#hit post instead of save draft which is why this is in two halves

[is-this-mathieu-enriched]

It is not clear what the Mathieu above is doing, as he is standing too close to the camera system in his temporary enclosure, but his bright rainbows show that he is enriched and enjoying himself!

This photograph of a true aquatic Mathieu, shown cuddling with a Roxanne while basking, has an unposed and natural quality.

3) Matching accessories

Most Mathieus love to dress up, although this behaviour is particularly strong among fancy Mathieus. Hats, sunglasses, scarves and more can be purchased from the Fancy Mathieu section at any specialised store (including for Mathieus who suffer from wool allergies). Matching accessories for Mathieu and owner will make him feel like the most stylish and proud Mathieu in the park during supervised outdoor time. They may also aid in identifying him from a distance, especially if he is trying to hide while engaging in behaviour he knows he shouldn't! If he has bonded companions, don't forget to include them too.

Other gifts to consider:

Keeping a Mathieu is not cheap, and sometimes the most thoughtful gift can simply be to help with the essentials. Wet food, dry food, and materials for his nesting spot can all add up, and will all doubtless be truly appreciated.

Gifts for the Mathieu in your life:

You raise an important point about the wrapping paper - some wrapping paper can be toxic to a Mathieu if consumed. Most Mathieus have enough sense not to try and eat paper, but better to be safe than a trip to the vet on Christmas day! Any exclusively plant-based paper will be fine, but avoid any containing plastic, glitter, or metal films. Tape should be avoided as much as possible, and removed promptly once he has opened his gift.

The personality of the specific Mathieu involved is important here. A fancy Mathieu may appreciate a new chew-safe mirror or new bedding items, to allow him to re-style his nesting spot. Claw paint can also be a big hit!

Working Mathieus may prefer enrichment toys, such as a few jumps for his enclosure, or a climbing area. Sometimes a gift doesn't need to be a physical item, and working Mathieus may enjoy a trip to a new park, especially if it has challenging terrain ideal for active play.

A harness-trained Mathieu may enjoy a new harness - fancy Mathieus in particular can become shy if they feel the colour of their harness is insufficiently demure and mindful. He will likely signal his preferences with his display patterns, so try to match the shade to these.

It must be mentioned that there will always be Mathieus who get more fun out of playing with the cardboard box that his gift comes in than from the gift itself. Don't let him try to eat it!

Lastly, don't forget comfort items. Every Mathieu will have his own preferences, but these are especially important for juveniles and older Mathieus. Favourite treats are also always a winner.

Hopefully the ideas above will give you a starting point, or perhaps spark an idea which will be perfect for your sister's Mathieu. Hope the holidays are good to you, her and her Mathieu - and please do feel free to send in some pictures of the two of them opening their gifts!

my sister got a mathieu this year and i was wondering if you had any ideas for gifts for the mathieu owner in your life (and a gift maybe i could wrap up for her mathieu too? is the paper safe for him?). i hope the holiday season treats you well!

What a thoughtful and timely question! Every Mathieu owner is of course as different as their Mathieu, but here are a few classics which almost everyone will welcome:

1) An in-enclosure camera system

Have you ever wondered what your Mathieu gets up to when you're not there? Found yourself fretting about him while at work? A camera feed could be the answer.

Multiple systems exist, most of which can stream live to your phone, giving you peace of mind that he isn't picking at a sore foot or getting himself stuck in a hide he has grown out of. Do be aware however that camera systems are not Matej-proof, and a sufficiently determined Tadej may also attempt to dismantle one.

Camera systems can also be set to capture only moments of activity - a Mathieu will spend much of his alone time sleeping - and this can lead to some charming candid snaps of him going about his day life. Which leads on to:

2) A professional photography shoot

Every Mathieu owner is proud of their Mathieu's handsome looks, whether he is a fancy Mathieu or a working breed. Most Mathieus are equally proud of their own beauty! Why not capture that forever with a set of professionally taken photographs?

Most specialist stores will offer an in-store photography service, however for a modest additional fee it is usually possible to arrange for the photographer to attend at home, or even during supervised outdoor time. Many Mathieu keepers will choose to have photos taken of their Mathieu's favourite activities, such as hunting, active play, or just snuggling against his trusted handler.