Care & Handling
Before you decide to keep any reptile, please make sure you do your homework by getting extensive knowledge on how to handle and care for them.
This is best done by asking an experienced keeper/handler, joining reptile forums and combining this with multiple trusted sources on the Web.
All reptiles are cold blooded so they need a heat source to keep their blood and body warm. It is therefore essential for them to have access to artificial heat sources from natural or artificial lighting systems. The most common issue for a reptile is not having enough heat source and D3 calcium for their bodies. Lack of a heat source can cause problems to their digestive system and a lack of calcium (D3) will lead to common diseases such as Metallic Bone Disease (MBD). These problems will eventually lead to death.
We can easily distinguish which types of reptiles need basking and which do not. Usually most reptiles need to be basked daily to get enough D3 (natural calcium from sunlight which is produced from UVB) which is essential for their growth and health but there are also some reptiles that do not need basking.
Most of these reptiles that do not need basking are nocturals. Examples of noctural reptiles are geckos and amphibians. Although these noctural reptiles do not need to be basked, dusting their food source with calcium powder is still vital to their health. There are lots of brands out there on the market for these calciums and vitamins.
Just make sure you always read carefully the details of each product and what they are used for. Even the same calcium can be catagorized with D3 or without D3 so due care and diligence is critically important.
In conclusion, “different care” is needed for different species of reptiles.
Reptile Accessories
Common problems with countries that have 4 seasons is the impossibility of providing regular natural heat and light sources (SUNLIGHT).
This is where artificial light and heat sources are critical. Lots of brands are easily available. For me, I prefer to get those 2 in 1 reptile basking bulbs (UVA+UVB Basking Bulbs) rather than separate bulbs. These artificial light sources can stimulate natural heat and the appropriate light source that specific reptiles require. Another accessory commonly used is the heat pad or if the enclosure is big enough you might want to install a heater for your reptiles. It really depends on where you live.
I live in the South East Asian tropics, therefore I don’t need to buy any heating equipment as its hot throughout the year, but I still use UVA+UVB bulbs during the cooler monsoon rain season.
Handling
Caring for the health of your reptiles must include actually handling them.
The most common accessories for handling are items such as handling gloves and snake hooks. There are lots of safety rules that you need to learn when handling reptiles.
Lets take a common example of snakes and venomous snakes in particular. Common sense dictates that they need to be handled differently and with great caution. (Please understand clearly that there is no such thing in general as a tame animal that does not bite! Even the most tamed animals will eventually bite if you handle them incorrectly).
An example of handling big non venomous snakes such as boas that at least 2 people are needed when you are around a big snake. Another handling tip that you might commony hear when handling big non venomous snakes, is to “Never Put A Huge Snake Around Your Neck”. Ignoring these 2 rules can quickly cause an escalation to a very dangerous and life threatening situation even with 2 handlers in the case of ever placing one around the neck (choked or broken neck).
How about venomous snakes? They need to be handled differently and as little as possible in their locked enclosure. They have no room for error! Forgetting to lock the enclosure exposes others to danger if they do not know the species or simply know nothing.
Rules such as “their enclosure should be locked at all times”, “use of snake hooks”, “wearing safety goggles” (for spitting cobras) and “donning boots and venomous snake handling gloves”. These are some rules that you ignore at your peril as one wrong move could prove to be fatal!
Handling a large lizard in general is more safer than handling venomous snakes but it is still better to always handle them with caution and respect.
After many years of handling large lizards such as monitors, iguanas and cyclura, I would probably need just a pair of handling gloves. Reptiles should be moved gently and quickly with confidence. Do not hesitate, make jerky movements or grab them the wrong way as these will promote bites. It is not recomended to grab reptiles from above as it will stimulate instinctive defensive reactions to natural predators such as eagles swooping in from above. (All of these movements will create stress or aggressiveness). There are certain behaviours characteristics that different species will have. Be educated and know these.
Of course there is much more information on how to care and handle these reptiles properly. Quality care and handling will lead your reptiles to a healthy and happy life and you to avoid injury or worse!
Inappropriate handling a full grown male Iguana during mating season!
“Always know where to go for the hospital that you already know carries the correct anti-venom for the species you keep”. Hospital name, address and telephone number should be attached to the enclosure!
