Building Your Own Reptile Habitats

There are many questions when it comes to what type of habitat would be best for a reptile. There are so many ideas out there. Some resources contradict each other while others stand totally alone with their idea of what makes a good habitat. No matter what the discussion is about - good, bad, best, and better - there are always a few points you MUST remember when building any habitat, for any animal.

Temperature and Humidity

Every reptile has different temperature requirements and humidity needs. It wouldn't make sense to build a habitat that will maintain high humidity for a bearded dragon who only needs about 40% humidity; about the same as the wilderness of Australia where bearded dragons originate. Also, it would be detrimental to an iguana to be kept in 40% humidity when they require about 65% humidity to mimic their native tropical environments. What does your reptile need? Where are they native to and what is that humidity like? Likewise, what is the temperature like where your reptile is from?

Size of your habitat vs. reptile

Some reptiles like to be in smaller habitats when they are young because they feel less threatened, some snakes are like this. Other reptiles, however, will take advantage of any size habitat and the bigger it is the better for them, like bearded dragons. Make sure you know just how big your reptile will get when full grown so you can plan accordingly. You can start small with plans in mind for increasing the size as your reptile grows. If you want to start big, make sure you have a reptile that will adapt well. 

Iguanas can grow to 6 feet and they like to climb. It wouldn't make any sense to build a habitat that is 6 feet long but only 2 feet tall, but you can start with a smaller habitat and add on as it gets bigger. Just make sure you add on sooner than later; you don't want to turn around and see that your little baby iguana is now 3 feet and still in a small area.

Re-create a 'native' habitat

With the right temperature and humidity levels you are giving your reptile a start at what they would normally have in the wild. Keep going. Bearded dragons like to dig - provide a place for that. Iguanas are dew- lappers (they lick the water drops off of leaves and branches) so provide either artificial or live plants - make sure they are not toxic. Savannah Monitors burrow, so make the bottom of their habitat dirt. 

Research how your reptile lives and survives in the wild and by making their habitat mimic this you will have a happier and healthier pet. 

Birds vs. Windows

It happens every year; panicked phone calls about birds crashing into house windows! Some birds are only stunned after hitting a window, while others have much more serious injuries.

A bird will fly into a window for several reasons. Maybe they didn't see the window. They could see their reflection as another bird and become territorial or they see their reflection as a mate. Perhaps you have two windows in a line and the bird is simply trying to get to the other side. Whatever the reason - here are some ideas to keep birds, and your windows, safe.

1- Add window screens, if possible. This will limit the glare on the glass and will provide a "bounce back" should a bird hit the window.

2- Close the blinds during early mornings and late afternoons when birds commonly hit windows. Blinds will show the bird there is something there.

3- Window clings will also draw attention away from your window, at least where birds are concerned. Let your kids decorate clings and place them around windows the birds seem to frequent. Make sure to move the clings around, or change them, periodically so the birds don't become desensitized to them.

4- Hang a pie tin, or CD, in front of your window. Not as decorative as window clings but the reflective surfaces will keep the birds at bay.

5- Where are your bird feeders? Although you like to watch the birds at your bird feeders, one thing you could do is move the feeders farther away from your windows. Give the birds enough space to fly around the feeder and still stay out of the way of other, more territorial, birds. With feeders close to your windows, if a birds feels threatened it will simply fly - no matter what is in their way.

If you ever have a bird that gets injured after hitting your window, call your local animal rehabilitation center.

                                          (photo copy write by Mary Sivertsen. Used with permission)

New Additions

Spring time brings new little animals around. Baby chicks and bunnies are an ever popular pet at Easter. Baby tortoises or lizards are begged for by the reptile lover. We must not forget, however, what it takes to care for these and any other animal. Do your research! Know what housing they need, what food they eat, and make sure you find an appropriate veterinarian for whatever animal you want to bring home.

This is a picture of a baby sulcata tortoise. Popular pets when they are young, these specific tortoises can live over 120 years. They can weigh over 100 pounds when fully grown. Sooner than you know it, you will have to build a special tortoise habitat inside your home as well as one outside so you can give it the sunshine and warmth it needs. Special UVA/UVB lights are needed as well as heat lights when you have your tortoise inside your home.

Although these are herbivores, and plants are easy to come by, you can over feed and under feed your little tortoise by feeding the wrong amount and type of vegetation. Your tortoise's diet should consist of 75% grasses and 25% weeds, leaves, flowers, and vegetables. Know which plants are edible around your yard and which plants you can plant to make feeding your tortoise easier and not as expensive.

We open up our homes and our hearts when we take in a new animal and that animal relies on us to be good stewards. Learn all you can so you are ready.