A Darwin carpet python or M. s. variegata is the perfect reptile for the first time owner or experienced handler. These beautiful creatures can grow up to six feet in length. When a Darwin is young, they are just like any other snake. They are easily aggravated and may bite anything that they see. Most Darwin’s settle down after a few years and have an easier temperament. It is important to remember that these creatures still can be provoked at any time to bite anyone they are given the possibility to.
After bringing your Darwin carpet python home, it is important to find it a good home. One of the best containers for holding a Darwin is a glass aquarium. This aquarium is strengthened to ensure that the creature is not able to get out of it. Remember to place a strong lid on the top of the habitat to prevent escape. Many owners use a traditional lid but place heavier items such as textbooks or rocks to prevent the python from escaping. There are several guidelines that one needs to consider when trying to determine the correct size for the python’s cage. In an ideal world, the cage should be large enough that the animal is able to fully stretch out its body from tail to head without hitting either side of the cage. Many animals start off in smaller tanks but will require larger tanks as time goes on.
One end of the Darwin carpet python’s cage needs to be heated with the other one cooled. The python should be able to travel back and forth between the two with no problems. A heat lamp should be directed inward to the cage on the warm end. Ideally, the temperature will be 30 to 32 degrees on the warm end with 22 to 26 degrees at the cooler end. The python should have access to the warm heat lamp at least eight to ten hours per day. Some type of substrate needs to be situated on the bottom of the cage. Newspaper work well for a substrate material and only need to be changed once per week. They may need to be changed more often if a large amount of water spills on them or the animal defecates.
The Darwin carpet python loves to be able to soak up their environment. Rocks make a great addition because they allow the python to assist itself when in the shedding stage. Shelter is another key to the python. Household boxes can be used but should be large enough to allow the python to fit inside. A large bowl for soaking should be provided to the Darwin carpet python. The water should be filled and cleaned regularily. The snake will soak in this pool from time to time and it is important that the animal is able to fit themselves comfortabley within it. Rats are the perfect type of prey for an adult Darwin carpet python and mice as hatchlings. Depending upon the size of your python, the size of the prey item needs to change. Typically a feeding pattern of once per week is sufficent.
Bearded dragons are amazing reptilian creatures. They are some of the most sought after of any of the reptiles that are kept as pets. Breeding bearded dragons can be both a labor of love as well as a substantial business operation. While it requires a large amount of work in order to be able to breed these amazing creatures, it is all worth it once they have hatched.
Housing is one of the first concerns of any reptile owner. A glass aquarium will work well for bearded dragons but it should be noted that the lid needs to be secure. Having an aqaurium without a secure lid can lead to a large amount of problems. The bearded dragons can escape or an animal or human can get into the cage and potentially be injured. Be extremely careful in selecting the right housing when breeding bearded dragons. The enclosure should have a warm section where the temperature is kept to between 32 to 40 degrees. A tree branch or log is always a nice addition, the best substrate for a bearded dragon is simply newspaper.
Sexing a bearded dragon is the first step towards breeding them. You should lift up the dragons tail and examine the area just above the ventral opening. Male bearded dragons have hemipenal bulges on each side of their tail. Female bearded dragons do not have these features present. Consulting a central bearded dragon caresheet will allow you to learn even more about the genitalia of the male/female bearded dragon.
Breeding can start for bearded dragons as soon as they are mature enough. A healthy couple of dragons , an enclosure and a warm location for the female to lay her eggs are required for mating to begin. Many bearded dragons will follow their mating rituals with a period known as brumation. Bearded dragon brumation is similar to hibernating. A dragon will have almost no activity and simply rest for a long period of time. This period can vary and some dragons may be active for a few minutes each day and then brumate for the rest of the day. Each dragon has a different internal brumation schedule and will vary based upon the climate and other factors that they are exposed to. Brumation can be anythinhg from a day long process to six months or longer!
Bearded dragon eggs are incubated for a period of 65 to 75 days. They will best mature at 27 to 30 degrees. Once they have fully matured they begin to crack and the dragon will appear out of them within 24 hours. After the dragons have hatched from their eggs, they will begin feeding within 72 hours. Depending upon what specific bearded dragons were bred, there are some very unique combinations that can exist. These types of bearded dragons can be extremely unique and are amazing to look at. The sandfire bearded dragon breed is one of the most popular today. It is among one of the top breeds that are sold by breeders as well.
