Table Of Content

A Guide to… Australian GECKOS & PYGOPODS in Captivity By Dr Danny Brown BVSc (Hons) BSc (Hons) Edited and Published by Reptile Publications © 2012 page 1 ©Reptile Publications 2012 Reptile Publications PO Box 2330 Burleigh BC QLD 4220 Australia www.reptilepublications.com [email protected] ISBN 978 0 9872447 3 4 ISBN 978-0-9758200-6-3 (Ebook) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. COVER PHOTOGRAPHS FRONT COVER Top Left Oedura marmorata G SCHMIDA Middle Left Diplodactylus galeatus G SCHMIDA Bottom Left Pygopus lepidopodus J VOS Bottom Right Underwoodisaurus milii G STEPHENSON Bottom (Main Photograph) Saltuarius swaini G SCHMIDA   BACK COVER Top Cyrtodactylus tuberculatus G SCHMIDA Bottom Rhynchoedura ornata J VOS Disclaimer: Very few drugs are registered for use in reptiles, and most usages and dose rates have been extrapolated from mammalian therapeutics. Everyone using medications should be aware that manufacturers of these drugs will not accept any responsibility for the ‘off-label’ use of their drugs. The dose rates and information are based on clinical trials and practical experience, but unrecorded adverse side effects may occur. Where possible, the author has provided brand names for the drugs mentioned. These should not be taken as a recommendation for one particular brand over another, but rather as a starting point for you to find the drug of your choice. In most instances, contraindications and side effects are not listed. This should not be taken to mean that there are none—many of these drugs have not been used extensively, and reports on contraindications and side effects are not recorded at date of publication. reptile publications Design, Type and Art: e design ©ABK/Reptile Publications 2012 page 2 CO N T E N T S ABOUT THE AUTHOR ....................................................................................................................................16 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................................17 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................................19 GENERAL MANAGEMENT PET SUITABILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................20 CHOOSING YOUR STOCK ..............................................................................................................................................................20 Selecting an Individual Gecko ..................................................................................................................................................21 HANDLING AND HYGIENE ............................................................................................................................................................22 Geckos ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 Pygopods .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................24 TRANSPORTATION ....................................................................................................................................................................................25 Short Journeys.....................................................................................................................................................................................................25 Long Journeys ......................................................................................................................................................................................................27 Timber Boxes ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................28 Plastic Containers ...........................................................................................................................................................................................28 PURCHASE AND FREIGHT ETIQUETTE ..................................................................................................................29 Buyers ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................29 Sellers .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................30 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................................................................................30 GENERAL SAFETY ........................................................................................................................................................................................32 SECURITY ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................32 QUARANTINE ......................................................................................................................................................................................................33 HOUSING INDOOR ENCLOSURES ..................................................................................................................................................34 Rack Systems ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................34 Tubs .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................34 Tanks ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35 Timber Enclosures .........................................................................................................................................................................................35 Glass, Perspex or Plastic Moulded Commercial Terrariums ......................................................35 Mesh Terrariums ...............................................................................................................................................................................................37 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ........................................................................................................................................37 Pits ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................38 Aviaries ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................38 ENCLOSURE SIZE ..........................................................................................................................................................................................39 Minimum Enclosure Sizes .................................................................................................................................................................39 page 3 COMPATIBILITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................................40 VENTILATION ......................................................................................................................................................................................................40 SUBSTRATE .............................................................................................................................................................................................................41 Sand ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................41 Soil ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Gravel ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Scoria ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Leaf Litter .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Potting Mix ................................................................................................................................................................................................................43 Sphagnum Moss ...............................................................................................................................................................................................43 Peat.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................43 Bark and Wood Chip...................................................................................................................................................................................43 Wood Shavings ...................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Corn Cob Litter ....................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Walnut Shell Litter .........................................................................................................................................................................................44 Alfalfa/Lucerne Pellets ...........................................................................................................................................................................44 Compressed Timber Pellets ...........................................................................................................................................................44 Compressed Newspaper Pellets .............................................................................................................................................44 Zeolite and Clumping Cat Litter .............................................................................................................................................44 Paper ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Artificial Grass ......................................................................................................................................................................................................45 Indoor/Outdoor Carpet ........................................................................................................................................................................45 HIDE SITES .......................................................................................................................................................................................................45 Vertical Hide Sites ..........................................................................................................................................................................................45 Horizontal Hide Sites ................................................................................................................................................................................46 ENCLOSURE ENRICHMENT ...................................................................................................................................47 Surface Litter ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................47 Branches and Hollows.............................................................................................................................................................................47 Artificial Plants ....................................................................................................................................................................................................48 Dried Plants ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................48 Live Plants ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................49 HEATING ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................50 HEAT CORD OR TAPE ..............................................................................................................................................................................50 HEAT MATS ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................51 HEAT ROCKS ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................52 CERAMIC HEATERS....................................................................................................................................................................................52 GLOBES...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................52 Standard Incandescent Globes ................................................................................................................................................52 Reflector Globes ...............................................................................................................................................................................................53 Reptile Lamps .......................................................................................................................................................................................................53 Halogen Bulbs ......................................................................................................................................................................................................53 Infrared Globes ...................................................................................................................................................................................................54 Mercury Vapour Lamps (MVLs) ..............................................................................................................................................54 page 4 LIGHTING ............................................................................................................................................................................................................55 THE SCIENCE OF LIGHTING .......................................................................................................................................................55 Visible Light ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................55 Infrared ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................55 Ultraviolet A (UV-A) .....................................................................................................................................................................................55 Ultraviolet B (UV-B) ......................................................................................................................................................................................56 Ultraviolet C (UV-C) ......................................................................................................................................................................................58 LIGHTING OPTIONS .................................................................................................................................................................................58 UV-B Emitting Fluorescent Tubes .........................................................................................................................................59 Black Lights ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................60 Compact UV-B Emitting Lamps ...............................................................................................................................................60 Mercury Vapour Lamps .........................................................................................................................................................................61 THERMOSTATS ...................................................................................................................................................................................61 Probe Thermostats .......................................................................................................................................................................................62 On/Off Thermostats ....................................................................................................................................................................................62 Dimming Thermostats ............................................................................................................................................................................62 Pulse Proportional Thermostats ............................................................................................................................................62 HUMIDITY .......................................................................................................................................................................................................63 FEEDING METHODS AND NUTRITION INVERTEBRATE FOOD ITEMS ......................................................................................................................65 Crickets—Acheta domestica .................................................................................................................................................................65 Cockroaches ............................................................................................................................................................................................................65 Mealworms—Tenebrio molitor .........................................................................................................................................................66 King Mealworms or Superworms—Zophobas morio .................................................................................66 Maggots/Flies/Pupae—Musca vetutissima ..................................................................................................................67 Slaters .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................67 Silkworms—Bombyx mori and other caterpillars ............................................................................................67 Termites ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................68 Earthworms—Lumbricus terrestrius ...........................................................................................................................................68 Locusts—Chortoicetes terminifera .................................................................................................................................................68 Spiders ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................68 Fruit Flies—Drosophila species .....................................................................................................................................................69 Snails—Helix aspersa and other species .........................................................................................................................69 Waxworms—Galleria mellonella ....................................................................................................................................................69 Wild Fodder ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................69 Nutritional Data Averages for Invertebrate Diets .....................................................................................70 VERTEBRATE FOOD ITEMS ................................................................................................................................71 Rats and Mice ........................................................................................................................................................................................................71 Fish ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................71 Reptiles ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................71 Nutritional Data Averages for Vertebrate Diets ...........................................................................................72 page 5 ARTIFICIAL DIETS .......................................................................................................................................................................73 CULTURING INSECT FOOD ITEMS ..................................................................................................73 Crickets—Acheta domestica .................................................................................................................................................................73 Speckled Feeder Roaches—Nauphoeta cinerea ..................................................................................................76 Locusts—Chortoicetes terminifera .................................................................................................................................................77 Bush Flies—Musca vetutissima .........................................................................................................................................................77 Slaters .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................80 Lesser Waxworms (Indian Meal Moths)—Plodia interpunctella ..................................................80 Fruit Fly/Vinegar Fly/Ferment Fly—Drosphila species ..........................................................................80 DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS .........................................................................................................................................81 CALCIUM ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................81 Gut Loading .............................................................................................................................................................................................................82 Dusting.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................82 PROTEIN........................................................................................................................................................................................................................83 FEEDING FACILITIES ...........................................................................................................................................................83 FEEDING PROBLEMS .........................................................................................................................................................85 TREATMENT ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................86 Assist Feeding .....................................................................................................................................................................................................86 Force Feeding ........................................................................................................................................................................................................87 Tube Feeding .........................................................................................................................................................................................................87 BREEDING VISUAL SEXING ..................................................................................................................................................................................88 Colour .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88 Size ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88 Femoral and Preanal Pores .............................................................................................................................................................89 Hemipenal Bulges ..........................................................................................................................................................................................89 Paracloacal Spur Structures ..........................................................................................................................................................90 OTHER SEXING TECHNIQUES .................................................................................................................................................91 Hemipenal Popping....................................................................................................................................................................................91 Hemipenal Transillumination .....................................................................................................................................................91 Hemipenal Observation ......................................................................................................................................................................93 BREEDING AGE.....................................................................................................................................................................................93 COURTSHIP ...................................................................................................................................................................................................93 MATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................93 STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE BREEDING SUCCESS ..........................................94 COOLING ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................94 SEPARATION .........................................................................................................................................................................................................96 page 6 REPRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................................................96 REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES .................................................................................................................................................96 EGG TYPE ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................96 CLUTCH SIZE .........................................................................................................................................................................................................96 BREEDING FREQUENCY ...................................................................................................................................................................97 GRAVIDITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................97 CARING FOR BREEDING FEMALE GECKOS AND PYGOPODS ......................................97 NEST FACILITIES ...............................................................................................................................................................................98 ARBOREAL SPECIES .................................................................................................................................................................................99 TERRESTRIAL SPECIES ........................................................................................................................................................................99 EGG LAYING .............................................................................................................................................................................................101 EGG MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................................101 Collecting and Handling .................................................................................................................................................................101 Determining Egg Viability ............................................................................................................................................................102 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION .......................................................................................................................................105 INCUBATION FACILITIES .............................................................................................................................................................105 CONTAINERS .....................................................................................................................................................................................................106 HEATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................107 TEMPERATURE CONTROL .........................................................................................................................................................107 INCUBATION MEDIUM ....................................................................................................................................................................108 Vermiculite .............................................................................................................................................................................................................108 Perlite ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................108 Sphagnum Moss ...........................................................................................................................................................................................108 True Peat Moss ................................................................................................................................................................................................109 Coir Peat Moss ................................................................................................................................................................................................109 Sand ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................109 No Substrate .......................................................................................................................................................................................................109 INCUBATION REGIMES ...................................................................................................................................................................110 TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT SEX DETERMINATION .................................................................110 NATURAL INCUBATION ..............................................................................................................................................112 HATCHLING CARE .....................................................................................................................................................................113 FEEDING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................113 Feeding Frequency ..................................................................................................................................................................................113 Supplementation ........................................................................................................................................................................................113 LIGHTING ................................................................................................................................................................................................................113 HOUSING .................................................................................................................................................................................................................114 HEATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................114 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................114 page 7 COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERS DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................................................................................................115 NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS ...............................................................................................................................115 OBESITY ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................115 METABOLIC BONE DISEASE (CALCIUM/VITAMIN D3 DEFICIENCY) ...............116 Early Onset Metabolic Bone Disease ..........................................................................................................................116 Late Onset Metabolic Bone Disease ............................................................................................................................117 Delayed Metabolic Bone Disease .....................................................................................................................................117 Floppy Tail Syndrome ..........................................................................................................................................................................118 Reproductive Metabolic Bone Disease ...................................................................................................................118 GUT IMPACTION ........................................................................................................................................................................................118 PARASITIC DISORDERS ..............................................................................................................................................120 INTERNAL PARASITES .....................................................................................................................................................................120 EXTERNAL PARASITES ....................................................................................................................................................................121 SKIN DISORDERS ........................................................................................................................................................................122 DYSECDYSIS.......................................................................................................................................................................................................122 SCALE ROT ............................................................................................................................................................................................................123 NAIL, TOE AND LIMB DISORDERS ...................................................................................................124 EYE DISORDERS .............................................................................................................................................................................124 EYE TRAUMA.....................................................................................................................................................................................................124 PHOTO-KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS ............................................................................................................................124 PRIMARY BACTERIAL EYE INFECTIONS ..........................................................................................................125 RESPIRATORY DISORDERS ................................................................................................................................125 BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA ...........................................................................................................................................................125 VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY ...............................................................................................................................................................125 HUMIDITY RELATED PROBLEMS ..................................................................................................................................125 PARASITIC PNEUMONIA ............................................................................................................................................................126 TRAUMA ............................................................................................................................................................................................................126 BITE INJURIES .................................................................................................................................................................................................126 THERMAL BURNS .....................................................................................................................................................................................127 REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS .......................................................................................................................127 PRE-OVULATORY AND POST-OVULATORY STASIS (EGG BINDING OR DYSTOCIA) ..........................................................................................................................................127 UTERINE INFECTION ..........................................................................................................................................................................129 HEMIPENAL INJURIES AND INFECTION ..........................................................................................................129 CONGENITAL DEFECTS ..................................................................................................................................................................130 page 8 NASAL AND ORAL DISORDERS .............................................................................................................132 NASAL ABRASIONS—NOSE RUBS ............................................................................................................................132 JAW DISEASE/PERIODONTITIS/STOMATITIS.........................................................................................133 ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS ...................................................................................133 SUBCUTANEOUS OR INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTIONS ............................................................133 Liquid Oral Medication ......................................................................................................................................................................134 Oral Tablet Medication.......................................................................................................................................................................136 MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR REPTILE VETERINARIAN.........136 SPECIES BYNOE’S GECKO AND DESERT CAVE GECKO PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................139 DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................139 ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................139 IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................143 DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................143   IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................145 STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................145 HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................145 INDOOR ENCLOSURES ....................................................................................................................................................................146 Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................147 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................147 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................148 FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................148 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................148 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................149 BREEDING RECORDS FOR BYNOE’S GECKO AND DESERT CAVE GECKO SPECIES ........................................................................................................................................149 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................150 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................150 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................150 DTELLAS AND HOUSE GECKOS PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................151 DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................152 ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................152 page 9

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Preview Australian Geckos and Pygopods In Captivity

A Guide to… Australian GECKOS & PYGOPODS in Captivity By Dr Danny Brown BVSc (Hons) BSc (Hons) Edited and Published by Reptile Publications © 2012 page 1 ©Reptile Publications 2012 Reptile Publications PO Box 2330 Burleigh BC QLD 4220 Australia www.reptilepublications.com [email protected] ISBN 978 0 9872447 3 4 ISBN 978-0-9758200-6-3 (Ebook) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. COVER PHOTOGRAPHS FRONT COVER Top Left Oedura marmorata G SCHMIDA Middle Left Diplodactylus galeatus G SCHMIDA Bottom Left Pygopus lepidopodus J VOS Bottom Right Underwoodisaurus milii G STEPHENSON Bottom (Main Photograph) Saltuarius swaini G SCHMIDA   BACK COVER Top Cyrtodactylus tuberculatus G SCHMIDA Bottom Rhynchoedura ornata J VOS Disclaimer: Very few drugs are registered for use in reptiles, and most usages and dose rates have been extrapolated from mammalian therapeutics. Everyone using medications should be aware that manufacturers of these drugs will not accept any responsibility for the ‘off-label’ use of their drugs. The dose rates and information are based on clinical trials and practical experience, but unrecorded adverse side effects may occur. Where possible, the author has provided brand names for the drugs mentioned. These should not be taken as a recommendation for one particular brand over another, but rather as a starting point for you to find the drug of your choice. In most instances, contraindications and side effects are not listed. This should not be taken to mean that there are none—many of these drugs have not been used extensively, and reports on contraindications and side effects are not recorded at date of publication. reptile publications Design, Type and Art: e design ©ABK/Reptile Publications 2012 page 2 CO N T E N T S ABOUT THE AUTHOR ....................................................................................................................................16 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................................17 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................................19 GENERAL MANAGEMENT PET SUITABILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................20 CHOOSING YOUR STOCK ..............................................................................................................................................................20 Selecting an Individual Gecko ..................................................................................................................................................21 HANDLING AND HYGIENE ............................................................................................................................................................22 Geckos ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 Pygopods .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................24 TRANSPORTATION ....................................................................................................................................................................................25 Short Journeys.....................................................................................................................................................................................................25 Long Journeys ......................................................................................................................................................................................................27 Timber Boxes ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................28 Plastic Containers ...........................................................................................................................................................................................28 PURCHASE AND FREIGHT ETIQUETTE ..................................................................................................................29 Buyers ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................29 Sellers .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................30 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................................................................................30 GENERAL SAFETY ........................................................................................................................................................................................32 SECURITY ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................32 QUARANTINE ......................................................................................................................................................................................................33 HOUSING INDOOR ENCLOSURES ..................................................................................................................................................34 Rack Systems ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................34 Tubs .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................34 Tanks ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35 Timber Enclosures .........................................................................................................................................................................................35 Glass, Perspex or Plastic Moulded Commercial Terrariums ......................................................35 Mesh Terrariums ...............................................................................................................................................................................................37 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ........................................................................................................................................37 Pits ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................38 Aviaries ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................38 ENCLOSURE SIZE ..........................................................................................................................................................................................39 Minimum Enclosure Sizes .................................................................................................................................................................39 page 3 COMPATIBILITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................................40 VENTILATION ......................................................................................................................................................................................................40 SUBSTRATE .............................................................................................................................................................................................................41 Sand ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................41 Soil ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Gravel ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Scoria ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Leaf Litter .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Potting Mix ................................................................................................................................................................................................................43 Sphagnum Moss ...............................................................................................................................................................................................43 Peat.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................43 Bark and Wood Chip...................................................................................................................................................................................43 Wood Shavings ...................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Corn Cob Litter ....................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Walnut Shell Litter .........................................................................................................................................................................................44 Alfalfa/Lucerne Pellets ...........................................................................................................................................................................44 Compressed Timber Pellets ...........................................................................................................................................................44 Compressed Newspaper Pellets .............................................................................................................................................44 Zeolite and Clumping Cat Litter .............................................................................................................................................44 Paper ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Artificial Grass ......................................................................................................................................................................................................45 Indoor/Outdoor Carpet ........................................................................................................................................................................45 HIDE SITES .......................................................................................................................................................................................................45 Vertical Hide Sites ..........................................................................................................................................................................................45 Horizontal Hide Sites ................................................................................................................................................................................46 ENCLOSURE ENRICHMENT ...................................................................................................................................47 Surface Litter ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................47 Branches and Hollows.............................................................................................................................................................................47 Artificial Plants ....................................................................................................................................................................................................48 Dried Plants ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................48 Live Plants ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................49 HEATING ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................50 HEAT CORD OR TAPE ..............................................................................................................................................................................50 HEAT MATS ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................51 HEAT ROCKS ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................52 CERAMIC HEATERS....................................................................................................................................................................................52 GLOBES...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................52 Standard Incandescent Globes ................................................................................................................................................52 Reflector Globes ...............................................................................................................................................................................................53 Reptile Lamps .......................................................................................................................................................................................................53 Halogen Bulbs ......................................................................................................................................................................................................53 Infrared Globes ...................................................................................................................................................................................................54 Mercury Vapour Lamps (MVLs) ..............................................................................................................................................54 page 4 LIGHTING ............................................................................................................................................................................................................55 THE SCIENCE OF LIGHTING .......................................................................................................................................................55 Visible Light ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................55 Infrared ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................55 Ultraviolet A (UV-A) .....................................................................................................................................................................................55 Ultraviolet B (UV-B) ......................................................................................................................................................................................56 Ultraviolet C (UV-C) ......................................................................................................................................................................................58 LIGHTING OPTIONS .................................................................................................................................................................................58 UV-B Emitting Fluorescent Tubes .........................................................................................................................................59 Black Lights ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................60 Compact UV-B Emitting Lamps ...............................................................................................................................................60 Mercury Vapour Lamps .........................................................................................................................................................................61 THERMOSTATS ...................................................................................................................................................................................61 Probe Thermostats .......................................................................................................................................................................................62 On/Off Thermostats ....................................................................................................................................................................................62 Dimming Thermostats ............................................................................................................................................................................62 Pulse Proportional Thermostats ............................................................................................................................................62 HUMIDITY .......................................................................................................................................................................................................63 FEEDING METHODS AND NUTRITION INVERTEBRATE FOOD ITEMS ......................................................................................................................65 Crickets—Acheta domestica .................................................................................................................................................................65 Cockroaches ............................................................................................................................................................................................................65 Mealworms—Tenebrio molitor .........................................................................................................................................................66 King Mealworms or Superworms—Zophobas morio .................................................................................66 Maggots/Flies/Pupae—Musca vetutissima ..................................................................................................................67 Slaters .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................67 Silkworms—Bombyx mori and other caterpillars ............................................................................................67 Termites ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................68 Earthworms—Lumbricus terrestrius ...........................................................................................................................................68 Locusts—Chortoicetes terminifera .................................................................................................................................................68 Spiders ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................68 Fruit Flies—Drosophila species .....................................................................................................................................................69 Snails—Helix aspersa and other species .........................................................................................................................69 Waxworms—Galleria mellonella ....................................................................................................................................................69 Wild Fodder ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................69 Nutritional Data Averages for Invertebrate Diets .....................................................................................70 VERTEBRATE FOOD ITEMS ................................................................................................................................71 Rats and Mice ........................................................................................................................................................................................................71 Fish ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................71 Reptiles ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................71 Nutritional Data Averages for Vertebrate Diets ...........................................................................................72 page 5 ARTIFICIAL DIETS .......................................................................................................................................................................73 CULTURING INSECT FOOD ITEMS ..................................................................................................73 Crickets—Acheta domestica .................................................................................................................................................................73 Speckled Feeder Roaches—Nauphoeta cinerea ..................................................................................................76 Locusts—Chortoicetes terminifera .................................................................................................................................................77 Bush Flies—Musca vetutissima .........................................................................................................................................................77 Slaters .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................80 Lesser Waxworms (Indian Meal Moths)—Plodia interpunctella ..................................................80 Fruit Fly/Vinegar Fly/Ferment Fly—Drosphila species ..........................................................................80 DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS .........................................................................................................................................81 CALCIUM ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................81 Gut Loading .............................................................................................................................................................................................................82 Dusting.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................82 PROTEIN........................................................................................................................................................................................................................83 FEEDING FACILITIES ...........................................................................................................................................................83 FEEDING PROBLEMS .........................................................................................................................................................85 TREATMENT ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................86 Assist Feeding .....................................................................................................................................................................................................86 Force Feeding ........................................................................................................................................................................................................87 Tube Feeding .........................................................................................................................................................................................................87 BREEDING VISUAL SEXING ..................................................................................................................................................................................88 Colour .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88 Size ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88 Femoral and Preanal Pores .............................................................................................................................................................89 Hemipenal Bulges ..........................................................................................................................................................................................89 Paracloacal Spur Structures ..........................................................................................................................................................90 OTHER SEXING TECHNIQUES .................................................................................................................................................91 Hemipenal Popping....................................................................................................................................................................................91 Hemipenal Transillumination .....................................................................................................................................................91 Hemipenal Observation ......................................................................................................................................................................93 BREEDING AGE.....................................................................................................................................................................................93 COURTSHIP ...................................................................................................................................................................................................93 MATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................93 STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE BREEDING SUCCESS ..........................................94 COOLING ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................94 SEPARATION .........................................................................................................................................................................................................96 page 6 REPRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................................................96 REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES .................................................................................................................................................96 EGG TYPE ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................96 CLUTCH SIZE .........................................................................................................................................................................................................96 BREEDING FREQUENCY ...................................................................................................................................................................97 GRAVIDITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................97 CARING FOR BREEDING FEMALE GECKOS AND PYGOPODS ......................................97 NEST FACILITIES ...............................................................................................................................................................................98 ARBOREAL SPECIES .................................................................................................................................................................................99 TERRESTRIAL SPECIES ........................................................................................................................................................................99 EGG LAYING .............................................................................................................................................................................................101 EGG MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................................101 Collecting and Handling .................................................................................................................................................................101 Determining Egg Viability ............................................................................................................................................................102 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION .......................................................................................................................................105 INCUBATION FACILITIES .............................................................................................................................................................105 CONTAINERS .....................................................................................................................................................................................................106 HEATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................107 TEMPERATURE CONTROL .........................................................................................................................................................107 INCUBATION MEDIUM ....................................................................................................................................................................108 Vermiculite .............................................................................................................................................................................................................108 Perlite ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................108 Sphagnum Moss ...........................................................................................................................................................................................108 True Peat Moss ................................................................................................................................................................................................109 Coir Peat Moss ................................................................................................................................................................................................109 Sand ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................109 No Substrate .......................................................................................................................................................................................................109 INCUBATION REGIMES ...................................................................................................................................................................110 TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT SEX DETERMINATION .................................................................110 NATURAL INCUBATION ..............................................................................................................................................112 HATCHLING CARE .....................................................................................................................................................................113 FEEDING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................113 Feeding Frequency ..................................................................................................................................................................................113 Supplementation ........................................................................................................................................................................................113 LIGHTING ................................................................................................................................................................................................................113 HOUSING .................................................................................................................................................................................................................114 HEATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................114 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................114 page 7 COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERS DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................................................................................................115 NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS ...............................................................................................................................115 OBESITY ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................115 METABOLIC BONE DISEASE (CALCIUM/VITAMIN D3 DEFICIENCY) ...............116 Early Onset Metabolic Bone Disease ..........................................................................................................................116 Late Onset Metabolic Bone Disease ............................................................................................................................117 Delayed Metabolic Bone Disease .....................................................................................................................................117 Floppy Tail Syndrome ..........................................................................................................................................................................118 Reproductive Metabolic Bone Disease ...................................................................................................................118 GUT IMPACTION ........................................................................................................................................................................................118 PARASITIC DISORDERS ..............................................................................................................................................120 INTERNAL PARASITES .....................................................................................................................................................................120 EXTERNAL PARASITES ....................................................................................................................................................................121 SKIN DISORDERS ........................................................................................................................................................................122 DYSECDYSIS.......................................................................................................................................................................................................122 SCALE ROT ............................................................................................................................................................................................................123 NAIL, TOE AND LIMB DISORDERS ...................................................................................................124 EYE DISORDERS .............................................................................................................................................................................124 EYE TRAUMA.....................................................................................................................................................................................................124 PHOTO-KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS ............................................................................................................................124 PRIMARY BACTERIAL EYE INFECTIONS ..........................................................................................................125 RESPIRATORY DISORDERS ................................................................................................................................125 BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA ...........................................................................................................................................................125 VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY ...............................................................................................................................................................125 HUMIDITY RELATED PROBLEMS ..................................................................................................................................125 PARASITIC PNEUMONIA ............................................................................................................................................................126 TRAUMA ............................................................................................................................................................................................................126 BITE INJURIES .................................................................................................................................................................................................126 THERMAL BURNS .....................................................................................................................................................................................127 REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS .......................................................................................................................127 PRE-OVULATORY AND POST-OVULATORY STASIS (EGG BINDING OR DYSTOCIA) ..........................................................................................................................................127 UTERINE INFECTION ..........................................................................................................................................................................129 HEMIPENAL INJURIES AND INFECTION ..........................................................................................................129 CONGENITAL DEFECTS ..................................................................................................................................................................130 page 8 NASAL AND ORAL DISORDERS .............................................................................................................132 NASAL ABRASIONS—NOSE RUBS ............................................................................................................................132 JAW DISEASE/PERIODONTITIS/STOMATITIS.........................................................................................133 ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS ...................................................................................133 SUBCUTANEOUS OR INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTIONS ............................................................133 Liquid Oral Medication ......................................................................................................................................................................134 Oral Tablet Medication.......................................................................................................................................................................136 MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR REPTILE VETERINARIAN.........136 SPECIES BYNOE’S GECKO AND DESERT CAVE GECKO PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................139 DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................139 ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................139 IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................143 DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................143   IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................145 STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................145 HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................145 INDOOR ENCLOSURES ....................................................................................................................................................................146 Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................147 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................147 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................148 FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................148 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................148 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................149 BREEDING RECORDS FOR BYNOE’S GECKO AND DESERT CAVE GECKO SPECIES ........................................................................................................................................149 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................150 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................150 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................150 DTELLAS AND HOUSE GECKOS PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................151 DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................152 ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................152 page 9

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