Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Horned Lizards Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Horned Lizards Forum

Chuch   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Chuch   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Chuch   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Chuch   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Chuch   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Chuch   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Chuch   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Chuch   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Chuch   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Chuch   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Cable_Hogue   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   Chuch   Chuch   Chuch  
Pages 1 2 Next
 Member  Message

 #1361318


Chuch
View Profile

 Someone please help me

I bought a desert horned lizard from the Orlando fire show. It is for my son. I had no idea what I was getting into. I have been reading everything and I am so scared. The first night we got home he ate four crickets and has not ate since. They told me it would be okay to only give him crickets. Yesterday he was not real active and today he has not really move. Is that normal or is he sick? How long do I leave the lights on every day? How often do they eat? Do they like to be handled? I have read so much and am so confused. I order some ants on line but its going to be a couple of days. Is that okay? Can I get some out of the yard? PLEASE DON’T BE MAD AT ME. I WILL DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME. I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO HIM.
07/16/07  05:27pm

 #1361383


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1361318


 Someone please help me

Check under my profile for the link to my group. Contact me there and you can get a copy of my new care sheet. Beware, it’s 26 pages and is taking on the form of a book, but it will not leave you with too many unknowns. I also posted it here, but the one on my group is in file format with graphics.

It is not ok to only feed them crickets. I also sell ants, if you check the classified section here.

The HL could be sick or it could be stressed. It is surely wild caught and not kept right by the seller. Read the care sheet, reduce the stress, keep it hydrated, and leave it be for a while. Do not handle it like a toy or it will go downhill and may be dead in a matter of weeks. Get it back on ants.



07/16/07  06:11pm

 #1361389


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1361383


 Someone please help me

make sure yuo have UVB lighting as well.



07/16/07  06:13pm

 #1361437


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1361389


 Someone please help me

Thank You!!! He is moving around now and it looks like he ate a cricket. I have the UVB lighting but I can’t find anywhere how long to leave it on. How long do I keep the heat lamp on? I know I sound so dumb but I want to do what is best for him. Well they told me it was a him but who knows now. I live in FL can I get a couple of ants from the yard or are those the wrong kind?



07/16/07  06:35pm

 #1362115


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1361437


 Someone please help me

My new care sheet on my group goes into all that you ask, including pictures for identifying male and female.

No, you should not use any ant you find in the yard without knowledge of what you are feeding. Some species of ant contain alarm pheremones which may be toxic. One herpetologist lost several HLs to this. Ants from your yard may also have been exposed to pesticides or other chemicals from around your house.
You need Harvester ants ( Pogonomyrmex genus ). They also supplementally eat honeypot ants
( Myrmecocystus genus ). If you want to keep this guy healthy, you really need to go in and order these ants regularly. If you don’t, you are asking for trouble. You can’t feed these lizards everything but ants. I know, I have tried it before. You also can’t just feed them any ant. Because "any" ant does not contain exactly what the Pogonomyrmex does, or it may be dangerous. Read the caresheet and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.




07/17/07  01:51am

 #1365877


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1362115


 Someone please help me

Thanks for all your help. I think he is doing better. He seems the like the meal worms over the crickets. He is more active and seems less stressed. I got some ants on the way. If all goes well I will be ordering some from you soon. I was really freaked out. I thank you for taking the time to help me. You must really read alot. you are everywhere. HA HA I have been reading your post every were. Some of it is SO funny. Take Care
07/19/07  04:42pm

 #1366160


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1365877


 Someone please help me

Yes, I’m on I don’t know how many forums and reptile websites, yahoo answers, and I just applied to allexperts or something to take questions about turtles and other reptiles. I don’t just read a lot. I do a lot. I run a reptile rescue and I’m an avid field herper in Texas. I have 9 Horned Lizards, and even more in turtles, torts, snakes, and geckos. I’ve been doing reptiles for about 20 years.

You really need to get my care sheet. Mealworms as a main prey is a No-No. You may end up killing it if you are not careful. Pinhead crickets until you get harvester ants. Mealworms as very infrequent treats ONLY. This is all explained in the care sheet.



07/19/07  07:35pm

 #1366234


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1366160


 Someone please help me

Thanks for taking the time. I have read the care sheets. He was not eating so I thought that would help. He will not eat the crickets. The ants should arrive tomorrow. He seems like he doing better. then again I have never studied lizards. I will keep trying and reading. I just hope he eats these ANTS.
07/19/07  08:20pm

 #1366818


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1366234


 Someone please help me

The crickets might have been too large, or perhaps too hard for him to catch. You may have to "disable" their back legs. He may take interest then. Also give him some privacy, quiet, and enough space as he is still stressed from the move, and will be for a while. You don’t know if his hydration status was sufficient at the time of buying him, so using mealworms until you have him a little more established could be dangerous.
There is a special way to offer ants too, so make sure you have gone over that part of the care sheet.
This is not the type of lizard to start out on, so you have much work to do if you want to stay on top of things and not kill it.
Read old messages here too and you will learn a lot. I also suggest to get some basic background husbandry knowledge about reptiles, you go to http://www.anapsid.org and read there. Almost everything there is applicable to all reptiles in general, and to Horned Lizards.
There is also kingsnake.com HL forum and phrynosoma.org
As a HL keeper with no previous lizard experience ( reptile experience? ), you are going to need everything you can get your hands on.



07/20/07  06:55am

 #1370690


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1366818


 Someone please help me

Well, I got the ants. He is still not eating like I think he should. I have read everything I think I can. I am more confused everyday. I talked to my son who is four and explained the situation. I need some one with LOTS of experience to take him. I live in Florida but I am a flight attendant so I could take him to someone. This is a hard dissuasion but I know in my heart it is to right thing to do. He really cool and I would love to keep him but with my lack of experience I know it just can not be done.
07/23/07  10:29am

 #1370953


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1370690


 Someone please help me

He may just continue to be stressed for some reason, like movement near him, and they do take a little while to settle and stop climbing the walls. Platyrhinos can be a little skittish of ants in captive conditions too. They have to be babied along with the feedings and it might get time consuming. That’s the one thing about them that is not as great as solare. My solare can take out 100 ants at a time, each, if I dump them in there. I can’t do that even with the 4 platyrhinos I have. They’ll freak out over more than 10 at a time, so I have to baby-sit them. They get cared for though.
If you feel like you have done everything you can to reduce the stress, and it’s just getting to be too much, I will take him in and give him a good home with 4 other platyrhinos. The Horned Lizards I rescue will never be resold to anyone, and if I do have to transfer them to someone else, they will be adopted out only to those people I know are skilled enough with them.
You could bring him to Texas, or he can be shipped express, but I’ll have to talk you through how to package him.

Wichita Falls Reptile Rescue- freewebs(dot)com/wichitafallsreptilerescue



07/23/07  02:59pm

 #1371032


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1370953


 Someone please help me

I looked at the website. Is that your shelter? Are those the HL in the picture? Are you sure about this? I KNOW now with a big responsibility it is? I am going to work tomorrow but will be back on Thursday. If you think he would be okay if I shipped him I will do that. If you want to e-mail me your number I will call to set it up. I’m willing to help with cost of food and shelter if you think you can keep him alive. it’s just to much for me to handle. We are sad but I know it is for the best. Well you have been a great help and I thank you.



07/23/07  03:45pm

 #1371310


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1371032


 Someone please help me

Yes, my wife and I run Wichita Falls Reptile Rescue. Those are the other 4 Desert Horned Lizards that he would live with after being quarantined for a short time and checked over. We have other HLs too, and hopefully this summer, I will be able to complete their outdoor habitat where they will all live together. I am finishing a habitat for the 8 box turtles we have right now. The HL habitat will be right next to them, and be a nice concrete slab with small concrete walls. Inside this concrete arena, I will put a few inches of playbox sand, cave hides, rocks, a misting system, some succulents, and maybe an artificial ant colony where I can load the ants into a pipe, and they come out inside the habitat from the ground. The HLs will think they are hunting ants just like in the wild. The HLs and turtles will live outside as naturally as possible until winter, and everyone will be moved to tanks in the garage to hibernate for winter, where they will be safe.

I also run the yahoo web group HornedLizards listed on my profile.

He will be ok being shipped express mail. For about $14, if you mail him by 5pm I will have him here in Texas the next day before noon. You will need a small locking lid tupperware with about a dozen small holes punched in it. Something big enough that he can turn around in, but not much more, and shallow enough from the bottom to the lid, that if it gets turned upside down or on it’s side, he won’t fall or slide far. You will also need one of the express mail boxes that is big enough for the tupperware to go in with some room all around for a crush zone and some foam. Get this ready overnight at home, so the postal employees don’t see you packing it. When you’re ready to go just take it to the P.O. counter, and say "no" to everything when they ask if: "liquid, fragile, perishable, or potentially hazardous?".
He will be on a jet in no time and in Texas for lunch the next day.

I will check him over, treat him for parasites as prevention, and treat him for anything else if he needs it. After he’s deemed healthy and eating well, he will go to live with the others. If at some point in the future you feel that you may be ready to try again, and if he is doing well with me, then I can pack him up and ship him back to you.

If you wish to help provide donations for anything, or sponsor, that’s always welcome and helps us out. The food is not a problem since I sell Harvester ants and get all that I need practically in my backyard.



07/23/07  06:43pm

 #1371333


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1371032


 Someone please help me

Yes, my wife and I run Wichita Falls Reptile Rescue. Those are the other 4 Desert Horned Lizards that he would live with after being quarantined for a short time and checked over. We have other HLs too, and hopefully this summer, I will be able to complete their outdoor habitat where they will all live together. I am finishing a habitat for the 8 box turtles we have right now. The HL habitat will be right next to them, and be a nice concrete slab with small concrete walls. Inside this concrete arena, I will put a few inches of playbox sand, cave hides, rocks, a misting system, some succulents, and maybe an artificial ant colony where I can load the ants into a pipe, and they come out inside the habitat from the ground. The HLs will think they are hunting ants just like in the wild. The HLs and turtles will live outside as naturally as possible until winter, and everyone will be moved to tanks in the garage to hibernate for winter, where they will be safe.

I also run the yahoo web group HornedLizards listed on my profile.

He will be ok being shipped express mail. For about $14, if you mail him by 5pm I will have him here in Texas the next day before noon. You will need a small locking lid tupperware with about a dozen small holes punched in it. Something big enough that he can turn around in, but not much more, and shallow enough from the bottom to the lid, that if it gets turned upside down or on it’s side, he won’t fall or slide far. You will also need one of the express mail boxes that is big enough for the tupperware to go in with some room all around for a crush zone and some foam. Get this ready overnight at home, so the postal employees don’t see you packing it. When you’re ready to go just take it to the P.O. counter, and say "no" to everything when they ask if: "liquid, fragile, perishable, or potentially hazardous?".
He will be on a jet in no time and in Texas for lunch the next day.

I will check him over, treat him for parasites as prevention, and treat him for anything else if he needs it. After he’s deemed healthy and eating well, he will go to live with the others. If at some point in the future you feel that you may be ready to try again, and if he is doing well with me, then I can pack him up and ship him back to you.

If you wish to help provide donations for anything, or sponsor, that’s always welcome and helps us out. The food is not a problem since I sell Harvester ants and get all that I need practically in my backyard.



07/23/07  06:56pm

 #1373571


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1371333


 Someone please help me

Thanks for all your help. My husband is going to ship him to your rescue tomorrow. I am at work. If I know him he well he will not make it to the PO. Nobody wants to break hearts. If you do not here from me tomorrow I will ship him when I get home from my trip. We are all sad and disappointed but I know its best.



07/25/07  01:49am

 #1373624


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1373571


 Someone please help me

Wait! Did you get my PM?
I didn’t quite understand your message about him "not" making it to the PO??
By "tomorrow" do you mean to ship on Wed? I sent you a pm to tell you I’ll be at the Horned Lizard convention in Ft. Worth on Fri. and part of Sat....so if they aren’t shipped on Wed. and guaranteed for delivery by noon Thur. then don’t ship them!! Wait til Mon. instead.
I would like to make sure he is set up right for the trip and not rushed and have something go wrong. If you could contact me direct at the email I pm’d you with, and include some photos of the packing I would appreciate it.



07/25/07  03:24am

 #1373626


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1373571


 Someone please help me

Wait! Did you get my PM?
I didn’t quite understand your message about him "not" making it to the PO??
By "tomorrow" do you mean to ship on Wed? I sent you a pm to tell you I’ll be at the Horned Lizard convention in Ft. Worth on Fri. and part of Sat....so if they aren’t shipped on Wed. and guaranteed for delivery by noon Thur. then don’t ship them!! Wait til Mon. instead.
I would like to make sure he is set up right for the trip and not rushed and have something go wrong. If you could contact me direct at the email I pm’d you with, and include some photos of the packing I would appreciate it.



07/25/07  03:25am

 #1373788


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1373626


 Someone please help me

I was going to have my husband go ahead and ship him today with the way you explained in the forum. He was going to take him this afternoon right before the PO closed. I am not able to send pictures today. I just read your PM and it sounds like you guys are very busy. I think I should wait in til Monday. What do you think?



07/25/07  09:34am

 #1374429


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1373788


 Someone please help me

Monday is better. And it’s too late today to guarantee him for Thur. anyway. That way there’ll be plenty of time to make sure he’s set up safe for the trip. Did I already give you the address? I need an e-mail or something so that I can get that information to you and communicate a bit more timely.



07/25/07  06:44pm

 #1375112


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1374429


 Someone please help me

Okay I will send him on Monday. I will call you on Sunday to set up the details and make sure everything is a go. You did not give me the address. Is there one on your WFRR website? That is where I am sending him- Right? Thanks again for all the help. You guys have a great trip.
07/26/07  08:51am

 #1375930


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1375112


 Someone please help me

Our address is not listed on the website, but if you contact us using the "contact us" link on the website, we will email you back with that information. Yes, he is going to WFRR and his picture will be posted on the website, though he won’t be put up for adoption to the general public. We will in fact be rescuing a mother and 12 baby Horned Lizards in Ft. Worth this weekend at the conservation society meeting. Your little Desert Horned Lizard will be no trouble at all.



07/26/07  06:09pm

 #1379892


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1375930


 Someone please help me

Hi! Hope you guys had a good weekend. Did you get the babies and the Mommy? I am planning on sending "Rhino Horn" tomorrow. I will call you at the rescue to get the address. If you can think of anything else please let me know. He seems like he is doing okay. He is active and eating. I just do not know if it is the right amount. He seems very calm. I do not know if that is a good thing or not. We are really thankful that you gave us the option to adopt him back one day. We hope one day we feel like we are knowledgeable enough to have him back. Thanks again
07/29/07  10:34pm

 #1380255


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1379892


 Someone please help me

Yes, we picked up one mother Mountain Short Horned and 11 babies. Unfortunately 1 had died some time before we got them. They are very delicate and small enough to fit inside a dime, but I have to examine each of them for health by jewelers glass. It was a very busy weekend.




07/30/07  06:15am

 #1381083


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1380255


 Someone please help me

We haven’t received your call today. Would you please use the contact us link through the rescue website, or email me at phrynsoma_texas(at)yahoo.com. We need a better way to communicate than touch and go over the forum.



07/30/07  06:12pm

 #1383390


Cable_Hogue
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1381083


 Someone please help me

Hey FS,
Kudos for taking on the herp rescue. It is a resource intensive task that not many will step up to.



08/01/07  09:27am

 #1385936


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1379892


 Someone please help me

Typical....thanks Chuch for staying in touch. I don’t appreciate being jerked around when I’m trying to help someone.





08/02/07  09:27pm

 #1385979


Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3
View Profile



   Message To: Cable_Hogue   In reference to Message Id: 1383390


 Someone please help me

Thanks. It is demanding, but most of all, of your time. You can get maxed out and run out of space and time to do everything real fast. Medical supplies can be a hardship, but fortunately with most medicines a little goes a long way....except for with heavy turtles and torts.



08/02/07  09:57pm

 #1387418


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Phrynosoma_Texas_FS3   In reference to Message Id: 1385979


 Someone please help me

HEY HEY HEY! I HAVE BEEN OUT OUT TOWN. I am sorry I was not able to let you know. I want Rhino to live with you more than anything. I have put a lot a time to make sure this little guy has the BEST POSSIBLE LIFE. He is doing okay. I will contact you this weekend if that is okay. I would like to get him to you by Tuesday. I am sorry. I know you care. That is one of the main reasons I want you to take care of him. You also have a lot of experience. I hope we are okay. Let me know.
08/03/07  09:10pm

 #1387432


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1387418


 Someone please help me

I just got to take a look at the babies. They are wonderful. I hope they are all okay. They look good for being soooo tiny. GOOD LUCK!!!
08/03/07  09:21pm

 #1387486


Chuch
View Profile



   Message To: Chuch   In reference to Message Id: 1387432


 Someone please help me

I know you are busy, but I am only home until Monday. I am hoping we are still on the same page . I am sorry for not being able to let you know what is going on. I want to send Rhino on Monday. Thanks for all your help. Thanks, Monica
08/03/07  10:33pm
Pages 1 2 Next


Back to Horned Lizards Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area