneficial in regards to his heat. My hot spot for the Ackie can easily sit between 70 - 80c on a hot day - his cool end is always at ambient air temperature though...

I have also added a number of hides where he can easily escape my prying eyes - he has since gone from a VERY picky eater to eating anything that I offer him...he is still a little flighty but getting better...

[dodgie]

Originally Posted by cris

You will get 60C basking temps at most places in mainland Australia. Think how hot a road is to stand on on a 30C day, much more than 30C. Rocks and soil in direct sun easily can get very hot.

Post some pics as said, how much ventilation is there? I would also watch the minimum temp doesnt get to high very high temps are dangerous as they cant regulate their body temp IMO 36C or more for extended amounts of time could be potentially bad. Mine are outside in brissy and it sure isnt anywhere near 30C most of the time in winter. Yet given a basking spot continue to be active and eat like pigs. They also need hides(holow logs etc.) and/or preferably clay soil to tunnel in.

Now i am confused! what temps should i have,day and night?

Will post some pic's when i get the camera back.

[dodgie]

Originally Posted by JasonL

Watch his tail tip for calcium problems, as it may go soft and die. He should eat at least once a week.

He has a thick tail base and the rest of it's tail looks fine.

[dodgie]

Originally Posted by Aslan

I can only give you the advice that has worked for my Ackie - I have found a larger enclosure to be beneficial in regards to his heat. My hot spot for the Ackie can easily sit between 70 - 80c on a hot day - his cool end is always at ambient air temperature though...

I have also added a number of hides where he can easily escape my prying eyes - he has since gone from a VERY picky eater to eating anything that I offer him...he is still a little flighty but getting better...

He has lots of hide's,what age is your monitor and what's your ambient temp?

Does he spend alot of time in hot parts of the cage my little fella likes it cold thats were he spends most of his time.

[Aslan]

My Monitor is about 8mths old - maybe a little younger - again, he is an Ackie, my understanding is that most monitors are kept in a very similar manner...

My ambient room temperature varies somewhat but the last few days have been between about 18 - 20c in the cool end. I have no idea what the ambient temp in the cool end is, I find it of little concern...

The surface temperature on the top of his stack is generally too hot for him to spend much time - usually five minutes or so at most before going for a run around. He spends a lot of time in the next two levels down...since increasing his temps I have found that he eats like a little demon...like a monitor should...

The key is a wide range of temperatures for him to hide in, I have found that the easiest way to manage this is with a large tank where the hot spot does not affect the cool end whilst still being an absolute scorcher - I then trust him to make the decision on what temp he wants to be at - afterall, his kind have been doing it for far longer than I have been providing them with lamps...

[dodgie]

Thanks for your input M8.
You wouldn't believe it but he ate one pinkie mouse today,i offered him two but he only ate the one.I also put in a couple of roaches and he just looked at them.