Here's something that is can be overlooked in lizard husbandry,
keeping the feeder cages clean.
The reason I thought about posting this is, last weekend, I visited a friend
who has all kinds of lizards (beardies, anoles, creasties, some other stuff!!)
and I was helping him feed his collection because he just had foot surgury.
He told me a few of his beardies where sick with parasites, and may not
want any food.
When I saw his cricket tub (a 20g plastic storage bin, like what I use), I could
see where his beardies may have gotten their parasites.
His cricket tub was filthy!! and the egg flats were foul.
I went into a cleaning binge and transfered the crix into a bucket so I could clean the tub with hot water and soap. I also replaced the nasty egg flats
with fresh ones. I buy these by the case, and they are pretty cheap.
Some folks may not know it, but your animals can get very sick from feeders
that are living in a unsanitary condition.
My cricket tub always has at least 500 crix in it. At least twice a week, I sweep the floor with a 2'' paintbrush, and wipe away any stains with a wet paper towel. I also change the egg flats once a week with fresh ones.
Any food item, like fruit, that has alot of moisture needs to be removed the next day or it will start getting nasty. The food and gel water dishes need to
be cleaned every other day with hot water.
I know it's a pain in the butt, but it may save you an outragous vet bill later!!
Look at it this way, would YOU eat something that was in that tub??
I know you guys already know this stuff, I just need to rant a little. My friend
should know better
keeping the feeder cages clean.
The reason I thought about posting this is, last weekend, I visited a friend
who has all kinds of lizards (beardies, anoles, creasties, some other stuff!!)
and I was helping him feed his collection because he just had foot surgury.
He told me a few of his beardies where sick with parasites, and may not
want any food.
When I saw his cricket tub (a 20g plastic storage bin, like what I use), I could
see where his beardies may have gotten their parasites.
His cricket tub was filthy!! and the egg flats were foul.
I went into a cleaning binge and transfered the crix into a bucket so I could clean the tub with hot water and soap. I also replaced the nasty egg flats
with fresh ones. I buy these by the case, and they are pretty cheap.
Some folks may not know it, but your animals can get very sick from feeders
that are living in a unsanitary condition.
My cricket tub always has at least 500 crix in it. At least twice a week, I sweep the floor with a 2'' paintbrush, and wipe away any stains with a wet paper towel. I also change the egg flats once a week with fresh ones.
Any food item, like fruit, that has alot of moisture needs to be removed the next day or it will start getting nasty. The food and gel water dishes need to
be cleaned every other day with hot water.
I know it's a pain in the butt, but it may save you an outragous vet bill later!!
Look at it this way, would YOU eat something that was in that tub??
I know you guys already know this stuff, I just need to rant a little. My friend
should know better
