October 1-10, 2007 questions you asked Aqualand

We don't ship critters or live fish.
When writing us, include your location.
LA_Aqualand@msn.com

Jacob Mee, September 30, 2007
Thank you for getting back to me quickly like you did. I'm sorry about that, that's never happened to me before. Sorry for being harsh, just already in a bad mood from something else I read on corn snakes. (Don't ask me what, I don't remember, I just remember I was mad at some incorrect "facts" I read on a different web page.) Anyways, I looked back on your page on corn snakes, and they are changed, so thanks. Well I have something to laugh at and ponder now. Thank you for having lots of pics of (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful snakes in the world. You are one of only a few, sadly, that has pictures of mature corn snakes. Most web pages only show babies, perpetrating the illusion that they stay small their entire lives. I pity the corn that is bought expecting to be 1 foot long their entire lives, only to be surrendered to an animal shelter that knows nothing about how to care for them.
Sadly, the local animal shelter in my area has no idea how to care for birds, and I went in to look at the animals, and saw a parakeet there that they said was "untame and vicious", that it would bite, and that it was female. I took the challenge (:P) and took it into a room. Once let out of the cage, I scooped it off of the floor, and held it in my hand for a few minutes until it was comfortable with me, then let it hop up onto my finger, where it only flew off once. I noticed by the color of its cere that it was male. I also noticed, while he was on my finger, that I was bitten a grand total of 0 times, other than the gentle warning bite that all birds give people they don't know when they first find themselves in the handler's hands. Such a vicious and untame bird! We renamed it Max (its female name was Matty), and I placed him back in his cage, and back on the shelf, and when I went to leave, I saw that the store owners looked at Matty, *ahem* Max, like she, I mean he, was a completely new bird.
I am an avid avian enthusiast, and a budding herptile enthusiast. I currently own 3 lovebirds, 2 of which were adopted from a back room of a PetSmart, where they were considered "unadoptable", because one had a tumor, (gone now), and the other plucked, (still plucks, but handleable now, and grows his feathers in once and a while), and now they are happy, healthy, tame additions to the family. I am planning on buying a corn snake or ball python in the next few years (I need to get a house of my own, my mother does NOT want a snake in the house, and I am using the time to research snakes.). I have narrowed my choices down to ball pythons and corn snakes, although I have hit a roadblock. Every time I find some information that sways me in one direction, I find some information on the other species, that brings me right back in the middle.
Well, if you're reading this far down, you obviously have a lot of free time right now :P, and I was wondering what your position is, between Ball Pythons, and Corn Snakes. Do you have a preference? If so, why?And if not, why not?
Thank you for taking the time to read my (very long) letter, and thanks for getting back to me as quickly as you did.

A: Easy question to answer. Choose whichever one is captive born. Wild-caught ball pythons will often go on hunger strikes or never eat. Corn snakes (after their first shed) will always eat -- even frozen rodents. Still can't choose? Get both. LA
PS Maintain you passion.

Rene Sumerall, MS, October 1, 2007
I am in search of a "water dog". My husband and I bought one years ago at the mall for our children. It was then called a dinosaur baby. It died (I guess of old age) last year. I have not been able to find any since. I have noticed that you do have them on your website, but I don't see a price tag on them. Do you have any idea where I can get one or maybe two of these? I also notice that you don't ship. I would probably like to find somewhere that might would ship them to me since I live in Mississippi. Thanks,

A: Sorry. I can't find these guys at all these days. LA

Edward Castro, October 2, 2007
Hello, I found a praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) in my backyard about a month ago. She is in our indoor garden area. She fell down from a screen panel she was climbing. I picked her up and she seemed to be ok. I tried feeding her the next day, and she refused to eat. Unless she has hunted for herself when I’ve been unable to see her. It seems as if she has an injured arm (the one in the front). Could she have broken it? If so, will she pass away? What can I do. Please advise. Thank You,

A: If she did injure her arm, she can still catch lunch with her other arm. This is the time of year when they start laying eggs and think about expiring. Outdoors, they last until the first hard freeze. If she lays an egg mass, you can save them in an unheated garage and put them in your garden when spring approaches. LA

David Chau, October 2, 2007
Dear Larry, Do you have any easy-to-prepare homemade recipes for discus? Also, besides beef heart, can I feed the discus with hearts from other animals such as pig, chicken, duck, etc.? Thanks,

A: You are so in luck. I used to grind up beef hearts myself last millennium. Cleaning out the connective tissue is hard and messy. I attended the MCA EXPO 2007 last month where Willie Loh (an obvious Minnesota name, eh?) from the Minnesota Aquarium Society and the North American Discus Society gave a presentation on discus. He's tried several foods and recommends plain old low fat ground beef. Around here it comes in 97% fat-free 10-pound tubes. He grinds it further, adds enough water to make a slurry, and freezes it in thin sheets which he cuts into feed-size pieces. Willie's got the creds and the trophies to back this up. LA

Marvin Lee, October 2, 2007
Hi I am looking for 1 gold and 2 albino axolotls for my son. Do you have some for sale? Thanks for your help,

A: Sorry. We have no axolotls. LA

Doriana LeForna, Queens, NY, October 2, 2007
Hi. What do wax worms drink? My wax worms which are fed to my son's lizards die the next day or two. I think it is from dehydration. Well Thank You.

P.S. Your website has a lot of information which is very helpful thank you.

A: If you refrigerate them like mealworms, your wax worms will die. Read Wax Worms. LA

Crysi Cabana, Spencer, MA, October 3, 2007

First, your chipmunk pics are awesome!! I know you are not located near us, but I was hoping to ask a question anyway. We recently lost our beloved chippie, "Shakespeare". He was disabled due to an attack of sorts in our yard and unable to be re-released into the wild, so we raised him as our own.

We are ready to welcome a new arrival into our home but are unsure where to locate one. State laws here prohibit wildlife hospitals and control officers to release orphaned or injured chippies to us because we are not "licensed" by the state. (I personally find this ridiculous; we have had much experience and are equipped to handle it.)

Do you know of a breeder in our area or any trails that we may follow in order to find a new baby for our family? Any advice or help is very much appreciated!

A: I have no idea where to find anything in Massachusetts. Since you worked with a wild chipmunk originally, you could trap another one. Use a Havahart trap and put it where you've seen them run. You can bait it or not.. If you decide to bait it, use a peanut or two. I caught 98 of them in my backyard a couple years ago. Our local chipmunks are not tame at all. You probably can't find any babies this time of year. LA

Charles Winters, Brookesville FL, October 4, 2007
Hi, I'm a big fan of your site. I use it for almost all of my fish. I am doing a presentation for my public speaking class at Pasco Hernando Community College, located in Brookesville FL, on African cichlids and was wondering if it would be ok to use some of the material from your cichlid pages? I will be sure to give credit to your work and pictures. thanks,

A: Use them with my blessings. LA

Charles Winters, Brookesville FL, October 4, 2007
Thank you very much. I feel it will make my project a success!!

A: If you get an A, send me half. LA

Private Private, NYC, NY, October 4, 2007
hi I want to buy a female fiddler crab or if u no a place near Elizabeth Street in New York City. I already have a male and I want to see it wave that claw in the air. Email me back plz and thnx from someone.

A: I can't think of any place right near Elizabeth Street. However, fiddler crabs will sometimes wave at other males. Hold a small mirror up to him and see if that works. LA

Ronnie Wilde, NY, October 4, 2007
Hi, I found this guy on my front steps. He is there almost every night, but I am not quite sure what he is. I don't see any shell and we have been giving him some cucumber, carrots and corn. There are a few outside cats, but they seem to leave him alone and I have seen him stuck to the side of the cat feeder. But as it gets cold, should we get a small aquarium for the cold NY winters? Do you know what he is or any info you could share? Thanks

LA
Iowa slug. Eater of hosta lilies.

A: Well, it's not an Iowa slug, so it must be a New York slug. Get him one of those plastic critter cages. They're interesting little guys well worth observing. LA

Ronnie Wilde, NY, October 5, 2007
Thanks LA, would it be best to just leave him be or should I get him in before winter, what would you do? Will he hibernate in the winter? He is a big guy. I'd say about 4 inches long and over an inch wide. My wife now feeds him and is worried he won't survive the winter.. thanks

A: He/she will hibernate if he/she can find an adequate rock or log to lodge under. Not all hibernators survive the winter. Slugs are ambisextrous -- we'll get this word into the dictionary next year. They are male and female at the same time (like nightcrawlers). Don't do what I would do with him. I have some box turtles that would love to "meet" him. If you decide to keep him, house him like a shell-less land snail -- high humidity plus a low water dish. LA

Big Dave, October 5, 2007
Why don't you recommend dart frogs?

A: Because most people do not have the small foods they need. LA

Karen, October 5, 2007
Hi, would a sponge filter work for me if I am creating a make it myself table fountain? I don't want to use the charcoal cause I have to keep changing it...so I want to use a sponge filter, since I just rinse those out? Right? Also, is it okay for my ferret to drink out of this fountain w/ this filter or not? Thanks

A: The sponge filter will work fine. Carbon removes smells and colors. Frequent water changes will do the same. Sponge filtered water will not harm ferrets. LA

Michael Fallert, Germany, October 6, 2007
Hi Larry, thank you very much for writing back. Could you please send me an updated picture of one of the specimens for comparison purposes? This would be great!
Do they look like the specimen shown on the picture enclosed? Best wishes,

A: I'd say he's the same guy. When he eats fish from my fingers, he makes a very audible "pop." LA

John & Julia Yarnall, Lapeer MI, October 6, 2007

Hello, I wrote you awhile back about a fiddler crab we got with both arms missing. He's doing great, we watched him very closely, and he adapted very well. Mother nature is awesome. He's also molted!!! I found the exoskeleton this morning and he has two new deep orange arms.

A: "Excellent!" as Mr. Burns says. Not every fiddler survives the molting process -- especially in a crowded tank. LA

Private Private, NYC, NY, October 6, 2007
Hey I bought some fiddler crabs but when I came back home the next day after I put them in my critter cage, at 3 pm I found a missing one on the floor and a few minutes later it died. What the hell happened??????????

A: Sounds like you left the lid off. Your fiddler crab climbed out and dried out. Put a lid on it. LA

Adam Forshey, Ohio, October 7, 2007
Hi, I have a question regarding fish. I have recently acquired a 55 gallon fish tank, and in it is currently an armored bichir, a ropefish, a red devil pleco, an African knifefish, and a couple of bala sharks. I was wondering if the tank could hold perhaps one or two more fish. Some of the fish I would like to add would be:
1. Needlenose Gar
2. Pangassius Catfish
3. Tinfoil Barb
4. Climbing Perch
5. Dojo Loach
6. Ropefish
7. Pictus Catfish
8. Raphael Catfish
9. Sun Catfish
10. Synodontis Eupterus
Thanks for your help. By the way, great site! I use it for all of my fish needs.

A: You can't go wrong with dojos and eupterus. LA
PS I'm not sure what a red devil pleco is. If you meant a red devil and a pleco, I'd put the red devil in separate quarters.

Jared R. Bills, October 7, 2007
I have been doing research on fiddler crabs and decided that I can give it a go. Your site reads that you know what you are doing and so I am confident that those suggestions will be very useful in my attempt. I appreciate that you make caring for these animals simple and yet appear concerned for their well being. I have two questions that other internet sites have not adequately answered and hope that you might answer back to this address.
You, and other sites, agree that biweekly water changes are necessary. In caring for aquariums, I must agree. However I am not familiar with partial land animals and reason that they may leave waste on land as well. I plan to be using white sand, a good suggestion on your part. I hope to avoid digging out all the sand and re-landscape it with new every time. What have you found to be the easiest way to clean the land portion of waste?
Second, does the water need to be filtered or are the full water changes enough? I would appreciate any suggestions that would both be healthy for the animal but convenient for me. Thank you for your research and sharing it with those interested like myself.

LA
Patriot crab showing how the sand floats.

A: One of the fiddlers' best qualities is they are not very messy. I wrote the page before the "low water filters" were readily available. I consider them optional -- not absolutely necessary but maybe a good addition.
Fiddlers make very little mess on the land. However, I like to redo their quarters every so often whether they need it or not. Re-dos are easy (and probably good therapy). The first set up is the hardest. The sand I use wants to float. Not all of it but enough of it to look messy for a while. I assume this floating sand would eat up the moving parts of a filter, so I don't use the new filters. Why use this particular sand? Because it makes great burrows.
As for cleaning the land, I take the crabs out, carry the aquarium to the sink, and blast it with a strong hose. I rinse it until the water runs off clear. I let the sand settle before I pour off the water. Then I redo the tank. The fiddlers seem to enjoy digging new burrows. LA
PS There's probably 100 different ways you could successfully house these guys. They're very flexible.

Deb Johnson, McMinnville, TN, October 7, 2007
Hi! First let me say, you have the most informative website I've run across on the 'net. I've had your 'Decorating with Driftwood' article book marked for ages and have referred several of my customers to your site for information.

Now that I've flattered you (but I did really mean it), I'll get straight to the point of my email. As far as I can tell, you don't sell online do you? Would you like to? I am looking for a drop shipper with a product line that will go with my current website www.adriftwood.com .

Due to a partnership dissolving, I will no longer be able to get driftwood like I previously did. My website has page one Google rankings and a good reputation for supplying quality driftwood. It has been a thriving, growing business for over 3 yrs now and I would love to continue selling driftwood and expand by adding other aquarium/reptile supplies. I know I could probably acquire driftwood by importing it, but I honestly do not have the expertise nor funds to do so at this time. Hence, I began looking for a possible supplier located in the US and decided to 'bite the bullet' and contact you.

If you would even possibly consider such an arrangement, I would appreciate discussing this further either via email, MSN or telephone. However and whatever would be convenient for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Sincerely,

Old River Rat Driftwood

A: I'm not really excited about getting into selling on the web. However, I can probably hook you up with an Asian bogwood supplier. But it's definitely not red cedar. I like the cedar that comes out of your reservoirs, but I lost that connection some years back. LA

Jaime Stanley, Johnston, IA, October 7, 2007
Hello, My family just moved to Johnston, IA this past week into a house with a pond in the backyard. We've never owned a pond before and have no idea what to do with the pond or fish during the winter. There are two fish in there. They are orange and about 6-8 inches long. We noticed that the weather is going to be cold during this week, especially at night and wondered if you could provide us any information on how to care for these fish. If you could call or e-mail me, I would really appreciate it! Thanks,

A: Relax. You have goldfish and they love cold weather. Whether you bring them in or leave them out depends upon the depth of your pond. In the old days an 18-inch pond would freeze to the bottom. The last decade or so, not so much. We have grown accustomed to much milder winters and much thinner ice. You probably don't need to do a thing until the ice thaws next spring. Do not feed them when your water temp drops below 45. And do what you can to keep leaves out of your pond this fall. LA

Jared Roberts, Florida, October 8, 2007
Hello, I was looking over your site in the moray eels section, and I noticed you stressed the clean water part as you did for most of your scaleless and many other not so hardy fish. A lot of people out there including myself have under gravel filtering which helps keep water changes to a minimum if you keep your filters running and scoop out any uneaten food you find. But if you don't have those types of filters, most stores sell what is called a gravel vac. It vacuums out unwanted debris from under the gravel and some of the tank water at the same time. It works well for me with my cichlid tank, and my fish have kept their growth up like they should. This way of keeping your water clean is inexpensive and really is the true way to do a good water change. If you are just changing the water and not getting any of the left over debris your fish leave behind, you are defeating the purpose of the water change. I hope my report will help and maybe help some of the other readers out there with the problem of keeping their water clean.

LA
One of the many gravel vacuum cleaners we sell.

A: I couldn't agree with you more. I recommend that you read Gravel Vacuums to see how much I agree. LA

Patty A., Hawaii, October 8, 2007
Hi, I have an outdoor pond with several comets. I noticed about 5 weeks ago that one fish looks VERY bloated. I believe that she's carrying eggs, but I'm wondering how long she would look so huge? I would have assumed that she would have released the eggs by now.

I saw the picture on your comet page of the female with eggs, and that is exactly how she looks (maybe a bit bigger). There was no info on the length of time that she should look like that.

I also looked up dropsy, and I don't think that is the issue. I could be wrong.

Could you please give me some more info on what could be going on.

Thank you!!

A: Goldfish are not native to Hawaii. Your water stays too warm to trigger them to spawn on a normal schedule. When their water temp goes up 15 degrees, you can nearly always count on them spawning immediately. If you had a way to cool her off for a few weeks, you could probably induce her to spawn when she returned to normal ambient temperature. She might eventually spawn anyway, but I couldn't guess when. LA
PS I assume you have a couple of qualified males to assist.

Julian Bonfiglio, October 8, 2007
Dear Larry Arnold, Hello there! I'm having a problem, my fire belly toad just had tadpoles. The weird thing is, I didn't see any eggs at all! I just found 7 of them swimming in the vivarium yesterday. I already moved them to a "critter toter" cage, but I have no idea how to take care of them. Also, how long does it take for them to develop? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. =)

Sincerely

A: Congrats. Feed them infusoria or finely powdered food. Microworms and brine shrimp ought to hit the spot. Some canthaxanthin would help redden their bellies. They start turning into frogs at about one month of age. LA

Adam Forshey, Ohio, October 8, 2007
Hi, this is Adam again with an explanation and some more questions. First of all, sorry about the "red devil pleco". There is no red devil involved. The pleco was sold to me as a Red Devil Pleco, and I have no idea what it is. I think it looks kind of like a mottled rhino pleco.
For my first question, I was wondering, exactly how many of the fish you
recommended could I put in the tank or should I put in the tank? Only one, or
perhaps two or three?
For my next question, I was wondering how big the fish I have would have to
be to eat feeder fish?
Next, I have a problem with my two bala sharks. See, one of them was kept
solitary for nearly half a year, where as the other one was schooling. Now I
have one shark that wants to school, one that doesn't, and two that have
both , when frightened, often run into the lid and the sides of the tank.
Any recommendations as to what I should do?
Finally, I was wondering if you knew of anywhere that I could order a
Polypterus endlicheri congicus, or anywhere I could get one in Ohio.
That's all for now. Thanks for your help.

A1: Pick a number between one and five.
A2: Your bichir will eat fish at six inches. Your ropefish will eat fish at 12 inches, The others won't.
A3: Put plastic plants at the ends of your tank to keep your balas from ramming their snouts.
A4: I was in Toledo so long ago for an AKA Convention that I know next to nothing about Ohio at this point in time. You should be able to find Congo polypterids at most fish stores -- even one of those pet store chains who's names escape me at the moment. LA

Calvin, October 8, 2007
Hey can u explain this picture of a Chaco toad?

LA
Chaco toad trying to back up from a cup of black-masked ninja roaches.

I thought that they eat bugs. How can they be afraid of them?

A: That was the first time he had seen big roaches AND they had him outnumbered. LA

Donavan, October 8, 2007
I would like to know if there is any way to get a snakehead. Any way at all.

A: Ask any drug smuggler bringing in heroine from Southeast Asia to add a snakehead to his or her manifest. As long as you're going to that much effort, have him or her include a red arowana. LA

Calvin, October 9, 2007
Why cant u ship other critters like tarantulas and other pets . You can ship them the way u got them by packing them the same way as u first got them.

PS. Why do u ship kois and not other fish???

A: I don't ship live critters for the same reason you don't travel by pogo stick. Kloubec Farms actually ships the koi. LA

Calvin, October 9, 2007
ok ok I know that u won't ship them because it's too much work thnx.

PS.u will ship dead critters right?
Hey can u make more shops in different states and different cities?

A1: Righteeoh. You can join our Dead Animal of the month Club for a nominal fee.
A2: No. LA

Andreas Jeppsson, Sweden, October 9, 2007
Oki hi again from Sweden. We discussed before about my terrarium. It ain't done yet but hopefully very soon.
Oki so here is the deal with this message; I have heard from other people that the Physignathus cocincinus lays eggs even if it has not mated with a male. Is this correct?
If it is, then I would need some information. I'm interested in getting a Female Dragon since it doesn't get as big as the male and doesn't get that big crest. So I would need some info with the egg laying.

How often does she lay eggs (how many times a year etc)

What is needed when she lays eggs ( to dig etc)

Any special treatment etc for the female? (like handling, food etc, what does the female need that the male doesn't)

Other information is nice to get too. Best Regards

A: I've never bred water dragons, so I can't answer your questions with what I know personally. However, if you google "Physignathus cocincinus" you get several hits. Some of them discuss the breeding process. None of them that I read answered your specific questions. So here are some answers:

   A1: In the wild she probably lays one or two clutches per year.
   A2: She would appreciate a pan with two inches of moist vermiculite.
   A3: She'll eat the same food but probably needs more calcium.

Remember that I have not established this info scientifically: LA
PS If you go with a male, you don't have to worry. A three-foot long male is one foot of tail.

Peyton Gaumer, Iowa, October 9, 2007
Dear L.A, I visit your store Aqualand quite a bit and my convicts just had babies. Will you take convicts and if so how much can I get for them? I just removed 50 half inch babies and separated them. When will you take them. Also, I am getting a 30 gallon tank and would like to have an oscar. I enjoy watching them grow and I would start out with smalls. How would I keep him, and could he cycle his own tank? Can I feed him other foods than goldfish to bring out his color. Please respond as Aquarium Fish magazine and Tropical Fish Hobbyist have not. Sincerely

A: As you enter our fish room we have a tank of small regular convicts. There's a tank of small pink convicts on our back wall. We take them, but we do not pay for them because they spawn more easily than guppies. They do make good oscar food but don't bring out their reds. You can cycle your new tank with the convicts. You can cycle your tank quicker with a gallon of water siphoned from your convicts' under gravel filter. You can find several oscar foods that will bring out their colors. Good luck with the fish magazines. LA

Peyton Gaumer, Iowa, October 9, 2007
OK. But what other foods can I feed him? And I'll take in the convicts ASAP.

A: Hikari Cichlid Gold, HBH Oscar Bites, Tetra Cichlid Sticks, frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, and plankton, live earthworms, live ghost shrimp, and live California blackworms. LA

Chris Patrikis, New York City, October 9, 2007
Hey I was wondering if you sell all of the animals on your web site (freshwater stingrays and baby alligators) and if you do is it possible to order them from you?

I am very interested in your store but live in NY. Is there any way I could purchase these items from you at some point?

A: Noah might have had room for all the animals on our web site, but we're more than a few cubits short. Some of the animals we cover are no longer legal in Des Moines or the U.S. However we carry a pretty good selection at all times. You'll need to move closer or take the Greyhound to visit us. We don't ship critters. LA

Judith Wolfe, Virginia, October 10, 2007
I would like to know about the Worm Boxes you show on the "Blackworm" page. I have ONE male Betta that absolutely hates prepared foods. I live out in Rural land here in Virginia and running 60 miles to get a portion of Blackworms every week just can't be done. I've been getting them when I do my monthly supply-run to the city. The rest of the time I've been siphoning up mosquito and midge larvae, and whatever other small water-bugs that live off the rotted leaf-litter in my bird's water-tub, rinsing them off, and dumping them in. The only problem is I don't live in Southeast Asia, and winter's gonna put a dent in his water-larvae supply! I don't understand his problem. His sister eats everything I put in her tank! As a result - she's grown bigger than he has!
Is it really as hard as I hear folks say to keep Blackworms for longer than a couple days? I'm looking all over for a live aquatic-bug that's not microscopic and that I can easily keep alive for at least 3 weeks or so. I live alone, so I can put anything in my fridge that I want to

. My pantry will get cold-but-above-freezing during the winter has electrical outlets if something needs "colder" and "aerated".
I can grow mealworms by the ton - but he don't like them, either... only the water-bugs.

A1: Worm keepers will keep blackworms alive for a long time. You need to keep them refrigerated and rinse them daily in cold water. Then cover them with an eighth-inch of water.
A2: He will eat mealworms. You need to cut their heads off and squish their innards out. Bon appetit..
A3: He will eat frozen brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, frozen glass worms, plus frozen plankton if you slice it with a razor blade.
A4: He'll also eat nightcrawlers and beef heart if you blenderize them and freeze them in thin sheets. Then slice off slivers with a razor blade. LA
PS I tried to work in something about your being a lone Wolfe, but sometimes the pun juice just runs out.

Judith Wolfe, Virginia, October 10, 2007
I've tried all the frozen and fresh-but-mushed items... he only wants it if it's moving! The mealworms I re-did new bedding and staggered the hatch (3 tubs-rotated)... and I sit with small scoops of meal kicking the teeny mealworms out with a dental-pick... letting them crawl away from the dust, and then kicking them into a small clean cup. I don't pull out babes bigger than 3/32 of an inch. (I'm going blind! LOL!) I've tossed these in - and he looks at 'em and returns to his cave.
I'd like it if you could tell me how much you'd want for a small single-worm-box type set-up so I could try keeping these things longer than a few days - it's the only live-fish-feed they sell - and in only one place - in Charlottesville... and that's a once a month trip for me.
The pun is good... I really am a Lone Wolf! ROFL! I kept seeing all these folks named "Lamb" spread sheep-items all over their house, and I figured it was sorta "racist"... so I started collecting wolf-items. I really like all critters and almost cried when I saw the baby Ball Python you have posted... I sure miss the boa I had when I was a teen! It's never just a constrictor - it's a colony of mice grown for feed. I have cats that would think I'd started a perpetual box of bon-bons just for them! I'd have to lock the mouse-tank in a bank-vault to keep 'em from getting to it and getting it open.
I may be alone - but am not lonely here... I have a close representation to the Peaceable Kingdom - with many types of critters. I have to keep 'em small now, though - due to my ailing health... largest critter I have now is the turkeys. I have 'em cause I love the color variations and I love to watch the males Dance. The hens are always sweet, friendly, and inquisitive. The guineas I have for eccentric entertainment - and I haven't had to dose my dogs or myself with noxious dusts or sprays in years - they eat every bug within range. The chickens are true Araucanas with the rumpless butt and ear-tufts - I like the look, and I only eat my own eggs (guess I'm picky like the betta that way)In the house are 4 cats, 3 ferrets, and 2 dogs (one is my Service Dog). So a boring TV-night just gets the cage opened and I watch the mixed-species play rumble through the house. Lotsa fun! :D

A: Worm boxes sell for $10. I have no clue what the postage would run. I used to have Araucanas but didn't like eating Easter eggs for breakfast. Bantam fighters are more fun. LA

Miles, Canada, October 10, 2007
Hi my name is Miles. I am 7 years old. Can stick bugs and praying mantis live together in the same cage? Thanks

A: I wouldn't mix the two. Mantids can overpower and devour very large creatures. Have fun with your bugs. LA

Yvette Bonnin, Upstate NY, October 10, 2007
Hello! I have a question about my Pac Man Frog....I purchased him in June of 2007...he was about the size of a quarter...when I brought it home...it ate well...etc. I continued cleaning his water and changing his moss frequently...and he has grown now to about the size of a half dollar or a bit bigger, not much.

My question is this...he isn't eating as he/she should, and I'm worried it will die! I keep putting in crickets...and I keep check on how many and how many I take out after they drown themselves. But it seems the frog is still not eating. This has been going on for about two weeks now.

Could it be the temperature...or the light change...as the days are getting shorter now? I noticed that my toads are underground now, so could this be the Pac Man's way of slowing down for the season change?

Please advise. I am worried about it, and I don't know what to do.

Also, should I get a heater? Its not that cold yet. But the temp at night has gotten chillier in the last few days....not a whole lot...but a bit....

Please advise...and I thank you ahead of time.!

Oh one more question...should I put gravel in the tank...sand or something?

Thank you!
........

I just wrote you about my Pac Man Frog....but I guess I also should of asked....Do toads hibernate? I mean,,,I know they do...I have two that my children caught quite a few months ago...They eat well...They are just adorable...but both of them "went under" so to speak...in the sand at the same time...Is that because of the climate change..as it would be outdoors?

Please advise....should I unbury them...and take out some sand....they have been under now for a week without eating....Thank you

A: My PacMan's eating like a longshoreman at an all-you-can-eat-buffet. He gets a three-inch goldfish every so often. So I doubt it's the season change. PacMans don't need to eat every day. And you probably should vary his diet. Add some red wigglers or small fish. I like bare tanks for the little guys so they don't eat the gravel. Big ones seem to know how to spit it out.
Toads hibernate AND like to hide. It's not like them to hibernate at indoor temperatures. Of course, toads will also whatever they want to do. If you want more toad traffic, warm them up. Warm toads are hungry toads. LA

Yvette Bonnin, Upstate NY, October 10, 2007
Larry, Thank you for answering so promptly, Now if I get some red wigglers (what is that?), and small fish...do you mean like baby guppies? And just let them swim in the super shallow water? Explain...as I can make a trip to the pet store tomorrow.

Also how do I warm up the toads....a heat rock...lamp...I'm new at this as you can tell....sorry! Thank you,

A1: Red wigglers are small earthworms. Small fish would be feeder guppies or rosy reds. Let them swim one at a time in the super shallow water.
A2: Overhead incandescent bulbs with a good reflector work best. LA

Terri Schott, Iowa, October 10, 2007
Larry, I got a tiger salamander from you this summer. I am interested in obtaining another if you get one. When I got the one this summer, I thought it was a little skinny -- in fact I could see his backbone. I fed it lots of worms and fattened it up and now I think it needs a friend. I am not sure how often you run across them, but could you notify me if you get another one? I am most interested in getting a small/young one again so I know it will live awhile. Thanks.

A: I haven't seen another salamander since the one you got. However, this is the time of year they often show up. I'll keep you in mind. I think they live about 15 years. LA

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