|
We do not always see things as they are; we see things as we think they are. Our natural assumption is that our 3-D color vision is the best. We rarely stop to consider that it may be vastly inferior to that of other species. almost all mammals do not have color vision; they see only in monochrome. Mammals evolved at a time when their survival was best accomplished by being active only at night. Color vision was not necessary for their nocturnal behavior, so they lost it...... › View
|
|
|
This common and painful, affliction can be avoided with proper captive husbandry. › View
|
|
|
For reptile hatchlings, newly emerging frogs, and small lizards and amphibians, the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) is essential. And if you have any animals (such as adult frogs) that find D. melanogaster simply too small to bother with, you could try offering the larger D. hydei... › View
|
|
|
Recently, there has been an increase in reports concerning, Salmonella infections in humans from their pet herps, especially iguanas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the number of iguana-linked Salmonella infections in people has climbed from one reported case in 1989 to 67 in 1995. Salmonella is a zoonotic disease, meaning that it is contagious from animals to man.... › View
|
|
|
Before developing a safety plan for reptile displays, it is useful to learn some basic principles of personal injury, or liability, laws. You can protect yourself by understanding several traditional liability principles and their supporting rationales. This article does not offer legal advice, nor does it discuss specific liability laws, statutes and regulations that vary from state to state. › View
|
|
|
Herpetoculture's level of sophistication has grown by leaps and bounds over the last several years. new and highly innovative products and techniques continue to be made available, including advanced lighting, heating and cooling devices; greatly improved caging and terrarium enclosures; improvements in dietary offerings; sophisticated sexing techniques and more. Despite this, there appears to be a chronic lack of affordability in the reptile incubator department. While commercial incubator units are available, they are relatively expensive, not especially spacious, and are generally only modified for reptile egg incubation.... › View
|
|
|
Every scientist knows the value of carefully recording observations. The information collected during scientific studies is invaluable when a researcher tries to repeat an experiment or attempts to avaid mistakes made previously. Records are also the blueprints that allow others to perform tasks that may have seemed imposible at one time...... › View
|
|
|
Everyone who keeps reptiles or amphibians that require live food, should raise at least one feeder insect to cover emergencies. Of the small live foods that can be raised, the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) is accepted by the widest variety of reptiles and amphibians (and many of us keep more than one species), and is also the easiest to keep. Mealworms are oderless, clean, tolerant of widely varying temperatures, and require minimal space and attention....... › View
|
|
|
Crickets are the universal food for most insect eating reptiles, amphibians, scorpions and large spiders. Raising your own crickets is easy and only takes a few minutes a day. Most of the materials needed to set up a colony are around your house. Crickets feast royally on fines from the dog food bag and vegetable trimmings. Crickets aren't messy or smelly and the male's song is pleasant. The biggest drawback is making room for the rearing boxes.
Raising your own crickets has several advantages over purchased or wild-caught crickets. You can have the optimum size morsel available for any sized predator. You won't run out of crickets after work or on weekends when the pet store is closed. You can nutrient-load your crickets as part of their daily diet so nutritious crickets are always ready with no additional work. You can also be assured that your crickets haven't been exposed to chemicals that could be harmful to your animals.
The house or hearth crickt, Acheta domestica, and the field crickets (referred to here as Gryllus species), can all be used as feeder insects with equal success. Acheta domestica is dark yellow or brown and a native to Europe, although it's now naturalized in some areas of the United States. Gryllus species include the black field crickets native to North America. All of these crickets lay their eggs in soil and methods used in culturing them is identical. › View
|
|
|
A Quick Checklist (view for complete suggestions)
1.) Check your reptile's cage. Make sure the temperature and humidity range is adequate for your pet. Remove any materials and substrate that could be toxic or harmful to your pet, or that might cause unhygienic conditions, such as uneaten food and droppings.
2.) Examine the animal and evaluate its physical condition. Learn what is normal for its age and species, and for your individual reptile; and pay attention to any abrupt changes. Check for problems with respiration, discharge from the nose and mouth, and skin discoloration, wounds or other abnormalities. If necessary, open teh animal's mouth and check for healthy color.
3.)Look carefully for mites or other external parasites, especially near the vent and in the folds of skin around the ears and legs. You may wish to use a magnifying glass.
4.) Check the animal's stool for parasites or other abnormalities. You should familiarize yourself with what a normal, healthy dropping looks like, so you can recognize any aberration.
5.) Know what is normal behavior for your animal. Pay attention to its eating, sleeping and locomotion habits, and note when any changes occur.
Most of the problems you will encounter, such as mites or a dirty cage, can be solved quickly and at home. But if you discover any warning signs of a more serious health problem, seek expert advice and treatment right away. The longer you delay, the worse your pet's chances of recover. › View
|
|