Reptiles - Geckos, Lizards, Snakes, and Turtles!

[Emotionless]

My geckos are doing well..haven't posted here in a while.
Do you guys know of any places that would sell sphagnum moss or something that I can put in a little moist container to help them shed? I've run out and am not sure where to get some. :c

Or is there any other substance I can use to aid in shedding?

Thanks! <3

Pet smart,if you have one. You can probably just ask any pet store. Most employees comply,and most know where some moss is.

Use a small spray bottle on your geckos aren't shedding after about 4 days.

[GrumpyCinnamonster]

I would think that if the temperature was more of an in between between the warm and cool temps, they wouldn't need a gradient, it would already be regulated.
Of course this is coming from information about corn snakes, corns and leos are very different.

The higher temperatures in basking zones aid in digestion, which is why a lot of lizards like to bask right after eating. Withholding the option for the lizard to bask in an optimal digestion temperature can cause a sluggish metabolism(all body systems, not just the digestive tract), and may lead to minor constipation or impaction. When it becomes too cold reptiles go into brumation. Snakes require temperature gradients as well, and will also suffer from constipation or go into brumation if the temperature is not correct.

If there wasn't a gradient and for some reason, the gecko got too hot it would have no way to cool down and would end up overheating. My leopard gecko warms up until she's too hot, then she'll step out of her hide, take a drink and go sleep in the cool side of the tank for an hour. If she didn't have that she'd probably walk around aimlessly or lay in the middle of the tank looking sorry for herself.

This exactly. All my lizards engage in similar behavior, and you can even observe wild lizards also move in and out of sun to keep their bodies at an optimal temperature. It's normal. A temperature gradient is needed for all reptiles. In a way mammals exhibit the same thermoregulation behaviors, of moving into the sun when cold, or into the shade when hot, but mammals are endothermic, so their bodies can tolerate varying temperatures better without ill effect. Ectothermic animals like reptiles do not have this advantage and must utilize environment to meet their needs. As an example, mammals will shiver to raise body temperature above the temperature of the environment to keep body systems functioning. Reptiles body temperatures remain fairly close to he temperature of the environment, and their systems start to slow in cold weather, rather than speed up.

[Crum]

I want to catch a salamander but the only ones i can find are dried up and dead -_-

[bearcups]

I think it'd be best to leave them alone. Stressing out wild animals can sometimes lead to them going into shock, and then dying. With reptiles you wouldn't even know it was in shock before it died. It would be much kinder and humane to leave them alone. c:

[Emotionless]

I think it'd be best to leave them alone. Stressing out wild animals can sometimes lead to them going into shock, and then dying. With reptiles you wouldn't even know it was in shock before it died. It would be much kinder and humane to leave them alone. c:

Yeah..it's just plain awful to try to catch them....

[GrumpyCinnamonster]

I want to catch a salamander but the only ones i can find are dried up and dead -_-

It's best to leave them be. If you are just looking for them to see them, such as for a checklist(like what bird watchers do) or for photos, then that should be fine. However, touching wild amphibians could harm them due to their sensitive skin. You never know what bacteria is on your hands, and even natural human skin oils can cause bad irritation. Not to mention, some amphibians excrete their own protection which might cause you some irritation.

Also, please check your local laws. Most places require you to be licensed in order to be catching wild reptiles for recreation9even on your own property). If caught by a game warden without one you can be fined. Licenses are typically very easy to get. In general you just fill out of form and pay a license fee. I know some older minors can get them in my area, so unless you are quite young you shouldn't have too much of a problem(your area may be different). Getting a license for herping, and joining a group that gets together and does very short term catch and release(examine it, talk about it, snap some photos, take notes, etc then release back where it was found) or plain observation(once again, like bird watchers). I highly recommend this, because it's educational and enjoyable.

[Crum]

It's legal where I live, lots of my friends and even my biology teaches catch them and keep them as pets.

[Emotionless]

But that doesn't mean it's right or good for them......(as said above) they have an extremely high chance of going into shock,and a high chance of death,because they aren't used to captivity. Also,how do you and your friends know that they're happy or healthy? If they need something or not? The truth is,captive bred animals aren't free,but they have a high chance of surviving,and tend to react better around people. Animals born in the wild that you capture aren't generally safe around people,carry diseases,and just don't do well in a captive enclosure. They tend to get into fights a lot,making them loose body parts or be near death. Catching should pretty much only be done by experts.

[bearcups]

Wild caught reptiles / amphibians often die very quickly die to disease and illnesses that you wouldn't know they have. They more than likely have some kind of illness when you catch them, and the stress of being handled and caught by a human would give the illness a chance to take over even more. (it's commonly known that stress = sick animals.) I think its best you leave it alone from now on.

[plum]

I agree with everyone telling you not to catch and keep a salamander permanently, or even for just a few days. Keeping it could easily kill it, give parasites to your other animals, etc. If you want a salamander, buy one.
Just because other people do it, doesn't mean you should. Your friends probably don't know how bad this is, and honestly, your biology teacher may not as well.