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Melissa Kaplan's
Herp Care Collection
Last updated January 1, 2014

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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.

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