RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Thorny Devils..
I was suprised about the price, not because they aren't worth it, but because I know of people who have paid much less. They're time consuming to keep, but not really all that difficult if you know a few tricks (I've seen three very different methods used to feed them, all successful). I've had a picture of a captive bred adult which was raised in Melbourne in my personal gallery on this site for a few months. That one is still thriving, along with its partner, here in Melbourne (by the way, I think that pair was $300, unless they were $300 each (as hatchlings), or my memory is completely out). I know of a couple of people in SA who keep them outside. These lizards aren't just found in NT by the way, I've seen them a very short drive from the coast in SA (in some areas down there, they're very common), and I must say, if you've seen or held a live one, you'll agree that they're worth every bit of $2,000. Finding my first wild moloch was one of the most exciting reptile related moments I've ever had, it was a thousand times more astounding than I expected.
I've never heard anything more solid than 5th hand rumours about them going well a diet of anything other than ants, but if it was true that they can thrive on baby woodies, I would definately be wanting some. At this stage my guess is that I'll never own one and I'm quite content with that. I know of someone who got a hatchling to eat hatchling crickets, but it didn't survive on that diet. If it doesn't eat rodents, cockroaches, GR2's or leaves, I'm not too keen to have it!
Oh, in case anyone is wondering, yes, the Melbourne ones are 100% legal (they're on a non-private permit) and no, unfortunately, they aren't on public display.
