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#780207
AFT~413
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Small appetite 
I have had Cuweena since Friday, 4/28/06. Her appetite doesn’t seem adequate, as far as other posts I’ve been reading. She is fed dusted/gut-loaded crickets every other day, and has never eaten more than 6. Sometimes 2, 3, or 4. I offered her 20 mealworms in a dish today, but no interest. I’m trying to fatten her up because her tail is not as fat as most I’ve seen. I know waxies are more fattening, but not available at the store I went to. She just shed Monday, if that has any impact on appetite. Her home is set up fine with over 60% humid., temp. gradient from high 80’s to mid 70’s, UTH and lamp (on opposite ends), 1 humid hide/2 dry hides (on opposite ends), hanging plastic Palm, basking grapevine, fresh water dish. I’m now using Four Paws Naturebed substrate (the coconut fiber/earthy brick you soak in hot water) as of yesterday. She was first set up with NatureBark (what she was in at the store), but switched to Calci-Sand to avoid impaction, then to Naturebed due to the sand being far too arid. She seems to really love the Naturebed. Is it possible that too many habitat changes stressed her to lose her appetite? I want to post pix, but can’t figure it out! Any advice,would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks ~ Brandon
[Image][/Image]
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05/10/06 05:24pm
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#781257
TEK9
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Message To: AFT~413 In reference to Message Id: 780207
Small appetite
It sounds like your AFT is still acclimating, your setup sounds good (just dont switch back to sand its unnatural to them). Its a really good start if shes eating that many crix so soon after arriving home, dont hold your breath on her eating mealworms my AFT hates worms, it looks utterly disgusted by them. From the pics in your post she looks just like mine when he came.
if you need any help feel free to PM me with any questions.
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05/11/06 10:45am
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#781563
Smurfzilla
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Message To: TEK9 In reference to Message Id: 781257
Small appetite
I agree with Tek.. its probably acclimation. If youre still worried try putting just a few (i dont put in any more than 3-4 max) crickets in at night. Chubbs eats fine during the day but enjoys running around and hunting a bit at night. Im up early in the morning so i pull the extra crickets out if shes not showing any more interest in them for the night. Good luck! ^.^
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05/11/06 03:38pm
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#781743
AFT~413
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Message To: Smurfzilla In reference to Message Id: 781563
Small appetite
I threw 5 crix (with a carrot stick and a little cricket diet to keep them busy) in with Cuweena around 9:30pm before I left for work last night. There were 2 left when I got home at 6:15am this morning. I have really whacked out her feeding schedule because I’ve been worried about her not eating enough. At least I know she’s eating healthy food, and there were a couple of nice stools this morning as well, so she’s obviously processing all the vitamins and minerals. I’m going to let her adjust for another day or so before feeding again, maybe Saturday evening? She’s chillin’ on my neck right now, and looks soooo much better after a couple of days with the new Naturebed substrate! She’s much more hydrated and her coloring is deep and rich again, like when I bought her. I’m not as worried as much anymore. It’s amazing how their environment impacts them so drastically... Thanks for the replies! I was absolutely psyched, and lucky, to have stumbled upon this forum. Everyones advice, experience, and knowledge of AFTs and reptiles in general is invaluable. I wish I found it BEFORE I picked up Cuweena, so everything would have been perfect from the get go (gecko!)
Thanks ~ B
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05/11/06 05:56pm
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