Melissa
Kaplan's
Herp Care Collection
Last updated
April 19, 2007
Key Considerations in Selecting Reptiles
©1999 Melissa Kaplan
The following document was developed as a handout to use in lectures I conducted at humane societies, pet stores, etc. The points on the handout highlighted key concepts in the lecture and were often illustrated on flip charts - and through the use of live reptiles, equipment and supplies.
Animal Considerations
Ecology - burrowing, arboreal, terrestrial, semi-aquatic, etc.
Temperament
Adult size
Space Requirements
Equipment and Supplies
Diet - herbivore, fructivore, carnivore, insectivore, omnivore
Habitat Considerations
Secure Enclosure
Easy Access for Servicing
Heating - temperature gradient, thermometers
Lighting - UV, photoperiods
Water
Humidity
Substrates - safety vs. looks vs. convenience
Products
The following
are human or animal products that are as good as, or better than, the
generally overpriced products marketed to reptile owners for reptiles.
In a few instances, the reptile/animal products are the only ones available
for safe use, but you can generally find them more affordable through
mail order.
|
Disinfectants |
Find at: |
|
Nolvasan® (chlorhexidine diacetate) |
feed store; vet; mail order - always dilute! |
|
Hibiclens® (chlorhexidine gluconate) |
drug store; grocery store - always dilute! |
|
Hydrogen Peroxide - 35% Food Grade |
health food store - always dilute! |
|
Hydrogen Peroxide - 3% First Aid/Antiseptic |
drug store, grocery store |
|
Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol |
drug store; grocery store |
|
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First Aid |
Find at: |
|
Nolvasan® (chlorexidine diacetate) |
feed store; vet; mail order - dilute to 1-3% |
|
Hibiclens® (chlorhexidine gluconate) |
drug store; grocery store - dilute per directions |
|
Betadine® (povidone-iodine) |
drug store; grocery store; feed store; mail order - dilute to color of medium tea |
|
Triple antibiotic ointment |
drug store; grocery store; feed store; mail order |
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Heating & Lighting Supplies |
Find at: |
|
Human heating pads |
grocery store; drug store; K-Mart/Target, etc. |
|
Incandescent lights for day heating |
grocery store; drug store; K-Mart/Target, etc. |
|
Incandescent & fluorescent light fixtures |
hardware store; lighting store |
|
Ultraviolet fluorescent lights |
reptile supply mail order |
|
Dimmers, rheostats, timers |
hardware store; drug store; grocery store |
|
Thermostats |
hardware store; reptile supply mail order |
|
Thermometers |
hardware store; grocery store; reptile supply mail order |
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Substrates & Furnishings |
Find at: |
|
Artificial grass/indoor-outdoor carpet |
builder supply store |
|
Clean sand |
hardware store, builder supply store, toy store |
|
Orchid bark |
plant nursery, garden department at general store |
|
Sphagnum moss |
plant nursery, garden department at general store |
|
Sterile potting soil |
plant nursery, garden department at general store |
Thrift shops are good sources for towels, food and water bowls, slotted spoons for cleaning sand substrate, and more.
