Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) are hardy, personable lizards that hail from the hot, arid Australian interior. Though wonderfully adapted to captivity, bearded dragons can become sick – generally as a result of poor husbandry. Vigilant observance daily helps you pick up on and address illness before it becomes serious.
After getting some experience caring for geckos using simple habitats containing nothing more than a paper-towel substrate, water dish and disposable hiding spot, you can try increasing the complexity of the habitat. There are a variety of ways to upgrade, including adding live plants or incorporating elaborate backgrounds and cage props. Though some additions to the habitat are purely aesthetic and only benefit the keeper, items like plants provide increased humidity and additional hiding spaces, thus benefiting both you and your lizard.
If you live in a place crawling with salamanders, you're aware they make tempting toys for your cat. It's easy to see the attraction. These slick little dudes dart here and there, fast as lightning, taunting Boots with their zippy movements. If she catches the wrong one, expect trouble.
To care for a pet lizard, you must provide a habitat large enough for it to engage in all its natural activities, including feeding, elimination, thermoregulation, hiding and drinking. At a minimum, most lizards require a cage two to three times their length; a 1-foot-long lizard will require a 2- to 3-foot-long terrarium. As large lizards will require large, more expensive caging, it's helpful to choose smaller species for pets. It's important to consider your pet's natural history as well; arboreal lizards require tall cages, whereas terrestrial species thrive in shorter accommodations.
The beautiful chameleon is a shy, solitary creature who prefers his alone time. He may tolerate another chameleon when breeding, but other than this, he prefers to be left to his own devices. He does not enjoy being handled or a lot of activity in his home. Both of these things can cause stress for the exquisite little creature.
Monitors (family Varanidae) are small to large lizards, with engaging personalities and often striking looks. Native to Australia, Africa and Asia, monitor lizards are popular pets among lizard enthusiasts. Sometimes this owner-pet relationship is mutually rewarding, and other times it is frustrating for the keeper, and miserable for the lizard. The difference between the two extremes lies largely in the choice of species.
Bearded dragons are popular pet reptiles. Eight different varieties of bearded dragon currently are known, all originally hailing from the deserts and woodlands of Australia. Pogona vitticeps, the inland bearded dragon, is the most commonly domesticated of the eight types. Most care guides are written with this variety in mind. Captive breeding has resulted in a wide selection of colors, patterns and scale types (morphs) that do not exist in the wild.
Bearded dragons are technically several species of lizard, but the type most often pressed into service as companion animals is the central – or inland -- bearded dragon. According to Tom Mazorlig, author of “Bearded Dragons,” the central bearded dragon is one of the most frequently kept and bred of all lizards. Bearded dragons come in a range of colors, including red, gold, tiger and snow. Among the red dragons are variations – from pale red to deep blood red. The only difference between a red bearded dragon and a blood red bearded dragon is the color.
Not only do you need to know what kind of light to buy for a lizard terrarium, you need to know exactly where it goes for the best results. Find out where you place a light in a lizard terrarium with help from a dynamic, holistic and conventional veterinarian in this free video clip.
Toads are common amphibian pets because they are cute and easy to take care of. Their coloration varies from light tan to rusty brown to dark olive green, and they may have stripes or patterns on their bodies. Toads are nocturnal creatures that prefer to hide out during the day and come out at night in search of prey. Toads are usually shy; they do not like to be touched or handled. It is not recommended to handle a toad because the oils from your hands can rub onto the toad and irritate his skin, which can cause serious problems…
Your pet lizard’s cage can harbor diseases and bacteria that are hazardous to your lizard and to you. It is important to clean all of the items in your lizard’s cage on a regular schedule to prevent the growth of bacteria -- and it's important to always wash your hands before and after handling your lizard. Lizards can spread salmonella, so always wear gloves while cleaning your lizard’s cage. The rocks in your lizard’s cage may contain feces, urine and other matter you should never touch with your bare hands. Cleaning the rocks doesn't have to be a time-consuming process…
Many people opt for reptiles as pets instead of more commons choices such as dogs or cats. Bearded dragons and savannah monitors are among the most common types of lizards kept as pets. Though they may appear to be similar in species and basic needs, bearded dragons and savannah monitors are different in specific care requirements and temperament. Do not assume that bearded dragons and savannah monitors will get along simply because they are both lizards.
Knowing how to properly care for a Budgett's frog is essential to the pet's health and well-being. With a lifespan of approximately 15 years, a Budgett's frog is not a pet to consider if you want to avoid a long-time commitment. Having a Budgett's frog as a pet is a big responsibility. Simple things, like regular maintenance of your frog's enclosure, proper feedings and correct handling, are essential if you want your pet to avoid illnesses and ultimately death. Before purchasing a Budgett's frog, learn what is expected of you as the frog's caretaker.
The United States has about 10 species of leopard frog, all with slightly different needs. The species you are most likely to see in the pet trade are the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) and the southern leopard frog (Rana utricularia). The basic care is much the same for all species. They need a habitat with both land and water areas, suitable hiding and resting places and a plentiful supply of live food.
Relying on water from a well is a reality for many homeowners in rural or isolated areas, where utility providers don't supply service or the cost of extending water lines from the nearest public utility would be too great. Most wells are designed to supply plenty of water for household use. However, in some cases, wells become dry or are prepared improperly. Wells that take too long to replenish are known as "low-recovery water wells." One way to determine whether a low-recovery well is adequate is to monitor its water volume over time.
Few accessories exude class and personality more than a pair of shoes made from alligator or crocodile skin. Because of the laws regarding the harvesting and trade of alligator and crocodile skin, these shoes can be very expensive. As a result, it's important that you do your research and buy a high-quality pair of shoes that fits within your budget and was obtained and sold legally.
Reptiles are fascinating creatures and slightly off the beaten path from your typical domestic pet cat or dog. Part of owning a reptile is cleaning out its tank on a regular basis. Sometimes, however, even with regular and diligent cleaning, your reptile's tank may begin to exude an unpleasant smell or odor. Some commercial sprays and air fresheners may not be safe for your reptile. Therefore, it is best to only use natural products or cleaners specifically designed for cleaning animal tanks.
Plexiglass is commonly used around the home. A material as clear as glass and as durable as plastic, plexiglass can be cut to fit your needs. The cost of buying a reptile cage divider can be high. Constructing your own cage divider may be cheaper than purchasing a ready-made one. It is also a way to ensure the cage you own best meets the needs of your reptiles.
Reptiles, once confined to zoos, are now available as exotic family pets. Although they are relatively simple pets to take care of, they do have some special needs. Specific considerations must be made to replicate their original environment. Reptiles need vitamin B for healthy bones, and UVB light can be used to replicate the effect of the sun's rays to produce this vitamin. Clamp lights are designed to attach easily to the sides of terrariums to create temperate basking areas for your pet. Terrarium clamp lamps require only simple assembly and can help to maintain your reptile's well-being and happiness.
Dwarf chameleons are a rare group of chameleons native to southern Africa. They are among the smallest of the species, and only grow to about three inches long. Dwarf chameleons do not require large enclosures, but are highly social and can be housed together in small groups. Making a dwarf chameleon enclosure can be accomplished in a short period of time, and the enclosure can then be placed indoors or outdoors.
Most reptiles require heat and ultraviolet lights to remain healthy. Although these lights are readily available at most pet supply stores, many pet owners are unsure of the best way to attach them to their reptile's cage. Incorrectly attached lights can create a fire hazard, burn your reptile or provide insufficient warmth. The best way to attach a light to your reptile's terrarium is partially determined by the kind of light and terrarium you have.
Hooking a heating lamp to the outside of a reptile cage is often safer than setting up a light stand outside the cage, since a stand could fall over and pose a fire hazard. Fortunately, heat lamps usually have clamps that let you attach the light in a secure way. When attaching the lamp, ensure you follow several safety precautions, since heating lamps often pose a fire hazard and might kill the reptile.
Egg binding is a serious and relatively common medical emergency among female chameleons. When a chameleon is egg bound, she is unable to pass an egg stuck in her reproductive tract. To prevent egg binding, provide your chameleon with a proper egg-laying box, a humid enclosure and plenty of calcium. Egg bound chameleons die if they do not receive prompt veterinary care, so identifying an egg bound chameleon in the early stages of the condition is critically important.
An iguana is a type of lizard that is an herbivore -- an animal that eats only plants. Feeding your iguana natural plant foods keeps him healthy and allows him to grow to his full potential. Fortunately, natural foods that are good choices for your iguana are also good for you, reducing the expense of having to purchase special food. Avoid protein foods, which iguanas don't need and can cause health issues that include kidney failure and death. Just as with any pet, your iguana should get regular veterinary care.
Many may call toads slimy and ugly, but the amphibian is an ideal companion for anyone seeking a hassle-free pet. Toads are exceptionally self-sufficient, can survive in confined areas and require basic lighting and room temperature to survive. According to the website of "National Geographic," a healthy and mature toad may grow in size relative to a tea cup. In addition to the proper living conditions, keeping fresh food and water available can keep your toad satisfied for years.
Most tree frogs are beautiful, fun to watch and live in attractive habitats that can bring a little bit of nature into your home. For this reason -- and because they are relatively easy to care for -- tree frogs make good pets for amphibian lovers of all ages. Like most pets, tree frogs require adequate heat, food, water and space to thrive. Unlike most pets, a tree frog also needs a humid habitat to survive. Humidifying a tree frog's tank is easy, and there are several ways you can do it.
Tropical animals require very specific conditions to thrive. This goes double for reptiles, who must regulate their body temperature to remain within a consistent range. Tropical reptiles require a high degree of humidity at all times, and do not tolerate aridity well. An ordinary reptile tank is not a good habitat for rain forest reptiles, which require very specific conditions. You will have to convert an ordinary reptile tank into a rain forest vivarium. This is a project that requires care, planning and a small, but not trivial, investment.
Salamanders and newts belong to a wide and varied order of amphibians known as caudata, which has over 300 different species. Depending on the species, they can range from less than an inch to over six feet in length. In some ways, salamanders and newts possess unique characteristics when compared to other amphibians such as frogs and toads, as well as to the rest of the animal kingdom.
Jackson chameleon or Jackson’s chameleon is a reptile member of the scientific genus Chamaeleo. Jackson chameleons grow six to 14 inches in length, and are distinguished by three head horns that occur on all males, yet are either less developed or nonexistent on females. While chameleons generally live in various locations, Jackson chameleons are found in very specific habitats.
When setting up a terrarium—also referred to as a vivarium—for a reptile, it is important that you do your research. Reptiles are cold blooded animals that gain heat from their external environment. If you don’t have adequate lighting or heat structures inside your terrarium for your reptile, he might not survive. Before you start creating your reptile terrarium make sure you find out exactly what your specific reptile needs to stay alive and healthy.
An alligator lizard is a small reptile that many people keep as a pet. They aren't affectionate and may bite, but they will feed on a variety of different items, making them easier to care for than other lizard species. Some of the foods that alligator lizards eat may be available at a pet store, but others are more likely to be found at a reptile-specific or exotic pet care shops.
A green thumb, artistic ability and handyman skills are all needed for building a terrarium. A terrarium or vivarium is an essential habitat for pet tree frogs and anoles. Building a terrarium from scratch can be an enjoyable and rewarding project and includes creating a landscape with hills and valleys, planting a tropical garden, and most importantly, making the environment comfortable for the animals. A well-planned and maintained terrarium can also be an attractive feature in your home.
The bull frog and green frog belong to the same genus in the ranidae, or true frog family of amphibians. This close relationship means the two species look somewhat alike, but they have a number of differences which help to distinguish them. Both species are common and widespread in their home ranges and are found coexisting in some areas.
African clawed frogs are aquatic creatures that are easy to look after. Albino frogs will share aquariums with other fish and frogs of same or larger size, but they are carnivorous predators. Because of their scavenger nature, they will eat any creature smaller in size than they are. Some frogs go through a fasting period where they refuse to eat for a few weeks. These frogs also tend to eat less during the winter when their metabolism slows down. To meet these frog's nutritional needs, mature frogs should have as much variety in their diet as possible.
Prized by amphibian enthusiasts, red eyed tree frogs add color and personality to your vivarium. These excellent jumpers begin life as tiny tadpoles that need little more than watery home. About seven to nine weeks after the tadpoles hatch, you will have happy hopping frogs.
Reptile cages can be built in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit the area where your cage will be housed as well as the different sizes of reptiles. These cages can be constructed out of wood, metal, glass or any combination of these materials depending on your budget and construction experience. You can easily build a tank a foot in diameter and 3 feet high which holds approximately 14 1/2 gallons and is suitable for frogs, anoles, newts or geckos.
The African clawed frog is generally olive brown to gray in color but, for the purposes of the pet trade, can also be albino. These albino frogs would likely not live long in the wild but, as a pet, are slightly more unique than commonly colored frogs and are no more difficult to care for. An albino African clawed frog has exactly the same requirements as frogs of common colors.
Leopard geckos are hardy lizards suitable for beginners because of their simple nutritional requirements, low susceptibility to disease and small space requirements. They require a warm area of their cage in which the temperature ranges from 86 to 90 degrees. The cool side of the cage must be room temperature, ranging from 70 to 80 degrees. Without adequate heat, geckos might stop eating and develop illnesses. Proper lighting is required for sufficient heat. Although pet stores offer a variety of heating implements, tiny gaps in a gecko's tank can allow heat to escape.
"Poptropica" is an online community/massively multiplayer browser game, targeted toward kids aged six to 13. The gameplay consists of adventure segments split up among various "Islands" with different gameplay challenges and puzzles. In Skullduggery Island, players assume the role of a pirate ship captain who sails around an island chain, searching for clues to a hidden treasure. One of the brief stops along the way is Dragon Cove.
Native to Asia, the chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata) grows rapidly in moist to wet soils that are fertile and warm. An attractive plant with heart-shaped leaves and white flowers, the chameleon plant is often planted as a ground cover or an accent plant in water gardens. Voracious growth via underground rhizomes and stems readily makes the chameleon plant invasive. Ridding a landscape of this herbaceous perennial is difficult, requiring a holistic approach over several months or years to rid the soil of all remnants of roots and rhizomes.
Reptiles like to hide, sit in warm places and occasionally move around, so furniture and accessories in their cage should be placed with those activities in mind. After you've provided light, water and food, you can find and make furniture for your pet reptiles. A do-it-yourself approach to reptile-cage furniture allows you to use found objects from nature or even re-use old boxes or containers. Some items can be used as-is, and others can be used to build something entirely new.
Alligator clamps are multipurpose tools you can purchase at any hardware store. They can be used for a variety of things, such as holding something in place or creating a temporary electrical connection. However, to use them for electricity, a wire is required. Attaching a wire to an alligator clamp requires some preparation. Understanding how to do this properly will save you a great deal of time and potential frustration.
The bearded dragon hails from wooded areas in Asia, Australia and Africa. A type of lizard, it is known for its trademark beard, which helps keep predators at bay by making the bearded dragon look larger and more intimidating. Bearded dragons are often kept as pets and are able to live long lives in captivity. You can make a Styrofoam bearded dragon with objects easily procured from the craft store.
Chameleon Tom is a plugin used for Facebook. If you are having problems downloading the plugin on your computer, there are a few things that you should check out. The most common problems are faulty connectivity to the Internet and the Windows Firewall blocking the download. Other problems include a disreputable repository you are downloading the plugin from and out-of-date software on your system.
Bearded dragons make ideal reptile lizard pets, as they are not fussy eaters and they do not grow very large. When they are young, bearded dragons mainly eat small insects, but as they get older, they consume more and more plant life. Earthworms dug from the garden can be fed to bearded dragons, but there are also a wide range of pre-prepared foods you can purchase from pet stores.
Gecko lizards are unique and interesting animals. For example, they're the only reptile able to make noises other than hissing. There's over 900 species of geckos in the world, which can range from less than an inch to 14 inches in size. One way to learn about geckos and their features is to complete a craft project on them. There are various such crafts that can help a person's understanding of the reptiles.
Leopard frog is the common name for several species of North American frogs from the genus Rana. The northern leopard frog, or Rana pipiens, and the southern leopard frog, or Rana spenocephala, are the most common leopard frogs kept as pets. According to the website Grizzly Run, leopard frogs are a suitable choice for beginning pet owners.
Many reptiles are arboreal and feel most at home in tall cages. These include chameleons, water dragons, fill neck lizards and iguanas. While tall cages may be expensive, you can build your own with an unused bookshelf you have at home or one purchased inexpensively at a department store. Converting a bookcase into a tall reptile terrarium is not difficult, especially if you're looking only for the basics. You should have some experience with woodworking, though, and know how to attach doors and slide locks before you proceed.
Make a clay tree frog to commemorate this icon of the rainforest. According to "National Geographic," tea-cup sized red-eyed tree frogs flash their bright coloration to avoid predators. Craft this frog with either polymer clay, which is a clay-like material made from vinyl, or with air-dry clay. Either medium works well for home sculptors because these clays do not need to be fired in a kiln.
The iconic red-eyed tree frog, familiar from rainforest conservation posters, is native to Central America, and if you don’t live there you won’t have much chance attracting the species to your yard. However, different tree frogs have different ranges, and between them they cover much of the world, including much of North America. With tree frog species in decline, attracting them to your yard helps with conservation efforts. Provide a suitable habitat and you could have your own miniature nature reserve. Frogs are also useful in a garden because they consume common pests, such as slugs and mosquitoes.
