sand swimmers care

[channi]

Hi I am considering getting a sand swimmer or two, but would like to do my research first. My problem is that there is no info online and I would like to at least know if I am capable of looking after them before I approach the breeder. So those of you who have them and those who have had them, please share the basic care requirements.
Thanks in advance,
Chantel.

 

[dickyknee]

enclosure , sand , a heat mat , water and lots of crickets ....very easy to look after .

 

[channi]

Thanks for the reply Dickyknee, how big should the enclosure be? For one or for two? And do they only eat crickets?

 

[nathancl]

they will also eat mince and other meats (finely chopped until its like mince) out of a dish. when they are bigger they will take woodies and pinkies aswell

nath

 

[channi]

Thanks nathancl. I really do appreciate the info.

 

[cris]

I keep mine in plastic tubs, about 70-80mm of sand, a water bowl, some cover such as piece of bark, fluon around the top edge and maybe a lid. For heating i use a 4m 15watt cord run under the tubs with 2 runs close together. I have also kept them in a fishtank and used a 40watt party light about 40mm away from the sand for heating. You should also keep some of the sand damp to allow easy shedding.

I feed them mainly roaches and there are usually a couple left in the enclosure for them to hunt. I also feed them other insects, spiders, rodent and supplemented chopped meats. If you live somewhere where it is safe to use wild insects you can just setup a light above their enclosure and let all the moths in.

overall they are easy to keep, the only hard bit is finding some that get along, as they get bigger they can get quite violent.

 

[channi]

That is great information thanks cris, I thinks it's time to call the breeder.

 

[gonff]

just a 2 foot tank will be sufficiant, the bigger the better though!

i reserched them a lot until i found out that we cant keep them in vic! damn!

 

[JasonL]

avoid temps over 30 deg and only heat a small area of the floor, they die from stress easily, incuding heat stress or te stress of a new cage mate.

 

[mebebrian]

Here's my guy spot, he's quite a character and loves being hand fed mealworms or chasing crix himself.
Why are they noy alowed in Vic?
They are quite easy to care for

 

[channi]

Gonff and JasonL thanks alot for the advice I will definately take it on board. Mebebrian, how awesome is Spot! Such a cutie.
Well now for my news...I got a delivery today from my breeder of two gorgeous little sand swimmers. I will post photo's tomorrow when I can be bothered finding my camera. They are really, really cute with their little noses sticking out of the sand.

 

[channi]

I found the camera, so here they are. One pic of each and one together.

 

[Lozza]

awww they're cute channi
Just watch they don't kill each other - they can be quite aggressive. I have my big pig in a 3ft tank, he loves running around hunting things. He stalks the knob tails through the glass in the tank next to him sometimes - its so funny to watch

 

[channi]

Thanks Iozza, I will watch them and tomorrow they will each have their own 2ft square tank to "swim" around in, so if they don't kill each other tonight :shock: all will be good.

 

[pete12]

how cool are they

if you dont mind me asking how much are they?

 

[channi]

Thanks Pete, I think they are about the coolest thing going ATM. Juvies are around $50 and it goes up to about 120-150 for adults.