Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

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Lea
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Lea » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:16 am

Dakota Nivens wrote:The enclosures are together to were all the hot-spots are. Besides Xaunder, his is a bit off.. but the temperatures seem fine.. All hot sides together, and all cold sides away from each other.. or on the same end, as it is in Virginia and Hunter's case.



Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear. I meant how do you ensure the temperatures are a constant, within range, inside each enclosure? Do you have thermostats? I understand your concept of keeping the hot ends together, but I was referring to hot spots as in a temperature spike in a tank due to it feeding off radiant heat from another. If you don't have thermostats, you may find controlling your hot/cool gradient very difficult. Are you relying on a temperature gauge? Sorry for the bombardment of questions, but I worry you have unwittingly created a huge fire hazard by the placement of your tanks. Correct me if I'm misunderstanding your setup, of course, but I'd hate to see a mishap.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Sarikazam » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:16 am

I hope Dakota has room in his bedroom for a few more terrariums! :lol:
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Dakota » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:20 am

He said that he wasn't over-feeding her in the slightest, and some-how kept gaining weight. She said the last male she was with was Hunter.. but he didn't see any copulation.. so I won't know for sure until she has them.. this is excited, but very nerve-racking. :flash:
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Sarikazam » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:22 am

Hmmm, if he was feeding her the same way he was feeding Hunter... Well just look how slim he is by comparison.
I would start preparing just in case.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Dakota » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:27 am

LeaBilby wrote:
Dakota Nivens wrote:The enclosures are together to were all the hot-spots are. Besides Xaunder, his is a bit off.. but the temperatures seem fine.. All hot sides together, and all cold sides away from each other.. or on the same end, as it is in Virginia and Hunter's case.



Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear. I meant how do you ensure the temperatures are a constant, within range, inside each enclosure? Do you have thermostats? I understand your concept of keeping the hot ends together, but I was referring to hot spots as in a temperature spike in a tank due to it feeding off radiant heat from another. If you don't have thermostats, you may find controlling your hot/cool gradient very difficult. Are you relying on a temperature gauge? Sorry for the bombardment of questions, but I worry you have unwittingly created a huge fire hazard by the placement of your tanks. Correct me if I'm misunderstanding your setup, of course, but I'd hate to see a mishap.

I have a temperature gun.. I recently lost my yellow one, and now we have a red one.. trying to figure out how to turn it on.. just got it today..
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Dakota » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:28 am

Sarikazam wrote:Hmmm, if he was feeding her the same way he was feeding Hunter... Well just look how slim he is by comparison.
I would start preparing just in case.

Definitely! I think I'm going to do Susann's set-up for her babies.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Lea » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:28 am

Very wise advice.

You'll need a fail safe plan, just in case. It might be more than you can take on, by the looks of your current space and setup. If she is suspected to be gravid, perhaps consider selling her on as a possibly pregnant female to someone that has the capacity and the means to take care of a whole lot of babies. I know your intentions to care for them are sound, but the means is probably questionable, I'm sure you can see that.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Dakota » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:35 am

LeaBilby wrote:Very wise advice.

You'll need a fail safe plan, just in case. It might be more than you can take on, by the looks of your current space and setup. If she is suspected to be gravid, perhaps consider selling her on as a possibly pregnant female to someone that has the capacity and the means to take care of a whole lot of babies. I know your intentions to care for them are sound, but the means is probably questionable, I'm sure you can see that.

I would never sell her.. :shake: Nor would I the rest of my skinks. I have plenty of room in my living-room/rest of the house for them.. my house isn't as small as my bedroom.. the reason we don't have any in the living-room is because the rest of the family doesn't like "big ugly lizards" as they would put it. We are in the process of cleaning out the garage, where Dad will be keeping his hots, and my animals here soon.. right now, we are working on ways to cooling it down a few degrees.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Susann » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:40 am

If I were you, I'd be setting up some babytanks pronto!

Congrats! They look amazing!
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Lea » Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:43 am

Ok, sorry, I didn't mean to appear judgemental and I know you have their interests at heart, but another ten or more babies, is ten more setups, ten or more mouths to feed ... it's more than that though. It could be vet bills and more. You are reliant on your parents for finance, I think, so if they don't like your lizards too much, they may not support you with ongoing costs. And what if you can't sell them on? You'll need to get tanks big enough for adults ... I know I sound like I lack faith in your abilities, but please be realistic and consider selling her, even back to your seller. It's just such a huge responsibility and it would be so awful if you got into a pickle and your animals suffered, whether you meant it that way or not.

I know you care for them. I can see by your careful handling in the video that you have great respect for your skinks. Perhaps keep a cool and rational head for a moment and think about whether you really and truly can give the respect and care you want to give them.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Dakota » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:01 pm

I will not sell her. No matter what my financially capabilities are, my father is behind me every step of the way. He realizes I love TIliqua, and he realized that I want to breed them. That's why I bought the pair. Not to sell them, that would be contradicting everything. He thought about supporting me about breeding for a long time.. and he came to me about a month ago saying that he is behind me every step of the way, until I got on my feet. Maybe if/when she does have the babies, you will realize that.

This thread is for enjoy MY enjoyment of getting new skinks. Not to down-grade me because you think I can't take care of the possible babies.

This really, truly hurt my feelings. :|

Edited to remove personal information.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Lea » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:11 pm

Dakota Nivens wrote:I will not sell her. No matter what my financially capabilities are, my father is behind me every step of the way. He realizes I love TIliqua, and he realized that I want to breed them. That's why I bought the pair. Not to sell them, that would be contradicting everything. He thought about supporting me about breeding for a long time.. and he came to me about a month ago saying that he is behind me every step of the way, until I got on my feet. Maybe if/when she does have the babies, you will realize that.

This thread is for enjoy MY enjoyment of getting new skinks. Not to down-grade me because you think I can't take care of the possible babies.

This really, truly hurt my feelings. :|


Dakota, I have no doubt you will take care of them to the best of your abilities. I am not questioning your ability or your heart, I know you love them and would want to do what's right for them. I just want you to be sure that you know what you are up against. I haven't meant to hurt your feelings and want to support you every step of the way, whatever the outcome. As long as you're are making informed and educated choices and haven't been given rose tinted glasses for the view of what having babies is really like.

I am excited for you, a little scared, too, but because I know without doubt you "want" to give them the best, but if for some reason you fall short, through no fault in your care but by just pure bad luck, it would be heartbreaking and devastating for you. I don't want you to have to cope with the pain of sickness or loss. I'm also not questioning your financial situation, I just want you to seriously and rationally consider things.

I guess in my own way I'm trying to be a sensible side for you, but I also feel a bit protective of you- I don't want you to have to experience the potential sadnesses that go with breeding etc.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Dakota » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:15 pm

I will clear out a place in out garage while everyone is sleeping, since they wanted to clean everything out when we were dine unpacking.. but I will have Dad help me move them this week in the garage where there will be plenty of room to give the caging a "not to cram" look to the room.

I told my Dad about the situation is he said he is still behind me every step of the way..

I realize that you care for the skinks.. and my feeling.. but people just have to trust me on this. I have what it takes.. I promise.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Sarikazam » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:18 pm

I think you may have been taking the questions Lea asked too personally. I think those are important questions she asked, questions that had to be asked. If you are really up to it then that is great and I am sure everyone will support you! But don't be surprised that people here are concerned. It is different that this is a surprise and not planned, I think Lea just wanted to make sure you are ready for this happening right now. I don't think she was attacking your motives or abilities. We all know you love your skinks and want to do the best for them.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Susann » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:21 pm

For a temporary set-up, what you have is good enough as long as the temperatures are right. Temperatures are key to begin with, especially after just being shipped, and ESPECIALLY if she's gravid. Give her lots of places to hide so she's not stressed. As long as you are working on better solutions, which I know you are, they are fine where they're at for now. As long as temps are good, 75-95 F.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Dakota » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:30 pm

We are going to buy some supplies here in a minute.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Susann » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:44 pm

This is what I set up when the babies came last year:
IMG_3552 - Copy.JPG


This is this year's, and also what last year's babies lived in until they got too big.
IMG_0665.JPG

IMG_0609 - Copy.JPG

IMG_1178.JPG
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Dakota » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:47 pm

She still look gravid?
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Susann » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:48 pm

Sure looks that way to me.
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Re: Terrible news! Not so terrible after all. *UPDATE*

Postby Dakota » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:48 pm

Susann - Do you have one tub for each baby?
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