Two new female Rhacodactylus ciliatus - Reptile Forums

**Palaeomike** · #1 10-01-2007, 01:51 AM

I recently picked up two mature female Rhacodactylus ciliatus at the two most recent reptile shows here in Alberta.

The first one I bought at the Red Deer reptile show. She was literally the only mature female at the show and I was "needing" a breeding female. The people who sold her to me gave me some now fraudulant information. I had asked to hold the gecko, but they explained to me that the sealed container in which she was in was sealed and I could only see her if I bought her. Accepting, I tried to observe her through her fogged-up container, in which, superficially, she looked OK. I then asked if she had any history of health problems or any current health problems, I received an answer of "No, she's been perfectly fine. No problems of any kind". Ha! I soon found out after I got her home and into her enclosure I noticed several things wrong with her. She had a portion (~1/5) of her left eye covered by a unshed piece of sclerotic ossicle. I still don't know how I'm going to get it off, if I can at all (suggestions?). It messes with her depth perception. She has two kinks in her tail, which would suggest past calcium deficiency. She had current calcium problems when I got her because her spine was sticking out a bit and her hips were poking out a bit too. She is looking better now, as I calcium every 3 days (minimum) and feed her baby food (which she likes) and crickets (which she doesn't like). I've named her Miniatus, which is Latin for "damaged".

My other female whom I purchased at the Edmonton show this weekend for a ridiculous price, is looking very good and healthy. No problems. She is a wonderful green/yellow colour. I have named her Mekkah.

I have a put a mature male (who belongs to a friend of mine, since I havn't quite got mature males yet) in for a few days (starting on Sept. 29) in hope that he will successfully mate with both of them.

Pictures will follow in a few days.

Also, a note: I found two eggs in the cage today. I'm not entirely sure who they belong to. I have two theories for what will become of them: 1. The eggs are not viable, and will yield no offspring, or 2. They will be viable and were a product of a previous mating session with the previous owner, and they have just happened to be lain while I had the gecko. I hope it is the latter.

**Rich** · #2 10-01-2007, 06:18 AM

Congrats on the additions. Did you happen to get the sellers name and info so others could avoid dealing with them? Not allowing you to view the animal unobstructed certainly is a shady practice if I ever heard one!

I look forward to the pics and hope the eggs are viable.

**venus** · #3 10-01-2007, 11:53 AM

Cant wait to see pics Mike. Congrats on the newbies.

**schlegelbagel** · #4 10-01-2007, 11:58 AM

now we understand the bizarre behavior of the seller. If you ever run into a situation like that, i would hope you steer clear or be more forceful in your opinion. i'm glad you are able to nurse the little gal back to health.

**barnkat** · #5 10-01-2007, 03:55 PM

That's too bad about the one, hopefully she will recover fully. Add some pics. They sound cool. My daughters two don't like crickets "eek they're scary" but do love CGD and babyfood. Occaisionally can get them to eat a teeny bit of greens also.

**Palaeomike** · #6 10-02-2007, 01:18 AM

"Did you happen to get the sellers name and info so others could avoid dealing with them? Not allowing you to view the animal unobstructed certainly is a shady practice if I ever heard one!"

- The dealer was under the name of "Dragon Den Reptiles". This was in Alberta, so it is unlikely that any of you will come across them.

"If you ever run into a situation like that, i would hope you steer clear or be more forceful in your opinion."

- Caveat emptor...buyer beware! I completely realize the risk I was taking. But I try to think of it more positively: at least she has a better home and I certainly won't give up on her (which is what I'm thinking the previous owners did).

Expect pictures within 2-3 days.

**Merlin** · #7 10-02-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Caveat emptor...buyer beware!

INDEED!
I can understand a vendor not being willing to open a container and let everybody that walked up handle the animal.
I see a lot of people who go to shows who are there solely for THEIR entertainment and have no intention of buying anything. All they want to do is too play with all the animals. And an experienced vendor can tell the difference!
However if I was a serious, perspective, buyer and a vendor refused to allow me to even see the animal until after I had bought it,....
lets just say that red lights and sirens would be going off.

And they would NOT have made a sale!

**Palaeomike** · #8 10-03-2007, 01:21 AM

"lets just say that red lights and sirens would be going off.", "And they would NOT have made a sale!"

- The lights sure went off with me, but I'd rather give her a good home than leave her with someone who didn't want her anymore. I'm glad I bought her. With proper care (which I am surely capable of), she will be (and already is) doing better.

**kriminaal** · #9 10-03-2007, 08:38 AM

Congrats Mike. I still have a thing for the Rhacs. But right now I'm addicted to monitors. Someday maybe. Some nice patterns they are coming out with on the Crested Geckos.

**Palaeomike** · #10 10-05-2007, 02:42 AM

Here are some pics.

These are some of Miniatus, the gecko with problems.

Here is the sclerotic ossicle.

Here is the evidence of calcium deficiency in the hips (working on correcting this).

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