Ackies (Questions)

[jtmoney]

I have been researching ackies for a good year now and Im just about to start making them an enclosure.

The enclosure will be plywood coated in poly. It will be 4X3X4 and it will be housing a pair. 10 inches of dirt with a stack and two basking spots. One above the stack one in another area. Sliding front door. Small vents on the side.

Now questions:

1: Feeding schedule. I have my own dubia colony which has every size of dubia roaches and was going to feed them. From reading just alternate between mealworms/superworms/crickets/roaches as a staple diet (dusted of course) everyday?. Twice a week give them a treat as in a hard boiled egg or pinky? Let me know if I am wrong here as I am here to learn before I get them.

2. Can a male/female pair be housed together all the time or like some other reptiles will the male overbreed her and tire her out? On feeding also do they need to be out of their enclosure to not swallow substrate? Do I need to feed them in seperate enclosures so they do not fight over food?

3. Where is a good place to purchase a red/yellow ackie?

4. Anything I missed that any of you guru's can help me out with. Again I am not getting them right now just getting some more research before I jump into them. I have a little experience with caring for monitors but a lot of experience with reptiles in general.

Thanks in advance

[DRZRider]

The enclosure will be plywood coated in poly. It will be 4X3X4 and it will be housing a pair. 10 inches of dirt with a stack and two basking spots. One above the stack one in another area. Sliding front door. Small vents on the side.

Sounds good, but be careful with the vents. Too much ventilation will dry it out quickly.

1: Feeding schedule. I have my own dubia colony which has every size of dubia roaches and was going to feed them. From reading just alternate between mealworms/superworms/crickets/roaches as a staple diet (dusted of course) everyday?. Twice a week give them a treat as in a hard boiled egg or pinky? Let me know if I am wrong here as I am here to learn before I get them.

That sounds good too. My adult male would eat a fuzzy from time to time.

2. Can a male/female pair be housed together all the time or like some other reptiles will the male overbreed her and tire her out?

yes and yes - just keep an eye on them

On feeding also do they need to be out of their enclosure to not swallow substrate? Do I need to feed them in seperate enclosures so they do not fight over food?

no and no - keep an eye on them

3. Where is a good place to purchase a red/yellow ackie?

All I have seen are adult males for sale now. Many people have gravid ackies or eggs. You will see them for sale in a few months.

4. Anything I missed that any of you guru's can help me out with. Again I am not getting them right now just getting some more research before I jump into them. I have a little experience with caring for monitors but a lot of experience with reptiles in general.

4. Anything I missed that any of you guru's can help me out with. Again I am not getting them right now just getting some more research before I jump into them. I have a little experience with caring for monitors but a lot of experience with reptiles in general.

You sound ready for them. No one has all the answers because all ackies and all owners are different. I will recommend that you get a trio so you will have a better chance of a pair.
You will absolutely love them!

Ed

[jtmoney]

Thanks a ton man ... just wanted to make sure I was going to be doing everything right.

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[jbd123]

Sounds great. But it's very hard to find babies that are just up for sale on Kingsnake or anywhere else, I was VERY fortunate to find mine.

If you want to be sure you get a pair or a trio, make sure that you "pre-order" some or get on someone's wait list (pro exotics does something like that I think). They sell FAST.

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[jtmoney]

Well it was proexotics or rare earth

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[allergenic]

Originally Posted by jtmoney

Well it was proexotics or rare earth

I spoke to Rare Earth about 12 weeks ago, all Red Ackies were sold/spoken for, a clutch or two of Yellows were cooking, and some Black Headed monitors were available. Nothing has come through on the mailing list since then (nor on Pro Exotics, come to think of it).

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[jtmoney]

Originally Posted by seriouslythough

I spoke to Rare Earth about 12 weeks ago, all Red Ackies were sold/spoken for, a clutch or two of Yellows were cooking, and some Black Headed monitors were available. Nothing has come through on the mailing list since then (nor on Pro Exotics, come to think of it).

Well Im in no hurry so I will just get put on a list and wait

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[allergenic]

Originally Posted by jtmoney

Well Im in no hurry so I will just get put on a list and wait

Nice I am the same way. Maybe I'm a snob but I'd wait to buy from either of those two as well.

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[jtmoney]

Originally Posted by seriouslythough

Nice I am the same way. Maybe I'm a snob but I'd wait to buy from either of those two as well.

Im the same way. Id rather buy from a good breeder than from some random person on kingsnake

[jtmoney]

Ok another question and I cant seem to find a good solid answer.

What is a good sized enclosure to keep 3 hatchlings in. I am currently building a 6X2.5X4 cage for them as adults but I figured it would be way too big for ackie hatchlings. I know I can keep them in a 20 long by themselves but three of them I am not sure. Also when is a good time to move them into their adult enclosure?

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[jtmoney]

Im debating if to just seal the board (its actually oriented strand board) or to put FRP board over it. Comments?

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[jtmoney]

Anyone?

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