Reptiles Amphibians

Information About the Gecko - Henkel's Leaf-Tailed Gecko By Lorraine H O'connor

There are over 2000 different species of Geckos, inhabiting all sorts of regions from around the globe. Geckos are small-medium sized lizards and are abundant in warm, humid countries. Many Geckos fire an irritant liquid as a defense mechanism or, more notably, are able to "drop off" their tales.

The smallest of the species is the Dwarf Gecko (jaragua sphaero), measuring in at only 16mm. It was discovered off the coast of the Dominican Republic, on a small island in 2001. The largest of the species is believed to be the Kawekaweau or Delcourt's Gecko. Measuring 600mm, this huge gecko is assumed to have gone extinct over 100 years ago, at the end of the 1800's. The only specimen that still remains was a stuffed specimen 'found' in 1986 in the basement of the Marseille Museum. It was discovered by Alain Delcourt, hence its name.

The Gekkonidae family is home to some strange species of geckos, such as the Kuhl's Flying Gecko (Ptychozoon kuhli), Henkel's Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus), and many more. There are still many Gecko species/ sub-species yet to be found. Some species of Geckos are excellent as a beginner's exotic/reptilian pet. They do not need much space and do not eat much either. All reptiles are at risk of developing a deadly disease known as Metabolic Bone Disease. This applies to Geckos as well. It is very common in, so make sure you provide at least 8 hours of UV light and supplement their diet regularly. Some species can be harder to look after than others, but most are quite hardy and temperate, with care and looking after they should be fine. Make sure their diet is supplemented, as it always should be, and that you have a good insurance provider in case anything goes wrong, as always.

Here is a site I recommend:- http://www.pet-insurance4you.co.uk/exotic-pet-insurance.

Here is some more information on MBD:- http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesgeneral/a/metabolicbd.htm

Corn Snake Information By Lorraine H O'connor

Corn Snakes (Elaphe guttata), also known as the Red Rat Snake, are native only to North America. They kill their small prey using constriction. There is a maize-like pattern on their underside, and they were commonly found in corn fields, hence the name "Corn Snake".

Corn Snakes are popular pet snakes due to their calm and docile nature, unwillingness to bite, small adult size, colorful and intricate patterns, and they are very simple to take care of. They live about 15-20 years in the wild, however may live up to 23 years in captivity. Similar to other rat snakes, the Corn Snake is not venomous.

The Common Corn Snake (Elaphe guttata guttata) comes from the southeastern United States, and is notably easily distinguished by its orange/brown appearance with a mix of orange/red bands. These bands have black borders, and commonly have an underside which is black and white. Being one of the first snakes to be kept in captivity by people, the Corn Snake continues to be one of the most popular snakes used as pets. Annually, large numbers of Corn Snakes are bred to make sure that there is a large supply of captive-bred Corn Snakes. Keeping 2 of these Snakes together is inadvisable, as they are solitary animals.

These snakes are a very good choice of pet for those wanting to have an exotic/reptilian pet. They still need a large amount of care and looking after, but not as much as other species. Make sure their diet is supplemented and that you have a good insurance provider in case anything goes wrong.

Here is a site I recommend:- http://www.pet-insurance4you.co.uk/exotic-pet-insurance/

Here is some more information on MBD:- http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesgeneral/a/metabolicbd.htm

Top Tips to Care For Healthy Pet Snakes By Helene M Malmsio

Snakes, in general, are viewed very differently by people all across the world. Some think of snakes as evil or demonic creatures which have great poisonous fangs and slimy skin. Others think of snakes as beautiful, docile creatures which have a great soothing effect on owners.

Both versions have some place in the world when it comes to snakes. There are extremely dangerous and even deadly snakes in the world. It is typically snakes that make the best television and drama in the animal kingdom. Due to most people's limited exposure to snakes, this may be their only experience they ever have with the animal.

Because of this, many people will fail to realize what an amazing pet they can make. They are low maintenance, they are not slimy at all, and they are odorless. Caring for one does require following some guidance, so you must accept some level of responsibility when deciding to care for a healthy pet snake.

Before even considering a pet snake, a good deal of research is required to see if owning a pet snake is the best thing for you. Buy a book on taking care of pet snakes and a book on caring for snakes in general. Learn about them and what they are like before buying one.

It is important to make sure that a snake is the right pet for you. It is also important to gather information on the different types of pet snakes and to ensure you buy from a breeder rather than getting a wild snake.

Wild snakes tend to make poor pets, while bred snakes are less inclined to be defensive about human contact. When someone's hobby or job is to breed snakes, they take the utmost care in ensuring everything there is when it comes to snake health.

A healthy, happy snake can make a delightful companion. A happy pet snake is one that has the proper enclosure necessary to resemble their habitat. Just like a human's home, a snake must have a temperature-controlled enclosure to be mentally and physically comfortable.

They are cold blooded, so this is necessary for their survival. Different snakes have different requirements, so before buying a pet snake, you should ensure you are buying the snake that best suits you. Again, a snake ebook on snake care is the best way to learn about your specific breed of snake.

Regardless of the breed, all pet snakes require the same basic enclosure. It must be completely sealed so that they cannot escape. It must be breathable and easy to clean.

In addition to knowing about the snake's living habitat, it is also important to know about their eating habits. All snakes need plenty of fresh water. Food may vary depending on the species, so research your pet snake to make sure you feed them the right food.

Most snakes eat rodents, but some may have other requirements. Pet snakes also tend to eat about once a week. Young snakes eat a bit more often. Once every few months a snake will shed its skin, so be on the lookout for that if you decide to take care of a snake pet.

During this time, the snake will likely refuse to eat. It is important that live food be removed from the enclosure, or the pet snake itself could become the dinner.

While these are all good general tips, the only way to be entirely sure your snake is properly cared for is to understand the snake itself. By ensuring you purchase the right snake for you and that you have a living situation that is specific to that kind of snake, you can make sure that you and your snake are happy companions together.

Some snakes can live for over 20 years, so you are entering into a long term relationship when you decide to take care of a pet snake. It should be the best possible relationship for both you and your pet snake.

Snakes care, no matter what you choose as your pet, has indeed never been easy. For pet snakes, your responsibility doesn't end when you have chosen the species. You should be familiar with appropriate care and feeding, the behavioral characteristic, and the commitment to keep this exotic pet. It is actually just the beginning of a long-term complex relationship.

The Ultimate Guide to Pet Snakes is from front to finish an easy to follow guide on every possible thing you would need to know on owning, breeding and caring for healthy snakes as pets. You can learn more about our pet snake book here: http://www.squidoo.com/healthy-pet-snakes

What Do Pet Snakes Eat to Stay Healthy? By Helene M Malmsio

As many people have discovered over the years, snakes can make wonderful pets. Though they are feared by many people, and for good reason, pet snakes can be one of the more relaxing and docile pets available when they are happy and healthy.

The first steps to having a healthy relationship with your pet snake is making sure that you choose the right one for you. In addition, you must also have a clean and safe environment in which they can live.

While they require only a little maintenance in the form of cleaning their habitat, snakes are like any other animal when it comes to dietary health. Not all snakes eat the same thing or eat in the same way. It is very important to understand your snake's feeding habits and decide whether the snake is for you.

For instance, some snakes will only eat live food. This can pose a problem for some people who may not be comfortable feeding living animals to a snake pet.

If the idea of dropping live mice in your snake habitat seems cruel, you may want to consider another pet. In many instances, snakes will consume dead animals, but this still means keeping a bag of frozen mice in your freezer.

Since snakes are carnivores, and in some cases insectivores, their diet is fairly simple. They consume whole meals, which means that they do not eat only the meat from their prey. They swallow the entire thing. Because of this, maintaining their dietary healthy is actually fairly simple.

However, not all snakes eat only rodents. Some snakes eat frogs in the wild. Other snakes catch birds or raid nests and eat only eggs. Many snakes are very small or prefer to eat insects. Some snakes even feed on other snakes.

The fact is that most snakes people breed or buy as pets are non-venomous rodent-eating snakes. Finding out what your snake prefers is very important to keeping the snake's diet appropriate for the snake. When someone's job is to breed snakes, you can ensure that your snake will be of the best stock.

You must also know your snake's eating habits through and though. Some snakes prefer smaller rodents or insects, with fewer bones and may be apt only to eat pinkies, otherwise known as baby mice, since they do not have a developed skeleton.

If you are uncomfortable with this, you must be sure you stick to a snake that suits you. While most snakes can be trained to consume dead food, some prefer live food. This can be very dangerous for the snake.

When in an enclosure, it is very possible for a hungry house to turn the tables. A snake who loses the advantage of surprise against living prey, or a snake who is shedding can very easily become a meal.

Mice will kill and eat a snake if they get the chance. It is possible to train snakes to consume dead mice, but watch out for bites. Snakes bites are quick to become infected.

Keeping a pet snake's diet stable and ensuring his health is crucial at all times. A pet snake's diet, and how often they need to eat, can be very specific to the breed. It is important to make sure you have the right information necessary to take care of a healthy pet snake.

It is always a good idea to search online for a snake ebook about your specific snake, or even taking care of snakes in general, before you purchase the pet yourself. A good ebook will allow you to research if a snake is an appropriate pet for you and which snake is best for you.

Boa Information By Lorraine H O'connor

The word Boa is the name for snakes in the family Boidae, which are capable of bearing live young; they are found mostly in America (North and South). The family Boidae also contains Pythons capable of laying eggs, along with some of the largest snakes on the planet, and some of the smallest ones. Snakes in the boa family contain two lungs instead of one, and the remainders of hind limbs; the primitive characteristics shown by Boa's are evidence of their similarities to lizards. Both of the two minuscule leg bones end with a tiny, spiky claw.

To catch their prey, Boa's strike with their large fangs and hurl their bodies into a crushing vice-like grip around the victim. Then the Boa squeezes its prey, so that it is unable to breath, and eventually it suffocates. Like many types of snakes, Boas tend to swallow their prey whole. There are over 30 different Boa species found from South America to Mexico, with the greatest variety existing in the tropic regions. Boas mainly come under three different groups of Boa: Terrestrial, Burrowing (In sandy places such as Deserts) and Aboreal (Tree Snakes).

Some Boas are exquisitely coloured, such as the Emerald Tree Boa. By far, the best known Boa is the Boa Constrictor, whose habitat is a number of terrestrial habitats from Central Argentina to South Mexico. It has brown markings along its back, commonly a diamond shape. It is one of the longest and thickest of all snakes.
These snakes are not a good choice of pet for those looking for a beginner's exotic/reptilian pet. They need a very large amount of space and regular feeding, as well as lots of care and looking after. Make sure their diet is supplemented well and that you have a good insurance provider in case anything goes wrong, as always.

Here is a site I recommend: http://www.pet-insurance4you.co.uk/exotic-pet-insurance/
You also have to be careful of Snakes such as Boa's and Pythons, because they tend to develop harmful diseases such as Metabolic Bone Disease, which is very common in all reptiles. Make sure you provide at least 8 hours of UV light and supplement their diet regularly. Here is some more information on MBD:- http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesgeneral/a/metabolicbd.htm