February 26, 2010

Creating Perfect Bearded Dragon Habitats

by Sam Patrolio

When properly cared for, lizards make great companions. One popular type of pet lizard is the bearded dragon. This guide will provide information the lifestyle and general care of the bearded dragon and also tell you how to set up a perfect bearded dragon habitat.

Native to Australia, the bearded dragon is a medium sized lizard with a long life span. Including the tail, these lizards can reach up to two feet in length, and they prefer a mixed diet of insects, baby mice, worms, and leafy vegetables. Fresh water should be provided daily, and it is also important to occasionally mist your lizard. Since these animals are very social, they can be kept together in large aquariums.

Since bearded dragons are from central Australia, they like hot, dry, wooded environments. In the wild, they are often found in bushes and trees, but also like to bask on warm rocks. To keep your lizard happy it is important to try to mimic this environment as closely as possible when constructing its habitat.

The first step to setting up a new habitat for your lizard is to choose the appropriate tank. Hatchlings are small and can be kept in standard aquariums measuring 10-15 gallons, but adults need much more space, approximately 55 gallons, such make sure you plan ahead. Bearded dragons are renowned escape artists, so make sure your tank has a tight fitting lid.

With your lizard’s enclosure in place, you next need to decide what type of bedding (also known as substrate) that you want to line the bottom of the tank with. A good substrate is easy to keep clean, absorbs liquids well, and easy to digest, just in case your lizard eats some. Most specialty stores sell substrate specifically designed for bearded lizards, but shredded newspaper works as well. Whatever you choose, be sure to avoid, kitty litter, cedar shavings, crushed corn cobs, or gravel as this can be bad for your pet if ingested.

Once you’ve chosen a tank and bedding, it is time to decorate. Bearded lizards like to climb and to have places to had, so the more things to climb on and hidey-holes you provide, the happier your new pet will be. You can use oak sticks for climbing branches and smooth stones are good places for your lizard to bask. For a decorative touch, add live, non-toxic plants. Most of all, have fun and be creative!

Now that you have the tank decorated, it is time to start thinking about heat and light sources. Though it comes last, this is the most important part of habitat design. The tank must be kept between 78-88 degrees F during the day and no less than 70 degrees F at night. Incandescent light bulbs affixed to the lid of the tank are the best way to provide heat and light source. You should also purchase a special basking light to position over the area the lizard will bask.

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Filed under Reptiles by Sam Patrolio

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January 24, 2010

Jurassic Park Toys for Everyone

by Kate Jenkins

Who knew that a wide range of Jurassic park toys would rise to fame when a novel was transformed into a movie? The movie showcased the consequences of biological tampering where extinct dinosaur species were regenerated and brought back to existence. The plot begins with tied up sequences of weird animal attacks in Costa Rica and Isla Nublar which nobody can give meaning to.

A three toed lizard is the first dinosaur species identified with the unfolding of the story; this creature is then considered as the major cause of the attacks presented early on. These uncommon animals are depicted through a series of Jurassic park toys which have been released with the actual film. InGen’s billionaire owner invited a team of paleontologists to the island housing this magnificent creatures; the tem consisted of a veteran paleontologist and an intern he is working with.

International Genetic Technologies or InGen for short is the main science facility responsible for the genetic experimentation and revival of different dinosaur species. This InGen patriarch created an enclosure esplanade where biological preservation is the main job done but little did the visitors know that they were to expect unbelievable creatures in the enclosure. From the concept of being extinct, the enclosure has developed a way of bringing these monsters back into the modern world; Jurassic park toys aim to deliver similar results in a way that people can be exposed to replicas of these creatures but of course safer versions of the sort.

Upon the group’s arrival on the island, they came across different species of cloned dinosaurs that were sourced through damaged DNA from mosquitoes who sucked up dinosaur blood and got preserved in amber. As the damage has created gaps in the overall genetic code of the mosquito DNA, the facility was working by filling in these gaps with avian, amphibian, and reptilian DNA to complete the code. Population control was regulated by breeding only female dinosaurs and the same concept was applied to the Jurassic park toys where each dinosaur figure will resemble that of only female counterparts per species.

Jurassic park toys were later developed to reflect the male counterparts to the initial females as you will see why when you see the movie. The plot unraveled with the drastic alteration of the breeding scheme in the movie where the facility’s original purpose was surpassed and the original plan of action violated. Jurassic park was shut down abruptly as the situation on the island can no longer be controlled properly and it was done also to protect the people involved.

The enclosure owned a number of dinosaur eggs so these may be seen in some Jurassic park toys most probably in the play sets with the laboratory setting. In the movie, an employee stole some eggs and planned on selling them; he was later blocked by a dinosaur. When the park was closed off and the systems shut down, security barriers were also shut down in the process.

Dinosaurs were released as the security barriers went down causing more problems for Jurassic park. Jurassic park toys were designed to also showcase the huge Tyrannosaurus Rex that was the main dinosaur character in the first film from the franchise. The Tyrannosaurus Rex created chaos in the island; it also caused a number of people and other animals to perish on the island.

The first Jurassic park movie ended happily of course as the island was controlled; the same went for the dinosaurs living there; but as with any film, new plots and thrills came about in the following films. The succeeding films involved new characters and so new Jurassic park toys were created for these. You can find everything for everyone with Jurassic park merchandise and whatever item you pick will definitely bring you utmost joy.

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Filed under Reptiles by Kate Jenkins

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January 23, 2010

Secrets Of Caring For Baby Red Eared Sliders

by Byron Joseph

Things To Know About Baby Red Eared Sliders

Baby red eared sliders have been equipped for survival through millions of years of evolution, yet most of them still perish in the wild when they are very young. As such, it is important that you provide the proper environment to help your turtle be as healthy and happy as he can be.

Feeding Baby Red Eared Sliders

What to feed baby red eared sliders is something you’ll need to know. Your turtle will eat small insects or dried krill along with vegetation such as leafy greens and aquatic plants. The older they get, the more herbivorous they will become. Keeping your turtle’s diet varied is the best way to keep it healthy and make sure it gets all of the vitamins and nutrients that it needs.

How to House Baby Red Eared Sliders

Baby red eared sliders require a home and that can sometimes be expensive. Its tank should be at least twenty gallons to start, but you should realize that you will need about ten gallons of water per inch of turtle. Your turtle can grow up to 14 inches long, so you should take into account the fact that you will need to buy a larger tank eventually for your turtle.

Baby red eared sliders are aquatic turtles, but they cannot breathe under water, so you will have to have a “land” area for them to rest on. Filters for the water and heat lamps to keep your turtle warm will also be necessary. You should be prepared to spend the time and money necessary to make sure your turtle is comfortable and that all of its needs are provided for. If you’re not, your turtle may become unhealthy or may have a shortened lifespan.

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Filed under Reptiles by Byron Joseph

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January 17, 2010

Tips To Building A Great Red Eared Slider Pond

by Byron Joseph

Red Eared Slider Pond Tools and Equipment

If you want to build a red eared slider pond correctly, it is important to start with the right tools. You should set aside about three hours for the project if you want to do it right. In addition to sufficient water, you should make sure you have a shovel, fencing, materials for the turtle to bask in and a plastic liner. This can be a small children’s swimming pool or other non-permeable plastic.

Getting Started Building Your Red Eared Slider Pond

You should first decide how elaborate you want the pond to be and how much time you’re willing to invest in it, since these two go together. After you have decided, you need to grab your shovel and start digging. Dig a depression big enough to fit your liner in. Do not cut corners and make sure you do not give your turtle a chance to escape by failing to put in the effort in this stage. This is the hardest part, but your hard work will show when you have completed the pond.

After you’ve hollowed out the hole, simply insert your liner. The easiest thing to use for this is a cheap child’s swimming pool. It is inexpensive, durable and watertight. You then need to stack enough material for the turtle to get out of the water. Surround it with fencing to prevent escape and voila!, you’re done.

Maintaining Your Red Eared Slider Pond

You should be mindful that you will also need to maintain your red eared slider pond. How much work that will take depends on how clean you want it to be. Inspect it for holes in the fencing and leaks. Also, be sure to check the water level frequently. You need to also look for debris that may have fallen in, such as leaves, acorns or pieces of wood. You should clean it out entirely and change the water if you notice fungi or algae.

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Filed under Reptiles by Byron Joseph

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January 6, 2010

Red Eared Slider Tank Building Made Easy

by Byron Joseph

What Your Turtle Needs In Its Tank

When you build your red eared slider tank, you have to make sure you have the proper equipment. The size of your turtle will determine what size tank you need, but you can generally start with a tank that is 20 to 55 gallons. One way to estimate the proper size is to have ten gallons of water for every inch of turtle. For example, if your turtle is six inches long you should have about a sixty gallon tank. Using this rule will help you find the right size to make your turtle its healthiest.

Your turtle’s tank must have water and a “land” area. Make sure the water is deep enough that the turtle can be submersed completely. Keep in mind that your red eared slider is aquatic and spends much of its time in the water. But because your turtle cannot breathe under water, it need a land area to rest on. Do not use organic materials, but stick to things like rocks for the land area. If you include things like wood chips, your turtle may eat them (which is bad for its health) or they may rot and grow fungus.

To keep the water clean, you can opt for a filtering system. In the absence of one, you will need to watch your turtle’s tank water to ensure that it remains clean. If there is too much of your turtle’s waste it can make it sick and unhealthy.

If you do use a filtration system, be sure that it does not suck in the water too hard. Your turtle can drown if it gets caught in the filtration system and stays submerged for too long.

The Right Temperature Inside Your Red Eared Slider Tank

It is important to have the right temperature inside your red eared slider tank. One thing that is important for your indoor pet turtle is to try to keep it warm. Ideally, their surroundings should be kept at 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. You can lower the temperature 5-10 degrees at night. You should use a heat lamp to keep the tank at an ideal temperature.

You should avoid dramatic shifts in temperature for your turtle. This can happen when you move a turtle from indoor to outdoor, or vice versa. Turtles can be sensitive to sudden environmental changes due to the fact that they are cold-blooded. To learn more about red eared sliders and how to build a red eared slider tank, click on the link above.

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Filed under Reptiles by Byron Joseph

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October 10, 2009

Spitting Cobras

by Colin Jones

The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if you get cobra venom in your eyes, irrigate them with water at once in order to prevent permanent tissue damage.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also unusual in this large family of snakes (elapidae) because it feeds almost exclusively on other snakes with mice and small birds also making up part of its diet.

The King Cobra is also unique because of its size - it can reach 5.85m (almost 20 feet) in length, which makes it the longest poisonous snake in the world. The latest discovery of a new species of cobra was made in 2003 when it was identified by London Zoo as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets.

According to DNA studies this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but different in terms of genes. It appears to have originated in an area between Sudan and Egypt, and it was given the name of the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Though highly dangerous when it is threatened cobras will not attack if you leave them alone, although the spit is very accurate for about two meters. Compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is fairly slow in its attack and furthermore, many bites prove to be blank, that is without venom.

According to a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims only 55% of the bites involved venom release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of 10% for people bitten, since the toxins injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxin) , which induces respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten, giving you 30 minutes to get help.

Their colouration varies from light green-grey to black, although juveniles are yellow and black banded.This snake is widespread throughout south-eastern Asia.

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Filed under Reptiles by Colin Jones

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September 9, 2009

Hunting Dinosaur Bedding

by Dino Roberts

Everyone wants some dinosaur bedding. Wait, you don’t? You mean you’re looking for dinosaur kids bedding, and not trying to make your own dinosaur bed? That’s a shame. More adults should be in to dinosaurs, in my opinion. What better way to feel young than to wake up with some dinosaur bed sheets on you that just scream, “Hey, we’re dinosaurs..we’re old…so you’re not.” Okay, maybe it wouldn’t really work that way and you’d end up just feeling silly every day. Hey, your call.

Dinosaur Twin Bedding

The most prevalent size of dinosaur bedding is going to be dinosaur twin bedding. The reasons are obvious. How many kids do you know have a king or queen sized bed? Some may, but they’re probably usually hand-me-downs that come complete with their own bed sets.

Dinosaur Toddler Bedding, Too

Even earlier in life, some parents buy dinosaur toddler bedding. The reason for buying expensive bedding for a toddler that doesn’t even know what a dinosaur is sort of eludes me, though. Maybe I’m just weird.

Dinosaur Baby Bedding, Baby!

Believe it or not, you can even get dinosaur baby bedding, though how in the world a baby would really know the difference I’ll never know. I suspect the effect is more for the parents, thinking it’s going to look cool. The only exception that I can think of is if an entire nursery was built around a dinosaur theme and the parents intended to turn it into a bedroom later on in the kid’s life. In that case, I guess it would make sense to get dinosaur nursery bedding.

Finding Dinosaurs Bedding

While checking out kids bedding, dinosaurs won’t always be the first thing you notice. It could be because Jurassic Park is kind of old now, but it can be a bit difficult at times to find a dinosaur bedding set. It’s probably easier to just buy a dinosaur bed in a bag online since they usually ship pretty cheaply as they’re pretty light. If you’re okay with a weird mix of bedding, then you may want to try getting some dinosaur bedding locally. However, you might get stuck with a Barney the dinosaur bed sheet under a purely evil looking Pterodactyl, and that would just be odd.

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Filed under Reptiles by Dino Roberts

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July 26, 2009

So, You Want A Pet Snake?,The Basics Of Snake Ownership,Are You Ready For Snake Care Responsibilities?

by Bella Holly

While raising a snake can be very rewarding, you must understand what responsibilities go into caring for a snake. You have to make sure that a pet snake is right for you and your family and that you have the facilities and time needed to be able to look after the snake. Since snakes require a carefully controlled climate and specific diet, the attention you put towards your snake could be considerate.

First it is good to know what type of snake you are buying to know what the best care for the snake is. You wouldn’t want to purchase a snake without understanding such things as snake skin shedding or eating live prey. There are many different types of snakes and all of them require different care, including the heat and humidity in their tank, their diet and the cage size. Doing your homework before buying a snake is definitely recommended, as care responsibilities vary between breeds. For instance, ball pythons may require different care than coral snakes. Once you know what type of snake you want to buy it will be easier for you to take care of the snake.

Make sure that you set up the cage for the snake so that it resembles its natural habitat. Many snakes prefer the hot weather but there are some snakes that prefer the cold to the hot. You also have to take into consideration the aggressiveness of your snake so that you can fit the cage around it, by doing this it will be easier to maintain the cage and also to feed the snake.

Snakes are very primal in their nature, and there is no such thing as a fully domesticated snake. That’s why it’s important that you only feed your snake the food that it would naturally hunt in the wild. When faced with the option of live or pre-killed prey, it is a matter that you will have to decide upon yourself. Some snakes simply will not touch pre-killed prey, while others can learn to adapt to it. Feeding a snake live prey is definitely something you should prepare yourself for in the event that your snake refuses pre-killed prey. If you are able to use pre-killed prey, it is very important that you preserve the food either-usually in the refrigerator-sealed away from your family’s food.

You must also remember to keep your snake very well hydrated. You can achieve this by leaving a small bowl of water in the cage so that the snake can drink when it wants to. Also you have to keep a routine check on your snake to make sure that it does not catch any illnesses or that it is injured in any way.

If you’ve decided that you’re definitely prepared for snake-care responsibilities, you can find pet snakes for sale in your local pet shop, on the Internet, or in the classified ads section of your local newspaper.

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Filed under Reptiles by Bella Holly

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July 12, 2009

Stalking Snakes and Reptiles

by Colin Jones

There are few places in the world that haven’t been colonised by snakes and other reptiles. Snakes can be even found in towns, although it is only the friendlier ones that tend to survive human wrath. However, if you want to look for some of the more uncommon snakes, you could try in parks and fields, on beaches or in rivers and ponds and even in the sea, depending on where you live, naturally, as sea snakes tend to swim in warmer, tropical waters.

You will need to be alert and train your eyes to spot even the slightest movement. Wear clothes of dull, drab colours and move slowly, stopping often to listen for movement in the grass or bushes. In the beginning, you will have many false hopes, until you learn to differentiate between the sounds of the different animals that live or hunt in the grass.

Snakes are hard to find, because most of the adventurous snakes get killed by frightened (and often ignorant) humans, but a good tip is to look for relatively damp areas in arid regions and, conversely, dry spots in damp areas. Look for where their prey might congregate. For example, near water for toads and frogs. Watch for frightened lizards or birds fleeing for their lives. And listen out for geckos warning each other of the presence of a predator.

If you have to disturb anything, at least don’t damage it and make sure you put it back as you found it. Two useful tools while out looking for snakes are binoculars (for tree snakes) and a snake-hook, which should also be used for moving bits of debris so that you don’t risk getting bitten by a snake or stung by a scorpion. A camera, a torch and a notebook and pen are more or less essential, depending on how seriously you treat your interest in herpetology.

You might also take a rule or tape to measure your specimens and a few plastic bags and boxes to hold them while you are doing it. However, do not harm anything and do not take anything away with you either! Besides it not being right to wander into their territory and cause them harm, it is frequently contrary to the law too. Be very wary of picking up any snake that you cannot 100% positively identify as non-venomous. You could be a long way from anywhere and will probably not have any anti-venom with you. Since many snakes can kill within 30 minutes, you would almost certainly die.

To summarize, go looking for snakes by all means. However, take it easy and slowly and wear inconspicuous clothing. Furthermore, wear strong, hiking boots to give you some protection where you are most vulnerable and do not disturb anything unnecessarily. Use a snake-hook to move things if you have to; a tape, torch, camera, notebook and pen to record your experience and/or findings and a couple of clear plastic receptacles just in case you feel that you have to pick something up.

I hope you enjoy your hunt for snakes and other reptiles, but remember that they are not friendly and they are certainly not pets and be wary of bites especially when your search is not taking place in the grounds of a hospital!

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Filed under Reptiles by Owen Jones

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July 3, 2009

Know Your Snakes

by Joshua Biggar

In the United States, each year an average of 8,000 people receive snake bites from venomous snakes. Some of these people are bitten from the result of not being able to identify the snake, while some others are bitten for the result of identifying the snake incorrectly and getting close to it thinking that it is safe to do so. Even the ‘harmless’, non-venomous snakes can cause a severe infection or an allergic reaction in many people.

If ever bitten by a venomous snake, most doctors give you antivenin, an antidote to cure snake bites, to treat a serious snake bite. Each antivenin is created in a horse’s blood serum when the horse is injected with snake venom. So they won’t just give you any snake venom, for if it is not from the right kind of snake it can be like giving you poison. They will give you the venom for the kind of snake that bit you. So what if you don’t know what kind of snake bit you? Well they normally have ways of finding that out, by the description of the snake or from the symptoms you have of the venom, but not all the time. For this reason it would be very useful to know your snakes.

For those who live on or near woody lands, swamps, or any source of water, it would be very good to know your snakes backwards and forward. Even the people who hunt, fish, hike, camp, and do other outdoor things. Knowing your snakes is really important. If you are any of these people above then take the time to learn all the snakes in your area or at least learn the basic features to tell the venomous and the non-venomous apart. For the one’s that don’t won’t to take the time at all, when you see a snake, do like some people would do and just run as fast as you can. This may save you from being bitten.

All you you really have to know about snakes to identify them is listed below:

1. body length - this is can be very useful if the snake is fully grown

2. body shape- this is a very effective way of identifying most snakes especially water snakes and water moccasins

3. head & neck shape - this is can be used to identify any snake and some times tell the venomous apart from the non-venomous

4. color & pattern - very effective to identify a snake with, it can be hard if the snake is shedding its skin or if the snake is a small snake

5. scale texture - if you can see the scales this can be useful, but you may have to get closer to the see to see it. I don’t recommend this way

6. eye pupil shape- this is probably the best way to tell the venomous and non-venomous snakes apart. If you can’t do this without getting close then forget this method

Now to summarize all I have written in a few words, KNOW YOUR SNAKES.

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Filed under Reptiles by Joshua Biggar

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