Dwarf African Fattails?

[cml3.0]

Hi all!
Ok, I don't normally take home animals that I don't know, nor do I know how to take care of them. But when someone come in with an animal they don't want, what do you do?

Here are a few pics of him, I think he is male with the bulge and all.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j262/cbird86/AFT/DSCN2092.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j262/cbird86/AFT/DSCN2094.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j262/cbird86/AFT/DSCN2091.jpg


He isn't doing well, and I hope he will pull out of it. The owner said he hasn't been eating since his buddy died. I really wasn't able to get to much more information from her after that.
If any one can help it would be greatly appreciated :)

So far I have him set up in a 5 gallon with a heat lamp on him and some small crickets that don't even interest him.

[Peter_Alexander]

Brain has worked wonders with this difficult species, hopefully he'll give you some suggestions.

[AneesasMuse]

I don't know anything about them, but I wanted to say congratulations for rescuing him and I'm wishing you the best with him.

Does he have a name? :D

[cml3.0]

Thanks, he doesn't have a name yet. I am bad with giving names:)

I gave him some liquid calcium, and some multi-vitamins as well, hopefully that will kick him up a bit. Right now he's not wanting to open his eyes, which is a very bad sign.

[Preston Cook]

Ill give you some quick tips, Brian should help you more. Keep them on a sand and like a bed a beast mixture. Keep the sand fairly damp. They like there basking spot around 85 degrees. You also are going to want to spray them daily.

Preston.


PS: there latin is Holodactylus Africanus

[cml3.0]

Thanks Preston!!!
I'll get him setup tonight, have to run for some supplies!

[cml3.0]

Ok, had some stuff on hand!!
I put beat a beast, sand, and vermiculite mixture.
I lowered the heat too.

[Kung Fu LIZARD]

awww I hope he comes out of it ok.

[Preston Cook]

No problem, I hope he does good for you.

[Brian]

So far the best info I've gotten from others is a hot spot 85-90. Dropping down to 70's in the tank at night. Your guy is probably dehydrated at this point. I use a bigger enclosure so I have more room for error. I suspect I may be going a little bit to high.

Hopefully you have a deep substrate mixture that's somewhat moist underground. Mine is 4-6 inches deep.

If it digs down it will probably stay there for a while. I wouldn't dig it up. Just keep conditions right.

Remember a 5 gallons not going to be that stable moisturewise so make sure things don't dry out below the surface. You don't want sopping wet either though.

Might leave a few crickets at the surface though incase it comes up to eat at night.

He shouldn't be staying at the surface BTW. If you have to you can start a burrow for him with your finger.

[cml3.0]

Ok, I did what you did on the geckophile Brian :)
After Preston told me the species name I looked it up on there and read all I could.
He is burrowing right now, and I even put in a tube and buried it. It comes out on the hot side and ends on the cool.
I did drop in a few crickets for him.
And yes he is very dehydrated.

I was wondering what you used to make the soil clump better?
I heard the mention of clay, but not sure what, or where to get it?

Thanks!

[Brian]

Updates? Have you noticed little mounds or holes in the dirt if it's still alive. Remember to keep the underground moister. The best way I've done this is simulateing rain. I used to take everything out and remoisten, but that's more stressful.

[AneesasMuse]

I was just wondering about this little guy, too... how's he doin'? Have you seen him? :D

I think those of us who keep "burrowing" animals, etc. are a "special lot" :p We spend money, time... invest love and care... and we don't even SEE the critter most of the time to enjoy it. Haha. (ie. two of my tarantulas... beautiful beasts... haven't seen them in months!! ..but the food disappears)


Let us know how this one's doing when you can...

[cml3.0]

I have had to dig him up a few times just to stop worrying :)
He is doing good, as far as I can tell. Food disappears so I am guessing he is eating though he doesn't look like he is putting any weight on.
I am keeping his temps up and getting a heat mat Wednesday (local store special ordered one for me to fit a 5 gallon :) ).

So I guess so far so good...

Thanks again for all the help brian, I think I will try the rain method instead of digging every thing up and moistening things. Maybe a little less stressful.

[Brian]

I used to dig them up occationally too, but I learned they seem to keep somewhat permenant burrows. Even though there may be new openings/exits dug, etc. That might be good to check on moisture in the begining.

I had one that took about 2-3 months to gain weight. The tail doesn't seem to be the best way to tell fat sometimes. I've seen animal with hip bones and fat tails and animals with skinny tails in good condition otherwise.