BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

If anyone has experience with Pixie Frogs, I have some questions.

I have recently added a pixie to my family and am concerned if I am doing something wrong with him. I had a pixie a few years ago, but ended up losing him. His health declined and I couldn't find a vet that could help us. I am very paranoid about Harvey now. He is currently in a 10g. tank with a eco-earth/bed-a-beast type substrate, and has a tupperware dish big enough to get his entire fat little bum in for a good soak. He is about the size of the entire palm of my hand. I am not thrilled with him living in 10g's, but it will have to do for now until I get Kinko's new apartment built and him moved and settled. Harvey will then have Kinko's current bachelor pad (38" x 18" floor space). The thing that really bothers me is that Harvey is exceptionally lazy (or maybe not! I don't know...) I put dinner in there and he *may* make a half hearted attempt to lunge at it, but he is incredibly innacurate when he does. More often than not I end up using the feeding tongs to dangle his bugs right in front of him so he can actually eat. Even then, it takes him a few tries to get it. Harvey also really really enjoys his "bathtub," so much so that I have to scoop him out of it to get some nutrition in him. Is all of this normal pixie behavior? I hate to invade the BTS forum with this question, but I haven't been able to find detailed husbandry information on pixies as of yet. Help? Anyone?

Thanks for your time!
Squid

Sorry mate,cant help you there,

I'm not a fan of Pixie frogs, but it sounds like typical frog behavior. Too many people buy them because of the cute name without realizing the voracious monster it will become.

When you can, try to set up his tank so that there is a cool/warm gradient so he can choose his temps. 80-85 F at the warm end Cooler temps at night 70-75 F

Some tidbits that are important with any large frog keeping:

Good ventilation.

Clean water and substrate at all times.

Proper humidity.

Be sure not to over feed him and fat rolls don't build up.

Use special tongs with padded tips so that he doesn't hurt himself when lunging for prey. Frogs will practically impale themselves when leaping.

I have a huge White's treefrog that is very lazy as well, so I wouldn't worry about your frogs inactivity.

Adult Pixies can give nasty bites so be careful!


Pogo wishes you good luck!

Your's sounds like a normal healthy pixie! To be honest, these frogs to not move. They are very lazy, and will normally only eat what walks right in front of their face. I find tehy do not even thermoregulate, even if givin the option. They choose to hydroregulate, in my experience, from substrate to water, and back and forth.

I baby-sat a friends two pixies several years ago for a long weekend. I was paranoid that they wouldnt move...I called my vet and said it was perfectly normal...(he was big on frogs)

Pogo is a doll!! I miss my White's frog guy

...and back on subject.. yep! Pixies are bums! They eat and sleep and make poo... that's all I've ever seen 'em do

Ah. I totally expect lazy, but how long should I let him attempt to feed before I actually get in there and help him get a bite? I have seen him go two weeks without any success, and this makes me nervous. (Maybe I am just too well trained by the skinks giving me dirty looks all the time for food to let Harvey decide on his own when he's ready.) Am I going to make him lazier by hand feeding him all the time? Thanks for the help so far. I want to do the best I can for this little man. Oh, I do have a temp. gradient in his home. We're using low wattage here, but it's adequate. I forgot to mention that earlier. I have the basics down, but the fine tuning is what makes the difference between healthy and thriving, to me.
Thanks!! You guys are great!!

Squid

2 weeks is nothing. What is his humidity? It should be very high. I would mist 2-3 times a day with dechlorinated water.

I just flat out don't feed mine all winter. I let him dry out and estivate. He won't eat unless he is good and wet. They can go a LONG time without eating.