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Learn the importance of UVB light for your reptiles and the right reptile lights for your pet’s habitat.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for Colubrids recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to take care of Milk Snakes, recommended diet and habitat. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for a Rosy boa, recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025

A few ideas to use to get your pet safely through a power outage, regardless of the time of year.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Thanks for your question about Smaug, and thanks for the photo as well! I think that you have a good start to your set up, and that we can tweak a few items. First, your lighting situation appears adequate - I see a UVB light (please change this bulb every 4-6 months), a basking light, and a ceramic heat bulb. I would ensure that your temperatures are appropriate for this species, and that you are monitoring them using digital thermometers (I think that you see both a digital and analog thermometers currently) at the level of Smaug. Analog thermometers are inaccurate, so I don't recommend using them (also, they are high up on the sides of the enclosure, so they wouldn't be giving an accurate temperature read for Smaug). For the cage furniture that you have, I like that you have places for Smaug to climb and hide. However, I would recommend having a hide on both the warm side of the enclosure and the cool side so that Smaug has choices. Same for the climbing structures. I may have misse
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Snakes typically do not need supplements or extra vitamins. If she is looking dull it is most likely because she is getting ready to shed. Another possibility is improper cage lighting. Do you have a full spectrum lamp on her cage? That helps bring out their coloration. I would recommend coconut husk for a substrate to help hold the moisture in the cage so humidity levels will be adequate. Here is a full care sheet that may answer more of your questions. ( http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Snakes/Green-Tree-Python/ ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Use whatever wattage bulb will attain a 90F to 96F basking spot. Usually an 80 or 100 watt bulb on a dimmer switch, easily purchased at most home improvement stores, will get the desired results. Be sure he cannot come into contact with the bulb as this can result is serious burns or injury. No nighttime lighting is required. A 12-14 hour light cycle is recommended.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Once he acclimates to his new home, he may become more active. Ball pythons are mostly nocturnal also, so if the room is bright he may seek dark spots and come out at dusk or overnight. Keep a large bowl of water in the tank. A deep layer of porous substrate may hold moisture longer. You can even add some moss. Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity. If it's too high, you can predispose your python to respiratory infection.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Thanks for reaching out about Shelley. Starting with a good website such as the San Diego Turtle & Tortoise Society (instead of just copying it to here). At the minimum, a 30-40 gallon aquarium. Set up for a haul out area under a basking site. The basking site should reach 90+ degrees and also include ultraviolet B radiation (special bulb). Food can consist of turtle pellets (purchased in small quantities, used in 3 months, with the remainder thrown away). Fresh chopped vegetables can also be offered but it usually takes a while for turtles to accept it as food. Testing water quality and cleaning regularly. Good luck.
Updated on August 12th, 2025