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This lanky juvenile Wout, shown hunting in his natural habitat, is pictured during his final growth spurt. Unlike Mathieus, who steadily grow to adult size, Wouts remain small throughout most of their juvenile stage. Only at its end will they rapidly become bigger, seemingly almost overnight.

Sadly this has led to many instances of 'teacup Wouts' being deceptively sold, just as is the case with Mathieus. There is no such thing. These are simply juveniles, and all Wouts will grow to their usual large size.

Peter Deconinck

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whenever you describe a matej i always end up giggling out loud. i love it.

You're welcome - Matejs are the perfect alternative choice for people who like the idea of a Mathieu, but one who is actually smart.

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This happy adult Mathieu is celebrating his birthday with a Freddy, likely a mate or bonded companion. The two are shown nestling closely together, with the Mathieu mimicking the Freddy's all-white display. He has a big smile and relaxed body language, and is clearly excited to consume some cake!

Although most Mathieus will not be aware of when their birthday is (contrast with Matejs, who not only mark time but are aware of seasonal markers such as the solstices and equinoxes), you may want to celebrate your Mathieu's big day regardless. Birthdays for a Mathieu can be a little complicated, with the date his egg was laid, his hatching day, and his adoption date all potential 'birthdays'. Any or all of these, if known, can be a good choice.

As always, be led by your Mathieu's preferences. An outgoing semi-aquatic Mathieu may love a trip to an indoor water park, with a joint hunt followed by a social feeding. A shy rescued fancy Mathieu may prefer gifts of some new accessories, so he can enjoy adorning himself for his mate's eyes only. You know your own Mathieu best, and are best placed to make his special day a truly wonderful one for you both!

JOINT BIRTHDAY PARTY…… ARE YOU KIDDING

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This warmly-wrapped juvenile Mathieu is enjoying making faces during supervised outdoor time in the snow! Not every Mathieu will tolerate snowy weather, so although supervised outdoor time should normally be given year round, there may be occasions where extreme weather conditions keep your Mathieu indoors. Desert, semi-aquatic and true aquatic Mathieus are particularly at risk of becoming too cold in the snow, while mountain Mathieus will struggle to keep cool on a scorching day.

If this is the case, consider taking your Mathieu to an indoor park. Most large towns and cities have at least one, which will often include features such as a large swimming pool with many enrichment toys like water slides. This is a great opportunity for your Mathieu to make friends with other species - for non-aquatic Mathieus, this may be their only chance to socialise with Matteos. Indoor parks will also usually offer golf, climbing frames, sand areas, both wet and dry mud, and much more!

me if you even care

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What a beautiful compilation of a year in the life of keeping a Mathieu! This happy Mathieu has a Roxanne as his mate, and also shares his enclosure with a bonded companion Lola. He is shown taking part in a wide variety of enriching activities, from visiting the beach to playing in his pool to golfing, and even some urban exploration during supervised outdoor time. Interspersed with these excitements are gentler moments, where we see him basking, enjoying social feeding and relaxing in his nesting spot. Although the original audio has been replaced, it is clear that there is a good deal of happy chirruping going on!

roxannebertels: The rainbow year ❤️🥹 one to cherish forever 🌈🫶🏼

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This Mathieu is showing off his skills as he plays with a bike during supervised outdoor time. Although not displaying rainbows, his cool blue display patterns likely reflect a Mathieu who is concentrating hard on what he is doing. He may be attempting to impress a mate or bonded companion, or perhaps his trusted keeper, but either way this clever Mathieu deserves lots of praise for his mastery of the tricks demonstrated!

Give him a bike, and magic will unfold.

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This juvenile Mathieu is enjoying rolling around dramatically on the ground during supervised outdoor time. This is a particularly clear example of how to identify a juvenile - the bold blocks of colour he is displaying are much simpler than the display of an adult Mathieu. However even at this age, his rainbows have already begun to appear in narrow bands. This Mathieu has chosen to roll in dry mud, so a simple dip in his pool afterwards may be enough for him to clean up. If your Mathieu prefers wet mud, specialist stores sell Mathieu-safe travel wipes, which may cut down on the amount of mud you have to clear out of his travel enclosure every time!

probably seen every koppenbergcross 2017 image in existence but every one is just so special

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This is a gorgeous gemmed Neilson! Originating in North America, the gentle and good natured Neilson is an underrated choice of companion. Trained emotional support Neilsons are becoming increasingly recognised worldwide, and may be especially valuable for nervous or rescued Mathieus.

Although quietly playful and with a definite sense of humour, Neilsons possess a very loving and devoted nature. Wild Neilsons live in tightly-knit communities, and it is not uncommon to find a covey of Neilsons who have 'adopted' an orphaned member of another species, such as a Sepp or even a Matteo.

Like a Jai, a Neilson's diet primarily consists of flowers, although they will opportunistically catch small live prey. Most Neilsons will enjoy a range of blooms, and pine cones make for a tasty treat!

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Pictured in a temporary enclosure, this beautiful dark-furred Wout is lounging comfortably. It is likely he has just fed, and is relaxing while he digests his meal, as he does not seem interested in interacting with the enrichment toys seen on the table. Wouts will often nap after they have eaten, however the story about them sleeping with one eye open is at least metaphorically true - only very unwary prey indeed dares to walk past a dozing Wout!

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This happy Mathieu is displaying vibrant rainbows as he socialises with friends during supervised outdoor time! Initially showing off his silver claw paint, which he is clearly very proud of, he is then pictured hunting as part of a group. He has access to plenty of flat ground suitable for rolling around dramatically, as well as shaded and sunny areas for temperature regulation.

He is then shown enjoying a social feeding, likely on freshly-caught prey. This is an excellent way to help your Mathieu make friends and practice his social skills. Lastly we see him playing on a bike beside the sea, with access to both wet and dry sand. With all of these activities to choose from, this is a very well-enriched Mathieu!

MVDP Day 😁

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'What are you doing?' Tadej asked. '... watching golf videos,' Mathieu lied.

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I'm just sending you lots of love for the nice words you wrote in your tag. I truly love what you're doing, you're the best ❤️

Without you and everyone else posting such excellent photos, the world would be entirely devoid of Mathieus to enrich 💜

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This is a beautiful Primož, showing off his exquisite display patterns during supervised outdoor time in the sunshine. Similarly to a fancy Mathieu, Primožes pride themselves on the depth, colour and clarity of their display, with these things being important in mate selection. This adult Primož has chosen to display the warm colours of the sunshine, blue sky and landscape around him, and will likely be quite a catch!

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Tibors often look like mini Mathieus in their blues and rainbow colors. If I'm considering a Tibor, would a Cam make a good bonded companion or mate?

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Mini Mathieus is a very good approximate description for Tibors! Only growing to around one-fifth the adult size of a Mathieu, a Tibor may be an excellent alternative for those who have limited space to devote to an enclosure.

Similarly to Mathieus, Tibors are skilled hunters who thrive in a wide range of habitats, although they are primarily found in sandy or muddy areas. A Tibor will also use his display patterns to signal mood and intentions, much like a Mathieu. However unlike Mathieus, Tibors do not need to bask, making them a good choice for those uncertain about running and maintaining a heat lamp setup.

An adult Tibor may be mistaken for a juvenile Mathieu, however his rainbows will form narrower bands. A Tibor will also remain blond throughout the year, whereas a Mathieu will grow blond curls only around mating season.

Tibors are highly active and playful, however due to their small size compared to Mathieus, a greater amount of enriching activities can be offered in the same amount of enclosure space. Unlike with every Mathieu, it is generally recommended to give your Tibor at least one bonded companion, if he has not yet chosen a mate. A Cam makes an excellent choice!

Similarly sized to the Tibor, Cams are opportunistic generalists who will forage when hunting prospects are slight. Often preferring rockier terrain, they happily coexist with Tibors, and a territory will often be shared peacefully. There have even been a few reports of joint hunts in the wild! This makes a Cam an excellent choice as a bonded companion for your Tibor.

A slightly larger enclosure will be needed than would be required for a solitary Cam. Don't forget to allow enough depth for your Tibor to dig out a cosy den, which the two will share, as well as some height to encourage climbing! A Cam will require some rocky areas (use gravel purchased from a specialist store, to ensure it is claw-safe for your Tibor), and at least one scratching post. Hides sized for a juvenile Mathieu are perfect.

Both a Cam and a Tibor will benefit from having an area of both wet and dry mud to play in. If this is not possible in their enclosure, a pool may be included instead, but try to offer access to mud during supervised outdoor time at least every other day. Consider investing in an easily wipeable travel enclosure!

Cams and Tibors both have highly energetic natures, and no matter the time of day you are likely to be able to spot one or both of them being active in their enclosure. More enrichment toys are definitely better. However once they have settled in, their sleep-wake cycles will usually synchronise with yours. If this is not entirely the case and your Tibor enjoys digging at night, specialist stores will offer 'quiet sand', allowing him to burrow to his heart's content without keeping you awake!

Hopefully that is enough information to help you make a decision - as always, speak to other keepers first - and if you do decide to adopt, please do send us in some pictures of your new bonded pair!

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This well-socialised juvenile Mathieu is shown being examined at the vet. Despite what can sometimes be a stressful situation, he remains calm and relaxed, suggesting he is accustomed to receiving regular checkups.

Visiting the vet can be difficult for some Mathieus, especially those who associate these visits only with being sick or injured. Always pack a couple of favourite comfort items for his travel enclosure and a distraction for the waiting room, however it is best not to bring a mate or bonded companion. A mate who picks up on your Mathieu's stress and anxiety will only become distressed themselves. It is better to model calm, quiet behavior, so your Mathieu can see there is no danger.

To help your Mathieu practice for his medical care, multiple strategies are recommended. These should include regular socialisation - never force your Mathieu to engage, but frequent supervised outdoor time at a multi-species park rich with different scents will help him to realise these are non-threatening. If he struggles with being examined, it may be he is insecure whilst being handled. It may help to allow the vet to 'examine' you first while your Mathieu is watching!

Mathieu van der Poel gets a special treatment

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This golden French fancy Mathieu is shown snuggling with a Tadej in a temporary enclosure. The Mathieu's body language is very gentle, as he prepares for an embrace, but then checks himself and waits until his tufted companion is ready. Although they briefly pull apart, both eagerly lean back in again, and the pair are likely bonded companions.

Note the very loose jersey, telling us this this Mathieu is ready to shed. It may be that he is seeking reassurance from his companion - the clever and dextrous Tadej can be a good assistant during shedding, helping your Mathieu to reach all the spots he usually struggles with!

Mathieu van der Poel & Tadej Pogačar Tour de France 2021 - Stage 5

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This Mathieu is being used for advertising purposes, however it is unclear whether he has been trained to do so. Pictured in a temporary enclosure, a heat lamp is present however it is far too close, risking skin damage or even burns. There do not appear to be any enrichment toys for this Mathieu to play with between takes save for a single water bottle, with phone time the only distraction available. No handler is shown, and it is likely that an untrained Mathieu is being used. He does not appear to be deriving any joy from this activity, and as soon as he is removed from the temporary enclosure immediately needs to bask, suggesting he had become too cold.

This is not ethical. If you wish to use a Mathieu for advertising purposes, hire a trained Mathieu, whose trusted handler will ensure his needs are met.

📸 cyclist.hamburg