Question: feeding a tiger sallie

[fignewton]

I have several questions about tiger sallies, and after writing a really long and rambling post, I decided to start over and make it more simple. So here goes:

1) Do tigers usually come to the glass when they see you near their tank? I took care of a tiger at school when I was young, and that one never did anything like that. My Marley comes to the glass often when he sees me. I think he’s telling me he’s hungry, so I always offer but he usually doesn’t eat (more on that later.) I am guessing this is a sign that he was a pet for a long time? Someone brought him to a lizard store nearby, didn’t want him anymore.

2) Marley likes to ask for food, but he almost never takes it. I think he’s used to being hand fed - but he’s only actually taken a worm a few times from me in the weeks that I’ve had him. It’s getting frustrating, because I will sit for a half an hour dangling a worm by his head and he almost never takes it. He might snap a few times. He might even grab it. But he if he misses it seems like he loses interest then. And if he grabs it and accidentally lets it go, he doesn’t try to go after it again. He shakes them hard, and that’s usually when he lets them go. I’ve had him about a month I think, and he’s eaten maybe 5 worms at the most. And these are small earth worms.

3) I know tigers don’t eat frequently, but have read that they eat a LOT when they do eat. And that you should feed them till they are full. Well… like I said, Marley hardly eats. He’s never eaten more than one worm. Could it be that he doesn’t like them very much?? I just thought of that they other day because while I was giving my geckos their waxworm treat, I thought oh what the heck, maybe he will eat these. I gave him a few and he too them all! I know they’re very high in fat though, so I don’t want to keep giving him those all the time just because he seems to like them better. I don’t want him to be unhealthy…

So those are the only questions I have at the moment. I know I’m probably over reacting right now, but I think it’s best to over react than not to react at all. That’s how pets end up getting too sick to help!
Any thoughts/opinions/advice would be lovely!
Emily

 

[Kaysie]

1.) Yes, I'd say most tigers usually behave in this manner. But it depends on your animal; some don't. One of mine is a greedy little beggar, and the other is very shy (I think this is a result of his being blind).

2.) Sounds normal. I would feed him in the dark. It may sound funny, but in the evening, don't turn on the lights, and when it's really dim, offer him a worm. You may also want to try different kinds of worms. Some worms are distasteful. What kinds of foods have you tried?

3.) Waxworms are fatty, but aren't terrible. I had a newt who would eat nothing but waxworms for some months. If they're all your animal will eat, by all means, offer them. It's better to eat nothing but cheeseburgers than to not eat at all.