News

Keeping reptiles can be very rewarding and many different types of reptiles – snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, etc. – make great pets. They are not like cats and dogs, however, and it is important to understand reptiles' health needs in order to provide them a comfortable, safe home. If you can recognize the most common reptile diseases, you can easily take steps to keep your pets happy and healthy. Recognizing a Sick Reptile Many symptoms of common reptile diseases are similar, and while one or two symptoms may not allow you to properly diagnose what ails your pet, if you...

A starfish can be an intriguing addition to your saltwater aquarium, but they do require proper care to thrive and have long, healthy lives. Knowing how to care for your starfish can help you provide the best environment for a diverse, happy aquarium. About Starfish Starfish aren’t actually fish, and are more accurately called sea stars. They are most closely related to sand dollars, sea urchins, sea lilies, and sea cucumbers. Starfish have tiny tube feet on their undersides and can move as fast as three feet per minute, and while they don’t have blood, they use a water vascular...

A trusting relationship with your iguana begins with patience, respect, and a willingness to let the reptile come to you on their terms. With many "hands-on" approaches that involve forced handling and interaction too early, the unfortunate end result is an unhappy reptile that only seems tame. As naturally cautious and intelligent creatures, they have learned that anything grabbing at them or invading their space is a threat. The resulting lethargic, skittish, or timid behaviors they display following repeated forced handling is a sign that your iguana has grown numb to the constant fear of being unexpectedly handled! Instead, we're...

Ammonia is a silent, invisible killer in aquariums. Because it is clear and dissolves easily in water, even a clean, beautiful tank could be full of ammonia, and even low levels of this toxic byproduct are harmful, even fatal to fish. Unfortunately, by the time signs of ammonia stress are noticeable in fish – lethargy, appetite loss, gasping, inflammation of the gills, eyes or fins – it may be too late to take corrective action that can save the fish. So how can you safely monitor the ammonia levels in your tank to keep fish healthy? Sources of Ammonia Understanding...

All pets deserve a clean place to live, free of rotting food, feces buildup and dangerous bacteria. At the same time, however, cleaning a cage or tank can be stressful and unnerving for a pet reptile, so it is important to limit cleaning frequency to minimize that stress. But how often is too often or not often enough for your reptile's habitat? The Importance of Good Cleanliness In the wild, nature gradually cleanses itself with rain showers, changing seasons, air circulation and the natural life cycles of plants and animals. A pet reptile, however, cannot rinse itself in a flowing...