HeatherStrella

Awww the pic where she's cuddling you is adorable!! Very pirdy birdy!!!

We used crickets for a couple months but I couldn't handle it. Everytime one got loose, I'd run to the closest room with a door. My husband, obviously, was in charge of feeding. The we switched to silkworms. They're very nutritious...but, they require more care than the geckos...they're the only bug I'll touch...we stopped the silkies because of the care involved and now we use mealworms and phoenix worms. I use tweezers for both...the phoenix worms are the better of the two, in my opinion because the mealies turn into beatles if they're left in the tank. A lot of times, they get out of the dish and hide under things and you don't know they were there til you see a nasty looking beatle crawling around. YUK!!! Phoenix worms are high in calcium which leopard geckos need a lot of. Eventually, I hope to be only using Phoenix worms and maybe something else...not mealies. Anyway, my point is...you don't have to use crickets...actually, a lot of people use...wait for this...ready? COCKROACHES!!! Can you imagine? Even worse han cricks in my opinion...lol.

We used crickets for a couple months but I couldn't handle it. Everytime one got loose, I'd run to the closest room with a door. My husband, obviously, was in charge of feeding. The we switched to silkworms. They're very nutritious...but, they require more care than the geckos...they're the only bug I'll touch...we stopped the silkies because of the care involved and now we use mealworms and phoenix worms. I use tweezers for both...the phoenix worms are the better of the two, in my opinion because the mealies turn into beatles if they're left in the tank. A lot of times, they get out of the dish and hide under things and you don't know they were there til you see a nasty looking beatle crawling around. YUK!!! Phoenix worms are high in calcium which leopard geckos need a lot of. Eventually, I hope to be only using Phoenix worms and maybe something else...not mealies. Anyway, my point is...you don't have to use crickets...actually, a lot of people use...wait for this...ready? COCKROACHES!!! Can you imagine? Even worse han cricks in my opinion...lol.

Thanks for the comments. I just found another one on the site where I got this one. He's super pretty!! I hope he isn't sold already. Fairy..."how have you called her?" do you mean have I named her? I haven't named her...I'm not sure what to name her yet...I'll have to see what her personality is like first. I thought about Fanny because her morph is called "Phantom"...or I thought about looking up character names in "The Phantom of the Opera"...If anyone here has a good name(s), please don't hesitate to suggest... Thanks!!!

I finally got this little girl yesterday for Canada...somewhere near Toronto I think...I'm in California so she traveled a great distance from the breeder's house to mine. I ordered her about a month ago but I guess the paperwork is a nightmare and took forever and a day to get her here. I don't know how much you guys know about Leopard Geckos so I'll just tell you a little bit. She's a juvenile leo...a special new morph. She's called a Phantom. The Phantom is a recent "designer" morph that people (including me) are going crazy for. It took a lot of breeding this and that to get the colors the way they are...I don't know what different morphs create what and I really don't care...ha...I may breed her next season with a Mack Snow (another designer morph) that I have. The only problem with breeding is this...ONE time "bumpin uglies" can produce 32 babies...all at different times...2 at a time over the course of a months... but still...32 babies is a lot of geckos. So, I will need to make sure I have people who want some eye candy geckos. I won't be doing it for the money so I'm sure I'll find some takers...ha. Anyway, no more gabbing...here she is... Her eyes are very sensitive to light because she has albino in her. Hope you like the pics...

What beautiful horses!! I thought horses slept standing up with one foot up a little (kinda like a bird-lol)...no? Are they a lot of work? Do you have help? Your birdy is a cutie as always. Thanks for sharing your photos.

My mother and I had parrots when I was a kid. We had one fly in our window...it was a Kakariki...from Australia. The vet said it seemed like it "fell of a truck"...it wasn't tame really and was very sick. I was maybe 10 or 11 and the vet prescribed meds in the form of shots to his chest. My mother couldn't handle it so I did it. His name was Friday because that was the day he found us. He died a few years later and we got a Jenday Conure. I think my mom had to rehome him because we were moving...anyway, I've always been interested in birds. I knew I'd get one as an adult, I just didn't know which kind. I must admit, seeing the AGs on TV performing got me thinking about getting one. I was attracted to AGs and their ability to communicate...not just talk or mimick, but actually communicate. I really lucked out with Harrison because she started talking so early. She not only talks, she communicates. Another thing that attracts me to AGs is how emotional and sensitive they are. However, sometimes it's pain in my butt...but mostly I love her for it. I guess it's the human-like traits in AGs that attracts me.

Pchela wrote: I wish I had known Harrison's gender before I named her. It sucks having to explain why she has a male name EVERY single time I mention her to a new person. I really didn't think it was going to be a big deal, but it really kinda is. People who already know her think it's funny and/or think it's an appropriate name for her personality. The vet thought it was "perfect" for her. Whatever:S If I were you, I'd get your birdy DNA tested or go with a gender-neutral name.

Yaaa hoooo...congrats everyone!! {Nature-000200C9}

My little darling is 2 years 5 months old. Her eyes are already pretty yellow...not bright yellow but I can see yellow in there. In my online album of Harrison, you can see how her eyes change from the day we got her (3 months old) up to now.

Christo, I feel your pain. I'm going through the same thing. I just posted about it on another forum. Like you, I'm not forcing Harrison to do anything she doesn't want to do. I respect her if she doesn't want to step up or whatever. Sometimes she bites when she steps up...she seems to be in a good mood, steps up for me and whammo! Tonight she bit me on the finger in the same place where she bit me the other day. It hurts!!! Other times, we'll be playing and out of no where she just bites me. When it first started, I'd react by saying "ow!!"...then she started saying it after she'd bite. She also says "no, don't bite" after she bites. Talk about rubbing it in! There have been times where I realize later that I misread her body language but for the most part, it seems to come out of no where. It's becoming a daily thing and I'm lost as to what to do at this point. Sometimes I think of horrible things to do to her. Of course, I'd never do anything, but I do have fleeting thoughts. She has her 6 month well visit the first week in June...I'm hoping she'll be able to help or recommend a behaviorist. I do a lot of hands on play with her and I wonder if I handle her too much. Although, when I'm working around the house, she insists on being with me. I have to hold her in one hand and work with the other. She can't sit on my shoulder. So it seems like she likes to be handled...UGGGG I'm so confused! I wish you luck and if you find out something that works, let me know!! I've never been bonded to an animal the way I am to Harrison and I just want this to stop. I'm starting to be jumpy around her when she can reach me to bite me. I did try a glove but she flipped out big time...so that's out. Take care!!

Hi Andrew. I must say that my heart aches for you. The morning I saw your video, I thought about you and Tui alll day. I couldn't get you out of my mind. I'm not really a pray/talk to god type person but I actually prayed and asked that Tui be returned to you. I am bonded to my Grey more than any animal I've ever had...more than most humans...I think my husband is the only human I'm more bonded to so I just can't imagine the feeling of loss if I lost her. When you cried, I cried...I'm soooo sorry and I really hope you find her. It's obvious you shared a close bond with her and I'm sure she wants to find you. I also wanted to say not to be hard on yourself. You were doing what you thought would be best for Tui. And I'm sure she was having a ball at first...your intentions were right..but that darned wind. I will keep you in my thoughts and continue to pray that Tui comes back to you...and if she doesn't than I hope you'll have the strength to let go. As hard as that will be. Take care of yourself. Heather

I voted...it was hard...

Ya, I figured that. After I read his questions, I kept seeing his name under "who's online" and couldn't help but think he was waiting for a reply...I'd leave and come back and he'd still be here. I felt like I should do something even though I don't feel I am kowledgable enough.

Hi there...I'm going to reply because no one else has and I've seen that you've been on the site lurking around for a while now.. Let me say first...these are my opinions...I may be wrong or have different opinions from other people...and to the other members, I know you're all very nice...just be gentle if I screw something up, k? 1. I think if a Grey plucks, it's going to pluck regardless. If your in-laws come over a lot and get to know the bird and they're 'part of the flock'...it shouldn't be an issue if they birdsit. Now, moving, I have no clue. sorry 2. I have a dog too...we just keep a strong eye on the dog if they're in the same room together. If we're not home, the dog can't get to her cage at all. They're never left unattended. My dog is not a good dog to have with a bird like yours. 3. I bought my bird as a baby and we have a very strong bond. She's the love of my life. I NEVER thought I could love an animal as much as I love Harrison. But, adopting a bird is a wonderful thing to do and you can get some great birds. But, you can get birds with issues. You have to think, 'why did these people give up this bird?'...personally, I leave the adopting to the professionals. Maybe someday when I have more time and a little more experience, I'll adopt. About plucking, if you adopt, theres a good chance it will be a plucker...I think. I'd go for a baby. 4. I think that cage is ok. I'd go a little bigger. But, it kinda depends on how long the bird spends in the cage during the day. This is my cage... 5. as far as I know the only dif is the color of their beak. The Congo has a black beak and the Timneh has a bone colored beak. Also, their tails differ a little...congos are brighter I think. I've heard that Congos are better talkers but I think that's a myth..get one and prove that myth to be wrong!!! 6. Breeder...dunno sorry. But one thing about your wife being home for a year. Is she going to go back to an 8 hour job after that? They say that when you get your bird, don't spend a bunch of time with her and then go back to your life and drop her. I know that's not what she'd be doing but that's what to bird would think. You're kinda supposed to keep a schedule. It's hard for me because I'm off for the summer (yay) so I have my days free...but toward the end of the vacation, I slowly start having Harrison out of the cage less and less...to get her used to me going back to work. I hope this helps...I love my baby...<br><br>Post edited by: HeatherStrella, at: 2008/05/17 06:47

Oh gosh, I thought you were having to give him up...you scared me with that title....ya turkey have fun!!

Skuffy, what do you mean by a "barred tail"? Harrison's (remember she's a female) tail is pretty solid red..

After 18 months, we found out Harrison was a "she"...at least "Charlie" can be a girly name. Are you going to have him/her DNA tested?

That's funny...Harrison has one of those...she loves it. She plays with it all the time. I think I got it from a used baby store.

I use Red Palm Oil too....the vet "prescribed" it. I put a dab on her favorite food...at the moment her fav foods are walnuts and/or almonds. She goes for it first thing in the morning...she has an orangish right foot from it, but that's ok...lol

I think it's some kind of gator or croc.

Adorable...thanks!!

She's beautiful!! The harness looks cute on her...I wish Harrison would wear one...Very nice photos...

Tari, I love your signature banner. You know, they sent one man to the Moon...why can't they send the rest? :laugh:

Very nice photo...you're right, Chloe looks noble.