[Zoodulcis]

She looks pretty content. Is your house particularly chilly or do you just enjoy a fun animal fashion statement?

[Zoodulcis]

Oh good Elmer, I’m glad you have a balanced diet. Do you eat your veggies like a good boy?

[Zoodulcis]

Puff makes a wonderful addition to the holiday display. How old is he?

[Zoodulcis]

A budding gamer. That is sassy. Is he your first beardie?

[Zoodulcis]

OMG, how many beardies are actually in this photo? 5? 6?

[Zoodulcis]

Hi Elmer and Happy Birthday. Be sure to tell your Mommy/Daddy that waxworms and crickets are way better for you than mealworms, cuz mealworms are really hard for you to digest.

[Zoodulcis]

Boy, he is certainly showing off his beard! I guess the fabric of his hammock makes him feel rough and tough. How old is he?

[Zoodulcis]

Xander is a lovely lad. I wonder, from the picture, if he might be a bit cold. If you don’t mind my asking, what is the temperature at the closest point to the heat lamp on his hammock?

[Zoodulcis]

Louis loui -eh oh baby!

I tell you, some people’s reptiles have the greatest mommies and daddies, who take them on vacations. Uncle Louis may be from Chicago, but I bet he’s not there right now if this is a recent picture. Where is he currently chilling/lounging?

[Zoodulcis]

Does Sumo not do that cute behavior anymore?

[Zoodulcis]

Awesome! Just shoot an email to goatlady80@gmail.com so we don’t bore other forum readers with our editorial meanderings.

[Zoodulcis]

Yes, you are blessed with your little sugars, and they are blessed with you.

I have to ask a favor, and of course it is entirely, entirely, up to you. I am updating my book ‘Zoodulcis: Our Fascination with Animals.” I released it in 2017, but because it is non-fiction and based upon current research concerning the human wellness benefits of the human-animal bond, I try to keep it current. I also try to stay away from dogs, because so many excellent writers and researchers focus exclusively on dogs, and there is so much research done on them, that my book tends to try to highlight the cognitive, emotional, and physical benefits of alternative pets. To be clear, I have nothing against dogs, having been a dog trainer and even into the obedience show ring and also the search and rescue circuit. But there is just not enough info out there on people who are having therapeutic experiences with animals that are not canine. Your comment about how people in ‘the community’ respond just triggered a thought on how this alternative pet affects your well-being and those in ‘the community’ around you. Would you be willing to share more about them and how they promote your sense of well-being?

[Zoodulcis]

Gosh Jessey, I am so relieved! And I bet he is too 🙂

Very, very glad this did indeed work for you. And please, do not hesitate to ask for assistance again and to tell all of your friends about Critter Depot (that makes the boss very happy and less constipated as well 🙂

[Zoodulcis]

I cannot believe that Martin was able to make his way to you, because your winter’s there are indeed tough on tropical or Mediterranean critters. And people think reptiles are dumb! Sheeeeesh. I had a friend who lost her green iguana in St. George Utah, where the winters are even a bit worse, and years later people would say to her, ‘Hey, I saw your iguana the other day. He was perched in my friend’s Christmas cactus’ or other such sightings. Anyway, it looks like Martin is lucky to have found you, as it sounds as though he went through the ringer before being rescued. How old do you guess he might be?

[Zoodulcis]

Hi Jessey,

There may be a number of reasons why he is in hiding, some quite simple and some a little less so. It may be that he has come out at a time when you have not noticed him and then gone back into hiding, but for now let’s assume that this is not the case.

#1 Since he has access to prey items all of the time, it is possible that he gorged himself and is now just taking time out for a respite from eating. Although not terribly common, other keepers have reported that theirs have done this.

#2 He may be constipated. This can happen and the more constipated they are, the less likely to move they become. I know humans can sure relate to that! There is no way to know unless you unearth him and gently bath him in a warm (85-90 degrees F) bath for about 20 minutes. This will hydrate him and may encourage bowel movement. When unearthing him and picking him up, be sure to slide your hand under him gently from behind. This will startle him less and save you from a bite. When the water has cooled to 80 degrees, replace it with second bath warmed to the temperature recommended above. Another 20 minutes. After this, you should notice that he has pooped, or seems more lively just in general. Examine him as thoroughly as you possibly can, and try to notice whether anything seems wrong, like discoloration or continuing lethargy. If there is nothing extremely obvious, put him back in his enclosure and observe him for 24 hours. If he hides again without emerging, it may be time to consider a visit to a knowledgable veterinarian. Remember, this is advice given to you here in this forum post from a zoologist, and not a veterinarian. If you are nervous at all that something is really amiss, it’s best to take him in now and not wait. But as long as he is buried you cannot make an informed decision, so unearthing him is definitely your best move at this time. It will do no harm and may do much good, because he may need your help.

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