can I just put bobbug in a little enclosure and feed them lil fruits and snackys?
You can do whatever you dream of Anon but you gotta be responsible about it. So read carefully
Tips And Tricks For Raising A Faux Troll In Captivity:
Remember, while they may have some similar traits; Faux trolls are not real trolls and require different care!
Lets break this down into categories.
Habitat:
- Faux Trolls thrive in semi aquatic, humid environments. The moisture keeps their skin healthy and makes sure they stay hydrated. Think of adding a bathing pool at least waist deep and four body lengths wide to your enclosure! Or, if you can't do that, take your Faux Troll out for regular swims in fresh water.
- Faux Trolls have very aggressive nesting instincts but varying taste. Provide abundant types of nesting materials. Blankets, moss, large leafs, etc. If you find your Faux Troll is having trouble nesting they may just be shy. Consider adding a small dome into the enclosure. This will mimic a shallow cave and give your Faux Troll some privacy.
- Very important: Faux Trolls are social creatures. It's highly recommended you have at least two in an enclosure so that they don't get lonely and depressed. In dire situations, a regular, non-aggressive troll can be a good substitute. Keep an eye on them, though, as breeding and violence are more likely to occur.
Diet:
Omnivoric by nature Faux Trolls do enjoy lil fruits and other snackies but make sure they are getting plenty of the following:
- Water!!! Faux Trolls need lots of water to stay happy and healthy. One gallon of water a day is recommended but some may need more depending on hormone cycles.
- Vitamin B 12. In the wild Faux Trolls often obtain this via freshwater oysters or trout but as their care taker you'll have to provide it for them. It's recommended to give it in a food source but supplements also work, it may just result in a lack of enrichment for your Faux Troll.
Grooming:
Faux Trolls will naturally engage in social grooming if you have the recommended number of them in an enclosure. However, there is still some maintenance that may need to be done for their health.
- Claw trimming. As you may know, one of the main features of a Faux Troll is their large toe claws. Two in the front and one smaller one on the ankle. Since they will not be running around and wearing them down naturally it's recommended you either give them the tools to take care of over-grown and flaking claws or trim and file them yourself. When trust is established this is a great way to bond with your Faux Troll as you are engaging in their social grooming.
- Antenna upkeep. Faux Trolls have a thin sensory membrane in the crooks and curves of their imitation horns. This is an important organ and can be difficult to clean due to sensitivity and delicateness. If your Faux Troll ever becomes majorly dirty it's best to get them cleaned right away as the constant sensory input of a dirty membrane can be very distressing. Use clean water around the temperature of your Faux Troll's blood color and a soft microfiber cloth. Watch carefully for signs of distress from your Faux Troll.
- Pectus and Vagina Dentata. Unlike regular teeth that need daily care, the fanged orifices located in the center of the Faux Troll's chest and mons pubis area only need the occasional check-up. The internal organs are self-cleaning and most Faux Trolls have an instinct on how to maintain the health of the calcium growths. However, in case of injury or illness, it's possible for the connecting tissue to loosen and drop "teeth". Keep an eye out for irritable behavior, fallen teeth, and repeated clawing of the chest and lower abdomen. This may indicate an infection or lodged tooth that will require cleaning, antibiotics, or surgery to correct.
Hazards and Other Negative Behavior:
Faux Trolls are generally sweet and docile but there are some things you need to keep an eye out for.
- If you are a troll yourself; be wary of the clicking and cooing noises they make at times. Most of the time these sounds just trigger the production of oxytocin. This can lead to a feeling of relaxation or bonding between you and the Faux Troll. This can be good in moderation but remain aware of yourself and take precautions not to get overly attached.
On the flip side, if a Faux Troll is startled or distressed the noises can easily switch to stimulating the adrenal gland. This results in the production of cortisol and norepinephrine. Best way to prevent this is keeping the Faux Troll calm and happy.
Important Warning!!!: Do not use psionic dampeners, medicinal or mechanical, on your Faux Troll. The emotional responses triggered by their vocalizations are not psionically based. You'll just waste your money and stress your Faux Troll out.
- Some Faux Trolls like to engage in wrestling with their enclosure mates or even you! This is not an aggressive behavior and your Faux Troll has no intention of doing harm. Unfortunately, their toe claws are large and sturdy and can unintentionally cause damage. Best not to pin your Faux Troll and wear thick protective clothing around your midsection to avoid disembowelment.
- In the unlikely event your Faux Troll starts exhibiting brooding behaviors (Large nest expansion, changes in sleep routine, extended soaks in the pool) you must act quickly. Get your Faux Troll examined as soon as possible and determine if there are actual developing eggs. In this time your Faux Troll is likely to exhibit high levels of aggression, sedation is recommended. If several hard masses can be felt in the lower abdomen then congrats, you've done so well at caring for your Faux Troll that they deem their enclosure a suitable brooding environment. You now have minimal options:
A) If you plan on keeping the eggs till maturity then you must expand the enclosure significantly. Faux Trolls lay clutches of eggs with the minimum being 3 and the largest recorded single batch being 12. You will need more pools, more floor space, more food options, and likely a tree or two. You must keep the eggs with the bearer till they have reached the mimic stage. This stage is noted by larval Faux Trolls displaying sounds mimicking their environment. At this time your Faux Troll likely understands that the larvae may be taken by a lusus and it is safe to remove them.
B) Remove the eggs from the eggsack while the Faux Troll is under sedation. This can be done at the second or third stage of egg development. Your Faux Troll is likely to just assume something went wrong and they reabsorbed their eggs. This can lead to a deep depression and your Faux Troll will need extra monitoring and care for several months afterwards.
Under no circumstances are you to try to remove the eggs after they have been laid and before the mimic stage. This is one of the few times you are in severe danger as a Faux Troll keeper. They will kill you or die trying before handing over the eggs. They sleep rarely and when they do it is incredibly light. They will smell you coming. Just don't do it. Especially if you have the recommended number of Faux Trolls in the enclosure.
In conclusion: Faux Trolls require a lot of specialized care and attention. If you're willing to put in the work then you'll have a truly wonderful little freak in your house that stares at you for hours and rips up your couch. Don't know why you'd want that.
