Reptiles

U.V. Lighting

The exo tetra repti glo 10.0 has a very high UVB output similar to that associated with desert environments. Desert locations receive more direct sunlight than any other because of fewer clouds, less air humidity and no plants or trees to provide shade. Therefore desert reptiles are more exposed to UV radiation than any other type of reptile. This bulb can also be used on screened terrariums or terrariums with dense screen covers to ensure UVB penetration. Dense screens can filter out up to 50% of the UVB rays.

Heating

When keeping reptiles housed in a vivarium it is essential to heat the vivarium using a thermostat, there are many thermostats on the market, but one of the best brand of thermostats are "Habistat" thermostats. Sophisticated Dimming thermostat, designed specifically for controlling light bulbs. The Dimming thermostat is one of the most accurate methods of temperature control and whilst it is perfect for controlling light bulbs, it can be used on almost any heaters. Unlike other Habistat thermostats, it does require a minimum load of 40 watts,
but has a maximum capacity of 600 watts at 230 volts.

Medications

Calypso calcium dust is an essential supplement for insect eating reptiles such as bearded dragons, leopard geckos, chameleons and amphibians such as horned frogs. This dust must be combined with UVB lighting of sufficient quality and/or adequate levels of either dietary or supplementary vitamin D3. Calypso is made from 99% pure calcium and is readily accepted and easily absorbed.

Vitamin and mineral supplement, add to drinking water. BSP stands for Broad SPectrum. These are high potency vitamin drops so that only a small amount is needed.

Many reptiles benefit from vitamins in the water. Snakes fed on fish such as garter snakes can develop a deficiency of vitamin B1. Alligators and crocodiles can also do this but they are easier to supplement with ARKVITS etc). Because the actual food items of garter snakes and other very small species are small and are often fed by placing them in a water bowl, powdered supplements are not very successful.

Even large snakes fed weekly or fortnightly and supplemented at the time can benefit from vitamins in their water in the interim. They are often fed frozen laboratory rodents which are often overweight. This can lead to vitamin E deficiency and steatitis (inflamed fat) which is prevented by use of BSP.

Tortoises also develop steatitis and will often accept vitamins in the water when they avoid vitamins on food (preferring to eat the plants in the garden). Lettuce is low in carotene and vitamin A and is a staple item for most tortoises, BSP gives an alternative way of providing this vitamin.

Hygiene

Ark klense is a blend of benzalkonium chloride (quaternary ammonium compounds) specially selected for safety of use. This family of chemicals are powerful disinfectants with an additional detergent and deodorising action. At the recommended concentrations ARK-KLENS is non-corrosive, it is bactericidal against a wide range of gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Some viruses and some fungi are also susceptible. This makes ARK-KLENS suitable for disinfection of the animal "environment" such as vivaria, cages, kennels, and food and water bowls etc. It can also be used safely as a disinfectant for incubators. As a disinfectant it has broad antibacterial activity and is virucidal against lipophilic viruses. General disinfection is carried out using 10ml/5 litres i.e. a final concentration of 0.025%.