C. darlingi puzzlement

[TabithasMom]

I recently acquired a darlingi within the last month, and I'm interested in what information others can give me about it. It's about 3 inches, with a fairly defined horn. Clearly, it's still a juvenile, or at least not a mature male (lack of tibial hooks is the biggest indicator). My question is about its feeding habits. My partner bought it for me for a surprise (along with two other Ts; each are doing very well), and it is SKINNY. I know what table he went to at a reptile show we frequent, because I picked up a seemanni there, who was also terribly skinny. Yes. This is bad, because we are feeding the problem, but we're a pair of bleeding hearts, and he probably wasn't as aware of these things as I am. The seemanni is now thriving, and has a nice booty. Even the paganus he bought with the darlingi is putting on some weight, and has a healthy appetite. But my poor darlingi is snotty about food.

I've offered it crickets, small cockroaches, fat wax worms...all it does is play with its food. It'll be interested when the prey comes across its path, come out from its hide, then pat at it, follow it around for a bit, but never eat. It's bizarre. I'm a mama hen, who wants her babies plump and happy. So, this guy has me scratching my head. Any ideas?

P.S. I am no good at sexing Ts until they are mature. It's something I strive to learn, seeing as I have 19, and don't plan on stopping. I've read countless articles on how to do so, but I literally need someone to hold my hand, and physically show me the differences.

 

[TabithasMom]

Here are some pictures. The one in the deli container is when I got it, and the second is it playing with the wax worm its current enclosure. The worm was given to my partner when he showed a pair of breeders we've come to know from the reptile show. It never fully ate it, but held on to that thing for a while. I figured it was because it was stressed from the move.

 

[micheldied]

Have you checked to see if it has any fang damage, or maybe something around the mouth area? It's skinny, but not that skinny. Possibly just molted (did they tell you when the last molt was?). Hopefully it's nothing severe. Try cutting a superworm in half and leaving it in there and see if it'll take that.

By the way, I've heard of this species being found with young in the wild at this size, so it isn't that young (though obviously not near maximal size). I've never had a C. darlingi, or any of the horned baboons, but most Ts are pretty easy to sex by this size ventrally. Best would be to look up pictures on google, since explaining it may be confusing. If it molts you should sex it easily as well, females have a flap on the inside of the molt between the booklungs and by this size it should be pretty apparent (unless the molt is messed up).

 

[TabithasMom]

Bill didn't receive any history on it. But Ken (one of the breeders I trust) said both the darlingi and paganus were probably very hungry, hence offering the worm. I'm hoping it's because it just molted, but it's been close to four weeks. I haven't noticed any fang damage, but will look the next time the opportunity presents itself. I will definitely try cutting a superworm, because why not? While it hides in its hidey-hole during the day, it's out and about at night, chilling on its log, or grooming itself, so no lethargy. I have a feeling it's gonna be one of those situations that my nerves get the best of me, but all information is very welcomed.

Here's a picture of the paganus the same day both were brought home. Since then, she's (suspect she, that is...until I know otherwise, she will remain a she ) made a nice lair and doesn't stay out long enough to do a picture comparison of the before and after, but she eagerly accepts anything I give her, and is coming along nicely.

 

[MassExodus]

I have a marshalli, an adult female who's also not very big, maybe 4 1/2 inches and kind of small bodied. Only female marshalli have the pronounced horn as they approach adulthood, at least that's what I've been told, and I've sexed her by molt as well..I'm not sure if the darlingi is the same.

 

[TabithasMom]

Some sites say the female darlingi is the only one with the horn, and some say the male has a stump. This is why I got frustrated in all the confusing information out there, and came here. I was able to observe it grooming in its hide this morning, and both fangs are intact. *sigh* Like I said before, I think this is just my worrisome nature taking a ride on a runaway train, but hoped someone has some knowledge on these guys to ease my brain.

 

[MassExodus]

Just out of curiosity, what is that in the cup with the darlingi in the first picture, at the bottom? It looks almost like a sac with eggs spilling out, a tiny one I mean. Weird..or am I just seeing things?

 

[TabithasMom]

Um...I thought it was just poop? Honestly, I don't remember noticing it when I got it (probably dismissed it as poop), but certainly noticed it after posting it here, seeing as the forum makes embedded pictures larger than life. So, I'm not sure. No babies came crawling out of the cupboard, lol.

 

[MassExodus]

Looking at it again, it looks exactly like a sac spilling out premature eggs..and I was wondering why your female had a little butt..that's a tiny egg sac, I'm almost sure of it..but it's so small it makes me wonder if its an optical illusion. Someone tell me I'm wrong here...

 

[Kymura]

I wondered what that was as well.

 

[TabithasMom]

Wow. Well, that could explain everything. I'm glad I asked you guys.. So mystery solved. A female, and had a premature egg sac. Thanks for the help!

 

[MassExodus]

lol, I zoomed in on it...could that be a chunk of styrofoam? It has that texture..it's much too small to be a sac..I think..that thing is tiny.

 

[Scoolman]

That is not an egg sac, or eggs.
While the T is thin, it is not starving or emaciated. That is about the size of a T in the wild. Just offer prey every few days and make sure there is a water dish with water.

 

[MassExodus]

Yeah, I need a new prescription for my glasses, going on three years with this one. Blind in one eye and can't see out the other It still looks like a small dirty egg sac...lol

 

[TabithasMom]

Haha, the mystery continues. It's pretty content in its enclosure, and found a secure hide. Other than being thin, and refusal to eat, it doesn't display any other signs of discomfort. I'm set on approaching the vendors that sold Bill this T with a bunch of questions the next time I go. I, again, thank all of you for your input. It's helped put my mind more at ease.

 

[RedCapTrio]

LOL a tiny egg sack. Sorry, just tickled somewhat.