guidofatherof5
02-16-2010, 10:18 AM
Today, I had the pleasure of feeding some of my radix groups. I first started with a group of adult females. I opened the enclosure and was greeted by a number of them. I offered a pinky to each and they took them. Most of the females now exited the hide and made their way to my location. There was a little jocking for position but for the most part it was orderly. I kept the pinkies flowing and there was very little thievery. I took a couple nips on the hand from some who wanted fed. I was able to reach in and touch almost all of them while they ate. Some who had finished and were full made their way up my arm and rested on my shoulder and in the hood of my sweatshirt.
Many of them came over and rubbed their faces on my arm. They were very appreciate of the food. I love my girls. They are so much fun to be around.
Next, I went to the breeder male enclosure. I opened it up and a male named Patch came right out of the hide. He rushed towards me and grabbed the pinky from my hand and headed to the back of the enclosure. This movement must have set off an alarm as most(approx.12) of the male rushed out in hot pursuit of Patch. A small number of them made a break for the open door. From both sides they were trying to get out. At the same time the others where pressing me for food. There was tail slapping and musk slinging going on all over the enclosure.. Some had discovered the paper towel full of pinkies and were stealing at will. At one point four males hit the floor as I was busy feeding and breaking up fights. I grabbed all four and put them back. Now, the smell of musk hung heavily in the room and all over me. This scenario repeated itself many times over before they settled down. One small male would go from one side to the other trying to get out. I finally warned him that he would be removed to another enclosure if he persisted in this behavior. He didn't heed my warning and I removed him to the timeout enclosure:D I love my boys. They are so much fun to be around.
In closing all I can say is, as for radixes their is a big difference in attitudes and demeanor. Granted, I have some males that are calm and some females that are food crazy but as a rule it's the males that can't control themselves. My girls love to be held and enjoy any interaction. My males always seem to be nervous and don't like one on one time. The exception would be Scar(RIP) and Krinkleback. My boys are great but must be approached and handled in a different way.
Many of them came over and rubbed their faces on my arm. They were very appreciate of the food. I love my girls. They are so much fun to be around.
Next, I went to the breeder male enclosure. I opened it up and a male named Patch came right out of the hide. He rushed towards me and grabbed the pinky from my hand and headed to the back of the enclosure. This movement must have set off an alarm as most(approx.12) of the male rushed out in hot pursuit of Patch. A small number of them made a break for the open door. From both sides they were trying to get out. At the same time the others where pressing me for food. There was tail slapping and musk slinging going on all over the enclosure.. Some had discovered the paper towel full of pinkies and were stealing at will. At one point four males hit the floor as I was busy feeding and breaking up fights. I grabbed all four and put them back. Now, the smell of musk hung heavily in the room and all over me. This scenario repeated itself many times over before they settled down. One small male would go from one side to the other trying to get out. I finally warned him that he would be removed to another enclosure if he persisted in this behavior. He didn't heed my warning and I removed him to the timeout enclosure:D I love my boys. They are so much fun to be around.
In closing all I can say is, as for radixes their is a big difference in attitudes and demeanor. Granted, I have some males that are calm and some females that are food crazy but as a rule it's the males that can't control themselves. My girls love to be held and enjoy any interaction. My males always seem to be nervous and don't like one on one time. The exception would be Scar(RIP) and Krinkleback. My boys are great but must be approached and handled in a different way.