Resources!
Below is where you'll find resources, tips, tricks, hacks and more!
Training
Must-Haves
Tips, Tricks, & Hacks
Feeders
You are what you eat and where you buy that food matters!
You can buy from chain stores like PetSmart, Petco, or even a reptile store like Scales' N Tails, but we've found that ordering online is often cheaper and can be better quality!
Insects |
DubiaKnown for their dubia roaches and cheap PVC enclosures, but they sell a large variety of feeder insects that arrive healthy and alive! |
PangeaKnown form their crested gecko food, they also sell feeder insects as well as other supplies. |
SymtonMainly selling black soldier fly larva but they have other feeder insects as well. |
FramsChamsA chameleon breeder who sells live Silkworms. |
Frozen Feeders |
Layne LabsSelling an assortment of frozen feeders from mice to quail, pricing everything reasonably and always arriving frozen! Estimated weight is given so you know the size of the meals you'll be receiving. |
Cold Blooded CafeAnother widely used website for frozen feeders. |
Rodent ProAnother widely used website for frozen feeders. |
Training
Every animal can be trained!
Whether it's a food que, handling que, or a mix of the two. Training is essential to establishing trust with your reptile.
Food Que |
Tong TrainingThis is the training method we use at the rescue. Every feeding session with every snake begins with us tapping their feeding tongs or hemostats around the enclosure aggressively. It is not just a gentle tap, but a loud banging to vibrate the enclosure and wake the snake or lizard inside. Once the animal reveals themself and shows a feeding response by increased tongue flicks or rapid body movements, the prey item is given. We have found that they pick this training method up rather quickly in a matter of a few feedings. |
Target TrainingThis method of training involves a brightly colored target. People often use a brightly colored ball on the end of a stick or a brightly colored object like a large orange bucket lid. Once the animal engages with the target by focusing on, tapping, or biting, the prey item is given. |
Handling Que |
Tap TrainingThis is the most widely known and used training method for snakes. We use this method anytime we get a snake who is hesitant about human touch. This method is practiced by using a snake hook to gently tap or rub the snake or lizard prior to grabbing or interacting with them. This gives them ample warning that interaction is about to happen and can, in turn, limit the chance of a defensive reaction happening. |
Clap TrainingWe like to use this method for large snakes like reticulated pythons or any large animal with impaired vision. This method is practiced by incorporating 2 or more loud claps prior to touching or grabbing the animal. This gives them ample warning that interaction is about to happen and can, in turn, limit the chance of a defensive reaction happening. |
Reptile Keeping Necessities
Supplies Every Reptile keeper needs!
Click the pictures to open the listing
Temperature Gun
An infrared temperature gun that displays the surface temperature of wherever you point it. It can be used for all your kiddos and is a must for tracking enclosure temps! Available in multiple colors to fit your keeping ascetic and come as low as
$9.49
Digital Hygrometer
Digital mini hygrometer and thermometer combo. While they do not do the best under constant moisture, they are perfect for placing around the enclosure to measure the temp and humidity of the different microclimates. 12 pack for
$16.99
Dimming Thermostat
A necessity for every heat source! Set the thermostat to the desired basking temp and place the probe on the basking spot. Make sure to secure it by wrapping, tucking, or weighing it down. Plug the lamp into the thermostat and the thermostat into the wall outlet. Never worry about your tank getting too hot! The thermostat will dim according to the temperature set.
$21.99
Feeding Tongs
Snake or lizard, you'll want a pair or 2 of rubber-tipped feeding tongs! They will protect your fingers while protecting their mouth! 2 pack for
$5.49
Tips, Trick, and Hacks!
Humid Hides
Use humid hides!!! Provide most geckos and snakes with a mostly enclosed hide containing damp sphagnum moss. Place it in the middle of the enclosure and moisten when dry. This will provide your reptile with an adequate humid shelter to aid them in shedding!
Greens
You can buy pre-made salad mixes to provide more varied greens for your veggie eaters especially if you struggle with greens going bad too soon.
Humidity
Move your water bowl closer to the heat source to slightly increase ambient humidity. Move it away to decrease. Spraying after sundown can also help the enclosure retain humidity longer!
Gutloading
Gutload your bugs!!! You are what you eat. If you are giving your feeder insects a nutritious diet, then your reptile is getting one too! Feed them 24-48hrs prior to giving to your kiddos! They can eat all sorts of fruits and veggies (except citrus)!
Heat
Sometimes you have to play around with the bulb wattage, distance, and sometimes the dome itself to get the desired temperatures. A wide dome distributes the heat in a larger radius while a deep dome acts as a spotlight that penetrates the surface below. Rather than adding a heat source, try increasing the bulb wattage first. If the basking spot isn't getting hot enough, try raising it.
Timers
Having lights on a timer or even smart timers leaves less for you to do every morning and every night while also giving them a consistent day/night cycle.
Misters
Foggers & misters can be useful tools when struggling with humidity. Foggers must be used in a large, ventilated enclosure to prevent mold and respiratory issues. Misters can be used as supplementary sprayers to provide timed humidity spikes throughout the day.
Substrate
A good substrate is key to retaining the humidity in the enclosure longer. A poor substrate will not hydrate completely and will leave your enclosure dry after a short period of time. Substrates must be hydrated from time to time by saturating them completely. It is okay to have humidity spikes that last a few days after hydrating. That's what happens when it rains!
Water Bottles
Clean and refill empty plastic water bottles for filling up water dishes. Instead of balancing full water dishes and splashing water onto the floor to step in, it is much easier to have water bottles on standby for refilling. If you have substrate and the water isn't soiled, you can dump unused water inside the enclosure.
Space
All empty space is unused space! Utilize all the space in your enclosure by mounting things to the top, decorating the sides, and building up! If using dirt, slope it so the back is higher to create depth. Use string, wire, or zip ties to secure branches and mount decor to the top of the enclosure.
Nontraditional
The supplies you buy don't need to be marketed towards reptiles. There are so many objects that can be used for hides, and several stores sell fake foliage. A water dish doesn't have to be a water dish. It can be a standard soup bowl. A food dish can be a sauce saucer. Home decor can be used as enrichment. A humid hide can be a takeout container with a hole cut in it. Get creative!
Nontraditional
The supplies you buy don't need to be marketed towards reptiles. There are so many objects that can be used for hides, and several stores sell fake foliage. A water dish doesn't have to be a water dish. It can be a standard soup bowl. A food dish can be a sauce saucer. Home decor can be used as enrichment. A humid hide can be a takeout container with a hole cut in it. Get creative!