Poor Omar!

[ridgebax1]

Before I uncovered Omar's cage yesterday, I heard him shooting crickets that were in his feeder bin and the next thing I heard was a loud clatter that I knew was the feeder bin being knocked over. I went over right away and uncovered his cage and poor Omar! He did knock the bin over but it was on top of him! Only his tail and back legs were visible. I took the feeder off of him and scooped him up. He was very freaked out and almost jumped out of my hands! He hissed like crazy and ran up my arm and down my back. He appeared unhurt and was walking around without any trouble. He climbed back up his plants without any trouble, then he went onto the screen. He was hanging on the screen for dear life with all four legs. He kind of looked like that Halloween witch decoration that looked like she flew her broom into a wall! I did chuckle a little at that. He also had some telltale dirt crumbs on his lips. I don't know why he is such a dirt hound! Maybe this trauma will discourage him trying to get to the dirt around his plants. I have river rock covering the dirt but I think I am going to remove the rocks and put some screen down then replace them. He could have been trying to shoot some of the fungus gnats that are still plaguing his cage but I am not sure cause he seems to ignore them when they are flying around. He was so freaked out he totally ignored the silks I gave him. He did eventually eat most of them there were a couple that fell on the floor.

 

[ridgebax1]

And now I am worried!

So although Omar is uninjured from his escapade yesterday, he is still somewhat freaked out. He is staying in one corner of his cage, he is ignoring his food, won't go under his heat or UVB. Will he eventually calm down? Is there anything I can do to reassure him or should I just let him be?

 

[pigglett79]

Why was he able to knock over the feeding bin? You should make sure its secured in some ways and cannot fall. He will calm down eventually, but for his safety things should be secured. Also eating dirt is usually a sign of some type of deficiency. You might want to evaluate your gut loading, feeder variety and supplement schedule.

 

[jannb]

So although Omar is uninjured from his escapade yesterday, he is still somewhat freaked out. He is staying in one corner of his cage, he is ignoring his food, won't go under his heat or UVB. Will he eventually calm down? Is there anything I can do to reassure him or should I just let him be?

Maybe he is injured and that's why he's acting strange. I agree with Pigglet. Make sure that feeder cup is secure.

 

[ridgebax1]

I don't think he is injured. When he walks he does not appear to have any difficulty. I am not sure how he knocked over the bin. It is a small square container that was sitting on a flat surface. He usually shoots down into it to get the crickets and the cover was on his cage so I did not see the event, just heard it. I will not be using this bin anymore.

As far as food he gets: crickets, phoenix worms, silkworms, hornworms, butterworms and occasionally a dubia roach and black soldier fly. The crickets and dubias eat a dry gutload made from some of the ingredients on Sandrachameleon's blog, along with fruit/veggies a few times a week. The silks and horns get the commercial chow. The phoenix worms get fruity baby food on organic bread. The butter worms just stay in the bedding they come in and are kept in the fridge. I dust the crickets/dubias with plain calcium, he also gets vitamins and calcium with D3 twice a month. So I am not sure what would be lacking. There is a dripper and automated mister for water.

As I am writing this he is climbing up to his basking spot.

 

[Psychobunny]

If they step on the edge of the cup, they can flip it over.
Smeagie used to do that until I stuck it in place with a small ball of BluTack.