Komodo Turtle / Terrapin Diets

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Turtles, or more commonly referred to as terrapins in the UK, are a common pet. We at Coast to Coast Exotics have never fully “got behind” selling terrapins as we firmly believe there are better pet reptile species to keep. They can be a more complex animal to keep than many people think, and this is reflected in the amount of terrapins in rescue centres – by far the commonest reptile to find themselves homeless. However in the right hands, with people that can cope with their needs they are an interesting and fulfilling animal to keep. Komodo have come up with this rather well thought out range of foods for terrapins that seems to work very well. They are specific to terrapin species needs. Some eat sunken matter, others…
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Zoo Med Paludarium system – building a home for aquatic, semi-aquatic and arboreal species

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We have built many paludaria, for those that are unfamiliar with the term, this is a glass constructed terrarium that has an aquarium at the bottom, a land area and then a planted wall to the rear of the terrarium. This allows communal living of compatible aquatic, semi-aquatic and arboreal species altogether in one enclosure. There are some hobbyists that frown on such an enclosure, but it can be done, and now with Zoo Med providing a full range of products designed for this one purpose it has become easier than ever. Perhaps for the more advanced experienced keeper, but it can be done- and very successfully.   Zoo med have brought to market two tall Paludaria, one is 30x30x60cm, the other is 45cmx45cmx90cm. We set up the larger one…
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Zoo Med Lizard and Tortoise Toppers

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It has long been recognised that the methods of providing food for tortoises from the supermarket (lettuce, tomatoes etc) is not a good diet – weed gathering has become the norm for most tortoise keepers. There are many weeds that are suitable as feed for tortoises, all should be washed and taken from areas free from pesticides. Recommended basic food plants: • Dandelion (Taraxacum officianale) • Hawkbits (Leontodon spp.) • Sowthistles (Sonchus spp.) • Hawkweeds (Pictis spp.) • Hawkbeards (Crepis spp.) • Plantains (Plantago spp.) • Clovers (Trifolium spp.) • Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) • Cat's ears (Hypochoeris spp.) • Vetches (Vicina spp.) • Trefoils (Lotus spp.) • Mallows (Malva spp.) • Bindweeds (Calystegia spp.) • Sedums (Sedum spp.) • Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) Products like Zoo Meds Tortoise Toppers are…
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Reptile Wound treatment – Vetark Tamodine

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For anybody involved in the hobby for a long time the Name Vetark is associated with quality reptile care, great treatments and supplements that do a great job. One of the tried and tested favourites is Tamodine. It’s a product that every reptile keeper should have in their reptile first aid box. A “tamed” version of Iodine this product is the antifungal and antibacterial and is probably the best way of cleaning reptilian wounds – but its not suitable for amphibians. Easy to use, just apply directly to the cut, with cotton wool or a cotton bud – however we would still recommend seeking veterinary advice. Tamodine is effective against bacteria, protozoa, yeasts, fungi and some viruses without damaging delicate skin. It has all of the activity of free iodine…
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Taurrus Predatory mites for treating infestations of snake mite

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Snake mites, the bind of any snake keepers life. Lets face it nobody fancies the thought of any mite like creature in their home. However, just like fleas for cats and dogs, if you have a snake you may find yourself needing to eradicate snake mites. It’s not just snakes either, we have seen mites on several “non-snake” reptile species. Where do they come from? More often than not it’s a mystery, even a household with only one snake can suddenly find themselves with an outbreak. Luckily, it’s not frequent, and when they do occur they cannot cause humans any problems – unlike fleas. I did hear of one report of human infestation, but its rather debatable – over all the years of being involved in the hobby I’ve not…
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Zoo Med Repti-Fogger review

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I have been in the rainforests around the world several times over the years, studying and photographing animals. For anybody who hasn’t been there let me tell you that it is hot and humid – makes it very sticky and uncomfortable. It’s not only the areas that get hot, I have visited cloud forests where it is cool, and the humidity just hangs in the air. For the animals that live in these places, it is just normal to them, and such animals need that level of humidity if they are to thrive. When keeping the frogs and lizards (in particular) from those regions it is critical to maintain and correctly monitor the hight humidity levels. There are many ways a hobbyist can provide humidity – waterfalls, spraying the terrarium…
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Exo Terra Bendable Vines for natural planted terraria.

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It’s been fun to see the increase in popularity of natural planted terraria over the last few years. Now a hobby within a hobby, with many exotic animal keepers having at least one eco-terrarium. I think this is easy to understand, but then I have been interested in planted terraria for may years. But, who wouldn’t want a beautiful slice of the jungle in their living room? A terrarium often becomes the main focal point in any living room, and it is certainly a very natural way of keeping species such as frogs and Day geckos. This product, though not entirely aimed at the natural terrarium market, is entirely at home within such an environment. This bendy vine looks natural and the non-moss version will even allow real moss to…
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Socotra Island Baboon Tarantula (Monocentropus Balfouri)

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A stunningly beautiful Old World communal tarantula species, electric blue legs and a rich sandy orange body contrast beautifully. An average adult size makes them a mid-sized tarantula species at around 4-5 inches. In the wild they occur, as their name suggests, on one Island off the coast of Africa, Socotra island.   The Island is relatively dry, however in captivity it is necessary to create a microclimate in an area that is quite high humidity, around 70-85{cb5d0a8cf0c44aef2db327d9ab0dba08dd09aed1126b509e5fa01d3aaa87fe47} - this can be achieved by spraying their webs with water.  The rest of the enclosure can be kept at around 60-70{cb5d0a8cf0c44aef2db327d9ab0dba08dd09aed1126b509e5fa01d3aaa87fe47} humidity. They will create quite an intricate system of webbing, especially when kept in communal groups. Provide a relatively large vivarium for groups, so they have room to go about…
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Jungle Carpet pythons – Morelia spilota cheynei

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Jungle Carpet pythons are a smaller, more brighter coloured variety of the Carpet python that occurs through many regions in Australia, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea. Jungle Carpet pythons are found in the rainforest areas of Queensland in North Eastern Australia. Although a relatively easy species to maintain in captivity, they are best kept by those with some experience of keeping snakes. They are a medium sized snake (six to seven feet long) that is often a little bad tempered and many bite frequently in defence. However, for those that have the ability and tolerance they are a truly beautiful snake. Keep this species in tall vivaria as they are an arboreal species – they like to climb on branches and vines. We would suggest a minimum of three…
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Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus)

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Brown Basilisks are an overlooked species of Iguanid lizard, generally the flashier Plumed Basilisk with its bright green colouration and bigger crests take the attention of most potential keepers. That’s a shame, as given the chance the Brown Basilisk is a great vivarium subject and has the added bonus of being smaller than the Plumed. In the wild they occur in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Mexico, Central America and into Columbia and are relatively commonly found. They share the well-known ability to run over water on their hindlegs, their rear feet have developed skin between their toes that aids this – along with the superfast speed they can achieve. Along with the Plumed Basilisk they are not a commonly kept species in captivity, the large vivarium they will…
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