QuickTips Index
Frogs as Pets - Contributing to Spread of Chytrid and AmphibianExtinction Crisis
There is concern among frog conservationists about the contribution of the pet trade to the widespread declines in population of frogs due to over-harvesting for the pet trade and the spread of the devastating chytrid fungus. While frogs make nice pets, read this before considering a frog as a pet, and think twice about getting a frog.
Frogs and Ponds
Keeping frogs captive outdoors is not really an option, but if you build a frog-friendly pond, the frogs will likely come. However, never introduce non-native frogs or release captive frogs into you pond or any pond.
Choose Shells for Your Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs should be provided with a variety of shells so that they can choose one that they like. It can take a bit of experimentation to make sure your hermit crabs have shells that they like.
Find Hermit Crab Shells at Craft Stores
Sometimes pet stores don't carry a big enough range of hermit crab shells, but I have found craft stores can be a good place to find different kinds of shells.
Live Rabbits and Easter Can be a Bad Combination
Rabbits are often impulsively acquired or given as gifts at Easter time, but often with expectations that don't match up to the reality of living with a pet rabbit. Think twice before getting a rabbit for Easter, and if you do, consider adopting from a shelter.
Geckos - Tail Loss
Geckos can drop their tails as a defense to get away when something grabs their tail. What happens when a gecko drops its tail, and will the tail grow back?
Keep Your Chinchilla Safe at Play Time
Chinchillas are active and curious, and need regular play and exploration time out of their cages. However, their curious and agile nature can get them into trouble if you have not thoroughly chinchilla-proofed the areas to which your chinchillas has access. This checklist can help you keep your chinchilla safe at play time.
Chinchilla Chew Toys - Safe and Toxic Woods
A list of safe wood to give to your chinchilla for chewing, and toxic types of wood to avoid
How to Handle and Tame Pet Hamsters
Information and advice on taming and handling your pet hamster.
Recipe - Dried Fruit Treats for Rats
Recipe for a tasty treat for your pet rats. This sweet treat should be given in moderation.
Transporting Pet Turtles by Car
Some things to consider when you need to transport a red eared slider turtle in a car, for example if you are moving.
Your Next Exotic Pet Could Come From a Shelter or Rescue
Did you know that many shelters also adopt out exotic pets? If you are looking for a new exotic pet companion, especially the more common critters like rabbits, rodents, ferrets and reptiles, I recommend checking your local shelter first. You could save a life, and find a great companion in the process!
How to Prevent Salmonella Infections from Pet Reptiles
How to prevent salmonella infections from pet reptiles.
Tip: Choosing Fabrics for Homemade Hammocks and Toys
Tips on choosing and finding fabrics for inexpensive homemade hammocks, beds, and toys.
Incomplete Sheds in Reptiles
Occasionally, a reptile may have problems shedding, where the shed skin does not come off as easily as it should. Most often, this means the humidity level is too low. Fortunately, treating and preventing shedding problems is usually easy.
Signs a Snake is About to Shed its Skin
Snakes generally shed their skin several times a year, and young growing snakes shed even more frequently. You will likely be able to see some tell tale signs that your snake is about to shed.
Rope Perches for Birds as a Cage Accessory for Rats and Other Rodents
Rope perches designed for birds make an interesting cage accessroy for pet rats.
How to Make a Humidity Hide Box
A humidity hide box can act as a supplemental source of humidity for your pet reptile and aid with shedding difficulties. Making a humidity hide is not difficult.
How to Treat Retained Eye Caps in Snakes
What to do if your snake does not shed its eye caps during the shedding process.
Halloween Safety for Exotic Pets
Tips to help keep your exotic pets safe at Halloween.
How to Pick up a Rabbit
Rabbits often resist being picked up, and can seriously injure themselves if they struggle against being picked up too much. Here's some advice on picking up your rabbit to make it more comfortable and safe.
Rabbit Cages - Cleaning Tips
Cleaning cages is not a fun chore for any pet, but making cleaning as easy as possible and sticking to a schedule will make cage cleaning less of a chore and simply part of your routine.
Building an Outdoor Pen for Pet Box Turtles
Box turtles unquestionably do best if kept in a large outdoor pen rather than an indoor terrarium. Here are some tips on setting up an outdoor pet for pet box turtles.
Video Series - Training a Ferret to Shake a Paw
Series of videos that illustrate the concept of shaping a behavior to teach a ferret to shake a paw.
Housing Tortoises Indoors - Ideas for Building Custom Enclosures
Tortoises do best if they can live in an outdoor pen, at least for part of the year. Tortoises that are kept indoors can become quite stressed and suffer health problems as a result. Building a custom indoor enclosure is the best way to house tortoises indoors if the outdoor option is not available.