What substrate should I use? What is the best feeder insect? It's a desert animal, why can't it live on sand? How can I determine the sex of my leopard gecko? Can I house my leopard gecko and African fat-tail together? How will I know when my gecko is about to shed? What does HET mean? My gecko lost its tail, what should I do?!? My leopard gecko has a red bulge hanging at his vent, what's wrong? What is the best beginner reptile? Why should I feed my reptile different feeder insects? Do different morphs show different personalities? Do leopard geckos require UV light? Why is belly heat important? Why are humid hides important? What is gutload? Where can I get it? How can I make my own gutload? My gecko has shed stuck on his toes, what should I do? What is the leopard gecko slushy mix? How long should I wait before handling my new reptile? My reptile (enter any reptile pet) looks lonely, should I get it a friend? How long should I quarantine a new reptile? My gecko isn't eating, how come? Why isn't my ball python eating? What fruits and vegetables should I feed my bearded dragon? I just brought home my new gecko, and it isn't eating. Why? How can I tell if my leopard gecko is gravid? What is egg bound? FAQ's

	What substrate should I use?
	CONSIDER Newsprint Butcher paper Paper towels should be used with weakened, sick, or injured reptiles because it can be easily removed. Paper towels is the easiest substrate to clean and is an alternative to reptile carpet. Play sand is readily suggested to be used by reptile owners but only when used with adult reptiles, NOT with juveniles or babies as they will ingest the sand. When hunting, young reptiles will ingest the sand because they have yet to perfect their hunting skills, and in result, the sand can cause impaction and even death. If you want to use sand, this is a better choice when compared with calci-sand. Indoor/outdoor carpet can but used without problems, but it must be a low-woven carpet so the reptiles's feet do not get stuck it and so crickets are more easily spotted. Great with babies and young reptiles. Inkless newsprint Slate tile is a great product to use when housing any species. It carries and holds heat from under tank heaters better than most other products. It can be bought at a home improvement store in different size tiles, and they will cut them if necessary. Slate tiles, also, look great in enclosures as they come in different colors. Reptile carpet is great when housing babies or young reptiles because they are not as skilled when it comes to hunting their food. This helps with the impaction concern involved with babies and juveniles, and is highly recommended for all ages of reptile. Very easy to clean, and can be thrown in the washing machine. AVOID Cedar, pine, and other wood shavings have harmful odors and oils. Hardwood and bark chips can cause a problem when the reptile is hunting for food because crickets will hide underneath where the gecko cannot find them. Gravel Crushed corn cob or walnut shells Kitty litter is very dusty. Sawdust Potting soil can cause impaction, leading to death, when ingested; also potting soils with perlite (the white balls) can cause problems when ingested. Using potting soil can also raise the humidity levels with can cause serious problems. Silica sand has several problems. It tends to be very dusty and can cause problems to the gastrointestinal tract if ingested. If it becomes wet, it can stick to the reptile's body. Silica sand can prevent heat from an under-tank heating pad to reach the surface. Calci-sand is not recommended; even though the bag says digestible, many disagree because when wet, it clumps and reptiles will more readily lick the sand in attempts to obtain the calcium. This type of sand can cause impaction in reptiles of all ages, and should be used with caution, but preferably not at all. See Substrates for more information about different substrates to use.
	What is the best feeder insect?
	Crickets- Good staple diet Roaches- Good staple diet; High meat to shell ratio Mealworms- Good staple diet; Have a hard exoskeleton and can be hard to digest; Be careful feeding to babies and juvies Superworms- Have a hard exoskeleton; Should not be fed to young geckos as they are large Waxworms- Equivalent to junk food for humans but can be a nice treat;Feed in moderation because they can cause obesity; Very addictive Butterworms- Have two times the amount of calcium than any other feeder insect Silkworms- Have a strong smell that reptiles seem to like; Some recommend feeding in moderation, while others will say they make a good staple;Highly nutritious Pinkie mice- Some breeders feed to pregnant (gravid) females for fattening; Can cause liver problems if fed in excess Do not get insects from your backyard because insects travel and can carry pesticides and chemicals used by either you or your neighbors, which can be detrimental to the gecko's health. Remember to gut-load the insects at least 24 hours before feeding them to you gecko. To gut-load crickets, you need to place them in a plastic container with holes (a store bought critter keeper or a butter container will do as long as small holes are provided) with either store bought cricket gutload, fish flakes, grains, oatmeal, a slice of an apple or potato, or graded carrots. By feeding the crickets, nutrients obtained by them will be passed on to the gecko. You must still coat the insects for added minerals!
	It's a desert animal, why can't it live on sand?
	Most desert animals in the reptile market today, such as leopard geckos and bearded dragons, may live in desert habitats in the wild, but not necessarily on sand. Desert reptiles live in more of a rocky terrain versus a sandy one. Housing these reptiles on sand can cause ingestion of the loose particles when feeding, causing impation, which can be fatal if not caught early. See Impaction for more info.
	How can I determine the sex of my leopard gecko?
	There are traits you can look for when sexing you gecko. Males tend to have broader heads and more length to their bodies, while females tend to have smaller, thinner heads and slightly shorter length. These traits are not always accurate, though. A more accurate was of sexing is by looking for bulges and hemipenes. Males have two bulges at the base of the tail, where females do not. Males, also, have very distinct hemipenes in the shape of a 'V' above their vent.
	Can I house my leopard gecko and African fat-tail together?
	This is a common misconception, and the answer is NO, you cannot house the two species together. Although, they have similar husbandry requirements, there are slight differences. AFTs require more humidity and slightly lower temperatures than leopard geckos. The two species do not originate in the same area, either, so taking a wild AFT of leopard gecko and placing it in the other's habitat would more than likely cause it to die. This is not the same scenario with capitve individuals, but the concept applies. It is in the best interest to the animals to keep only one species per enclosure.
	How will I know when my gecko is about to shed?
	Most geckos will lighten in color and turn a blue-gray color right before shedding. Don't be alarmed if you see your gecko eating its skin. It is assumed that the old skin gives them extra nutrients.
	What does HET mean?
	HET is short for Heterozygous which means the animal carries but does not display the gene for a certain color/pattern mutation. Hets are the offspring of breeding a gecko that shows the specific trait (albino), to one that doesn't (standard). The offspring appear standard but have the gene for the recessive trait, albinism.
	My gecko lost its tail, what should I do?!?
	Some people will reccommend putting Neosporin ointment (non greasy) on the tail to prevent infection from setting in, but I would not do that unless you notice infection. I would start by putting the gecko in a cage by itself until the tail has been regenerated, to create less stress. Set the cage up with the bare neccesities: paper towels (to start), water bowl, hides, and calcium bowl. Paper towels will prevent particles to get in the area. Keep the enclosure clean!!! Closely monitor for any signs of infection and treat appropriately.
	My leopard gecko has a red bulge hanging at his vent, what's wrong?
	Your gecko could have suffered a prolapse. There are different types of prolapses, which include, cloacal, intestinal, hemipenal, and uterine. In all four cases the best solution is to soak the gecko in a saturated sugar solution or gylcerin to minimize swelling. You can add a topical medications to reduce swelling and reduce the risk of infection. If on a loose substrate, remove the gecko and place it in a "hospital" enclosure with moist paper towels. Do not let the the prolapse dry out before you take it to the vet to further examine the situation.
	What is the best beginner reptile?
	It really depends on what you're looking for. In my opinion ONLY, I would recommend the following... The best beginner gecko- either a leopard gecko, African fat tail gecko, or a crested gecko. The best beginner snake- a ball python, cornsnake, or a kingsnake. The best beginner lizard- bearded dragons; although, they do require more than the other species I have mentioned. When choosing your first reptile, do a lot of research first! Ask reptile owners, browse reptile forums, search the internet. Do everything you can do before making a choice. Take into account, the space required, food, husbandry requirments, as well as longivity of the reptile. Some species can life 10-15 years with the proper care, which can prove a real responsibility. If you are buying a reptile for your young son, or daughter, do remember that you may have to care for the reptile. Young children cannot be soley responsible for the care of any pet.
	Why should I feed my reptile different feeder insects?
	You should feed your reptile a variety of foods, whether it be various insects or fruits and veggies. By providing different items, your reptile can gain more nution. Imagine if you ate a plain hamburger everyday. Or just a lettuce salad. You probably wouldn't be the healthiest person. There is no problem feeding your leopard gecko ONLY crickets, it's just recommended that you through in a few mealworms or silkworms every now and then. Provide you bearded dragon with raspberries instead of always strawberries, or spinach instead of always romaine. Add some variety to your reptiles diet, and you'll see a healthier reptile.
	Do different morphs show different personalities?
	As a general rule, 'No.' As with leopard geckos, some blizard morph individuals may show slight fidgety/finicky when compared to other morphs, but for the most part, this is more individual geckos versus the morph as a whole.
	Do leopard geckos require UV light?
	Because leopard geckos are nocturnal, it is not necessary to provide UV lighting. If you supplement vitamin D3 periodically. If you choose to use UV lighing, be sure to avoid constant exposure, which can cause health issues, such as eye and skin problems.
	Why is belly heat important?
	Terrestrial reptiles require belly heat to aid in digestion. Without proper surface temperatures, you reptile may not be able to get the temperatures he needs to thrive and properly digest his food. In order to provide proper belly heat, an under tank heater is a must! In addition to a UTH, a thermostat or rheostat can be attached to regulate the temperatures. Both temperatures too low and too high, can affec the health of your pet.
	Why are humid hides important?
	Humid hides can help you reptile in many ways. 1. It can aid in shedding. The extra humidity within the humid hide will help loosen the skin away from the reptile's body, so he can pull it off with ease. This, also, helps the reptile in removing all 'old' skin from his body. 2. Adding a humid hide can help proper humidity levels. In some reptiles, such as African fat tail geckos, they require higher humidity levels, but if the levels are too high, this can cause respiratory problems. Adding a humid hide, allows the (in this case) gecko to enter the humid hide when he feels the need. By spraying the entire cage two things happen, (1) everything gets wet and (2) humidity is too high. Humid hides should be placed in most geckos' enclosures to help with shedding and regulate the humidity levels.
	What is gutload? Where can I get it?
	Think: You are what you eat. In order to ensure your reptiles are served the most nutritious feeder insects, gutload is needed. Gutload is a food that is a complete diet for feeder insects, including crickets, mealworms, superworms, and roaches. The ingredients are blended to a powder-like form for insects to eat. Gutloading your feeders, ensures healthier reptiles because the insects have been fed a high quality diet, making them more nutritious for your reptiles to eat. Feed gutload to your feeder insects at least 24-48 hours before you plan on feeding your reptiles. You can get commercial gutload at your local petstores, online providers, or you can make your own. Cricketfood.com is a great sources to buy gutload online.
	How can I make my own gutload?
	Homeade gutload can be made with a mixture of various products found at your grocery store, health food store, and petstore. Various items include: dry milk, rice baby cereal, unsalted sunflower seeds, wheat germ, bee pollen, fish flakes, dried sea kelp, brewer's yeast, powdered alfalfa, unsalted nuts, dry egg yolk, coconut, spirulina, white millet, dried dandelions, monkey chow or cat food. You can find most of the ingredients at your local grocery store. To find powdered alfalfa, bee pollen, spirulina, dried sea kelp, dried egg yolk, and dried dandelions, you can visit a natural/health food stores. You can find monkey chow or cat food at a local petstore. Spirulina, dried sea kelp, and fish flakes, can, also, be found at a local petstore in the fish isles. Once you have found all the ingredients you want to use, blend them to a powder-like consistancy in the blender or a food processor. Place the gutload in ziplock bags and store at room temperature. If you make bulk amounts of gutload, you can, also, place it in the freezer in order to keep it fresh.
	My gecko has shed stuck on his toes, what should I do?
	The toes tend to be the hardest part for a gecko to remove 'old' skin from his body. You can soak the gecko in warm water for a few minutes, and GENTLY pull off the skin. Leaving the skin can cut off the circulation to the tips of his toes, causing him to loose that portion of his toes.
	What is the leopard gecko slushy mix?
	Kelli at HISS, configured the following slushy mix to aid leopard geckos who are not eating, and need a little extra nutrition. In a blender, combine: 1 small can Hill's A/D pet food (available at most vets) 1/4 - 1/3 cup Ensure (not chocolate) 1 jar squash baby food 1/4 - 1/3 cup Pedialite 2 tablets or contents of 2 capsules milk thistle (herbal supplement, liver purifier, found at most drug stores) 1/2 tsp. calcium powder 1/2 tsp. herp vitamin powder 1 large handful of mealworms, add slowly while mixture is blending Puree all ingredients until completely smooth and pour into ice cube tray(s) and freeze. Store cubes in zip-lock bags in the freezer until ready to use, then thaw out 1 cube at a time. I use the empty baby food jar to thaw out the cubes, washing it out after each usage. Using this mixture, draw a full dropper (eye dropper type) and place a drop on the gecko's nose. It will lick it off, and as it does, slowly squeeze out a little at a time. Most geckos love this food mixture, and will lap it up.
	How long should I wait before handling my new reptile?
	You should give your new pet AT LEAST 24-48 hours before attempting to handle it. This time gives the reptile time to adjust to its new surroundings. Personally, I would give it more than a day or two, but the absolute minimum would be 1-2 days. Once, you decide it's time to attempt the first handling of the new pet, attempt slowly. It will be a slow process to get the reptile used to you.
	My reptile (enter any reptile pet) looks lonely, should I get it a friend?
	Not to be blunt, but NO. Reptiles are more solitary creatures. Unlike most furry animals, they prefer to live alone. Housing two together, may cause stress on one or both of the reptiles, bullying, etc. If you MUST house two reptiles together, stick with two females pf similar size, so be sure to know the sex of your pet reptile. If you house two males together, they will fight constantly, and if you house a male and a female, they will breed. Unless you are prepared for hatchling reptiles, breeding may not be the optimal solution. So, in reality your pet is probably not lonely, so it doesn't need a friend.
	How long should I quarantine a new reptile?
	When acquiring a new reptile, always quarantine it away from your existing reptiles. This prevents the possible spread of parasites. You should quarantine your new reptile for at least 30 days.
	My gecko isn't eating, how come?
	There could be several reasons as to why your gecko isn't eating. He could be stressed, in shed, or gravid and about to lay eggs. Another reason why your gecko may not be eating could be that the surface and/or air temperatures are not correct. With temperatures that are too high or low, the gecko may be having problems with digestion. Check the surface temperatures with a thermometer with a prob. You can, also, use a temp gun, which can check both surface and air temperatures. If all else fails (correct temps, not gravid, not in shed, etc.), he could have parasites, in which case he would need to be taken to a vet for a fecal and medicines.
	Why isn't my ball python eating?
	Ball pythons are one of the more picky snake feeders. They can become easily stressed. Caging cages, cleaning an old cage, wrong temps, etc, can easily stress your ball. This stress will cause him not to eat for some time. In my own experience, my ball has quite eating twice. Once, during winter, becuase his enclosure temps were not high enough. Two, when I upgraded him from a 10 gallon to a 29 gallon tank. Parasites can be another reason why he is not eating, which means he may need to go to the vet for a fecal. If your ball isn't eating, and you notice significant weight loss, you NEED to go to the vet immediately! But, for the most part ball pythons can go up to a year without feeding, and be perfectly fine. Do not try to force feed you snake because he is not eating. If you are worried about weight loss, again, I reccommend you finding the nearest reptile vet, especially before attempting to force feed, which can cause more stress on the snake.
	What fruits and vegetables should I feed my bearded dragon?
	Go with dark leafy greens, like spinach, romaine, collard greens, turnip greens, escarole, dandelion greens, chicory. Also, add plenty of vegetables such as carrots, squash, green beans, parsnips, zuccini, cucumber, and brocolli. Bearded dragons tend to like berries, to include strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, as well as peeled grapes and apples. I have found that the brighter the fruit or vegetable, to more prone that the beardie is to eat it. Carrots are a favorite at my house, for example.
	I just brought home my new gecko, and it isn't eating. Why?
	It is normal for a new pet to not eat at first. He may be stressed from the change in environment. Leave him alone, giving him time to settle in. Don't not feed him because you assume, he'll not eat, but if he doesn't, remove the food. If he still has not eaten several weeks, a visit to the vet may be necessary just to check for parasites or any other health issue that may be going on. But, for the first week, give or take, your new gecko may still be getting used to his new enclosure.
	How can I tell if my leopard gecko is gravid?
	If she is gravid, the eggs will be visible under her belly. You should be able to see one or two pink ovals on either side. The skin stretches out around the belly and becomes somewhat translucent, making it easier to see the eggs. When the female is further along, you can see the eggs from the side, instead of having to flip her over.
	What is egg bound?
	Egg binding is a somewhat common health concern in which the female cannot pass the eggs. They are stuck in the cloaca or further inside the body. If the female cannot pass the eggs naturally, you should consult a veterinarian because egg binding is fatal. This can be caused by a malformed or large egg. If the female is sick, has improper husbandry, stressed, or her hormone balance is off (producing weak contractions), egg binding can occur. Other factors causing egg binding can include calcium deficiency or young/ underweight females.