The humid hide is great for species like corn snakes, kings and milks. But isn’t so good for species such as Green Tree Pythons which are a more delicate species that require higher humidity all the time.
Click here to view our selection of hides
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Snake having problems shedding its skin?
Every now and again I hear of a snake that has had a problem shedding its skin. This is surprising as it is something very easy to solve with the use of a humid hide, which is basically a hide with damp moss inside. The snake will seek the humidity of the hide when it needs it. This is a safer option than making the whole vivarium humid, as this can cause respiratory problems if you get it wrong. 
The humid hide is great for species like corn snakes, kings and milks. But isn’t so good for species such as Green Tree Pythons which are a more delicate species that require higher humidity all the time.
Click here to view our selection of hides
The humid hide is great for species like corn snakes, kings and milks. But isn’t so good for species such as Green Tree Pythons which are a more delicate species that require higher humidity all the time.
Click here to view our selection of hides
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Why Reptiles?
The truth is I don’t know!
I have always just found reptiles fascinating, dragging my mother round the reptile house at the Zoo from a very you age. I can’t put my finger on why I just love them. I don’t know if it is because they are misunderstood and often hated by people and I felt drawn to them because of that.
I have always loved Crocodiles, snakes and Lizards but it wasn’t until more recently that I became interested in turtles and tortoises. I started reading up more on tortoise because it was my weak subject when I was working in a reptile centre and have found that the more I learn the more I want to learn. I have only kept one species of turtle, Razorback Musk Turtle, which I managed to breed on the first attempt. They have great characters and are very entertaining, running on the floor of the tank rather than swimming.
The young are about the size of my thumbnail but quickly and get more confident the bigger they get.
Turtles and tortoise can be very rewarding to keep, but make sure you look into which species is best for you before buying one.They all have different requirements, some are easier than others.
I have always just found reptiles fascinating, dragging my mother round the reptile house at the Zoo from a very you age. I can’t put my finger on why I just love them. I don’t know if it is because they are misunderstood and often hated by people and I felt drawn to them because of that.
I have always loved Crocodiles, snakes and Lizards but it wasn’t until more recently that I became interested in turtles and tortoises. I started reading up more on tortoise because it was my weak subject when I was working in a reptile centre and have found that the more I learn the more I want to learn. I have only kept one species of turtle, Razorback Musk Turtle, which I managed to breed on the first attempt. They have great characters and are very entertaining, running on the floor of the tank rather than swimming.
The young are about the size of my thumbnail but quickly and get more confident the bigger they get.
Turtles and tortoise can be very rewarding to keep, but make sure you look into which species is best for you before buying one.They all have different requirements, some are easier than others.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Tuatara
The Tuatara is a reptiles from New Zealand, it looks like a lizard but isn’t one. This link will tell you more about that. They are incredibly long lived and have slow a metabolism, taking 15 years to reach maturity and breeding every 2-5 years. Some experts think that 200 year lifespan is possible.
I have just read this article, and it states that the Tuatara is evolving 10 times faster than the average animal. This is very strange as the Tuatara has remained almost unchanged for 220 million years.
I imagine this is due to what has happened in more recent history. Polynesian rats have been introduced onto many of the island which the tuataras inhabit. The rats would not only compete with the tuataras for food by eating insects but will actually eat their eggs and young.
On many of the islands the rats have been removed, to help the Tuataras and this seems to be working very well.
I wonder if it is all this disruption that has made them evolve at such a rate.
I first saw Tuataras at Chester Zoo when I did some work experience many years ago, I found them interesting but I didn’t appreciate them until I went to New Zealand. Unfortunately I never got to see them in the wild but I did see many captive ones. Including Henry in Invercargill, who has recently become a father at the age of 111. Now that’s good going.
I have just read this article, and it states that the Tuatara is evolving 10 times faster than the average animal. This is very strange as the Tuatara has remained almost unchanged for 220 million years.
I imagine this is due to what has happened in more recent history. Polynesian rats have been introduced onto many of the island which the tuataras inhabit. The rats would not only compete with the tuataras for food by eating insects but will actually eat their eggs and young.
On many of the islands the rats have been removed, to help the Tuataras and this seems to be working very well.
I wonder if it is all this disruption that has made them evolve at such a rate.
I first saw Tuataras at Chester Zoo when I did some work experience many years ago, I found them interesting but I didn’t appreciate them until I went to New Zealand. Unfortunately I never got to see them in the wild but I did see many captive ones. Including Henry in Invercargill, who has recently become a father at the age of 111. Now that’s good going.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
