Reptile Man!

Ron Wulff, the Reptile Man, has worked for one of the big retail pet stores for 6 years as a reptile and aquatic specialist. He rescues reptiles and runs www.nopaws.com, dedicating his time to educate people on exotic pets. Direct your exotic pet questions to Reptile Man.

A note from the reptile guy...
This is the time of year when it is important to take a good look at what is going on inside your reptile’s habitat.  
In Connecticut our night time temperatures can get pretty cool.  Most reptiles need to keep warm, some need to keep HOT.  It isn't hard to keep a lizard cage at 85 in the summer when the room temperature is between 75 and 80. It is a whole new game when your night time temperature can drop below 60. 
The first stage of hibernation in reptiles is to stop eating. Because temperatures in your house are not likely to reach true hibernation conditions, it can put the animal’s health at risk.  Here is how to make sure your reptile habitat is winterized. 
The first thing you need to get is a good temperature gauge.  The price of the digital temperature gauge with the probe that goes inside the tank has become quite affordable.  The strips that stick to the glass and change color are only going to cover the temperature range of where they are stuck, You need to know the temperature of the tank where the animal spends most of its time.  
Whichever kind of gauge you get, you need to monitor the temperature in different places inside the tank.  The animals hiding and basking spots are the most important, but check the cool side of the tank to make sure you are within your animal’s temperature range.  Night time temperatures must be monitored as well.  You don't want to leave the day light bulbs on all night.  They have red and dark blue lights from 25 to 150 watts that give heat and light that is invisible to the animal or ceramic heat emitters that give off heat and no light.  Heating pads are another option if you have animals that spend a lot of time on the bottom of the tank.  Make sure the cage substrate isn't too thick over the area of the heating pad.
If you have water turtles or amphibians, you might have to use regular submersible fish tank heaters to raise the temperature of the water.  When selecting a heater, if the water isn't filled to near to the top of the tank, make sure you go by how many gallons of water you have, not by how many gallons the tank will hold.
Remember, hibernation is an adaptation to harsh conditions.  When you are keeping an animal in your house, those harsh conditions are avoidable.  Unless you have animals that need a controlled cool down for breeding purposes, you can keep it summer all year long.
Ron

Ask The Cat Lady!

Sally Bahner is a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and has a private feline consulting practice. She is the "Dear Sally" on Tracie Hotchner’s Cat Chat Radio (www.catchatradio.com), found on Sirius, the Martha Stewart Living channel. She is a longtime editor and writer on everything feline.

Q: Dear Sally,
My kitten (4-plus months) has been trying to nurse on my dog. I wouldn't care except it is clearly distressing the dog: ears back, increased respiratory, plaintive look like, "aren't you going to do something?" Kaylie, my dog, is so sweet she would never hurt the kitten, but she is also ending up with scratch marks all over her belly from the kneading and her nipples end up beet red. I have tried a spray bottle but it only upsets the dog. Grady, the kitten, wasn't fazed. Someone recommended Bitter Apple but I am worried that although it may make the kitten stop, Kaylie will then be licking a terrible taste from her own body!  Any suggestions?
Beth
A: Dear Beth,
Four months is very young and the kitten will probably grow out of it – we once had some kittens that nursed on our older adult male cat, who was unrelated to them. How about putting a t-shirt on Kaylie to deter the kitten from nursing when you can't supervise them? Also, distract Grady with a fishing pole toy and see if a stuffed toy would be an acceptable substitute. Keep his claws clipped as well. Chances are that Grady was weaned rather young and Kaylie is a natural substitute. Kudos to Kaylie for being so patient.
Sally

The Bunny Expert!

Susan adopted her first house rabbit 5 years ago and soon after got highly involved in rabbit rescue. She has volunteered at a local rabbit rescue group and a local animal shelter working with rabbits. She has since co-founded 3 Bunnies Rabbit Rescue Inc. Susan can surely answer all of your rabbit questions!

Q: Dear Susan,
My rabbit is shedding a lot. Is this normal?
Heather
A: Dear Heather,
Yes, shedding is normal. Rabbits have light sheds and heavy sheds throughout the year. If they look like there is something not normal and going furless, a vet check is needed to make sure they do not have fleas or mites. Also it is important to keep an eye on their eating habits. Plenty of hay for their digestive system is needed. If they are not eating, a vet check is needed as soon as possible. Also infant simethecone gas drops can be given in case of gas. Light gentle brushing can also help with a shed.
Susan