Reptile - Page 9 - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support

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What is the best type of substrate for my boa?

Some of the best types of substrates for a boa are paper towel, newspaper, pine shavings, wood chips and bark mulch. I would avoid using cedar shavings though as they can cause skin blisters.

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8/26/2012 1:05:16 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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What kind of substrate is best suited for my leopard frog?

Leopard frogs require a very high level of humidity and therefore I would recommend using potting soil or peat.

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8/26/2012 1:05:02 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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I am in the middle of setting up a tank for a Hognose snake I will be buying later this week. I am concerned about the type of bedding I should use. One site I was looking at said that aspen shaving

I have had a Hognose for over a year now and I use a combination of soil and sand. As a species, Hognose snakes are known to be burrowers.

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8/26/2012 1:04:52 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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What types of substrates are best suited for snakes?

There are some types of substrates that are preferred for snakes including newspaper/paper towel, reptile carpeting and aspen.

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8/26/2012 1:02:32 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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Why is substrate choice so important?

Choosing the right substrate for your particular reptile/amphibian is very important. You need to consider temperature, humidity, tendency of your animal to ingest. While some types may be ideal for one species, they can be a risk for others.

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8/26/2012 1:00:03 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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What are some good brands of coconut substrates?

Some of the most well-known and effective brands are: Eco-Earth, Bed-A-Beast and CocoSoft.

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8/26/2012 12:59:51 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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Why should I not use calcium based sand as a substrate for my bearded dragon?

One of the main problems with using calcium sand as a substrate is impaction. Many reptiles are guilty of licking everything; thus every time they lick they ground, they will ingest a little sand. Bearded dragons are said to develop a taste for calci-sand over time and will start eating it. This is extremely dangerous.

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8/26/2012 12:59:37 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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What kind of substrate should I use for my iguana?

Iguanas are known to "******-flick" their environment, so the type of substrate you choose can be very crucial. You do not want something that can stick to their tongues and later be ingested and harmful. Try products such as paper towel, non-toxic ink newspaper, or butcher paper. Many people also like to use artificial grass.

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8/26/2012 12:57:30 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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We just bought a red-spotted newt and are having a hard time picking a type of substrate to use. Can anyone recommend a good substrate for a newt?

I recommend using natural colored aquarium gravel as a substrate for your newt. Some people use moss; however I find that gravel works better. It can be purchased at almost any pet shop.

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8/26/2012 12:57:13 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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Is it ok to use cedar wood chips as a substrate for my thick-toed gecko?

Although wood-based substrates are good for arborial reptiles, I do not recommend the use of wood substrates. They lack in absorbency and odor control. They have also been said to hurt the feet of reptiles/cause splinters.

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8/26/2012 12:56:54 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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What is a substrate?

A substrate is what you place on the ground of your reptile/amphibian enclosure.

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8/26/2012 12:54:58 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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Can I use some cat litter as a substrate for my lizard? I need something to absorb the odor.

You should not use cat litter under any circumstance. Cat litter is designed to absorb moisture, which you want to stay away from. This can cause serious skin problems for your lizard (or other reptiles for that matter), and may lead to dehydration. There's a product called ReptiSand that I found to work very well, maybe you can give it a try. Here is a link to the product information -

http://tomsbirdfeeders.com/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=rEPTI+sAND

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8/26/2012 12:54:44 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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What types of substrates should I avoid putting in my reptile's enclosure?

There are several materials that should be avoided, they include:

• Calcium based sand

• Dirt

• Bark

• Walnut shells

• Play sand

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8/26/2012 12:54:14 PM • Blue Iguana... • Answered on Aug 26, 2012

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How can I breed my own crickets to feed my lizard?

I have found you a great how-to guide that will take you through the process from start to finish. Hope you find it helpful.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?c=6016&articleid=2380&d=160

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8/14/2012 11:00:59 AM • Reptile • Answered on Aug 14, 2012

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Can I feed my snake live rats?

It is recommended that you only feed your reptiles pre-killed mice and rats. The reasons for this are:

• if your live prey is more active than your reptile, he may not be able to catch it
• there is a chance that your live prey can attack your reptile
• if your reptile is attacked by its prey there is a large chance he may not want to feed on prey in the future, alive/dead
• live prey can fight back during feeding, injuring your snake

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8/14/2012 10:59:19 AM • Reptile • Answered on Aug 14, 2012

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In terms of feeding an amphibian, what does the term gutloading mean?

Gutloading is a term used to describe the feeding practice of the filler foods. This means that if you feed your amphibian live crickets, you should feed your crickets first with foods that will ultimately be nutritious for your amphibian.

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8/14/2012 10:56:54 AM • Reptile • Answered on Aug 14, 2012

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How much should I feed my snake?

I have found you a great reference chart that will help you determine how much to feed your snake in regards to weight and age.

http://www.petsnakecare.net/how-much-to-feed-a-snake.php

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8/14/2012 10:55:25 AM • Reptile • Answered on Aug 14, 2012

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I am thinking of buying a tortoise. Before I do I would like to be more informed on what kind of foods they eat.

For the most part, tortoises eat a vegetarian diet. Dark leafy greens are ideal, as well as romaine and mustard greens. You can also feed a tortoise carrot, squash and parsnip. Try to avoid feeding them iceberg lettuce, there is little to no nutrient value.

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8/14/2012 10:53:18 AM • Reptile • Answered on Aug 14, 2012

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Is it true that some reptiles can go a month without eating?

Some reptiles, particularly crocodiles and boa constrictors, can go for extended periods of fasting (some may last up to 6 weeks). Pythons can go a month without food after eating a rabbit.

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8/14/2012 10:51:48 AM • Reptile • Answered on Aug 14, 2012

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I was watching my friend feed his snake and I noticed that they do not chew. This begs the question - how do they digest their food?

You are correct, snakes swallow their food whole. After ingestion, a snake's stomach expands and stretches. In order to digest the food, the gut tissues shed old cells and grow a large number of new ones; similar to the process of when they shed their skin.

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8/14/2012 10:50:18 AM • Reptile • Answered on Aug 14, 2012