FAQs About Reptiles in General Related Articles: Reptiles, Turtles, Amphibians,  Related FAQs:  Other Reptiles,  Non-Aquatic Reptiles, Terrestrial Turtles/Tortoises (Including Box, Wood Turtles,), Amphibians,

UV Lighting for Reptiles: A new problem with high UVB output fluorescent compact lamps and tubes?  7/15/08 Hi Neale Christine over this way. I just wanted to thank you for all you help answering all my questions. Also I just came across this on the internet and thought you may find it interesting. I think this is what is wrong with my turtles. I think everyone needs to read this link and not use the UVB lights. Thanks again Christine http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor-cases.htm <Hello Christine. This is one of those situations where humans tend to be bad at judging risk. The same way we feel happy in cars (which have an abysmal safety record) yet nervous in aeroplanes (the safest way to travel). This report sites a few (twenty) cases of reptiles getting sick from one particular brand of UV-B lamp. Yet the numbers of captive reptiles in bad health because of lack of UV-B must run into the thousands if not millions because so many people are too cheap/too ignorant to buy these essential pieces of equipment. The laboratory work is beyond debate on this: without access to UV-B, reptiles cannot process Vitamin D correctly. See here: http://www.anapsid.org/gehrman2.html My worry with the article like the one you've drawn my attention to is that some people will read the article and decide NOT to use UV-B lights at all. Some of those folks out of genuine concern, others because they're cheap and can now rationalise away the need to buy a UV-B lamp. At most what that article is saying is that one specific brand of UV-B lamp, the ZooMed ReptiSun 10.0, has been correlated by some pet owners to observable health problems. However, as someone who teaches biology including statistical methods, let me make this completely clear: the authors of that web page have demonstrated no statistically significant effect at all. We do not know how many people also use ZooMed ReptiSun 10.0 and have perfectly healthy reptiles for example. If each sick reptiles are only one in a thousand healthy reptiles, then the effect is not significant. Moreover, simply because two things happen one after the other (the reptiles get sick after the new UV-B lights were installed) it does not mean the two things were actually connected ("post hoc ergo propter hoc"). These reptiles could be getting sick for other reasons, e.g., the fact the UV-B lamps used before the new ones were installed were weak, and so the reptiles had already started to develop a UV-B deficiency, but only later did the symptoms become visible. Or these pet owners could be using these high-power UV-B lamps in a way not recommended by the manufacturer, e.g., in a standard fitting that places them too close to the animal. In short, while an interesting and perhaps worrying article, reptile keepers should be fully aware that even if one particular brand of UV-B lamps may have faults or may be easier to use incorrectly, UV-B lamps remain essential parts of the kit and must be used. Cheers, Neale.> Re: UV Lighting for Reptiles: A new problem with high UVB output fluorescent compact lamps and tubes?  -07/18/08 Neale, Thanks for your reply. I will absolutely continue to use the UVB light, as you said it is vital for my turtles to live as with all other reptiles. I just think that these companies that manufacture these lights should be more careful and let the consumer know the effects this could have on all reptiles if not used properly. People grow to love their reptiles and for something to happen to them is devastating. Without the knowledge and time of helpful people as yourself that we could rely on, some of us (especially me) would never know what to do to keep our reptiles safe and happy. Thanks once again Christine <Hello Christine. I think you've hit the nail on the head. Researching potential equipment purchases is just as important as finding about a pet animal before you buy it. Some brands and models may well be better than others, and discussing purchases on the various pet-keeping forums is always worthwhile. As you express clearly, owners can develop a real bond with reptile and amphibian pets, even if it isn't always clear that those animals take much interest in us! My main worry in the reptile-keeping side of the hobby is that so many people, especially children, buy these animals without doing any kind of research at all because they are "cool". Only later do they realise that in many ways reptiles are very demanding and expensive animals to keep. Cheers, Neale.>

 

Snake Question - 02/06/07 Hi Me again, Have a breeding pair of Argentine Rainbow Boa ,she is having babies again (they bred last year as well )and as I do not want her breeding every year , as I think it will take too much out of her, would it be possible to put Dad in another Vivarium with grown up son from first breeding 4 years ago or will they fight ? < On this particular site we deal mainly with aquatic animals that are kept in aquariums. Go to Kingsnake.com and I am sure you will find a qualified person to answer your question.-Chuck>

 

A Gecko?...No, Anole Me Thinks - 05/01/06 Oh, I believe the small lizard I found is a gecko.  It changes to green from brown. <<Hi Becky, I'm not sure who handled your first query (you didn't include the first email as part of your reply), but lets see if I can help (even though this is a "wet pets" website <grin>).  I think what you have is very likely an "Anole", not a "Gecko".  Anolis carolinensis or Green Anole...These interesting little lizards are quite common in the South Eastern United States...we have TONS of them here in South Carolina>> Well, this little fella has been injured some how.  It appears that the cat either got him and injured his head, or someone stepped on his head. <<Not likely it was stepped on...they are quite "fleet">> It looks really bruised and kind of strange. <<I can imagine/have seen this before>> I believe he is also blind in one eye now, due to the injury.  He may be able to see out of the other, because he looks at me with it, and blinks it. <<Mmm...Wouldn't you like to know what's going through that little brain? <G> >> I can see a small green lid or something.  What I need to know is this, is there a way I can feed him, in case he isn't eating?  I just am so worried for this little thing; I don't want him to starve.  He has survived and actually gotten more active.  This injury occurred Saturday, the 29th of April.  Please tell me what to do, how to feed him.  He is so sweet and stays right with me when I pick him up.  I hope there is something I can do. <<Have a read on this website ( http://www.kingsnake.com/anolecare/).  It should provide some useful "care" information.  You might also try your own web search re "Green Anole" >> Someone told me to just step on him, and put him out of his misery. <<Ack!>> I cannot do that, and feel comfortable with it. <<Excellent...sounds like you have a new pet...>> Will he eat if he can't see?  Do gecko's need water, cause I've been trying to give him some. <<Most get their water from their food (insects)>> I just wipe his mouth with a wet napkin.  I also tried to clean up his head a lot.  It looks way better.  Please help me. <<Follow the website link I gave you...some good, specific info/help there>> Thanks, Becky <<Welcome, Eric R>>

 

Mixing Discus and Newts, Make That Aquatic Skink  12/1/05 Hi!  I have a discus tank project in mind. I will use a 30" high tank but fill it only to about 22". The aim is to have some aerial plant growth and immersed bogwood. I plan to perform 25% twice a week (automated) water change. Then I had the idea that since there would be a small terrestrial part, it would be original and wonderful to have a couple of newts there (don't know what species would be appropriate for that habitat tough, at 82F...). Somebody advised against it saying that amphibians exudations through the skin would cause a lot of trouble with the discus and make them sick all the time. What is your opinion on that? Is it possible/realistic to mix those animals? Thanks! Dominique < This is an interesting idea. Most newts require cool water temps and may not go well with the discus. Poison arrow frogs lose their toxicity in captivity and captive bred ones are perfectly safe. Go to Kingsnake.com and check out some little aquatic armored skinks from New Guinea. They can handle the heat and seem fairly easy to care for. Kinda expensive at around $75 each but very cool little lizards.-Chuck> 

 

Newts And Discus  12/1/05 Hi Chuck! Thanks! I didn't know this lizard species. They do look cool. I also like poison arrow frogs. The thing is that it would be best to use a mostly aquatic animal in my mix. The land part of the tank will be quite small, it will be mostly aquatic. That's why I thought about newts (and I don't like African frogs, they wont use the land part anyway...). You are right with the temperature: I didn't find any species that fits so far. I am surprised that there is no newt that would stand those temperatures. I thought there must be several nice species coming from warm Amazon waters...  But the amphibian's skin thing wouldn't be a problem you think? Dominique < Toads and newts are generally the ones that generate the toxins, especially when they are ill or threatened. Not sure how they react with fish but they are probably preyed on by fish so it would make sense that the toxins would have some effect on them. The newts are pretty slow and would be easy prey if they did not have these defenses.-Chuck> 

 

Tank cleaning 9/26/05 Hi - a friend of mine gave me a saltwater fish aquarium--I have ball pythons that I'd like to put into...however, the glass has a clear film -- how do I clean this off?  when I try to, it looks like it's coming off but as soon as it's dry the film is still there--any suggestions?? >> Try with a bit of white vinegar. Likely your film is from Calcium, soak it by lying the tank on it side and the use a soft green scrub pad. That should work. Good luck, Oliver

 

Any Herp Fans? >what up crew, >>Hi Charlie.  Marina here.  Very quickly, as much for your "benefit" as for that of others - we here at WetWebMedia very kindly ask that folks please use proper capitalization and punctuation.  This saves us the time-consuming task of retyping, which I won't do since you don't actually have an urgent question. >thank you for the bottomless pit of knowledge. I've been soaking up info like a sponge for the last month or two and your website has steadily been informative and conscientious, as compared to the rest. bob, the CMA was great, its sensibility was refreshing. >>Glad you like it, it's one of those 'really-*ought*-to-have' books. >about to start reef inverts cuz I read some good reviews... anyway I was just wondering if anyone in the crew was a former herper converted?   >>Of the people on our crew who I know are/were herp people, they aren't converted nor have lost their love.  Jim is one who immediately comes to mind (he's also got a very cheeky blue-fronted Amazon, as I recollect), and I think he's got a tree python, among others in his menagerie. >just asked cuz I have always had a love for snakes and have been fascinated since that first corn at the lfs.. well a trip to the Bahamas this summer changed everything when I went reef snorkeling for the first time. FREAKING AMAZING. so now here we are. anyone else?  keep our old-growth forests old, Charlie, pa >>As far as I know, everyone here on the crew has started out with an enthusiasm for keeping animals, be they fish or other, and in many cases that has grown and expanded.  As for myself, I was just recertified diver (PADI) this last August in Tulamben, Bali.  It's the first time I've seen the animals I'd handled for so many years in their natural environment, and I am now determined to get as much of THAT as possible.  Sod the fish tanks, let's go diving!  Marina Reptile Aquarium for Fish?  1/13/04 <Hi, Pufferpunk here> I am thinking of getting a 200 gallon aquarium that recently housed a boa. <Cool!  Nice big tank.> What steps do I need to take in order to make this ok for fish? <The 1st thing you need to find out is if this aquarium was originally built for fish & is not a homemade tank for reptiles.  The glass should be 1/2-5/8" thick.  There should be a brace going across the top to prevent the tank from bowing with water in it.  Then I would wash it out with a bleach/water solution very well.  rinse very well & fill completely. checking for leaks & using Dechlor, to get rid of any excess bleach.  Dry out the outside & leave overnight. If there are no leaks, you can drain & fill again for fish.> And would the silicon seals have dried up and cause leaks? Should I change these prior to using it for fish? <If you do detect leaks, it is very easy to take out the old silicone with a razor blade & replace.  I've done this with several tanks.  My friend had a bottle go through the front glass of his 125g tank (party!!).  He replaced the glass himself & 15 years later, it still holds water.>     Thanks for your help.   <You're welcome--Pufferpunk>

Iguana Should not be a problem, straight bleach, not perfumes or dyes, 1cup per 5gal of water, contact time approx 2 hours.  Rinse, dry in the sun, repeat if necessary.  The rinsing and drying should dissipate the chlorine (bleach).  I hope your friend with the Iguana got him a larger home, they don't stay small for long :-). Best Regards, Gage> Thank you for the quick response. I got the iglet too, 1st thing, new cage, 6'x4'x30"(gotta fit it through the door =) )  He's thriving. <Iglet, ha, that's good.  I'm full of links, here's a good iguana one. http://www.anapsid.org/  -Gage>