About a year ago, I sold two Russian hatchlings to a woman. I can usually convince people to buy just one, or suggest three or more. Every once in a while, you get a buyer that wants two and they claim that they'll separate if necessary.
Fast forward one year later. Aside from a few harmless nips here and there, she said she saw no signs of aggression until a few days ago. She had called me and described a 'chunk taken out of the little one's neck'. She didn't have a second enclosure (and said she didn't have room to go out and get a second one) and asked if she could just give one back to me. I agreed, but based on how she described the wound I was expecting it to die.
It turns out she exaggerated the wound greatly. Its a pretty good nip though, an open would that has some bleeding. I've been soaking it daily and dabbing topical Marbocyl with a Q-Tip. Its eating fine and basking normally. Its about 2.75 inches. Aside from keeping the two together, she seemed to have been providing it with correct care, the shell is smooth and I see no other signs of poor health.
Right now its in a heated sterilite container, uv bulb, no substrate with a large shallow container of water that has been keeping the humidity up. I've been worried that adding soil or cypress mulch could result in particles getting into the wound and causing infection. Any thoughts on putting the little guy on substrate or no? Pros and cons?
Fast forward one year later. Aside from a few harmless nips here and there, she said she saw no signs of aggression until a few days ago. She had called me and described a 'chunk taken out of the little one's neck'. She didn't have a second enclosure (and said she didn't have room to go out and get a second one) and asked if she could just give one back to me. I agreed, but based on how she described the wound I was expecting it to die.
It turns out she exaggerated the wound greatly. Its a pretty good nip though, an open would that has some bleeding. I've been soaking it daily and dabbing topical Marbocyl with a Q-Tip. Its eating fine and basking normally. Its about 2.75 inches. Aside from keeping the two together, she seemed to have been providing it with correct care, the shell is smooth and I see no other signs of poor health.
Right now its in a heated sterilite container, uv bulb, no substrate with a large shallow container of water that has been keeping the humidity up. I've been worried that adding soil or cypress mulch could result in particles getting into the wound and causing infection. Any thoughts on putting the little guy on substrate or no? Pros and cons?
