| I know all to well the excitement of a new reptile. | | | | reptile. Now you want to look for signs of infection, |
| And whether you are going to introduce it to your | | | | such as loss of appetite, loss of weight, or lethargy. |
| other herps for breeding purposes or just as a new | | | | Whether infection has been determined or not |
| family member quarantining is a must. In our | | | | proper handling of these new reptiles is a must. You |
| experience, even the most professional and | | | | will want to be sure to handle these reptiles last, |
| experience ed breeders occasionally have reptiles | | | | after you have cared for your existing collection. This |
| that slip through their screening methods. The results | | | | insures that any disease that the new reptile is |
| of not quarantining can be disastrous, including huge | | | | carrying will not be transfered to your colony on your |
| veterinary fees, lost breeding time, and even death | | | | hands or fingers. |
| of many of your colony. | | | | You will want to be extra careful around their water |
| Proper quarantining requires a separation and | | | | dish and waste, as these are the major sources of |
| observation for at least 30 days, preferably 60. | | | | bacteria. |
| These animals should be kept in a container that will | | | | Be assured that the extra time and effort that you |
| be easy to clean. A glass tank or a plastic shoe box | | | | put into your reptiles initial health will pay you back in |
| container works great for this purpose. Proper heat | | | | years of problem free reptile keeping. |
| should be provided as you would provide for any | | | | |