Tips On Adopting Reptiles |
|
![]() |
Tips On Adopting ReptilesInstead of paying a lot of money at the pet store you can adopt a no-longer wanted animal. Zoos are the prime target for unwanted lizards, snakes and iguanas, but they can't usually take them. FoodDifferent herptiles have different food requirements. Some are carnivores, some herbivores, and some omnivores. CarnivoresCarnivores eat only meat. They get virtually all their nutrients from eating other animals or the eggs of other animals. In captive herptiles it is important to provide nutrient rich food sources. This can be achieved by feeding the "prey" nutrient rich food. In the wild, carnivores eat prey that is also wild, prey that has been eating a variety of food. Often these foods include vegetables and grains, and sometimes other animals. When feeding captive carnivorous herptiles it is important to gut-load prey items. That is, feed the prey items a variety of nutrient rich vegetables and grains just prior to feeding them to your carnivore. This is particularly important when feeding insectivores (a special type of carnivore that eats insects exclusively). Many captive insects are void of nutrients having typically been raised on low nutrient foods. Rodents should also be fed prior to being fed to herptiles.
A note should be made that some herptiles will only eat live prey (most of these are insectivores) and need the movement of live prey to stimulate their instinct to feed. In these cases the conscientious owner should take care to observe their herptile eating so as to minimize the potential for bite infections to fester. If you see your pet get bitten by its prey, take it to your veterinarian to minimize the chance of infection. Remember that herptiles as ectotherms have slower metabolisms. This means it takes them longer to develop sickness and show signs of being sick. Do not presume your pet's rodent inflicted bite wound is OK because you see no blood or obvious signs of infection. Only a qualified veterinarian can actually determine if your pet has an infection. HerbivoresHerbivores eat almost exclusively vegetables, with occasional fruit and sometimes insects. It is important to feed a variety of calcium rich vegetables such as dandelion greens, collard greens, carrot tops, escarole, parsley, spring salad mix, mustard greens, and others. Dark leafy greens tend to be richest in calcium and thus are most highly recommended. Variety is important as it more closely mimics what herbivorous herptiles eat in the wild. Vegetables to be avoided are ones high is phosphorous (which binds calcium) and ones high in fat. Most fruit is high in phosphorus as are some vegetables like some squash, bell peppers, many cabbages, and beans. Avocado in particular is extremely high in fat and should be avoided. Research your vegetables so you will know which ones are high in calcium and low in phosphorous and fat. There are several commercial "iguana" or "turtle" foods that can be purchased at pet stores, but it is unclear whether they provide the proper variety and amount of nutrients. They may be perfectly fine but we recommend feeding fresh vegetables rather than processed and packaged commercial herptile foods. Give your contact information and qualifications to your local zoo so that if they do suddenly get an unwanted pet on their doorstep, they can call you. You'll be saving money and probably a life. More info about reptile care, please visit Pet Place. |
|
Home | Pet News | Dog Care | Cat Care | Fish Care | Bird Care | Reptile Care | Horse Care | Animal Encyclopedia |
Copyright © 2005 Like Pet. All Rights Reserved. |