3????

Eric From Cincinnati · #1 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 12:50 AM

I've heard if you've had 3 feedings with an ETB, wait for the fourth meal until you get a poop. Any feelings on this from the experts. I fed the little girl her 3rd meal without a poop last night and was wondering if i should wait until she goes once before feeding her again.

CraigC · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 02:19 PM

Though I don't consider myself an expert, that is the rule we follow. Having said that, we have a feeding schedule that varies depending on the age of the emerald. Also, you may have to use some stimulus like exercise and "rain" to get them to go. Most of our large adults won't go in their cage, so our jungle-gym and hose do the trick. If the outside conditions aren't favorable, use the shower. Better to clean the tub than have a prolapse.

Craig

Eric From Cincinnati · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 03:00 PM

Do you use warm water, room temperature? Also she's still itty bitty, so I'm worried about the shower pounding on her may cause a lot of stress. How long do you usually leave them in before they go?

Right now she's about as big around as a nickel or so, and just under a year old.

_Sam_ · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 03:03 PM

wow. so tiny! haha. I dont have much experience with Emeralds though, sorry. =/

CraigC · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 03:26 PM

Has she already gone through ontogenesis? If your shower can't provide a fine mist, then I would use a spray bottle with around 80 F temp water. Spray it upwards so that it "rains" down on her and not directly at her. If she isn't used to being sprayed, you might get a tail wagging reaction. Eventually she will drop her tail and go. With neos to yearling, I've found that it doesn't take very long, but with adults it can take 20-30 minutes and I use intervals of spraying and making them move around. Hasn't failed yet and I'm going on 10 years of working exclusively with emeralds. What is your feeding schedule?

Craig

Eric From Cincinnati · #6 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 06:10 PM

I try to feed about every three weeks. I must confess every now and then it ends up being 4. But for the most part every 21 days. She is completely done with ontogenesis, and I'm very satisfied with her final coloration, I must say. She ate a few days ago and still has the lump. As soon as she goes back to her tight perch, I'll mist her continuously until she goes. As soon as I get some spare time, I'm also going to build her a jungle gym, like yours.

Is the tail wagging reaction a sign she's about to go and a good thing, or does it = go away? I haven't seen that yet, but i've always just given a light misting until she's covered then quit.

CraigC · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 06:55 PM

The tail wagging is a reaction to being sprayed. If your girl is used to being sprayed it may never be an issue. I don't need to spray to keep humidity up, so mine are not used to it.

I've never had success spraying in the cage for stimulation of a bowel movement. I believe it has to do with being able to hang the tail "out in space" so to speak.

Wow, your feeding interval is long! I've always feed neonates up to yealings on a 10-14 day interval. My adults are 14-21 days.

Craig

JimH · #8 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 07:20 PM

I've got 4 of mine to roll the bottom third of their bodies down towards the substrate and poop within 1 minute of the initiated spray. The rest usually take big drinks and then wait until after lights out to go. I wonder if a few of them may need a good book to read while they wait....just like some guys I know! lol!

Eric From Cincinnati · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 03:48 AM

Yeah i'll try that after she settles down post-feed in a few days.

Eric From Cincinnati · #10 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 03:01 PM

Well no luck with the spraying...sprayed for about 15 minutes....she breathed heavily and tightened up and was not happy about it at all. Then when she finally did move around a bit...nothing. Her tail section above her cloaca in front of it is so much bigger than behind it. I can tell she needs to go but I had no luck yesterday...I'll try again today. Would it be ok to put her cage with the lid off in the shower, not under the big stream of water, but on the edge so the smaller droplets are landing on her?

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