Day 5 and he still hasn't come out. I did hear him moving around yesterday.
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Finally. He came out. He was laying in the sun in the kitchen. I quickly picked him up and put him in a warm tub. He's in his tank now with some food.
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He acted a bit ornery today. I guess being free for 5 days was new to him. But as he gets older and bigger I'll give him more freedom. I still have a few leashes around here but he'll have to grow into them. He's just too tiny to try right now. I have tried making harnesses from string and pins and actually used them a few times to take the babies to the beach. They did enjoy themselves. They used to swim in the lake with me too. They stayed right with me while I was in the water. They were like human babies.
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Not really but close.
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Late yesterday I notice him thrashing around in his tank. Then I looked at him. He was completely covered in white. I picked him up and peeled him like a banana. That's what was causing the thrashing. He was trying to get away from the itching. He calmed right down after that.
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Have been reading your Story of Bella with great interest, even though I have zero experience with reptiles. I'm curious about his reaction when you try to get him out of the tank. Are you above him, and reaching into his space? Maybe he doesn't like being 'come at from above'.

You say he really appreciates his time out of the tank. If he had a way out of his own, say, a branch to climb, do you think he'd readily come out? It sounds to me like he simply doesn't like being grabbed at, or reached for.

I have thought of that but there is no other way. When I do try to get him out I talk to him and pet him to calm him down. Eventually he stretches up the side of the tank so I can fold my hand around him. I wish there were another way but there just isn't.

Also I have noticed with the light behind me I am just a big, dark shadow coming after him so I stand to the side so he can see me.

Sparky, his name is Bela', as in Bela' Lugosi. It's a male name. I changed it when I realized he was a boy.
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He has really seemed to have changed. He seems more affectionate towards me. He kisses me a lot more. Stays with me a lot longer too.
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His tongue is getting beefy.
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That's a sure sign that he's healthy and growing.
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He's such a sweet boy.
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