This is a somewhat comprehensive
guide to the basic needs of the pets I want. It
is not meant as a caresheet! If you don't
know anything about these animals and are trying to find out more about
them, I am trying to put good links on the pet name, but please find out
more about them before you get them.
Ball Python
Python regius
Does play well with others:
You can keep up to three ball pythons of approximately the same size in
the same tank for breeding purposes. It must be at least a 55 or
60 gallon enclosure and two males is not recommended. Each snake
must have it's own hide.
Artilery: Balls, or royal
pythons (as they are known in the UK) need a 20-30 gallon tank, under tank
heating pad and/or red heat lamp, substrate without cedar (which gives
off poisonous fumes). Fir bark works very well. It will also
need a hide spot big enough for it, and maybe a branch to climb on at night
when it feels adventurous. A large dog dish is good for a pool, in
case the snake wants to soak, but don't expect the snake to drink out of
it. Misting the tank well at least once a day should give it enough
to drink and keep the humidity at a good level. They need heat, a
90 degree hot spot, 70 degree cool area with the ambient temp at 80-88
degrees. They like humidity about 60 percent though there are those
who will tell you that since the snake comes from Africa, it needs arid
conditions. Not true, since in it's native land it spends most of
it's time under ground and in burrows, holes and under stuff. This
is a nocturnal snake, so it doesn't need UVB lighting, and if you are looking
for a snake to watch this is not a good choice for you.
Nutrition: This snake
eats mice and, when it gets closer to adult size, rats. The feeder
should be about the same size as the widest part of the snake. There
are arguements in favor and opposed to feeding live mice. Other options
are frozen (and thawed) and fresh killed.
Attitude: These snake
are total sweethearts. It is rare to see a ball that will bite or
hiss as a matter of course. This is not to say that it will not mock
strike if there are too many things going on. They are shy and too
much motion and/or bodies is not comfortable. They are also known to be
head shy, so try not to do any touching unless it can see you coming. Balls
should be handled at least once a day in a calm atmosphere until it's comfortable
with you.
Ownership acheived:
January 1, 2000
White's Tree Frog
Litoria caerulea
Does not play well with others:
The white's (or dumpy frog, as it is sometimes known) may eat or try to
eat any tank mates. They are active animals, and anything they can
eat, they will
Artilery: A single frog
will need a 10 gallon tank, heat mat and UVB light. The tank must
have a well fitting lid, as the frog will try to escape given the chance.
Substrate should not consist of perlite or gravel or small rocks or dirt,
as in the course of eating they may eat some of this material and get impacted.
Fir bark is easily available and moss on top of this would help to keep
the humidity up. Temperatures in the middle 70s and low 80s are good.
A nightime drop into the 60s is ok. They don't seem to really need
a constructed light cycle, but sunlight is a good idea, as long as hide
spots are available.
Nutrition: These greedy
guts will eat just about anything put in front of it. Crickets, pinky mice
and a variety of other bugs are good, but beware of over feeding, fat frogs
are unhealthy frogs, and they will rarely refuse food.
Attitude: These are large,
friendly, active frogs. They may sit around during the day but they
like to climb during the night. They don't mind being held and some
owners have been known to hold the frogs on their shoulders or laps for
long periods of time.
Ownership acheived: not
yet
House Gecko
Hemidactylus frenatus or
Cosymbotus platyurus
Does play well with others:
This small lizard can be housed with anoles, other geckos, or frogs.
Be sure that all the animals are approximately the same size, tho, or they
may end up eating eachother.
Artilery: By itself
it only takes a 5 gallon tank, but if it is being kept with other animals,
then it needs a 10 gallon at least. There should be plenty of places
to hide for each and every animal. This is a night animal so it doesn't
need UV lighting, but the temp ranges from 75-80 or so degrees so it does
need a reliable heat source. NEVER USE A HEAT ROCK WITH ANY REPTILE!
Substrate should be bark or moss, not sand or rock since they may eat it
when snatching up a yummy bug. Humidity at 50 to 80%.
Nutrition: Fed every
other day with gut-loaded small insects, like crickets and wingless flies.
Calcium dust insects every time or every other time you feed. Mist
the tank every day, at least once, preferable twice.
Attitude: These
are night lizards, so may be a little shy. Sometimes they make a
bleep bleep sound.
Ownership acheived:
June 7, 2000 Camoflaged Marvel (Marvel) Died June 17, 2000
Green Anole
Anolis carolinensis
Does play well with others:
Can be put in a tank with almost any other small lizard. Be careful
that they have plenty of room and each animal has it's own hiding place,
whether they use it or not. Males may be aggressive towards eachother,
one male to four or five females is probably as high as you want to go.
Artilery: Needs
a 5 gallon by itself, but who wants just one? They do better as a
social pet and two or more is better. Do not mix two males, tho.
10-20 gallon is good for more than one. More than three requires
at least a 20 gallon. Heaters and lights. Day animal so UV
lighting. Temps in 75-85 range. Needs hiding spots and places
to climb. Jungle vines, even if fake, are a must. Humidity
at 50-70%.
Nutrition: Small
bugs, sized about 1/2 the size of their heads. Calcium dust.
Feed every other day or so. Mist the tank every day, at least once,
preferable twice. Crickets, mealworms (rarely), flies, etc.
Atitude: They are
shy about being handled, they may let go their tails if grabbed.
With careful handling they get friendlier, but handling causes them stress,
don't do it a lot. If they are stressed or unhappy they will turn
a dark grey or brown. If unhappy but not harmed sometimes they will
keep their green color but get black raccoon eyes.
Ownership Acheived:
June 7, 2000 Godzilla (zilla) & Mystic Lady, another Lady June 17,
2000
Veiled
Chameleon
Chamaeleo calyptratus
Does not play well with others
Artilery Screened
cage. Do not put chameleons in a glass tank as the reflection will
be taken as a rival and the glass does not provide as much ventilation
as the cham needs.
Nutrition vegetables,
occasional pinky mice, any safe insect for reptiles such as superworms,
crickets, earthworms. Keep in mind that chams do not go on the ground
too much so anything they eat will have to be given to them in the braches
or a raised platform.
Atitude very shy,
do not get if you like to handle your pets. Too much handling will
kill these fragile animals with stress.
Ownership Acheived
Large males can approach or exceed 2-feet in total length.
Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Does play well with others
Artilery
Nutrition
Atitude
Ownership Acheived
Corn snake
Does not play well with others
Artilery
Nutrition
Atitude
Ownership Acheived
Constantlyunder
construction
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