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lindsayshocking

Tales From the Water Bowl

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I'm sorry about the quality of this photo. Getting a picture of Snodgrass and Aspartame together was quite a feat. Although, as you read on, you might understand why this was so difficult.

In obtaining The Colony, I didn't know anything about the spadefoots I was getting. I didn't know much about their personality. Spadefoots are full of personality, which can be generalized somewhat by the species. Couch's Spadefoots are big large lazy toads. I've found they don't mind humans much, but they're also not overly concerned with knowing their owners. Plains Spadefoots are little brats. They hate people; and overall don't seem to want to trust us. Take Kaeru--I've had her for close to a year and a half and I am still Satan Incarnate in her eyes. New Mexico Spadefoots are unambiguously my favorite--every spadefoot that I've ever seriously bonded with (Melix--RIP baby, Obdulia, Precious) has been a New Mexico Spadefoot. After they realize we aren't here to hurt them (unless you're that monster who catches them to feed them to snakes!), they tend to warm up. But again, these are generalizations. Hat the Plains Spadefoot is relatively chill with me. And furthermore, there's more to their personality than just how they interact with me--it's how they react to one another.

I guess it's stupid to think that all my spadefoots would get along, especially when seven of them occupy the same tank. I've noticed that Snodgrass has been having some trouble acclimating to his cagemates. As discussed last entry, he takes the bad position in the amplexus chain. He isn't brave enough to take a female of his own, and he typically burrows on his own. 5 of the spadefoots seem to ignore him (unless they walk over him, which is also sad). But then, there's Aspartame.

Aspartame is a dominant spadefoot. I compare her to Kaeru in that she will not stop eating when presented with crickets. Unlike Kaeru, she doesn't mind being held. For the most part, she's indifferent. I named her after the artificial sweetener. Many people think it's harmful, despite scientific research. I wanted to give it a positive connotation, and my unnamed spadefoot seemed to be a good choice. Besides, isn't that part of why we have pets, to give them fun and silly names?

Well, Aspartame does not like Snodgrass. I have counted three different times where she has tried to eat him. Despite being such a large spadefoot, she is incapable of fitting Snodgrass in her mouth, so it usually results in grabbing his arm until he can shake her off, or a lick on the side of his belly. It comes across as weird to me, because Aspartame does not do this to any other spadefoot. Bernardo will hop by. No reaction. Lumpkin moves in front of her. Nothing. Snodgrass hops towards a cricket in the background? She chases him down. It's very odd to watch. Again, I haven't seen her do any real damage to him...but it makes me wonder if perhaps Snodgrass would be happier living away from them. He eats just fine, burrows normally...but I feel like on top of not forming relationships with the other toads, he has this big meanie chasing him around. Suddenly Aspartame's namesake feels more fitting--she appears like this cannibalistic horror to the outside eye, but she really can't do any real damage.

What can I say? Life with spadefoots is never dull.

Comments

  1. HelloTeigan's Avatar
    Lumpkin? Omg I love it! Lumpkin! I can't stop smiling! Please send me a pic of lumpkin!

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