Reptile Salvation

Snakes are very interesting creatures. They have permeated throughout our society for centuries. Their slippery and slithery bodies have fascinated some of us and haunted others of us. The fall of man, according to the Bible, was instigated by a snake. We also find snakes in many other forms of entertainment, ranging from books to movies, often portrayed as an evil entity. Along with spiders, they are probably one of the most fear-inspiring animals on the planet today.

But what is it that instills fear of snakes in most people? If you guessed “the bite,” you’re probably right. About 8,000 Americans are bitten by poisonous snake each year. Of those, about twelve die. It’s not so much the statistics, however, that scare most people. It’s the way in which you succumb to the bite. The snake slides quietly as you walk through the forest. You hear something and stop to listen, but you here nothing. As you begin to walk again, you feel a sharp pain on your leg. You look down only to find two teeth marks. You then suddenly grow tired and weak as you realize that the venom is slowly spreading throughout your body.

The most common poisonous snakebites in America come from Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, Cottonmouth Water Moccasins, and the Coral Snake. They populate our grasslands, wetlands, and even desert country, striking fear in those unfamiliar with the terrain.

If you ever find yourself bitten by a snake, be sure the wash the bite with soap and water. Then get to a medical health professional immediately. Try to immobilize the area where you were bitten and keep it below the heart, this ensures that you maintain blood flow and that the venom isn’t easily spread to other parts of the body, like your head. Keeping a clean, moist towel and using it to compress the wound helps to minimize the spread of venom. Monitor your vital signs every moment of the way to the hospital. If there is a change in skin color, loss of breath, or the person beings to faint, time is running out.

Despite the looming threat of dangerous snakebites, many people would like to keep a snake as a pet. Before purchasing a snake, consult a professional about the maintenance requirements of the snake and the best way to prevent dangerous occurrences. Make sure that the snake is well fed so that it does not become hungry while someone is holding it. No matter what choices you make about owning a snake, always remember that safety comes first.

By: Joseph Devine

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Caring for a snake is easy and it can be effectively done. We just need to be careful about getting the basics right. First, we need enclosures; the size of the enclosures would depend upon the activity and the size of the snake. Active snakes like the Black Racer need a spacious cage to move around. Lazy bums like Boa and reticulated python can do with very small spaces. For inactive snakes, a cage equal in length to the snake and nearly as wide as three-fourth the length of the snake is good enough. For the restless species, the dimensions must be doubled. 

Different snakes behave differently in captive care. Each has a separate demand inclined towards individual tendencies.  Having exotic snakes as pets is becoming common nowadays. In spite of this, snakes are not for everyone as care of snakes is quite complex. Just like in the case of having other types of exotic animals, commitment is essential.

Thus, prior to acquiring one, it is best to have the right information about them such as behavioral characteristics, dietary and habitat requirements, and other pertinent details. Only after which should you decide if you really are capable of having one.

You should do some research to buy good quality snake care books. These books are filled with useful information on how to care for snakes. It is best to find one that is reader-friendly and provides one-stop solution to most of your queries and can teach you the techniques of choosing the right snake in accordance with your home environment.

Since times immemorial man has dreaded snakes but at the same time few have also understood profoundly the sensations that are hidden within having a snake as a pet. This is where the book is helpful; in letting us understand snakes and the principles on how a snake’s body works. 

Such books are an eye opener for new owners who get to learn so much about caring for a snake pet. Snake pets can be efficiently handled irrespective of their sizes and venom content. These books also cover the delicate topic of keeping harmony between snakes, pets and other children at home. 

Snakes like hiding. Naturally snake pet owners dread such snakes that like to hide. A snake gone missing can generate a lot of stress to the owner. This is also where these books are of great help. Do you know that snakes hold a lot of medicinal potency within themselves, cold blooded or that they need to be well kept in order to live? There is also a particular temperature at which snakes thrive.  And that is not always HOT!

Snakebite comes with the territory when you have a snake as a pet but this can be minimized or prevented totally with a good understanding of snake behaviors. If you have any queries about snakebite, these snake care pet books can help you by providing valuable information to help keep you and your snake safe.

By: Matthew Brone

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Iguanas are a well known and are generally well-liked among the human population. However, unless you are a lizard lover or basically a iguana lover, there are some things you may not know about this interesting creatures. Listed below are five facts about iguanas that you may not know.

1. Iguanas are herbivores. This means they do not eat meat but rather plants. Some sources cite that iguanas are omnivores. Yet, iguanas should not eat animal product because their metabolism is better adapted to absorbing the proteins of a plant. Animal proteins are too multifaceted for iguanas, it won’t be used right. Basically, the proteins that animals have cannot be absorbed into the iguanas’ bodies for nutrients.

What, then, happens to the proteins not absorbed? It turns into uric acid that is very dangerous for an iguana. When a build up for the uric acid happens in the iguana, it turns into a gout. Animal proteins can be very hard for iguana’s digestive system to get rid of, putting pressure on the reptiles’ kidneys. In turn, causing the reptile to have kidney complications. Feeding an iguana animal products will indeed shorten the lifespan of the iguana.

2. Iguanas Are Trainable. For those who think iguanas would be nice to have but are pretty stupid, you might be surprised to learn that iguanas are just as smart as a dog or even a cat. An iguana can be taught to things like human beings. Some people have taught their pet to use the bathroom while others have trained their iguanas to do many tricks. If lost, some iguanas can find their way home.

This is just to show you that even reptiles can learn things, provided their trainers take the time to teach them. People often are too quick to judge other animals because they are lower than other animals.

3. Iguanas do grow. Just because you bought your iguana’s cage to fit him does not mean, he will always fit in that cage. Some iguanas have grown to six feet long. This is especially true if the iguana has a loving habitat and environment that will more than adequately let the iguana grow. When debating the size of the iguana’s cage, a person should always keep in mind how long the iguana can grow for and plan accordingly to avoid future issues.

4. Iguanas are arboreal. What does this mean for its owner. Remember that iguanas in the wild spend a good chunk of time in trees. To stimulate growth of the iguana, an owner should stimulate its habitat as well. Place some type of climbing material in the iguana’s home although you do not need to place “real” trees to create the official effect. Just something as simple as a post can let your iguana feel like they are back in the wild, perched on the tree.

5. Iguanas crave sunlight – Like most things that grow, iguanas need sunlight too. Not only to have the light but to also absorb it. An iguana will utilize UVA and UVB light so they can absorb nutrients correctly. The UVB light will trigger a chemical reaction in the reptile’s skin which will help make vitamin D3. What does D3 do? It processes the calcium within the bloodstream.

As you can see, care for an iguana is no easy feat. Yet, by learning more about them, you can assure your iguana will live a full and happy life.

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