One afternoon recently I was relaxing at home with a good
book when I heard the sound of something being ripped up. I ran into the lounge
room to find both Lloyd and Midnight playing tug of war with a strand of
carpet! I yelled “oi! what are you doing?” and received the cutest most
guilty look ever.
A quick check of the house revealed a chewed TV remote and
some gnawed coffee table legs.... Clearly it was time for these lil ones to
leave the nest and begin to explore the big bad world.
It's weaning time for our Tasmanian devil joeys, and now
they are drinking water and eating solids on a daily basis, their favourite
food at the moment is rabbit (fur and all) and even at this age they can crunch
through the bones.
By now most wild devil joeys would be weaned and fending for
themselves (except maybe some of those born later in the year); we are in the
process of removing our joeys from the free range enclosures (FREs) and have
noticed that most females are no longer producing milk. This is giving females
a chance to recuperate before the next breeding season starts next February/ March.
It's a little quiet at home now, and I'd be lying if I said
I didn't miss Lloyd and Midnight but I know they’re better off where they are -
they were becoming less dependent of me and more and more adventurous as each
day past. They are currently living in a mini-enclosure but will soon be moved into
Devil Ark and in the future will be living in our FREs
It's been such a pleasure watching them grow. I'll never
forget how small they were or the time I found them in the bottom of the oven
with a nest of stolen items; or just watching them chasing each other around
the house.
Since they've been so good this year a special Xmas gift
will be well deserved, and I'm sure there will be a turkey leg or two.
A big merry Xmas and happy holidays from Lloyd and Midnight; have a safe holiday and look out for us in the New Year.
