Posted by Sarah on July 14, 2009
I think I’ve always been interested in reptiles and amphibians, although to tell you the truth if i was out walking and a snake I’d never seen before crossed my path I’d be a little nervous.
I loved watching the skinks, lizards, and toads that occasionally made their way to the house when I was younger, but I’d never had one as a pet until I was in college.
While I was in college I got the first of many African Dwarf Frogs, and after I got married we started getting reptiles, starting with the ball pythons, the panther chameleons, and ending with our leopard gecko.
How long have you been interested in reptiles and amphibians?
Do you have any now?
How long have you had them if you do, and are you planning on getting any if you don’t?
Posted by Sarah on March 17, 2009
Do you take your reptiles outside, or if you’re in warmer climates, keep them outside.
We all know that sunlight is good for reptiles, and I’ve heard a few people recommend taking chameleons outside so that they can get some natural sun for a while.
We haven’t taken our chameleons outside, because they never really liked being handled.
Now that Skye is dead, Sully doesn’t mind being handled as much, so we will probably try to take him outside for a few hours if we are ever home when it’s warm enough, and it isn’t too windy.
If we do take him outside we are planning to keep him in his baby cage, and we will stay out there the whole time to make sure nothing gets him.
We’ve also taken our snakes out to play in the grass.
Sheila doesn’t move around much, but Monty likes to explore.
Do you take your reptiles outside?
Why or why not?
Do they like it?
Posted by Sarah on March 3, 2009
Panther Chameleon Climbing on Top of Cage
I stole this topic from the Northern Lights Aquatics Fish Blog, but I think it’s a good one.
Do you know when your reptiles are trying to tell you something?
I’ve often heard that snakes soaking in water bowls is a sign of mites, and that was the case with Sheila, who had mites when we got her.
We noticed her soaking and soaking, but it took a while before we could actually see the mites on her.
Once we noticed we had mites we ordered some Povent A Mite, after trying a few other things that didn’t help, and Sheila hasn’t had a problem with mites since then.
You can also determine if your reptiles are too hot or too cold by determining where they spend most of their time in the cage.
Reptiles need a temperature gradient (a hot and a cool end of the cage) so they can regulate their body heat by moving around in the cage, but if your reptile is always in the cool end of the cage, or always in the hot end, or sitting as close to the heat lamp or heat source as he can get then the temperature in the cage probably needs to be adjusted.
Just be sure to change the temperature gradually, you don’t want to get the reptiles too hot or too cold.
If you are using light bulbs as heat sources be sure to be careful when you change the bulb – different brands of bulbs give off different amounts of heat, and a 40 watt bulb in one brand might not harm your pet, but a 40 watt bulb from another brand might be hot enough to burn your reptile.
Another way reptiles can tell you something is wrong is by not eating.
Although some snakes and some chameleons go on a “hunger strike” during winter, not eating can be a sign of illness, so it’s up to you to determine if your pet is not eating because of the time of year and the weather, or if it’s sick and requires a vet visit.
Have your reptiles ever tried to tell you something with the way they acted?
What were they trying to tell you?
What are some other ways that reptiles can try to tell you that something is wrong, or that something is right?
Posted by Sarah on February 24, 2009
Do you follow species appropriate safety procedures when you’re dealing with your reptiles?
Our reptiles ( a panther chameleon, a leopard gecko, and 2 ball pythons) aren’t large or dangerous enough that we need to follow many safety precautions to protect us.
Have you ever been lax in your safety precautions – for example, taken a large snake out of the cage without another person there to help?
If so did anything happen (I hope not) or did you see how something could happen?
I think we all get lax with a routine at times.
After you’ve done something so many times, it seems like nothing.
Of course, after helping hold an 18 foot snake, I know I’d always have to have someone help me with a large snake because I’m not strong enough to handle one alone – especially if it starts going wild.
At the same time I can see how someone would want to try it by themselves after they’ve done it over and over again with no problems, instead of going through the hassle of finding someone to help, and waiting for them to be ready to help.
What do you think?
Posted by Sarah on February 17, 2009
What’s your favorite reptile?
Can you pick just one?
I think my favorite would have to be the bearded dragon.
They are so cute!
What’s your favorite reptile?
Have you ever owned one?
Would you if you could?
