The leopard gecko lifespan varies greatly depending on the knowledge of his keeper on the proper way of caring for reptiles that is an important factor in optimizing its ability to live longer.
How long a leopard can live will depend on how they are kept in captivity. Leopards are tough and may cause only a few problems as a pet as long as they are provided with the proper tank size and temperature, food, and anything that they need to keep them stress- free and healthy.
Let's talk about the proper temperature that leopards need. Used a thermostat controlled heater to keep the temperature constant between 29 - 31 degrees Celsius during the day and 22 - 25 degrees Celsius during the night. They do not need UV light since leopards are nocturnal. To provide gecko's with adequate heat and light place a 40 - 60 watt or an infra red bulb at one end of the tank. Or hide boxes may be placed inside the aquarium with different temperatures, one to help the regulate body temperature and the other one is humid which will help them shed off its skin to avoid infections or even cause the leopards blindness. For example if the skin near its eye does not totally shed off and are neglected will infect the eyes and may eventually cause the blindness. More so, because of negligence of its temperature may even create diseases which may also lead to the shortening of its lifespan.
Feeding them with the proper diet will also help prolong the leopard gecko lifespan. Generally, they are insectivorous therefore feed the baby with small meal-worms and crickets in small amounts while the adult gecko may be provided with crickets, small cockroaches, fruit flies and other insects. Crickets that are gut loaded are best considered as its staple food. Geckos also consumes its shed skin which is high in nutrition so let it be and do not remove it inside the enclosure.
If all these factors are seriously considered then be assured that your gecko will live its maximum life span. The average life of a leopard sensibly depends not just on the food but also the environment which your gecko is kept plays a very important role. Most likely a gecko can be alive between 10 to 20 years in the wild but for lizards in captivity normally is between 8 - 10 years. However, with the proper care and feeding your pet in captivity may be stretched from 10 - 15 years and in some case may have lived up to 20 years, though this is a rare chance but is possible.
Needless to say, the ultimate factor of the leopard gecko lifespan is the person who keeps and takes care of its pet. The leopard's health relies on how the keeper put an effort in conscientiously doing what is needed to raise a healthy and vigorous gecko.
Lily Green loves caring for leopard geckos and wants to share some information coming from personal experiences. Learn more about Leopard Gecko lifespan and what factors affects this by visiting her website http://www.leopardgeckoinformation.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lilly_Green
Monday, August 9, 2010
Reptile Heaters and Vitamin Information
Reptile heaters are the first step in keeping your new turtle, snake, or lizard happy in their captive environment. However, with so many to choose from; people are often times overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right one for their pet. Fortunately, with an expert hand in things you can easily find the right reptile heater for the type of reptile you own.
Some of the types of reptile heaters you have to choose from are:
Infa-red dull emitter (or ceramic heater)
Heat rocks (or hot rocks)
Combined light or heat sources IE: UV-B emitting light or heat sources.
Thermo tubes
Heat pads
Radiant heat panels
Safety heaters
With all of these different heater types, it is important to understand each thoroughly before making your decision. However, finding them can be fairly simple as any retailer that offers reptile or fish supplies will give you a massive selection of reptile heaters to choose from.
Reptile supplements and vitamins are a great way of ensuring your pet's overall health and wellness in captivity. While we may try our best to keep our reptiles healthy with food alone, there is no real way to emulate the vitamins and nutrients that they would get in their wild habitat in captivity. Fortunately, we have many different reptile supplements and vitamins to choose from these days.
You can find these supplements and vitamins at almost any store that caters to reptiles and fish. Not only can they be found locally, they can be found online as well; making it much easier for you to find them easily from the comfort of your own home.
Remember, before you put any animal on a supplement or vitamin it is important to consult with your local vet. You should see a vet whom specializes in the treatment of reptiles, so that they can better steer you in the right direction with which supplements to feed your animals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland
Some of the types of reptile heaters you have to choose from are:
Infa-red dull emitter (or ceramic heater)
Heat rocks (or hot rocks)
Combined light or heat sources IE: UV-B emitting light or heat sources.
Thermo tubes
Heat pads
Radiant heat panels
Safety heaters
With all of these different heater types, it is important to understand each thoroughly before making your decision. However, finding them can be fairly simple as any retailer that offers reptile or fish supplies will give you a massive selection of reptile heaters to choose from.
Reptile supplements and vitamins are a great way of ensuring your pet's overall health and wellness in captivity. While we may try our best to keep our reptiles healthy with food alone, there is no real way to emulate the vitamins and nutrients that they would get in their wild habitat in captivity. Fortunately, we have many different reptile supplements and vitamins to choose from these days.
You can find these supplements and vitamins at almost any store that caters to reptiles and fish. Not only can they be found locally, they can be found online as well; making it much easier for you to find them easily from the comfort of your own home.
Remember, before you put any animal on a supplement or vitamin it is important to consult with your local vet. You should see a vet whom specializes in the treatment of reptiles, so that they can better steer you in the right direction with which supplements to feed your animals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland
Thinking About Getting an Iguana? Read These Tips Before You Make the Commitment
Iguanas are the most common lizard species to be kept as a pet. For someone looking for an alternative to your traditional dog or cat, they can be safely kept at home as long you follow the right guidelines.
Some people think that iguanas are low maintenance pets, however this is far from the truth. They are an exotic creature and you are taking them far from their natural habitat. So in order to have a a happy and healthy pet, you need to make sure you are 100% prepared. Here are a few tips for anyone considering keeping an iguana as a pet.
Finances
To look after an iguana properly you'll need to make certain financial commitments. You need to provide the right diet, a spacious habitat and also regular trips to the vet for a health checkup.
Commitment
Iguanas can live for up to 20 years in captivity. You need to think long and hard about buying such a pet. If you do it on a whim you will probably regret it later when you realize that your pet has become a life partner. You'll need to spend time with it so it can get used to your presence and eventually you will feel comfortable handling your iguana without fear of it escaping or running away.
Bear in mind too that if you are lucky enough to keep you pet healthy for a number of years, it's possible that it may grow very large. This means you will have to buy a bigger enclosure, feed it more often and also you need to be more careful about having young children and pets around as some large iguanas can become aggressive and difficult to tame.
Willingness to learn.
There are a lot of things that you can potentially get wrong when caring for an exotic pet such as iguana. If you are of a lazy temperament, and you;re not interested in the finer details your iguana's natural habits, then it's probably not the pet for you.
They have specific requirements when it comes to their diet. Some people think it's fine to feed them on dog food, but iguanas are hind-gut fermenters, which means they have a particular digestive makeup and you have to be very careful about what you feed them.
Generally iguanas are better off processing mainly vegetarian foods with the occasional insect. If you feed t mainly animal proteins, your pet may develop complications such as kidney stones.
They also have specific requirements for living. Being cold-blooded creatures, they need special heated lights in their enclosure for part of the day, otherwise they can easily fall ill due to bad circulation or exposure to the cold.
James L Crow writes is a online journalist who writes for a number of websites. His latest project is for a site where you can learn how to lose fat gain muscle fast.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_L_Crow
Leopard Gecko - Raising Healthy and Happy Geckos
You are about to embark on a journey that will be intriguing and exciting. Leopard geckos are becoming more and more popular because of their beauty and uniqueness, ease of care and breeding, and low maintenance. You will be able to create "designer" geckos if you choose to be a breeder along with being an owner.
The scientific name for a leopard gecko is "Eublepharis macularius." If you break down the name it means - eu = good, true; blephar = eyelid; macularius = spotted. Leopard geckos were originally found in Northwestern India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
People are attracted to these lizards because they are unique and the colors can be so vibrant. These geckos have continued to morph over time thus we are seeing more colors and patterns. There does not seem to be any limits on the patterns and colors that are morphing. With the creation of these leopard geckos comes a variety of names, names such as; las vegas (rainwater), bell albino, giant, carrot-tail tangerine, albino, red stripe, reverse stripe, mack snow, eclipse, patternless, and enigma.
If you have not purchased your first leopard gecko, find a reputable breeder or store that specializes in this type of gecko. It is important to find breeders who understand geckos and are not just about making money.
Here are some basic facts and information to know about geckos. Geckos, when they are mature, can range in size from 8 to 12 inches and can weigh from 60-100 grams. When you purchase a baby lizard, they will probably be about 3 inches long and weigh about 3 grams. Their preference is to live in the ground and are known as terrestrial. The lifespan of a leopard gecko, when properly cared for, can be as long as 20 years. There have been a few reported that are approaching 30 years. The majority of these lizards only live 2 years because of improper care.
Geckos require a specific type of environment to live a long life. The habitat needs to be the right size, have the right temperature, the right level of humidity, and the right food. All of this is important because your gecko will be shedding its skin, so the environment is important.
Most people will start with a 10 gallon vivarium for a single gecko. You would need to double that size if you decide to have up to 3 leopard geckos. Inside the vivarium, you will need to have shredded newspapers or paper towels. Some people have used sand but have found that baby geckos will ingest the sand and become impacted. It's best to use the newspapers or paper towels until they have grown to a length of 6 inches or longer. Then you can have sand in the vivarium. Include a shallow dish or container for water and a heat source.
Geckos favorite and most healthy food, are crickets - crickets that are commercially-raised for food. Also meal worms support a good and healthy diet. The key is to make sure your gecko is getting the proper nutrients and vitamins. You can tell if your gecko is healthy by the tail. If the tail is fat, your leopard gecko is being feed properly; if not, you will need to tweak their diet.
There is a lot more to learn about raising healthy, happy, and gorgeous leopard geckos. Take your time and do your research. The more you know, the more excited you will be about owning and breeding these geckos.
Jon learned the hard way (death of his first leopard gecko within 3 weeks) about the proper care, handling, and breeding of these lizards. Leopard geckos have a lifespan of 20 years if cared for properly. Start here today learning how to raise healthy, happy, beautiful geckos. Leopard Gecko Info, visit http://www.leopardgeckocaresite.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Owens
Types of Turtles
The Eastern box turtle (or Terrapene Carolina Carolina.), is a well known and beloved turtle from the hinged-shelled turtle family. They have a high dome shell and a hinged plastron which allows the total to close up their shell when they sink down inside. The coloration of these turtles is truly what sets them apart from other turtles. With brown, purple, white, blotches accompanied by yellow or orange patterns across their shell; another difference is that the males of this species has a red iris.
While their natural habitat comes from places such as Maine and Michigan; they have become increasingly popular as pets; thus causing them to be a frequent sighting in captivity and turtle rescues.
Unlike many other turtles, the Eastern box turtle tends to be a picky eater. Making it important for you to understand their eating habits, of which can be explained in greater depth by your local rescue. Some of these turtles are found to like things such as slugs, snails, earthworms, fruit, berries, vegetables.
The European pond turtle is a well-known turtle that comes from Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. They are also known as either the European pond terrapin or Emys Orbicularis (say that name ten times fast!).
This turtle is known throughout the turtle-loving community as a beautiful, friendly pet turtle.
The European pond turtle is a fairly slow-moving water turtle that lives in and around water. They are known to hibernate for up to seven months at the bottom of the water! Making it a trick to take care of these beautiful animals; causing them to not be the right turtle for a beginner.
They are a medium sized turtle, varying from five to eight inches in length and width. Their shell is a rich brown with spots of yellow and a tinge of green. The one drawback to these turtles is that they are a host to many different parasites. This makes it extremely important to have a vet near-by who specializes in turtles.
Freshwater turtles are well known to many turtle lovers throughout the world. Unfortunately, not many people have had the pleasure of seeing these beautiful creatures for themselves; even though they are abundant throughout the world. With that said, they make wonderful pets. Often times beating out some of your non-aquatic turtles for spots in a home.
The freshwater turtle's population is greatest in the southeastern United States. This is one of the hot-spots where their diversity is rivaled by few other turtle species (or types). Unfortunately, despite their abundant numbers; they are threatened due to over-harvesting of their natural habitat; thus, making it important to help these beautiful turtles by conserving their habitat.
There are many different types of freshwater turtles around the world. However, there are a few that are extremely popular as pets. Some of these turtles are:
Yellowbelly Turtle
River Cooter
Florida Cooter
Chicken Turtle
Florida Softshell Turtle
Spiny Softshell Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
The Mexican Musk Turtle (or the Staurotypus Triporcatus) is a type of turtle that comes from the Kinosternidae group. They are found primarily in places such as Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and Guatemala.
These beautiful turtles are distinguished by the three keels that run up the length of their carapace. Their shell and overall body can grow to become one of the larger forms of turtles which have become pets for many.
While many people consider them to be wonderful pets, they aren't suggested for homes with children. Not only do they have a tendency to carry salmonella like almost all turtles; they are prone to have aggressive dispositions as well, making them more likely to bite you during feeding time.
These animals will need expert care and should not be owned by beginners. If you choose to adopt a Mexican Musk Turtle from your local rescue; make sure to have a near-by turtle specialist available to answer any of your questions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland
While their natural habitat comes from places such as Maine and Michigan; they have become increasingly popular as pets; thus causing them to be a frequent sighting in captivity and turtle rescues.
Unlike many other turtles, the Eastern box turtle tends to be a picky eater. Making it important for you to understand their eating habits, of which can be explained in greater depth by your local rescue. Some of these turtles are found to like things such as slugs, snails, earthworms, fruit, berries, vegetables.
The European pond turtle is a well-known turtle that comes from Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. They are also known as either the European pond terrapin or Emys Orbicularis (say that name ten times fast!).
This turtle is known throughout the turtle-loving community as a beautiful, friendly pet turtle.
The European pond turtle is a fairly slow-moving water turtle that lives in and around water. They are known to hibernate for up to seven months at the bottom of the water! Making it a trick to take care of these beautiful animals; causing them to not be the right turtle for a beginner.
They are a medium sized turtle, varying from five to eight inches in length and width. Their shell is a rich brown with spots of yellow and a tinge of green. The one drawback to these turtles is that they are a host to many different parasites. This makes it extremely important to have a vet near-by who specializes in turtles.
Freshwater turtles are well known to many turtle lovers throughout the world. Unfortunately, not many people have had the pleasure of seeing these beautiful creatures for themselves; even though they are abundant throughout the world. With that said, they make wonderful pets. Often times beating out some of your non-aquatic turtles for spots in a home.
The freshwater turtle's population is greatest in the southeastern United States. This is one of the hot-spots where their diversity is rivaled by few other turtle species (or types). Unfortunately, despite their abundant numbers; they are threatened due to over-harvesting of their natural habitat; thus, making it important to help these beautiful turtles by conserving their habitat.
There are many different types of freshwater turtles around the world. However, there are a few that are extremely popular as pets. Some of these turtles are:
Yellowbelly Turtle
River Cooter
Florida Cooter
Chicken Turtle
Florida Softshell Turtle
Spiny Softshell Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
The Mexican Musk Turtle (or the Staurotypus Triporcatus) is a type of turtle that comes from the Kinosternidae group. They are found primarily in places such as Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and Guatemala.
These beautiful turtles are distinguished by the three keels that run up the length of their carapace. Their shell and overall body can grow to become one of the larger forms of turtles which have become pets for many.
While many people consider them to be wonderful pets, they aren't suggested for homes with children. Not only do they have a tendency to carry salmonella like almost all turtles; they are prone to have aggressive dispositions as well, making them more likely to bite you during feeding time.
These animals will need expert care and should not be owned by beginners. If you choose to adopt a Mexican Musk Turtle from your local rescue; make sure to have a near-by turtle specialist available to answer any of your questions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)