This is a rare rainbow-pelted juvenile Wout! Most Wouts will never grow a rainbow pelt, and it is not yet known exactly what triggers this process. What we do know is that for centuries rainbow Wouts have been seen as a symbol of good fortune, and to this day it is considered lucky to spot one!
The juvenile shown above is pictured in a temporary enclosure. His coat is noticeably muddy, and Wouts will roll in mud in order to mask their scent from prey. This Wout has likely just completed a hunt, and whether successful or not, he appears tired. He should be returned to his enclosure and fed, after which he will clean himself and then sleep. Wouts can appear to sleep for up to 13h a day, but don't be fooled - for much of this time they are merely dozing, and will awaken in a flash if they catch the scent of prey!
This adult green Mads is pictured lounging in his nesting spot with a mate or bonded companion. His 'arms open, legs extended' posture is a signal of fertility, and shows this Mads signalling to all his mates that he is in the mood! Strong thigh muscles are essential to a pursuit predator such as the Mads, and this pose highlights them to full effect.
As obligate symbiotes with multiple mates, Madses tend to produce large numbers of offspring in the wild, and indeed in captivity if their keeper has a breeding group. They are excellent parents, and in the spring adults will often be seen carrying infants (known as Madsicles) on their backs!
oh no this remco seems to be in distress :( https://www.tumblr.com/23mco/795936828285960192
You are absolutely correct, this beautiful golden Remco is feeling both angry and upset! Remcos are one of the more emotional species, experiencing more intense highs and lows than for example the calm and serene Neilson. The adult Remco shown is pictured in the act of attacking a water bottle during supervised outdoor time.
This behaviour may result from multiple reasons. He may be engaged in a hunt which has ended badly, with his prey escaping. He might have been chased away from his intended prey by a more aggressive Remco, or by a member of another species. It's also possible that he is struggling with the water bottle itself. Although most Remcos can learn to drink bottled water, a few cannot and prefer to lap from a bowl, as is the case for a substantial percentage of Mathieus.
Whilst it is always upsetting to see our beloved companions unhappy, this distressed Remco is lashing out at an inanimate object rather than another species or his keeper. This is praise-worthy behaviour! It is not always possible to prevent your Remco having emotional outbursts, but water bottles and enrichment toys are replacable and do not feel any pain.
As he calms down, this Remco will become cold and drained once his emotions run their course. Instead of returning him to his travel enclosure to self-soothe as you would a Mathieu, sit together with him in a safe, enclosed area (perhaps the back of your car). He will likely be vigorously 'telling' you about why he is so angry, but once he is no longer uttering sharp yaps but more plaintive ones, offer a favourite treat along with lots of cuddles, and plenty of praise for how well he managed his emotions.
This helps reinforce the positive behaviour you want to see more of, while reminding your Remco of how much you love him. As the two of you get used to handling his emotional outbursts, this 'post-anger' drop will lessen in intensity, but will never entirely disappear. Once your Remco is calm, he can then be returned to his travel enclosure with a favourite comfort item for the journey home, but don't be surprised if after this intense experience he takes the opportunity to have a nap!
This juvenile Mathieu is almost ready to shed - note the papery old jersey covering the bright and vibrant one below. Shedding is a natural process, and most Mathieus are fully capable of managing it without trouble. If your Mathieu struggles, it is likely the air in his enclosure is insufficiently humid. He will generally soak for several hours a day before shedding, although desert Mathieus will use sand as a natural body scrub.
Never pull at any stuck shed, this can do serious harm! If your Mathieu appears distressed and unable to remove a particular patch of skin, use a warm damp cloth to brush lightly over the area. If this doesn't shift it, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Despite the concerns of No-Eggplant4850, the species shown are not wild: this clip depicts a group hunt during supervised outdoor time.
As a keeper leans out of the window holding a favourite treat, their beloved companion immediately lights up with anticipation. This is a great way to help your Mathieu practice hunting skills such as targeting, pouncing, and eating on the go!
Always be mindful of the needs of every species in the group, if you are feeding your companion around others. Your Mathieu is likely to get very indignant if his anticipated treat is snatched by another, and this may lead to spitting and aggression. The best way around this is to coordinate feeding with the other keepers present. This can also help avoid situations where your Mathieu grabs a flower meant for a Jai, and is irate to discover it isn't the tasty wet food he was anticipating. It may help to practice training this behaviour at home, where your Mathieu can miss and drop the treat in the privacy of his own enclosure!
It is an important point that wild species shouldn't be fed, although it is rare this leads to the loss of hunting abilities. Of greater concern is the fact that it accustoms a species to the precence of humans, which can put them in all sorts of dangerous situations, such as being insufficiently cautious around dogs or cars.
There are of course grey areas, where a species has not been fully domesticated but has moved into our towns and villages and made itself at home. Taking the children down to the river to feed the Matteos is a popular pasttime in many parts of the Americas, and many people in Wales leave out wet food for their local Lukes. If this is something you intend to do, do your research first. Check what foods that species eats in the wild, and never offer anything which may encourage the dangerous behaviour of scavenging from bins.
If you like the idea of helping with feeding time but don't have the space or energy for a companion of your own, consider volunteering at a local shelter! Volunteers are always in demand, and there are so many Mathieus and others waiting for someone to offer some petting and companionship, as they wait to find their forever home.
As we head into winter in the northern hemisphere, there will be countless juvenile Mathieus needing a little help as they learn how to play and hunt for the first time. As the southern hemisphere warms towards summer, there will be a similar number of infants mastering their very first skills. There are few things more adorable than feeding a nest of happily chirruping infants - although do be aware that their tiny teeth are extremely sharp!
do you know anything about Lukes... love your informative blog!!!
Lukes originate from Wales and are a common or garden species in much of the UK, one seen so often in the wild that they are often considered pests. What a disservice this does to this wonderful species, as anyone who has ever kept a Luke will tell you!
One of the most capable foraging species, Lukes are true omnivores. They will opportunistically catch prey, and especially enjoy eggs, but supplement this by consuming a wide variety of plants. This is one reason that they have sadly gained such a reputation for notoriety, as aggrieved garden-lovers object to a passing Luke snacking on their flowers. This can easily be averted by devoting a subsection of your garden to plants wild Lukes will enjoy much more! They will not eat your roses out of choice, but only because there is a lack of anything more to their liking.
Gregarious by nature, wild Lukes live in colonies which can number up to two hundred members. A Luke should never be kept alone, but needs at least two to three mates or bonded companions. They are a lowland species by origin, however across the UK there is very little competition in the niche Lukes fill, resulting in a recent population boom. Scientists have begun spotting wild Lukes on low hills and even the bottom slopes of mountains, so it appears to be a time of great diversification for the species.
Lukes in captivity require a large enclosure, similar in size to that of a Wout, and with enough depth for digging. Unlike A Tibor or Mads, Lukes do not dig themselves burrows, but wild Lukes will bury prey in order to come back and feed on it later. In captivity, where your Luke does not have to worry about the availability of his next meal, this is usually a form of play.
Enclosures designed for Lukes contain a specialist sandpit area, which will allow your Luke to dig to his heart's content. Most prefer to produce wide, shallow pits surrounding a large central heap of sand, perfect for your Luke to climb triumphantly before being offered plenty of praise and petting for his efforts. Although sand is the usual choice of digging material, being ideal for maintaining healthy feet and claws, some Lukes do suffer from allergies. If this is the case, specialist stores offer alternatives such as the 'quiet sand' beloved of Tibor-keepers who do not enjoy the sound of digging at 02h00.
Geraints are the most popular choice of bonded companion for Lukes, both originating in Wales, however Lukes are an easy-going species compatible with most others. The only exceptions are true aquatic species and those which fly, as while some Lukes may come to enjoy swimming, they do not hunt in the water. Do bear in mind that Lukes are one of the "chatty" species! This makes them excellent companions for other more vocal species, such as the Remco.
With a keen sense of smell, Lukes adore games which allow them to exercise this skill. Try hiding some favourite treats around a room in your house, and watch as your Luke eagerly searches them all out! Eggs are valued especially highly, but think ahead and put down a plastic mat underneath the hiding place if you don't want your Luke dripping raw egg all over your carpet!
Supervised outdoor time should be offered daily, and Lukes thrive on regular social meetups. Their outgoing nature makes them favourites at public parks, yet they have the sensitivity not to overwhelm quieter species, which many do not. Lukes are vastly underrated in their own home country, but as keepers around the world will tell you, there is so much to love about them!
What a beautiful adult red Wout! Native to Spain, red Wouts are not nearly as well-known as they deserve to be. Found at a higher average altitude than green Wouts, red Wouts are a little lighter, and have thicker coats to protect against the chill of mountain air.
This Wout is pictured in a temporary enclosure, in the act of hydrating. As with any species, Wouts should always have access to fresh water at all times. This Wout is enjoying a drink of juice, which can be offered as an occasional treat!
This green Mads is definitely indicating an interest in courtship!
Rarely seen until a few years ago, green Madses are currently outcompeting both Wouts and Jaspers for territory (green Wouts are now sadly very rare indeed, especially in France). Green Madses have become one of the most commonly seen colour morphs, and are built for speed, rather than the raw power of the common Mads.
This Mads is pictured leaning forwards with one leg raised, demonstrating his strong thigh muscles, so essential for chasing his prey. The "legs-parted" stance is characteristically seen in a Mads who is advertising his fitness as a mate, and is only reinforced by the fact he is leaning forward.
His intended partner appears to be an Anders, a Danish species that is often observed as the hunting partner of the Mads. Although this is not a true symbiosis, the two species are regularly found hunting together. A wild Anders will harry prey, driving it towards a Mads who will make the actual kill. They will then share a social feeding.
In addition, an Anders makes an excellent 'watchman'. If a threat is sighted, the Anders will begin loudly chittering, alerting the Mads whose territory he shares to the presence of the intruder. In return, the Mads will ensure the Anders is protected from other large predators.
The Anders above is clearly signalling interest, with his head-tilted posture and placement of a forelimb close to that of the Mads. This is likely the prelude to a formal mating dance. The signs are good that these two will form a very compatible bonded pair!
I hope your lovely mathieu got some good snuggles and chirruping in with you during your rough week <3 hope our beloved expert enrichmentologist is on the road back to being suitably enriched themself
He did <3
It really breaks my heart when people who have never kept a Mathieu hear the phrase "not a social species" then immediately dismiss the species as cold and unloving, when nothing could be further from the truth.
I woke up this morning to the worst panic attack I've had in a long while, and my Mathieu came running into my bedroom to bring me his favourite chew toy. A chewable tyre was not actually going to help, but he made me laugh, which was enough to jolt the brain out of a loop of blind terror. For the rest of the day he's barely moved from my side (we just got back from supervised outdoor time, and he's immediately come to sit back next to me).
My Mathieu is a rescue who had clearly known difficult times before being found abandoned on the streets, but has the biggest, sweetest, most caring personality imaginable. He's always been a snuggler, but I can't stand up at the moment for the number of his favourite comfort items he's heaped on to my feet. He knows I love to read (I'll often read out bits loud to him, because he enjoys it) and he is currently perched on top of a book, vigorously chirruping away to me.
Pet your Mathieus for me today, we are so lucky to get to share our lives with our beloved companions.
This handsome wild mountain Mathieu is shown hunting in his natural habitat, and demonstrating his powerful jumping skills!
Mountain Mathieus are noticably bulkier than most subspecies, an adaptation which allows them to thrive in colder climates. Unlike other subspecies more commonly seen in captivity, they do not display natural rainbows, but rather blue bands. It is thought that this allows for better camouflage among the rocky crags against the blue sky!
The Mathieu shown above is fully focused on his prey (not pictured) as he leaps from rock to rock. Mountain Mathieus are even more reliant on their pounce than regular Mathieus, with a short burst of pursuit generally followed by tackling their prey in a flying leap.
A mountain Mathieu will dig out a cosy south-facing den rather like a Wout's, although at its entrance will be placed a large dark-coloured stone where he can bask. The dark stone will also retain some heat during the night, helping a mountain Mathieu to keep his body temperature up. They are however rarely found at altitudes above 1500m, nor in areas where heavy snows persist.
It is unusual to see a mountain Mathieu in captivity, as they require substantially more daily supervised outdoor time than many other subspecies. However they bond well with other species which thrive at altitude, such as Sepps or Egans, and especially those who are warm-blooded. To a mountain Mathieu living in a cold area, a bonded companion or mate who is warm-blooded is especially treasured!
What a lovely compilation of photos! Shown playing on a podium with a Tibor and another species, this Mathieu's big smile and hint of natural rainbows show he is having fun. He has matched his display patterns to his teammate's, indicating closeness, and the two may be regular playmates. What a happy Mathieu!
This image shows a Matteo and a Jonas, likely mates, cosily sharing the underwater section of their enclosure. The Matteo (foreground) is in the characteristic 'mermaid' pose, used to signify immediate fertility and an interest in mating, and the red Jonas (background) is clearly responding with delight!
This Matteo has chosen to display in one of the corners of their enclosure, and is likely indicating to his mate that this will be an ideal spot for their eggs to incubate. Unlike Mathieus, Matteos do not sit on their eggs, but simply wrap them in a 'parcel' of seaweed, as they incubate at the ambient water temperature. Thanks to the foresight of a thoughtful keeper, this pair appear to already have a smart backback provided, which is ideal for the purpose!
This is an adult Kaden! A familiar and beloved Class One coastal species from Australia, they are less widely known across the northern hemisphere. Filling a similar niche to the Jasper, Kadens depend on their powerful pounce to bring down their prey. They have a remarkable turn of speed, accelerating in mere seconds up to over 80 km/h, although this can only be sustained for short periods.
Kadens live in loosely-knit family groups, the composition of which will vary widely over the course of a year. Adults raising infants (known as kadelings) establish a family burrow, then remain there until the last infant has departed. Unmated adults and juveniles will make 'circuits' around a region during the course of a year, staying at first one burrow and then another. This mingling and the resulting mating helps keep the gene pool so diverse!
Thanks to the size of Australia, Kadens from different areas have notably different 'accents,' although not to the point of mutual incomprehensibility. Those commonly found in captivity outside Australia stem from a variant found in Queensland, and have a distinct "churr," as opposed to the "hu-urr-rr" or even "uh-urr" found in other parts of the continent. Similarly to the rumbling of a Wout, Kadens churr when they are happy and contented, although it is a much softer sound.
Unlike a Mathieu, Kadens are feathered, although they have entirely adapted to a flightless lifestyle. As well as hunting on land, they are extremely accomplished divers, although unlike true aquatic species such as the Matteo, they will hunt at depths no greater than 15m.
In captivity, a Kaden's enclosure should have both wet and dry areas, in a roughly 60:30 ratio. He will also need sufficient depth to be able to dig himself a spacious burrow (three to four body-lengths of depth is plenty). Kadens are obligate carnivores, however if it is not possible for your Kaden to hunt live prey, wet food is available at all specialist stores. Kadens cannot consume dry food.
Socialising is a must, and Kadens will enjoy a variety of excursions, in order to mimic the 'circuit' of visits made by an unmated Kaden. Both outdoor parks and water parks are popular destinations, and many will offer specific hunting sessions, with a social feeding afterwards.
The unhappy Kaden shown in the picture at the top had sadly indeed been abandoned, and left on the streets to attempt to scavenge prey. He was thankfully found after a member of the public heard him churring miserably to himself, in an attempt to self-soothe. Adopting a companion is a long-term committement. If circumstances change such that you are no longer able to provide a home for your companion, always reach out to a local rescue. It is heartbreaking to think of what this Kaden may have endured, including the loss of a family he presumably thought loved him.
After a lengthy period of veterinary care, including intensive emotional support from a trained Neilson, he is ready to be adopted into a loving forever home. If you are genuinely interested in adopting, then please reach out and we can put you in touch in order to make this happen!
drawing mathieu suffering and panting and bending over a fence after a race should not be this fun. (speech bubbles say: 'soul leaving body' and 'breathing heavily')
What a beautiful compilation of the life of a working Wout! Less common than they once were, working Wouts were originally bred for their strength and fiercely protective nature. Mostly used to pull carts and sleds, working Wouts are still used in many rural areas, and valued just as highly for their intense loyalty and desire to please. Wouts are intelligent enough to learn quickly and be easily trainable, although not of course to the degree of a Matej or Tadej.
This handsome Wout is shown fetching and carrying for his keeper, before using a coffee machine. From his beaming smile we can see he has received lots of praise for his efforts, and once his work is done he is shown enjoying the coffee he has made as a favourite treat. Working Wouts may consume caffeine at higher levels than recommended for a captive Wout; no more than one cup per day is advisable unless your Wout is spending over six hours a day in intense physical activity.
He appears in excellent health, with bright eyes and a thick, dark coat. This is a very happy Wout!
