Short Steppe Runner Care Video

One of the most popular new animals in the exotic pet world is the steppe runner. They haven’t been in the States very long, so collectors are anxious to own them and to learn more about how to take care of them. This is just a short video, but it will give you a good idea of how to furnish and light the housing for this reptile. Additionally, you can get a good look at this little fellow near the end of the video.

As you can see, clean sand makes a good substrate. There are two reptile caves in the tank, too. Lizards can go in these to hide or rest at night. There is a cactus to make the reptile feel at home, and there is a pool for drinking water and soaking.

The 100 watt basking lamp is housed in a large dome and is situated right over one of the basking rocks. The rocks are important because the lizard likes to lounge on them. She mentions that there are three levels of heat running from around 100 degrees on one end down to about 80 on the other. This is a perfect setup for the steppe lizard as it will move around to adjust its body temperature.

This is a very nice and attractive setup. It is not expensive to put a setup like this together, and it really adds to the pleasure of viewing the animal. The backdrop adds a lot, too, and those are inexpensive as well.

As you can see, this is a simple setup that shows how easy it is to care for a steppe lizard. A rig like this would work well for other lizards, too, and also for small snakes.

Hope you enjoyed the video.

Why a Steppe Runner is a Great New Exotic Pet

Are you in step with Steppe Runners? They are the new sensation with exotic pet collectors. They have a lot going for them: They are cute, small, easy to care for, and they take well to people.

You can see them in their natural habitat, which includes the grasslands and deserts of Mongolia, southeastern Europe and parts of Russia; however, it would be much easier to have one in your own home. And as you will see here, that is an easy proposition that requires only minutes per day.

One of several reasons for their popularity is because the like to be handled by their owners. They will sit right in the palm of the hand and relax while enjoying the company of another life form. It sometimes takes a little work to build up their trust, but they soon come around and learn to enjoy people.

The steppe lizard is not just friendly, but easy to care for, too. When it’s not busy eating out of your hand, it will sun itself on nice flat rocks and take in the rays. It doesn't demand a high-tech housing, and it requires very few furnishings. All it takes is a pet cave, some rocks and a branch or two situated on some sand.

People who want to get into collecting exotic pets would do well to try a steppe lizard. They are by far one of the easier exotics to care for. They only eat insects, and they have very few other requirements other than warmth and cover. Additionally, they are small, so they don’t take up much space.

You can order steppe runners online, or you can get them from a pet store in your area. Not all stores carry them, yet, so you may have to ask around. It will be worth the effort if you are interested in this kind of thing.

The Bearded Dragon is not as Ferocious as the Name Sounds

The bearded dragon has a very fitting name. This favorite among collectors lives up to its name by sporting a beard. The beard is actually a hunk of skin that hangs under its mouth. The skin has spines, and when the animal feels threatened, it can cause the beard to puff up to make it appear larger and scarier.

If you go to Australia, you may just see one of them in the desert or in the wooded areas. They enjoy the brush, and they like to lay on branches and rocks to take in some sun. It is common to see them near populated areas, as well. This affords them the opportunity for more shelter and bits of discarded food.

Though they are harmless, bearded dragons look quite dangerous to their enemies. The sides of their heads are lined with spiked scales, and those spikes run down the sides or their bodies. Though they are not actually sharp, a predator may think they are, and they also serve as protection for the lizard’s skin. The lizard is flat, and therefore it lies close to the ground, but its belly is rounded on the sides making it look plumper than it really is.

If you were watching a bearded dragon as it met up with its fellow beardies, you might think it to be quite friendly. It will often wave its hand to let the others know that it wants to be friendly and not aggressive. While it would be interesting to see, they do not shake hands, just wave them.

They may also change colors when they are cold. The darker color retains more heat. If that doesn’t do the trick, they will dig down and camp under rocks and dirt to get out of the cold. They sometimes even hibernate, which in their case is more properly called brumation – a form a dormancy. When the dragon does this, it slows its metabolism down so that it expends less energy, and it can live with minimal amount of food.

Pogona is the official name of the genus, and the agamid lizard, or dragon lizard, is of that genus. The Pogona vitticeps is the official name of the bearded dragon, and it is the one most often kept by pet owners. Collectors also call them beardies.

Those kept by collectors can grow to almost two-feet long and weigh over a pound; however, in the wild, they will grow to be a foot to a foot and a half long. That is because of the availability of food and the life span difference. Food can be scarce for them in the wild, but in captivity they are fed a variety of insects, fruits and vegetables.

If you are considering an exotic pet that you and your children will enjoy, a beardie would be a good choice. They are good with children, and they are mild mannered and easy to care for. Many owners find themselves just spending hours watching and musing over their bearded dragon.

Why Are Horned Lizards Illegal as Pets?

Horned lizards look as though they would make great exotic pets. It's true that some people enjoy them, but most find them to be dull pets. However, that is a non-issue in most states because they are illegal to own. Some states are very aggressive in enforcing those laws and impose fines up to $1000 and a year in jail. But first, more about the creature.

As the first name mentioned implies, it is a lizard. They are known by other names, which are all technically incorrect: horned or horny toads, and horned frogs. They got those monikers because their body is somewhat round like a toad, and they have a stubby snout. The horned part of the name comes from the horns on their heads.

In addition to horns, they have spikes that run down their sides and back. Their colors generally match their environment, which is typically desert sand. Dim shades of burgundy, gray, orange, tan or other dull colors may decorate their skin. They usually grow to be 3-5 inches, but in some regions, they may grow to eight inches.

The Endangered Horned Lizard

Most states have listed them as endangered and/or protected. They are illegal in most of those states, and even bothering them in the wild can land someone a hefty fine. Not all species are listed as endangered, but those that are include the Texas horny toad of that state, and the flat-tailed horned lizard of Arizona and California, among others. Some states allow ownership if the animals are bred in captivity, and some allow people with a hunting license or a commercial trade permit to collect them.

The reason they are endangered has more to do with collecting them, though. It is due to the expansion of residential areas, which decreases the lizards' own territory. Additionally, agricultural growth and the related use of chemicals such as pesticides and weed killers takes its toll on them. Some authorities say their demise is also due to predators and fire ants, but that is natural and it likely has little to do with it.

Don't be disappointed if your state has a ban on ownership of horny toads as exotic pets: They are interesting to look at, but they do very little but sit and wait for you to feed them some fire ants. By the way, if you find a way to own one of these lizards, you will probably have to mail order those ants. They also won't drink water out of a dish, so you have to take the time to drip it on the reptile's nose. Your best bet is probably a gecko, which has a lot more personality.

Hats Off to Veiled Chameleons

Veiled chameleons get their name because of the large, ornate casque on their head. It also has a prehensile tail, meaning that it uses its tail to grab limbs and things as if the tail was another claw. Their tongue is long and sticky, so they can wait until a juicy bug passes by, and then zap them with their tongue.

These reptiles can grow to be as much as 18 inches. They are usually a bright green color that will get brighter as their mood changes. They are adorned with blotches and stripes that vary in color.

They inhabit parts of Western Asia, and because of that, they are also referred to as the Yemen chameleon. It lives in diverse habitats, and it enjoys both tropical and arid climates. In other parts of the world, they are popular as exotic pets. One reason is that they are a hardier pet than many other chameleons are. Owners must keep them separated from other chameleons, though, because they will fight. Even if they don't have access to each other, they will stare each other down and have a mental fight.

The following video has some excellent information in it to help you become more familiar with the veiled chameleon. It talks about its personality and tips for taking care of it. Enjoy.

Ohio Lays Down the Law for Exotic Pet Owners

Once again, it has been proven that one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. Evidently, an irresponsible owner who had Bengal tigers and some lions on his farm released them because he was feeling suicidal. The authorities ended up having to kill most of them, even though the animals weren't likely feeling the same. So, rather than just deal with the one person, authorities decided to make new rules for everyone.

The rules are bad news for would-be future collectors of exotic pets: In Ohio, they won't be able to. Those that already have them will have to permits and meet certain requirements, as well as follow some other new rules, some of which are aggravating at best.

"The measure, which seeks to regulate wildlife in the state, would ban new ownership of lions, tigers and other exotic animals, allowing current owners to keep their pets by obtaining new permits by 2014. The owners would have to pass background checks, obtain insurance, install microchips in the creatures and show they can adhere to caretaking and safety measures. Zoos, circuses, sanctuaries and research facilities would be exempt." - Ann Sanner for the Associated Press

Many of the resident pet owners have legitimate concerns. Those who cannot afford to abide by the legislation are concerned they might have to put their animals down to avoid keeping them illegally. Other comments stress that these new laws would only force the industry and the owners to go underground, which could be more harmful to the animals in the long run.

One exception to collecting and breeding new animals is snakes. Even those that are venomous and those that are constrictors are allowed as long as the owner has emergency plans in case there is an escape or if someone is bitten.

One article reports the words of an exotic pet keeper:

  

"Snake owner David Sagan, who takes snakes and other reptiles into schools as part of his work at the Hocking Woods Nature Center in Nelsonville, described the proposed requirements as cumbersome and discouraging. Plus, Sagan said, constrictors are gentler than the proposed rules make them out to be." - Boston, MA News

Up to this point, Ohio has had lesser restrictions on exotic pets than many other states. It was back in October when the state government decided to make changes, which was when the man released his animals from his farm.

"The bill has the support of Republican Gov. John Kasich and the Columbus Zoo. The head of the Humane Society of the United States has said the measure would be a vast improvement for Ohio but had concerns over certain exemptions and snake ownership rules. Tuesday's hearing was the first chance opponents had to speak to the legislative panel considering the bill. A committee vote has not been scheduled. And the chairman of the Senate's Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Committee said he planned to take as much time as needed for people to be heard."

Apparently, it takes a village to raise an exotic pet; that is, if you are even allowed to have one.

Fun Myths and Interesting Facts About Snakes

There are a lot of myths slipping around about snakes. There are also a lot of interesting facts that you may not know. If you are interested in keeping snakes as exotic pets, you will be interested in knowing a few facts to better understand these reptiles. Some of them might surprise you.

Reptiles are tetrapods; that is, creatures that have four limbs or have ancestors that had four limbs. Snakes fit the latter description.

Humans have four chambers in their hearts, but most reptiles have three. Some snakes, however, have the ability to contract their heart so that they have four chambers. Pythons are one of those.

Pythons also have a sensor that detects infrared thermal radiation. This helps them detect other predators and prey so they can hunt for food in the dark. It is also believed to help them with thermoregulation, the process of regulating one's body temperature. This sensor is located in the area that would appear to be the tip of the nose.

FACTOID: Snakes are not technically poisonous, but venomous. The difference is in the way the toxin is taken into the body. Poisons are effective when they are eaten, breathed or touched. Venom has to be injected, hence the fangs on a snake. Next time you want to show off at a party, tell your friends that rattlesnakes are not poisonous. After they call you out, explain your newfound knowledge.

A popular myth about snakes is that they are slimy. Other reptiles get this rap, too. However, this is not true unless they have been in something slimy. In fact, they do not have the ability to make themselves slimy because they have no sweat glands. If you were to pick one up, you would find them to be quite dry and even somewhat leathery feeling.

Snakes do shed, so if you keep pet snakes, you need to provide plenty of humidity for them to help them shed. A humid hide for reptiles can assist with that. Younger snakes will shed several times per year as they outgrow their skin. Older snakes shed less often because they are not growing as fast. They may shed as seldom as once or twice per year.

The world's longest snake species is the reticulated python, which was recorded at 33 feet. Most of them, however, get to be around 20 feet. Other reports have recorded a 28-foot anaconda, and as far as weight goes, that species is probably the heaviest and can weigh hundreds of pounds. One was reported in 1978 by a geologist to be over 24 feet long and weigh between 300 and 400 pounds.

INTERESTING FACT: The hognose snake, which is found in North and South America and northern Mexico, has an upturned snout like that of a pig. But that is not the most interesting thing: If they feel threatened, they will play dead. They do this by rolling over on their backs and lying still with their tongue hanging out of their mouth. They are even able to generate drops of blood on their tongue to sell the fake out. If the predator moves them out of that position, the hognose will immediately assume it again in another effort to sell it.

If you do take an interest in owning a snake, you have to decide if you want a small one, like a garter snake, or a larger one like a python. If you choose to go with the latter, you will need a very large housing for it - very large; even closet sized. So, be prepared for that. Also, be prepared to keep it for a long time because they can live over 20 years - even up to 50. That's quite a commitment, so if you're not prepared for that, try a gecko or something that only lives about 10 years or so.