Thank you, I think covering his cage would be a good idea as well as the new way to feed live crickets. I'll def. try those. I can ask my parents to try to care for him but they profess that they don't think they can. I do not think he has parasites...his poop isn't runny. The idea of a heat pad is interesting...but I doubt that it would heat all 4 in. of room designated for substrate in the tank. :/ I'll ask for a new heat lamp for Christmas...