Category:Reptiles (FAQ)

Index of all frequently asked questions.

[edit] What does gravid mean?

Gravid is alternate terminology for being pregnant.

[edit] What does "Het" mean in reptile genetics?

"Het" is an abbreviation for heterozygous. It means that an animal is carrying two different genes in one specific locus. It is the opposite of homozygous which means an animal is carrying two of the same genes at a specific locus.

What this means is; an animal who is het has received different types of genes from each parent whereas an animal who is homozygous has received an identical set of genes from each parent. This becomes important in classifying reptiles that are bred for specific genes such as a Leopard gecko that is heterozygous for the albino trait. It will appear to be a normal gecko but if bred to another albino gecko there is a possibility of passing down the albino gene.

[edit] What does “herp” mean?

"Herp" is a slang term given to a reptile or amphibian. It is derived from the word "herpetology," which is the proper, scientific name for the study of reptiles and amphibians.

[edit] Cricket babies keep appearing in my vivarium, what should I do?

They should be removed if possible as they will eat anything they can bite, even your reptiles.

If you have baby crickets running riot then you have probably left adults in the vivarium way too long. Crickets will lay eggs in soft moist material, try to remove crickets that are not eaten after the first hour or two and save them until the next feeding. You may find it a good idea to use a feeding dish such as a slippery plastic dish that crickets cannot climb.

[edit] What is a good starting species of reptile?

Well people have different opinions and heres my opinion

Snake - Corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata)

Lizard - Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

If you click on the links you will find out a great deal of information on these species. I find these good starter species because they do not have any expencive requirements and are generally quite friendly.

[edit] What is a humid hide?

A humid hide is just what it says.

A lot of reptiles will need to retreat to a humid area, generally to aid in shedding or to cool down. To prepare a humid hide set up a moist substrate in an enclosed area, such as moss in a plastic tub with a hole cut into it. Use your imagination.

[edit] Are heat rocks as bad as people say?

Generally speaking, heat rocks will not spread heat evenly and can have areas of extremely high temperatures. Hot enough to severely burn reptiles.

[edit] My reptile has escaped where do I look what can I do?

Places to check:

High points around the vivarium, such as curtains, shelves, cupboards, pictures ect Warm places, radiators, electrical appliances tend to give off heat like TV sets or DVD players ect, Dark tight places, TV cabinets, or indeed even draws etc, somewhere that your reptile will feel secure

Things you can do:

Bring the vivarium to ground level, open the doors and turn on the heats/lights as if the reptile were still in there. Chances are he/she will try to return to it following the smell it feels secure to, and where the food is!

Put on some warm clothes and turn the radiators off. This serves two purposes, first you prevent the reptile from cooking on the heat of the radiator and secondly it will cool the room so that the reptile will actively search somewhere warm (such as its own vivarium).

A good idea is some well placed flour or other fine powder that is harmless to the given reptile. The trick is to place it in areas the reptile might walk past (I’m not saying go crazy and cover the floor with it), such as a doorway or a crevice behind the cabinets. It is always helpful to know where the reptile has been lurking and give you possible clues to where it is sleeping rough.