New additions... Something different

[BlueMoonExotics]

Well, I normally am not an impulse buyer and do my research first but the seller talked me into going ahead and taking them home. I was overly confident in my abilities to keep just about anything as long as it wasn't something that requires a ton of space and they were absolutely adorable. I have to say, I wasn't quite expecting them to be "hard to keep alive" because to me, they just looked like a glorified cute mini version of a bearded dragon with more pronounced spikes.

Once home, I started in with the research and it figures that my confidence would bite me in the butt.... I got 2 Desert Horned lizards aka Horny Toads! According to what I've been reading, they require ants to make up the majority of their diet and also UVB/UVA lighting which isn't so big of a deal and I was semi-expecting. They also require heat which I was also expecting, but I wasn't expecting all of the comments about how they are so hard to keep alive in captivity . I'm going to give it my best shot and follow all the advice I can find (which isn't much but I've managed to get the basics). They're apparently pretty rare in the reptile industry, mostly due to them being more difficult to care for but also because some are protected in the wild (depending on which species and what state) and states that do allow collection, have a pretty small limit.

They're certainly very cute and they seem to like their new "desert" home. I have them set up with both UVB and UVA on a timer for day/night cycle and sand to bury themselves in (I've already seen one bury himself which is pretty comical). I suppose only time will tell if I'm really as in-tune with my animals as I think I am. In the meantime, if you have any helpful information or experience with these little guys, please let me know!

[Evenstar]

They're very cool! Good luck with them!

[Bluebonnet Herp]

I hope you have a source of ants! Although, curiousity has me wondering they would eat dusted flightless fruit flies...

[Centexsnakes]

Best of luck! I love those guys!

[BlueMoonExotics]

I hope you have a source of ants! Although, curiousity has me wondering they would eat dusted flightless fruit flies...

You know, when I was first reading about the need for ants I thought that myself, since they look a lot like ants and I have some stuff left over to make cultures for them. But, after researching more, it seems the reason they need ants is for the formic acid. I'm not sure what it is, but apparently they need it and ants give it to them. However, after more searching, I saw that Repashy makes a special supplement just for them called "Formic-Cal Plus." It's "experimental" but I thought maybe it's worth a try? I can get ants pretty easily here in Florida though and I guess wild caught is actually recommended to be healthier for them. I can always order some online as well if I need to, but I'd rather deal with the fruit flies or other insects if possible lol.

[Badgemash]

As long as you can get ants or supplement with formic they should be fine. I have a friend who has a (non-protected species) wild caught one that he's had for two years now. It can be done!

[Anya]

Very cool. I was interested in keeping these, but passed when I did the research. I wish you all the best!!

[BlueMoonExotics]

As long as you can get ants or supplement with formic they should be fine. I have a friend who has a (non-protected species) wild caught one that he's had for two years now. It can be done!

Do you know what he's feeding them or supplementing them with? Your comment actually helps me feel a little better