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Chris M Jones - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
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- Green Anole Information & Care (Anolis carolinensis)
[Pets:Exotic] Green anoles are the most commonly seen of the anole lizards in captivity. They are regularly exported from Florida and surrounding states. They are cheap to buy, but contradictory to popular belief are actually not ideal for a beginner. Green anole lizards are temperamental to their surroundings, and require the correct temperature, humidity and surroundings to remain healthy.
- Horsfields Tortoise Indoor Care -- Testudo horsfieldi
[Pets:Exotic] Also known as Russian Tortoises, these are among the most commonly seen tortoises in the pet trade today. Thousands of juveniles are exported from Russia every year. Horsfields tortoises are small, reaching approximately 15cm long or a maximum of 20cm. Being a Russian species, they make an excellent choice for UK keepers.
- Sexing Snakes
[Pets:Exotic] The first method is to visually see a difference in tail size and structure. Males have two hemipenes which are stored next to each other at the base of the tail. Each hemipene is tucked into its own "pocket". The effect of this is quite simple, it makes the tail appear fatter for a longer distance, generally making the overall tail length longer also.
- What to Look for When Buying a Snake
[Pets:Exotic] The first and foremost ingredient to choosing the right snake is the health of the animal. Once that is out the way, a number of other elements come into the equation. Species, age, temperament, colour, pattern, sex, feeding habits and price are all points to think about when looking for a snake.
- Australian Water Python Care (Katrinus Fuscus)
[Pets:Exotic] Water pythons are a very hardy snake and take readily to captivity. They are usually eager feeders and will take to defrost rodents with little problem. Some wild caught or newly hatched specimens may need a little enticement with bird or reptile scenting methods, but this is not often an issue.
- Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)
[Pets:Exotic] These small, rather harmless crocodiles are found in Northern Australia, from Western Australia, through the Northern Territory and into Queensland. Adult size is approximately 2.5 metres, males being larger than the females. Their primary habitat consists of marshlands, billabongs, rivers and creeks.
- Working at a Croc Park
[Pets:Exotic] Working at a croc park is no easy job, but certainly a life time experience I would never forget. This article takes you through the daily routines and general life working at a croc park in the remote Northern Territory of Australia.
- Northern Territory Crocodile Farming Raises Wild Population
[Pets:Exotic] The first rush of crocodile hunters began in 1945. It is estimated in their first year alone, they killed around 80,000 crocodiles in the Northern Territory. This carried on right through to 1971, when a ban on the export of crocodile products was put in place.
- Enriching Your Lizards Life
[Pets:Exotic] There are currently nearly 4’800 lizard species around the world, all of which have slightly different habits and will require specialised care if kept in captivity. It would be impossible to create an information sheet that could apply to all species of lizard. However, this article should give you a good idea how to create the best possible environment for your lizard, and how to keep its mind stimulated for a long, healthy and happy life.
- Enriching Your Snakes Life
[Pets:Exotic] Unfortunately, many snake keepers do not actually think about their snakes’ psychological issues. It is well known within the hobby that a vast number of snake species are fairly ‘lazy’ creatures, perhaps only venturing out of their hide for food, water, or a mate. This is a true statement for many species, and this habit will most certainly be the same in the wild as well as in captivity.
- Green Tree Python or Chondro Python Care (Morelia viridis)
[Pets:Exotic] Green Tree Pythons are the dream of many reptile hobbyists. They are one of the most stunning species of snake known to the pet trade; a real gem of the rainforest. The old tales regarding the extreme difficulties keeping this snake alive have been thrown out the window, and with enough time, effort and money spent, this species is easy and incredibly exciting to keep. In this care article I will explain exactly how this is possible.
- Halmahera Island Boa Care (Candoia paulsoni tasmai)
[Pets:Exotic] Halmahera Island Boas are a subspecies of the Solomon Island Boas. They are slightly smaller than the Solomon Island Boas and have a more arboreal tendency. They are usually brown in colour, but gold individuals are also known. Nearly all Halmahera Island Boas are wild caught; this species is hard to breed and even harder to rear.
- Solomon Island Boa Care (Candoia paulsoni paulsoni)
[Pets:Exotic] Solomon Island Boas are a wonderful species of snake to look at. They are very robust, with tough ‘keeled’ scales and an arrow like head. They are usually grey in colour, but can be red, brown, orange, tan an even white. Nearly all Solomon Island Boas are wild caught; this species is hard to breed and even harder to rear.
- Calabar Boa (Formerly Python) Care (Calabaria reinhardtii)
[Pets:Exotic] Calabar Boas; formerly known as Calabar Pythons are one of three species of egg laying boas. They are a small, extremely friendly species of snake that take well to captivity. They feed readily on defrost rodents and are excellent beginner snakes.
- Herp Hunting in the Northern Territory, Australia
[Recreation-and-Sports:Hunting] The northern territory is well known for being ‘the real bush’. There are approximately 300 species of reptile, and 50 species of amphibian in the Northern Territory. Slightly more diverse one might say, than the UK’s species count of only 6 reptiles and 6 amphibians! I spent the entire year of 2005 travelling around Australia. I went to every State, every major city, drove across the longest straight road in the world, twice, and travelled the complete circumference of this beautiful country.
- Breeding Eurasian Sand Boas (Eryx jaculus, Eryx miliaris and Eryx tataricus)
[Pets:Exotic] Some people may wonder: of the thousands of snake species that exist in the world, why choose sand boas? Well, I sometimes wonder myself, but I do have a few good reasons. There are several species, subspecies, and varieties of sand boas, each with its own characteristics and "personality." They are small, easy to care for, and relatively simple to breed.
- General Care and Maintenance of Sand Boas (Eryx & Gongylophis)
[Pets:Exotic] Sand boas of the genera Eryx and Gongylophis have long had an undeserved reputation of being boring pets. Most first-time snake buyers end up deciding on a colourful corn snake, kingsnake, or other small, easy-to-keep colubrid. Fact is, most species of sand boas are also simple to care for, and because they are smaller and slower moving, are also easier to handle — so they are good for beginners.
- Reticulated Python Care (Python reticulatus reticulatus)
[Pets:Exotic] Reticulated Pythons are the longest species of snake in the world, adult females often reaching 18feet plus. The longest recorded is approximately 33feet. Their large size has made them a very talked about snake, regularly coming into the pet trade. Unfortunately, for many keepers their sheer size eventually proves too much.
- Burmese Python Care (Python molurus bivittatus)
[Pets:Exotic] Burmese Pythons have long been a favourite among reptile keepers. Their large size and excellent temperament has made them a very popular pet snake. Unfortunately, for many keepers their sheer size eventually proves too much.
- Californian Kingsnake Care (Lampropeltis getula californiae)
[Pets:Exotic] Californian kingsnakes are the most commonly seen and bred of the kingsnake family in captivity. They are now available in a number of colour and pattern mutations, and have even been hybridized with many other species. They are a reptile eating species and are voracious feeders, but commonly take rodents in captivity. They are very hardy and can be expected to live for approximately 15 – 20 years, making them an excellent choice for a pet snake.
- Boa Constrictor Care (Boa constrictor constrictor)
[Pets:Exotic] Boa constrictors have always been a popular pet snake. Similar to Burmese Pythons in that they are considered a 'friendly giant' of the snake world. Luckily though, they do not quite reach the size of Burmese Pythons. Boa constrictors usually average 7-9feet in length, females being the larger of the sizes. They have been known however to reach 14feet in length, a formidable force for such a large bodied snake.
- Corn Snake Care (Pantherophis guttatus guttatus)
[Pets:Exotic] Corn snakes have become the most extensively produced snake in captivity, and for good reason. They are docile, suit well to captive conditions, and reasonably sized among other things. They are certainly a good beginner snake, possibly the best. In the following few pages, I will take you through the various factors of keeping corn snakes.
- Leopard Gecko Care (Eublepharis macularius)
[Pets:Exotic] Leopard Geckos are the most commonly bred lizards in captivity. They are small, 20-25cm and make an ideal pet. In the past decade, they have been reproduced in huge quantities and due to this, a large number of pattern and colour mutations have evolved.
- Fat Cat Facts
[Pets:Cats] In short, learn the facts about your cat and the foods you are giving it. This is a quick summary of what a cat owner should and shouldn't feed. To learn more, please visit my more in depth cat feeding article.
- Why Is Your Cat Overweight?
[Pets:Cats] With such a large percentage of the UK's pets being overweight, drastic measures should be taken to educate the owners. This article talks about the good and bad foods and explains in detail why cats are not built to eat dry kibble. All cat owners should view this article and seriously think about the future of their cats.
- Dwarf Burmese Python Care (Python molurus bivittatus)
[Pets:Exotic] For lovers of the huge Burmese pythons we all know and care about, who cannot afford the space that they need, a fantastic alternative has arrived. Dwarf Burmese Pythons were imported into the UK and USA for the first time in 2003. They occur from a small off-shore Island in South East Asia and grow to a maximum of 7feet. Adult males have bred at just 4feet, and females at 5feet.
- Royal (Ball) Python Care (Python regius)
[Pets:Exotic] Royal pythons have become an extremely popular pet snake, particularly in the last decade. With the proper care, the reward of keeping these beautiful snakes is enormous, but I would like to stress that many individual specimens can be very fussy feeders. For that reason alone I believe this species is not an ideal beginners snake.
- Viper Boa Care (Candoia aspera aspera)
[Pets:Exotic] Viper Boas are a wonderful species of snake to look at. They are very robust, with tough 'keeled' scales and an arrow like head. They are usually a fairly dull brown, although can be a wonderful bright red or orange. They do however, change colour with seasons, temperature and perhaps mood changes.
- Western Hognose Snake Care (Heterodon nasicus)
[Pets:Exotic] Western Hognose snakes are a wonderful, small species of snake with lots of character. They have become more and more popular over the years and are now a commonly available species in the pet trade. In the wild they are known to feed on toads, lizard, snakes, eggs and even insects. In captivity however, they will regularly take to rodents. There are 3 subspecies of Western Hognose; the Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus nasicus), the Dusty Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus gloydi) and Mexican Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus kennerlyi).
- Problematic Snake Feeding
[Pets:Exotic] Unfortunately, feeding any snake is not always as simple as putting a mouse in the tank to find it gone the next morning. Occasionally the snake will refuse to feed and it may be tricky to get going again. There are all sorts of feeding hints and tips; however there is always a reason why a snake is not eating. Below there is a checklist of reasons, and then solutions to the problems:
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