Animal Stories - People Talking About Reptiles - Amphibians



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Latest Animal Stories on Reptiles - Amphibians (1984)

mannaz - 2013-04-06
I recently bought 3 of these from a shop in Plymouth devon called Two by Two. 2 of them were slings and one was a bit bigger the 2 smaller ones were due a molt. One of them molted fine no problems at all the humidity levels were all correct and temperatures all ok. The other small one went for a molt but never managed it and died this morning. When I explained it to the pet shop they weren't interested in it. I only had it about 4 weeks so I am seeking legal advice regarding this. I would never buy anything else from this shop be careful if you are thinking about it! Once you have bought it they just don't care.

Codey Holloway - 2013-03-31
any tips on the housing? like what cage size and should i get a lamp? i live in reno nevada desert. its very dry here. hot days cold night. should a get a humidiphire?

Susie Parker - 2007-08-18
I find it unbelievable that anyone would have such a creature living in their home! I am a severe arachnaphobic!

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TK75 - 2013-03-28
I can't believe you could be that afraid of something so much smaller and weaker than you. It's not like its a highly venomous spider like a Black Widow or Sydney Funnelweb. Your much more likely to get hurt by a dog or horse. Are you afraid of those too?

Glen & Emily - 2008-11-04
Hi, me (Glen) and the Mrs (Emily) bought our stunning Pink Toed Tarantula about 3 weeks ago. She is our 1st ever Tarantula and has taken some getting use too. She was only small when we purchased her but amazingly quick!. She seems to be eating and growing well and enjoying living in her Terarium. I think that she is getting ready to shed her skin because she has built an amazing web inside her log and has dug right down through her substrate to her heat mat that is placed in her terarium. (Any Help or info about making her life easy whilst molting would be very much appreciated). OW AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT AS A 1ST TIMER THIS SITE AND THERE INFO HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY AMAZINGLY HELPFUL AND DETAILED. I did alot of research about tarantulas and which 1 would be best for us and the sites we visited dont have half the info that this site has.

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ANTHONY CRENHAW - 2013-03-24
I just got a pink toe, and read that you have a heat pad in the tank with yours. . . So i'm wondering is it ok to put a small heat rock in the tank with mine?

Hannah Thompson - 2011-01-05
Hi, I've just got a russian horsfieldi tortoise from my boyfriend for xmas!
I've named him Turk and I adore him!
I have just ordered a vivarium with lamp uv lite heater habistat thing to put him in.
I'm new to tortoises and doing as much research as I can.
Does anyone have any tips on heating, feeding handling in general?
He hasn't pooped for a couple of days either! :( ??
As many replies would be very grateful.

Thank you
Turks Mummy :) x

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chuck - 2011-01-07
....as for heating your new purchase is fine. Iceberg lettuce offers no nutrition, other types such as Boston, Escarole , Romaine are fine. Avoid kales as it will constipate them . My guys (have two) also enjoy a banana and tomatoes from time to time. Place your tortoise in a small tub 1/2 inch to 1 inch of water above room temp. The warm water will entice him to poop as well as a drink. Naturally as soon he poops take him out.
Had my guys for 7 years in a large plastic container and do very well. My opinion it's easy to clean and worry free of cracking glass.
GOOD LUCK
Billy - 2011-02-04
I've had my Russian tort a couple of months now and she is great. I was concerned about her not pooping for a while and found letting her soak in half an inch of water for ten minutes or so twice a week helped as they enjoy the water and tend to go when in it! She won't poop in her table though, she prefers the living room carpet. :)
Midge - 2011-05-03
I have only just found this site and read your message. If you are still keeping your Russian in a vivarium you are actually being cruel to your beloved pet - sorry. It needs a table top, 50/50 sand/soil substrate, uvb and heat lamp. Please read the info on the Tortoise Trust site.
Kind regards
Debbie - 2011-07-13
I was told not to put a mat in ,because they need a place to cool off, so maybe you want to go with the lights..because the mat keeps it warm everywhere. I find that if I put the red light on he sleeps and with the uv light on, he is up and going,when I am but takes a nap often.
susan - 2013-03-23
Soak him in baby temperature type water twice a week for about 20 minutes. Deepness of water just at his tail, this will relieve his bowels.These tortoises can handle 40 degree temperatures at night. I suggest turning heat off at night. They should have a temperature drop just like in their natural habitat.

leah-jayne - 2011-04-28
My boyfriend has just bought me a russian tortoise. I've named him Trevor. We bought the vivarium and was sold a heat lamp and uvb lamp and also a heat mat and I just wanted to know if you leave the mat on over night as the guy said you should but to turn the lights off. I am just checking as I havent heard or seen this on the internet, thanks! Do I leave the mat on heat overnight?

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Charlie Roche - 2011-04-28
Article on your Trevor is attached just click on it. Basically they need a warm enviornment and the uvb lamp. Based on the article and the heat requirements of Trevor, I would say to leave the heat mat on overnight. Otherwise he could get cold. If you're concerned that Trevor might get too warm, just put the mat under 1/2 the enclosure and he can get cooler or warmer by just walking on over.
Midge - 2011-04-29
Please, please, please do not put your tortoise in a vivarium!!! The clue is in the name - RUSSIAN. It needs to be in a table top on a substrate mix 50/50 sand and soil. There should be an area where it can get buried down - preferably covered, with hay in it. It needs a basking stone under a UVB lamp; a heat lamp. Heat under it is DEADLY! Check the Tortoise Trust state, but whatever you do, DO NOT USE THE HEAT PAD.
Anonymous - 2012-05-21
i have a heat pad but its not below him its next to his rock. i also have the heat lamp. but putting heat under almost any reptile is VERY DEADLY!!
Jeremy Roche - 2012-05-21
I have always used the ones that stick to the bottom of tank and actually heat the substrate so it doesn't get too hot and spreads out a bit more.
susan - 2013-03-23
Heat mat should not be used. Just use half top soil and half sand or crushed walnut shells is what I use. And your lamps. No heat mat.

Anthony Harden - 2013-03-22
I have a Redtail Boa, its name is CHANGE. I had it for about three months and I am Loving him.This is my first BOA.....Thumbs Up to BOA`s 1LOVE

Julieanne Thomson - 2010-08-17
HELP! please could someone please help or advise me, my daughter came home with a gecko roughly 3 wks ago. None of us know nothing about raising a gecko so I bought a book straight away to tell me how 2 look after a gecko in captivity best way possible. Since the day we have had him he has had quite a thin tail and a very pale colour of yellow and black. He doesn't open his eyes that wide either. We have seen him eat crickets now and again but not for the last few days. He lives in a good sized tank the pet shop told me would be great for him and I have a lamp for the tank but I honestly don't think its warm enough for him. Can someone please if you can tell me anything I can do to help get him healthy as we are all really attached to him and at the moment I am fearing the worst is going to happen. PLEASE HELP. julieanne x

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veronica - 2010-10-12
Hello there,

First of all, I have educated myself a lot regarding Leopard geckos.
It is vital for a Leopard gecko to have an under tank heat mat as they are nocturnal and they can only properly digest their food if they absorb heat from their bellies.
They do not require uvb lights and some lamps can be so strong that they can stress this nocturnal gecko.
I recommend Habistat heat mats as they are safe and reliable.
Some cheap version of heat mats have known to have burned herps but this brand is very trusted worldwide.
Also to be on the safe side, a thermostat should be connected to it and that will keep the required temperature at a constant level.
Another vital thing is to provide the gecko with a humid hide at all times and never allow it to dry.
A lack of humid hide can lead to shedding problems.

Please note this care advise is specific for Leopard geckos only.
I didn't educate myself on other types of geckos as I only keep Leopard geckos myself.
I have also noticed very poor advice from certain websites regarding this particular lizard.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, should you need more help.

Regards, Veronica
Anonymous - 2013-03-18
Hi, your gonna need to feed it twice a day, it needs a 50-60 watt lightbulb, and it needs a lot of atttention. If its a baby it eats crickets and mealworms.

Daisy - 2010-05-20
I have an adult wood turtle named QQ. She loved eating banana, and sometimes took some vegetable. But these days, she dislikes anything even her favorite banana. I have tried small fish and worms. But she just refuses them.

I keep QQ in a large dry glass tank with another small tan where she can swim in. The temperature is 69~78 F. The humidity is 45~50%.

Would anybody who is familiar with wood turtle give me some suggestions?

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Brendan - 2010-07-09
Daisy,
The only thing that I can get mine to eat is Blueberries. Have you tried them?
hur - 2013-03-16
Mine loves worms.

holbee - 2013-03-15
Hi,my friends Mexican Red Kneed Tarantula she hasn't moved today, but was very active last night. Her legs are not curled under, but are twitching. Does anyone have any advice please.

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