Although desert creatures do not need the amount of water as others do, they can and do become dehydrated. Also, some animals don’t focus on still water in a dish, they may find it & drink if they’re dehydrated. Refresh it every few days. Many animals realize moving water, such as a small waterfall as a drinking option, but that may not always work and you don’t have to invest the money, regular cleaning, & maintenance as long as you supply a variety of food & give frequent soaks or “spa time.” Once in a great while, your desert friend will drink from the trickle of water dripping on them or gulp from the water that surrounds them during “spa time.” You’ll be glad you left the option of food & water for them when you’re away if something keeps you gone longer than expected.

Traces of salmonella are found in most reptile feces and amphibian species. We all have undesirables in our feces. *This can potentially be in a turtle’s water at all times unless the water has been drained and all accessories thoroughly sterilized. However, it is not found in their saliva or elsewhere (unless they’ve ingested feces, in a situation such as a lizard grabbing a cricket on a pile of poo). If they and their enclosures are properly cleansed, you will not have trouble. Never let your exotic animal be near harsh chemicals, though. Contact us if you need sanitary tips.

Lizards are individuals. Just as dogs have different personalities, so do lizards. Whether it’s a bearded dragon, a large green iguana, or monitor lizard, it’s difficult to say if they will chum up with everyone. You may have a lizard that loves the cat, but the feeling isn’t mutual. You may have a dog that feels protective of your beardie, or you may have to have them take turns being with the family because your dog doesn’t like your lizard. Birds and lizards may feel indifferent towards one another, and then you may have a green iguana who wants to keep warm by sleeping with the dog all night. You don’t have to get rid of a lizard or abandon it somewhere because things aren’t perfect. There is a way to make things work, keep everyone safe, and give a fair share of your love to everyone. Take the dog on a walk and then sit outside with your lizard & read a book.

This depends on the lizard. Most do not (but certainly can), at least not on purpose. Lizards may bite if provoked or frightened for their safety. Larger lizards can use their tails as whips and it stings a little bit, but it heals. Some lizards have been mistreated or entirely neglected. Even sweet bearded dragons have been so traumatized in life, that it took their new parents months to calm them. If you adopt a homeless reptile, be ever so patient, who knows what they’ve lived through. If they were live-caught (from their native homes) they’ve had a hell of a ride & need a serene environment, gentle handling, loving heart, & much patience from those wishing to form a loving bond.💚

Yes and no. Lizards are individuals. What works for one may not work for another. And try as you might, some will decide certain things based on their home-life. For example, a green iguana who lives mostly out of its enclosure (or entire room if it has it that good) may go to the enclosure to potty, as it considers the rest of the home its main living quarters. *Lizards are typically clean animals & don’t want to be around their crap!

Others will go as scheduled, say, during their soaking time – you expect it & so do they. We suggest cleaning them with mild soap under running water afterwards, then sanitizing the entire area with 50/50 bleach water. Those who spend all their time (this is cruel & should never happen) in their enclosures have no choice but to potty where they eat, sleep, & live (no innocent being should live that way).

Then, there are those who spend half the day in their cages, but refuse to potty there. They will throw a fit trying to get out. You can place a potty pad down that they may actually use, or see where they prefer to go & be prepared with bleach or rubbing alcohol (for carpets) and paper towels. Then again, there are some that prefer to do their business in the grass. Marking on a calendar the poo dates is important because infrequent poos can be normal, but when we begin approaching a week, we may need to do more soaks, give massages, & the like. If the weather is cool, it won’t hurt your lizard to be out for a few minutes if walking a few steps will help break up compaction (constipation can be deadly). Finally, some lizards need to swim to get things moving. STAY WITH THEM EVERY MOMENT, THEY WILL DROWN WITHOUT YOUR WATCHFUL EYE!! If they don’t go after a few minutes of swimming, they’re not going to. Wrap them in their bath towel, tell them you love them, & try again tomorrow.

Bearded dragons, as with all arid climate creatures should be kept in dry environments. Occasionally too moist conditions can cause respiratory problems. They live where they do because they are designed for it. However, a 20 minute warm soak (inner wrist is a good temp-checking spot & consider their skin warmth at the time, & try to match it but just a touch warmer) a couple times a week will hydrate them and assist in shedding. They can & do get dehydrated no matter the variety in their diets. Never leave them alone & check water temp frequently. It cools quickly. *Basically, if you have a lizard, snake, or turtle whose enclosure is a dry one, they will benefit from occasional warm water soaks. Research online and in reference books will assist in knowing how frequently to do this and give an idea how to go about it for your specific animal friend.

When you say turtle, know that if by chance you mean tortoise, there’s a BIG difference. Tortoises live on land, thusly should be simply supplied with accessible fresh water. With that, babies should have a warm, shallow water soak often, lessening with age, and the adults no less than once a month. When this is done, dry their arms completely so they do not rub soil or other substrate into their eyes if they rub their faces.

Turtles on the other hand, are aquatic or semi-aquatic, but they have lungs. In many cases, and the vast majority of pet store employees do not know this, they may easily drown if the water they are in is more than half their body’s width. Just because there may be bricks or other forms of elevation to climb up from the water, DOES NOT MEAN THEY CAN ALWAYS MAKE THEIR WAY UP. We saw a precious turtle who drowned overnight this way due to the humans’ lack of education on their needs and abilities, and it was a sad day.

They can, but only for additional heat, Reptiles need a UVA bulb and a UVB bulb, UVB bulbs must be replaced every 6-12 moths as per manufacturer’s specs, and this replacement date should be recorded 6-12 months ahead of time on a calendar and/or in a calendar app. UVA bulbs emit some heat. If one isn’t enough heat for your species in their basking area, a ceramic heat emitter bulb, infrared (red) bulb, night time bulb (designed for reptiles) or incandescent bulb may be used to get the heat level that is suggested for your particular animal. *So long as the UVA bulb lights up, it doesn’t need replaced as the UVB bulbs.