Lenny

Well, looks like I have some updating to so with regards to the new addition to our family! In October, Matt and I obtained a terrarium and supplies from our good friends Danielle and Jerrik. Having been introduced to bearded dragons from some housemates at Idaho, I really really wanted one, since they are very personable reptiles and we can't have a kitten or a puppy. Cue Lenny's entrance!

He has adjusted well to his new home over a month later! He enjoys being held and watching us whenever we are in the room, although like any juvenile, has a short attention span and begins to run around the house after a few minutes and thus begins a wild dragon chase. It is hilarious to watch him try and run across the linoleum or the wood furniture, with claws he is unable to get much of a grip! As he gets bigger, hopefully he will calm down and stop trying to run away!

I have classically trained him a la Pavlov, unintentionally, however. He has learned that when the plastic baggie that I use to dust crickets comes out, he is about to get fed. Lenny gets very excited and starts running up and down the length of his terrarium and then the hunt is on! This goes to so you how intelligent these creatures can be! I am also trying to introduce him to veggies, so far he enjoys dandelion flowers and greens, peas, and the occasional treat of broccoli (you can't feed them too much broccoli or they get vitamin A toxicity). He doesn't seem to enjoy carrots all that much, though. Which is fine, actually, since the greens are healthier for him anyway.

We actually can't tell if Lenny is a male yet, since it's hard to sex them as juveniles, but fortunately we have picked a name that can morph into "Leni" if Lenny turns out to be a female.

We enjoy Lenny immensely and can't wait until a puppy and a kitten can join him in Mississippi!