Merker Reptiles

This is golden brown with two dark stripes on the underneath (plastron). The males have longer and thicker tails but are much smaller than the female. The female Hermann's tortoise can reach 10 inches in length with the males averaging only 5 inches. These chelonians originate in Europe and can be found across the south of France through to Italy, Greece and Turkey. Much of their natural habitat has unfortunately been lost due to deforestation and urbanization of the arid grasslands and scrub hillsides where they originate. The Hermann's tortoise is a hardy and resilient creature but it does need a dry and sunny outdoor enclosure if possible. Although this species is more tolerant of dampness than...

Iguanas are becoming one of the most owned pets. However, there are many owners out there that do not know what it takes to become a good pet owner. Iguana pets take time, commitment and love. If you can provide this to your iguana then you should have no problem raising a healthy iguana. If you still do not know if you have what it takes to become an iguana owner, read the following facts and tips on iguana care. Your pet comes from the tropics and you must mimic their living style. You must provide them with lighting that gives off UVB rays. You can find these types of lights at your local pet store. Since your iguanas come from the wild where they love to explore, you must also provide your pet...

A tortoise vivarium can be a show piece for your prized pet! However, there are a number of factors to consider before you decide it is right for you and your pet. There can be some confusion amongst pet owners as to exactly what a vivarium is.. Specifically a it has both land and water incorporated within. For this reason you will have to do some homework as to which type of species of tortoise you wish to keep. There are species of that do not thrive in high humidity (water vapour) environments. Therefore if you decide on a species that does not live in an environment with high humidity you should not build a tortoise vivarium for that particular species. If you do decide on a type that thrives in...

Do you want to keep an interesting and unique pet that will be different from anything your friends own? If you like frogs, you might want to consider purchasing an African Claw Frog. African Clawed Frogs are a good choice for someone who has never owned an amphibian before because they are relatively easy to care for. Keep in mind, however, that they can easily live for 15 years or even more, so be sure you are ready to commit to one of these animals before you make a purchase. Setting Up the Home Before you bring your African Clawed Frog home, you need to make certain you have its home prepared and ready for your new pet to move right in. Since these frogs are so large - measuring about 4 to 5...

Handling a new leopard gecko can be a problematic undertaking, especially for people who don't have a lot of previous experience in dealing with reptiles, or if you're someone whose experience is universally with larger ones. However, it's not really all that complicated. When handling any animal, you're going to want to take things slow, and that applies as much to geckos as to any other. When you first get the gecko, hold it only for short periods of time, or not at all, depending on how calm or nervous it is. An animal that's extremely nervous should probably be left alone for the first little while in order to let it get used to things. Your lizard should be able to adjust to its new environment...

When feeding corn snake, make sure you provide the proper size of the rodent. Small rodent will only leave your corn snake hungry thus a larger sized rodent or mice could lead to regurgitation. Your best option is to choose for frozen or thawed rodents for high temperature or by freezing, it could kill any parasites inside the rodent. Parasite form rodents can be easily transmitted to your corn snakes so be careful when feeding them with this. If your corn snake is still a hatchling, you should feed them every 5-7 days. You should feed young and adult corn snakes once every 10-14 days. Remember that just like any other animals and humans, when you overfeed your corn snakes, they will become...

First, when you are thinking of making this hobby as your business, then you must know the hard truth that there is no money in this kind of trade because of tough competition among corn snake breeders. When starting breeding corn snakes make sure that your corn snakes are healthy and in great condition. When breeding corn snakes, there are some important things any breeders should consider. Any health problems with the female corn snake can surely cause problems to her and to her future offspring. Before you start the brumation process, put some weights on your corn snakes. You must set up another tank with temperature of 65-70F for 5-7 days. Then after this, set up the tank temperature to 55-60F...

Equipment and Tools When building an outdoor red eared slider pond, it is important to have the right tools before you get started. Building a simple pond shouldn't take more than a few hours. To build an in-ground pond, you'll need a shovel, a liner (for example a small plastic swimming pool or other plastic container), fencing, rocks or other materials for the turtle to leave the water and bask in and, of course, the water. Getting Started How long it takes to build a red eared slider pond depends on how much work you put into it and how elaborate you want it to be. The first step to begin building the pond is to shovel out enough dirt to allow your container to fit inside. This is the hardest and...

The marine iguana diagram for convection currents can help to understand how the marine iguana lives and thrives. The marine iguana diagram shows it's grouping of cold and warm ocean currents as well as the different distinct regions where the animals and plants live. Take a look at the dark green areas of the marine iguana diagram to reflect where the animals and plants live, thrive and survive. It clearly displays the colder waters coming in and the warmer waters and also shows where the marine iguana can be found. The marine iguana diagram above consists of the Galapagos Islands, which is where this rare creature is found. It is rare and is considerably different in biological make up than...

This is a quick guide to different field herping techniques that are quite common and productive for field herpers across the globe. As well as providing a few different techniques for you to employ, I've also added a quick "tips" section that deals with weather conditions, timing, and some different topics that need to be dealt with by most herpers. Techniques Flipping: Flipping debris can be extremely effective when looking for herps and is the method that most field herpers employ regularly. Flipping can refer to anything from natural cover like logs and rocks to artificial cover like tin, wood, and trash (that's right, trash!) Snake and other herps love to utilize cover because it gives them the...

The period known as the Major Mitchell's cockatoo, Leadbeater's Cockatoo is most probably one of the world's most beautiful of all cockatoos. This is merely because most of the Leadbeater cockatoo's are largely ashen! Nevertheless, there is purely no factually signal to the statement that this species do not make a great pet bird, really they do. They incredibly absurd nicknames given to Leadbeater's cockatoos they are whichever hated or minimally adored by aviculturists. The trap to have one of them as a pet is to make loyal that they are raised in the proper behavior. In the untamed, the Leadbeater's cockatoos chiefly eat meadow seeds and roots. Their habitat is awfully erratic throughout the...

When you decided to own a pet python, every detail about your pet is invaluable in making sure your pet is healthy and comfortable. Python owners, like owners of other pets, are usually keen to provide everything their pet needs. To keep both the owner and the pet happy, in this article, I focus on the habitat of pythons and what needs to be done when they are reared as pets in an artificial environment. Many pythons suffer silently if they don't get a warm, cozy place to live in that approximates their natural habitat in a few important ways. So how can you rear python in a friendly setting? What type of habitat should you provide? How do you get your pet to enjoy your company? Your Python's Cage...

One of the largest of all the iguanas, rhinoceros iguanas can reach four feet in length. Their name is attributed to the three horn-like outgrowths on the end of their nose. They are gray or olive green in color, with dark cross bands, which blends in with the rocks of their natural habitat. As cold-blooded reptiles, these iguanas must warm up under the sun before being active during the day (diurnal.) Iguanas of the cyclura genus are found on many Caribbean islands, but the rhinoceros iguana is found only in the islands of Haiti and the Dominican republic. Rhinoceros iguanas eat leaves, flowers and fruit. They have been observed to eat insects, land crabs, eggs. They are normally ground dwelling...

Iguanas are exotic animals that make for great exotic pets. They are also becoming more and more popular by the day. However, for some iguana lovers, the task of taking care of an iguana can be quite daunting. Fortunately, once you learn about the two basic concepts of food and shelter you will be well equipped to take on the challenge of caring for your own pet iguana. Here are some important guidelines to follow when providing for your iguana: Food: During your research on what to feed your iguana, you may come across some information stating that is alright to feed insects to your iguana, based on the premise that in the wild iguanas have been known to eat insects. This is gravely incorrect...

To take care of an iguana and its health, it is not necessary to take it out on daily walks to the park or have it groomed at your local vet office. This might be something you would carry out for a dog or cat but certainly not an iguana. To continue your iguana?s healthy status, it is an issue of doing your homework before you get one. You must have a basic understanding of their needs. Plus with all the data available on iguanas, there should be no reason your pet cannot be getting bigger and vigorous. Many people do not understand that taking care of an iguana is as difficult as taking care of other household pets. They are just as sensitive if their owners do not comprehend how to take care of...

If you and your family have decided that you would like to keep an exotic pet, such as a turtle, there are many things that you need to be aware of when caring for a pet such as this. Sometimes they might have special diet requirements that you need to follow strictly in order for the pet to be healthy and happy. Turtles can be interesting pets for anyone to take care of and are often picked as pets for the wrong reasons. One of the main things that you will need to do when you are caring for a turtle is to make sure that the turtle has the correct environment to live in. Turtles need to have just the right temperatures in order to survive in whatever environment that you have created for them. You...

Feeding African dwarf frogs (ADFs) makes for an interesting experience. These tiny frogs have poor eyesight and will generally only notice something that's right in front of them and at an angle. This can make for a difficult feeding time; however, feeding your frog doesn't have to be stressful if you know a few tips: 1. If you have gravel or stones on the bottom of your frog's home, then a great way to prevent whatever you feed your frog, whether pellets or frozen food, from disappearing into the gravel where the frog can't reach it, is to use a dish. A small, never-seen-soap, glass or plastic dish placed in the gravel will allow you to put food where your frog can get to it. After you do this a...

Are you one of those low-key, laid-back homebodies who lavish alone time, but still try to make the home cozy and inviting to potential visitors? Well, what better way to achieve that balance than to bring home a low-maintenance pet whose activities invoke conversation and relaxation, without actually affecting yours. A pet turtle immediately comes to mind as the perfect companion you can rely on to keep your guests entertained when the need arises, or to keep quiet and give you space when you need it. Turtles make wonderful pets and potential owners will be happy to know that enough species exist to suit one's particular taste or requirement. The four most common species for making into pets are...

Ball python care is one of the important things you should know about them. You must provide them their basic needs in life to make them happy, healthy and comfortable even in captivity. Most ball pythons live most of their lives in the wild so when caught in captivity they seem so hard to adjust in their new environment. This is where you should start giving care to them in order for them to easily adjust in their new home with us. You must provide a comfortable home for them to stay in. A comfortable home for them is a enclosure with basic needs and accessories in it such as hide boxes, ceramic sturdy water bowls, full spectrum lights, thermometers, and substrate and heat pads. In ball python care...

Green iguanas are usually brought home to care as well as pamper. But you should know that there are many types of iguanas are present in this world. Many can be seen only in forests in their natural habitat and these types are not available at pet stores. Iguanas can be classified into six types, they are: 1. The desert iguana, Dipsosaurus. 2. Spiny tailed iguana, Ctenosaura. 3. Casque-headed iguana, Lemanctus. 4. The helmeted iguana, Corytophanes. 5. The rock and rhinoceros iguana, Cyclura. 6. The Madagascar iguana, Chalarodon. 7. Green iguana. The most famous of these iguanas which is the becoming popular at households are the green iguanas. The iguanas may differ in their appearance and types...

Outdoor Means Outdoor When you choose to make your pet turtle an outdoor turtle you need to commit to it wholeheartedly. Moving a turtle from indoors to outdoors constantly can have a negative effect on your pet. Turtle are very sensitive to sudden changes in their environment and constantly changing their temperature can make them unhealthy and sick. A sudden change in temperature as little as ten degrees can shock your pet turtle's system and make them ill. Housing Outdoor Turtles Outdoor turtles should have a pen that is large enough for them to move around and be comfortable. The walls should be high enough so that they don't escape. Usually a couple of feet is high enough. You'll be able to...

The green anole may seem like an ideal, inexpensive pet, but that's not quite true. While the lizard can be inexpensive to buy, it's the maintenance that can get pricey, and maintaining any lizard's habitat and health isn't exactly simple. Anoles are often (incorrectly) referred to as chameleons or geckos. Although they can change colors (from a bright green to brown), they aren't true chameleons. They can be kept singly or in a group, though males can become territorial and can fight with one another if kept in captivity together, so it's better to have one male and a few females if you wish to house a group of anoles. Habitat requirements for the green anole are a minimum ten-gallon tank for a few...

General Information Scientific Name: Elaphe Guttata or Elaphe Pantherophis Lifespan: 10+ years Housing Glass aquariums, plastic tubs or custom wooden/plastic caging of appropriate size work well for corn snakes. A 20 gallon "breeder/long" aquarium with a secure lid works well for cornsnake of any age. Making sure the tank is escape proof is essential. Snakes in general are great escape artists and will not hesitate to make a run for it. If you prefer to use plastic tubs in a rack system, a 6qt shoebox size container works well for hatchlings, 15qt for yearlings & sub-adults and 28-32qt tubs for adults. Ventilation holes should be drilled into the container to allow for proper aeration. It is not...

A ball python eating mice or rats is a sign that it is well trained by its breeder or pet owner. Most ball pythons are said to be finicky eaters, but not all because there are ball pythons that love to eat mice or rats. It is believed that ball pythons love to eat gerbils, hamsters and shrews while they are in the wild. That is why most breeders recommend that if you are a beginner in taking care of a ball python, you must buy a captive breed ball python baby so you will not have problems in its eating habits. These snakes are said to be well trained in eating mice and are also proven to be healthy because they are clean and parasite free. A ball python eats what it only wants to eat and must be...

Breeding iguanas can be a really fruitful experience for any iguana owner. During the breeding season, a breeder must place males and females together in the same area to allow for reproduction to occur naturally and smoothly. It is advisable to breed a single male with a single female. Females are larger than males and if there are more females and only a single male then the male may end up being killed during the mating procedure. Grouping therefore should be determined by size and ratio. When you design the nest, you must ensure that the area around it is safe and cannot lead to scratches, abrasions or other injuries to your pets. There are a few options with regards to the material for the nest...

Does your idea of feeding your pet snake consist of tossing some food in the tank every couple of days, closing the lid and walking away? Continue reading and you'll find that there is a lot more involved, and you may just pick up some useful tips to make your snake a lot happier. It is best to start using the right techniques as early as you can with your snake, hopefully when they are still a baby. Although it may be tougher to instill the correct habits as the snake gets older it is not impossible. These methods will help keep you and your snake healthy and happy while avoiding any unnecessary accidents. The first tip is to always use a separate container in which to feed your snake instead of...

Frogs can make excellent pets, especially for beginners. One thing to be certain of: Be sure you're buying frogs bred in captivity. Many species of frogs are endangered due, in part, to human activity such as capture for pets. A few things to consider before purchasing a frog: The average life span of a frog can be up to fifteen years, so it's a long-term commitment to care for a frog. Also, some frogs grow to be quite large, and it can be difficult to tell which ones will grow larger and which won't. Some research before you buy is a good idea. Frog habitats can be tricky. Some frogs require an aquatic tank (filled with water), some a terrestrial (no water) and some require both types of habitat...

Bearded dragon food is straightforward and easy to access. Feeding the right food to your bearded dragon can help your pet live a longer and healthier lifestyle. Feeding bearded dragons is very simple and should give no problems to any dragon owner. The type of food you feed your dragon will vary depending on its age. Feed your lizard only in quantities that they can eat within a few hours. Bearded dragon food is better when moistened but always make sure you remove any uneaten food daily as adding water to dried formulas can result in rapid spoilage and fermentation. Feeding Bearded Dragons dried diets with low moisture content is unnatural and may lead to them becoming dehydrated. Store your feed...

Iguanas in the wild are very independent and solitary animals. They do not particularly care to socialize with each other, much less with humans. Domesticated iguanas, or as domesticated as they get, are more adapted to humans and more willing to allow handling. This depends largely on the circumstances, conditions, and the iguana's personality. Iguanas do not like sudden unexpected movements or loud noises. These creatures are not like dogs. They don't want you to pet them like a dog, or whistle for them like a dog. Do not kiss your iguana, either. Always wash your hands after handling your iguana. Your iguana should be approached slowly. Don't sneak up on him, but don't startle him either...

Leopard geckos are lucky in that there are relatively few health issues which tend to affect them. However, tail loss is one of these issues. Dropping their tail is a defense mechanism which enables leopard geckos to escape from predators, though it can cause some problems. A gecko will grow a new tail if they lose theirs, though the tail which they grow back won't usually look much like the tail they have lost; it tends to be a different shape and is often white rather than its original color. Of course, a gecko doesn't worry too much about its looks, though you might prefer the way your pet looks with their original tail! However, the way your pet leopard gecko's new tail looks isn't the real...