Rhino iggy update pics!

[Conner]

Here are some new pics of my rhino iggy, Ash. He's doing really well. He likes his enclosure (best as I can tell), and seems to be thriving. He's fairly active, and is eating well. He's been fairly skittish, but my fiance spends a couple hours a day in his room, so he's becoming acclimated more to people.

Last night was really great. I was changing out his food bowl, and he was just calmly watching me, so I reached out and petted him. He puffed up a little bit, but didn't hiss or run away. So I picked him up, and he was fine. Then I carried him over and sat on the couch holding him, and he let me sit and hold him and pet him for like 20 minutes! He opened his mouth and hissed a couple times if I shifted position too quickly, but otherwise he seemed to be fine with being held . And he was enjoying having his head and throat rubbed. He kept closing his eyes and arching his neck. I don't have any pictures, because I wasn't expecting to be holding him last night. But I took some pictures after I set him back down. Which he just sat in my hand for about 5 minutes after I tried to set him down, before calmly walking away. So I'm really stoked about the progress last night!

Anyways, pics!

 

[coura]

Looking good You seem to be using for heating some kind of heat radiator? You have a uv ligth as well, rigth? How do you heat the habitat during the nigth?

 

[aquaculture]

Ahhh, he loves his human basking spot. I'm jealous, so very jealous.

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

Hes adorbale!

 

[snakeguy101]

very cool, he is getting some size to him now.

 

[A. gigas]

 

[Conner]

Thanks guys! He actually let me hold him again this morning after I posted up these pictures. Not quite as long as last night, but he was just as comfortable. Although he seems to think my left hand is nice, but my right hand might be evil... . He's just more suspicious of my right hand for some reason.

Looking good You seem to be using for heating some kind of heat radiator? You have a uv ligth as well, rigth? How do you heat the habitat during the nigth?

I've got a pair of "heat" bulbs, in that they are incandescent heat lamps. The one is a spotlight lamp that puts off UVA rays (I believe). They provide a hot daytime basking temp between 110-120F. Above those lamps is a Reptisun 10.0 UVB/UVA bulb that shines over the basking area, as well as the rest of the enclosure. He's also getting his food dusted with Reptivite.

As far as night heat, there is a heating pad against the wall of the enclosure behind his hide box, so that he can go in there at night if he needs more warmth. It keeps it a steady 80F. The rest of the enclosure has a range of temperatures, and can drop down to about 70-75F during the night. But his hide box is always 80F.

very cool, he is getting some size to him now.

He is! He's filled out better, and his tail is getting fatter as well, especially at the base. He looks healthier, even though he's been shedding. It looks like he's almost done, I think.

I also picked up some watercress, dandelion greens, zucchini, and green onions at Whole Foods yesterday, so he's got those added to his diet. And I'm trying out a Zoo Med juvenile iguana pellet food as well, pre-moistened so its easier for him to eat. And he got a chunk of cantaloupe today for a treat.

 

[HPIZZLE]

hes lookin good man!!

 

[coura]

Thanks guys! He actually let me hold him again this morning after I posted up these pictures. Not quite as long as last night, but he was just as comfortable. Although he seems to think my left hand is nice, but my right hand might be evil... . He's just more suspicious of my right hand for some reason.



I've got a pair of "heat" bulbs, in that they are incandescent heat lamps. The one is a spotlight lamp that puts off UVA rays (I believe). They provide a hot daytime basking temp between 110-120F. Above those lamps is a Reptisun 10.0 UVB/UVA bulb that shines over the basking area, as well as the rest of the enclosure. He's also getting his food dusted with Reptivite.

As far as night heat, there is a heating pad against the wall of the enclosure behind his hide box, so that he can go in there at night if he needs more warmth. It keeps it a steady 80F. The rest of the enclosure has a range of temperatures, and can drop down to about 70-75F during the night. But his hide box is always 80F.



He is! He's filled out better, and his tail is getting fatter as well, especially at the base. He looks healthier, even though he's been shedding. It looks like he's almost done, I think.

I also picked up some watercress, dandelion greens, zucchini, and green onions at Whole Foods yesterday, so he's got those added to his diet. And I'm trying out a Zoo Med juvenile iguana pellet food as well, pre-moistened so its easier for him to eat. And he got a chunk of cantaloupe today for a treat.

That is OK, your starting to catch on Just one question, why are you putting the heat bulbs in the side of the cage insted of in the top? I saw your diy heat chamber so to speak, my only worries would be for possible fire hazzard?

 

[Conner]

That is OK, your starting to catch on Just one question, why are you putting the heat bulbs in the side of the cage insted of in the top? I saw your diy heat chamber so to speak, my only worries would be for possible fire hazzard?

The reason for placing it on the side of the tank, is because that is the only screen portion of the tank. I've placed this tank laid down on its back, so that it would have a larger floor space. The screen section was originally the top of the cage, now it is on one side. I would have hung lamps inside the cage, but that would mean siliconing or some other way of attaching them, and they would be hanging from the door.

The heat chamber is 5/8" plywood lined with aluminum flashing. It reflects most of the heat into the terrarium. The electrical elements are kept away from the heat, and the box itself actually doesn't get very hot. But I am watching it to make sure it doesn't overheat.

It's not my ideal heating setup, but its what I can do right now.