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Leopard Geckos are the most commonly bred lizards in captivity. They are small, 20-25cm and make an ideal pet. In the past decade, they have been reproduced in huge quantities and due to this, a large number of pattern and colour mutations have evolved.

Housing

For a single or pair of leopard geckos, a vivarium 60cm Length x 30cm Width x 30cm Height will be ample room. If you would like a trio (1 male and 2 females), than a 90cm vivarium would be required with additional hiding places. A vivarium can be made from a number of materials; wooden with melamine coating, glass, plastic and even good quality metal enclosures have been made.

I suggest a wooden vivarium, which is coated with melamine to allow the enclosure to last much longer. If you use regular chipboard or other non-coated woods, the vivarium will not last long with the water spillage and waste products related to keeping any animal. Be sure to have plenty of ventilation holes. Many vivariums are available on the market today already made to suit most reptiles, with ventilation holes and even fittings for the various heat and light appliances.

Substrate & Decor

Leopard Geckos come from dry, arid areas which should be re-created in a captive environment. It is not essential to use natural sands and substrates; newspaper would do the job but it is not aesthetically pleasing. The point is though, that the substrate must be dry. That is not to say though that the gecko cannot get to moist areas, as they will often crawl into slightly moist burrows in the wild. A small moist hide box would be a benefit, especially for when the time comes for the gecko to slough its skin.

A choice of substrate very much depends on what is more important for you. If you want something to look natural, then sand and soils can be the most aesthetically pleasing. These however are dirty and dusty and should be sieved through regularly to remove any waste. If sand is used, calcium based sand is recommended. This dissolves quicker than other sands and will even benefit your gecko with calcium additives when swallowed. Newspaper is cheap and easy to clean, but is hardly a catchy part of an enclosure. Wood chips can be used, but can often be swallowed by accident, causing an impaction in the gut of the gecko.

For a naturalistic environment, rocks, wood and plants can all be used. Although some live plants are safe to use, I suggest fake plants and cacti. Live plants will require more care and many give off toxic fumes. Be careful when placing heavier objects into the enclosure. Leopard geckos like to burrow, and will not hesitate to try and burrow underneath a rock. Make sure these objects are placed directly on the bottom of the enclosure and not on top of the sand, as this will collapse if the gecko decides to burrow under.

If you use any objects which have been outside, wash them thoroughly with hot water and weak disinfectant. It is important to be as clinical as possible and reduce any risk of bringing in infectious diseases or parasites.

Heating & Lighting

The most economical and simple way to add heat and light into your vivarium is to use a single incandescent spot lamp. Usually a 60 Watt bulb will be adequate for smaller vivariums. This should be on for 10-12 hours a day and should be used in conjunction with a Dimming thermostat. During the day time the temperature should be approximately 82

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Do you want a long and healthy life for your pets?

There are things in our pets’ environments that
can rob them of precious health and long life. I’m
not talking about cars accidents and mean kids
in the neighborhood. I’m talking about things
inside the home. Things like:

1) Food
Food is meant to be good tasting and good for you.
The same applies to our pets. Unfortunately, both
people food and pet food are full of stuff. And
most of this stuff isn’t found growing naturally.

Manufacturers have taken the place of growers and
cooks. To make foods taste better things are
added.

To make foods last forever on the store shelf,
things are added. For example, tomatoes are now
designed to look good after a long trip to the
store. They are not grown to be nutritious and
safe.

On TV we see reports about how additives,
preservatives and stuff are making our children
unhealthy. The same thing applies to our pets’
food.

Preservatives keep food fresh by altering the
DNA of the creatures living on the food.
What do these preservatives do to the DNA of the
child or pet eating them?

See where I’m going?

Altered hormones, cell mutations (cancer),
sickness !!!

The only way to minimize this stuff in our pet’s
food is to make the food ourselves. There are
recipes all over the web for the kitchen literate.

http://www.simplypets.com
http://www.bullwrinkle.com

Most people don’t have the time to make their
pet’s food and treats. There are places where
good wholesome pet foods can be purchased.

http://www.waggintails.com
http://www.healthypetnet.com
http://GrandPaGraham.com

2) Chemicals in the home

What do you use to clean your counter tops? Where
do you store it? Can your pet get to it? Can your
kids get to it?

A large number of children and pets are poisoned
each year because household products are very
attractive to inquisitive minds. There are a lot
of products on the market that won’t harm anyone
if swallowed.

We had one 6 month old child find and swallow
a cleanser. The parents didn’t think he was old
enough to get to the open bottle.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc
http://www.aapcc.org/

3) Mold in the home
Most people consider mold in the home an
unattractive nuisance. But it can cause allergic
reactions in children AND pets.

One house we investigated had two sick, allergic,
asthmatic kids. But they called us in when the dog
started sneezing.

Does your pet sleep in the laundry room? Lots of
mold there too.

Mold can cause:

* Allergies,
* sinus problems,

* itching,
* stomach problems,

* hyperactivity,
* skin and hair problems.

This list applies both to kids and pets.

But be careful about what you use to clean away
the mold. Bleach doesn’t kill mold but does burn
sensitive lungs.

Don’t use any product that your store owner or
pest control person won’t drink in front of you.

For more info on mold and what it can do to you
and your pet, go to:

http://www.themoldlab.com

Remember - if you use this article as your guide,
your pups and cats will love you for a long,
long time.

(c) 2005 Dr GW Graham

Dr Graham has been helping people treat and prevent disease by living in a clean environment for 30 years.

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Cat lovers the world over have become increasingly disillusioned with the pet food industry. Poor quality food masquerading as balanced diets and expensive brands promising superior nutrition, yet leaving out vital ingredients to provide yet another “solution” product, have lead many to see through the marketing doublespeak and realise that profit, not their pets good health, is the manufacturers main concern.

The exposure of certain manufacturers’ total disregard for the rights and dignity of companion animals in their testing facilities, has been highlighted by undercover investigations. These investigations have revealed the appalling conditions and ongoing unnecessary and cruel testing perpetrated in the name of science, but aimed at providing yet another marketing angle to sell their products.

John and Susan Mulder of Noordhoek decided to go against the grain and have formed Anges De Gardien Nutrition to manufacture and develop, truly balanced all-in-one feline nutritional products. A core policy is that no painful, inhumane or unnecessary animal testing be performed on any any of their food.

Following 9 months of extensive research and after consulting with veterinarians and one of South Africa’s leading animal scientists, they discovered that it was indeed possible to formulate a food that has all the ingredients to help with the prevention of the most commonly experienced ailments and problems in cats.

So what makes this new food so different?

Well, firstly you need to understand the approach taken by the various brands. The cheaper economy food manufacturers do their best to meet the minimum requirements laid down by law. This allows them to label their products in such a way that the consumer believes that they are getting a quality product for their pets.

The premium brands have gone the route of segmenting their products. This is done by age, breed or ailment. You, the consumer are therefore lead, through skilful advertising, to the conclusion that you require different foods on an ongoing basis.

This begs the question. If the premium food is advertised as balanced, then why do they leave out certain vital ingredients or allow higher than necessary levels of others, that result in your pet requiring a “special” advanced food to solve, for example, a hairball problem?

It came as no surprise, that it is quite possible to combine ingredients for hairballs, renal health, digestive tract health and cardiac and eye site health into one truly balanced diet. This leads us to the conclusion that the manufacturers either knowingly or unknowingly are damaging the health of our pets in the pursuit of greater profits.

The “Petit Anges Luxury Adult Feline Nutrition” is the first product available locally that includes all the ingredients necessary to achieve a truly balanced, all-in-one diet. It is unnecessary to purchase different foods to address common problems, especially if you have more than one cat.

As lifelong cat owners, John and Susan believe strongly in showing respect and care for their animals. We are all entrusted with the responsibility to look after our animals to the best of our ability. The best way to do this is to learn to read the labels on the products you purchase. If in doubt, consult you vet.

Susan also hopes to encourage the pet food industry to follow Anges De Gardien’s example by utilising more environmentally friendly packaging. She has gone to great lengths to ensure that all their packaging is made from at least 80% recycled material and that the inks used are lead free.

Find out more about our pet food and how it can help your cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives.
http://www.angesdegardiennutrition.com

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