marbalboy
Member
Hello! It’s been awhile since I posted here in panic mode so I thought I would update and ask a few more questions .
Petunia seems to be doing really well (hence the lack of panic posts-not great burrow in the sky). Not sure of a quantitative good growth rate, but it has gained roughly 20-22 grams since it acquired me in late October.
As far as enclosure, in a decision I didn’t take lightly since it was against the advice of folks here, I have petunia living in a tortoise table BUT with updates to make hatchling suitable . I have a lot of experience converting curio cabinets into greenhouses and so tried to use those same principles, and I think it worked out well, but I’d like y’all’s opinions.
In the bottom/partly up sides I’ve put pond liner with coco/ orchid bark substrate. The top of the cooler side has plastic- like sheeting and insulation while the warm and basking side has foil surrounding the lights to keep the heat and humidity from funneling upwards too much. In its bedroom, a half log is buried at an angle; bedroom also tastefully firndished with water dish and desert trumpet buckwheat. There is a heat pad underneath (I know, but the temperature has never gotten to be problematically hot and since there are no lights, it needs something to avoid being cool/humid).
In the main room I have water and food tray, three different hides (it likes sleeping in the tiny flowerpot during the day instead of the bedroom) and lots of stuff to climb on (not reflected in attached video). It has a peculiar habit once a day of climbing to the highest point and looking out over its domain, which we dubbed as “lording”.
Additionally, I have rotating trays of Mojave annual forbs and planted seeds for foraging. Oftentimes, this is preferred to the food dish. Humidity is from substrate, misting, water dishes, and a covered terracotta jar in corner. Humidity ranges from 40-75% depending on things and stuff.
It seems to be extra thirsty lately so it’s been a bit higher in addition to extra long daily baths. Also snacked the cuttlefish for the first time… I hope maybe growth spurt and not something more problematic like Ca inhibiting foods in diet? Or goods that cause excessive thirst?? Daytime temps are in the 70s in the cool side, 80-90 throughout the warm, and 95-100 right under basking. Night temps are in 70s, usually mids. Is this too hot? Heat comes on if it hits 74 and turns off at 77.
It doesn’t really ever touch either water dish, yet is clearly more interested in water than say ten days ago.
What are some reasons it doesn’t like its water dishes much? One is near basking and one is in cool part; it drinks off of rocks when it “rains” & in the bath.
I can only grow out so many forage trays and so with season, must use grocery store For diet. What is a good nutrient+vitamin supplement to alternate with flukers, calcium without d vitamins? If this is even how I should be doing the supplements. Other than that, Anything problematic y’all see ? I did a little housekeeping after the video 🫣
It has filled out so much more since I got it. It’s now tortoise shaped instead of skipping rock shaped…..
Thanks and Petunia Says “……hss” from sin city!
Tort table ⬅️ video of table (the hay has been removed, there are a lot more climbing options since I filmed this)
Petunia seems to be doing really well (hence the lack of panic posts-not great burrow in the sky). Not sure of a quantitative good growth rate, but it has gained roughly 20-22 grams since it acquired me in late October.
As far as enclosure, in a decision I didn’t take lightly since it was against the advice of folks here, I have petunia living in a tortoise table BUT with updates to make hatchling suitable . I have a lot of experience converting curio cabinets into greenhouses and so tried to use those same principles, and I think it worked out well, but I’d like y’all’s opinions.
In the bottom/partly up sides I’ve put pond liner with coco/ orchid bark substrate. The top of the cooler side has plastic- like sheeting and insulation while the warm and basking side has foil surrounding the lights to keep the heat and humidity from funneling upwards too much. In its bedroom, a half log is buried at an angle; bedroom also tastefully firndished with water dish and desert trumpet buckwheat. There is a heat pad underneath (I know, but the temperature has never gotten to be problematically hot and since there are no lights, it needs something to avoid being cool/humid).
In the main room I have water and food tray, three different hides (it likes sleeping in the tiny flowerpot during the day instead of the bedroom) and lots of stuff to climb on (not reflected in attached video). It has a peculiar habit once a day of climbing to the highest point and looking out over its domain, which we dubbed as “lording”.
Additionally, I have rotating trays of Mojave annual forbs and planted seeds for foraging. Oftentimes, this is preferred to the food dish. Humidity is from substrate, misting, water dishes, and a covered terracotta jar in corner. Humidity ranges from 40-75% depending on things and stuff.
It seems to be extra thirsty lately so it’s been a bit higher in addition to extra long daily baths. Also snacked the cuttlefish for the first time… I hope maybe growth spurt and not something more problematic like Ca inhibiting foods in diet? Or goods that cause excessive thirst?? Daytime temps are in the 70s in the cool side, 80-90 throughout the warm, and 95-100 right under basking. Night temps are in 70s, usually mids. Is this too hot? Heat comes on if it hits 74 and turns off at 77.
It doesn’t really ever touch either water dish, yet is clearly more interested in water than say ten days ago.
What are some reasons it doesn’t like its water dishes much? One is near basking and one is in cool part; it drinks off of rocks when it “rains” & in the bath.
I can only grow out so many forage trays and so with season, must use grocery store For diet. What is a good nutrient+vitamin supplement to alternate with flukers, calcium without d vitamins? If this is even how I should be doing the supplements. Other than that, Anything problematic y’all see ? I did a little housekeeping after the video 🫣
It has filled out so much more since I got it. It’s now tortoise shaped instead of skipping rock shaped…..
Thanks and Petunia Says “……hss” from sin city!
Tort table ⬅️ video of table (the hay has been removed, there are a lot more climbing options since I filmed this)
