Thursday, August 26, 2010

5 Top Tips For Feeding a Hermit Crab


In the wild, land hermit crabs feed on a variety of foods such as dropped fruit, tree bark, plants and grasses and food that has been washed on to the shore. They locate their food by a combination of watching other crabs and by using their antennae to sniff it out. Feeding your pet crustacean in captivity isn't as difficult as you guys may think and, provided you follow a few guidelines, your pet should stay happy and well nourished. These crabs are, like people, omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. The following five pointers should help, if you have recently purchased one of these little guys, and are a little unsure what to feed him.

1. When feeding a hermit crab you can't go far wrong if you stick to a commercially produced specialized food which can be purchased at most reputable pet stores. These commercial foods are normally produced in pellet or canned form although you may need to crush the pellets if you are taking care of a smaller critter. Ready prepared diets ensure that your pet gets the right amount of supplements that he needs such as calcium, carotene and antioxidants.

2. You're little pets are not normally picky eaters and it's a good idea when giving one of these little guys food is to supplement the commercial food with a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. Your pet will enjoy eating a wide variety of food and particularly likes fruit from the tropics, such as mangoes, coconuts and papayas although he will be happy with citrus fruit as well.

3. If you are putting your little crawly pet on a fresh food diet it is important to try and source organic, whenever possible. Always rinse the food with water and then leave it to dry naturally as he likes to munch with a crunch.

4. These crawly critters need a good supply of calcium particularly when they are molting and this can be achieved by feeding your little guy with cuttlebone, which is normally located in the bird section of your pet store, which can be given whole or shredded and added to food. Additional sources of calcium can be found in crushed oyster shell, which is also available in the bird section, coral sand and crushed egg shells, which can be boiled, dried and then crushed.

5. Lastly, your pet will need water and supplying your little fella' with both fresh and salt water is preferable. Some of the crawlers like to bath in salt water, so it is a good idea to provide a dish that is big enough for this purpose. When it comes to fresh water you must never use tap water, since chlorine is harmful to your pet's body. Instead, you can purchase drops from your pet store which remove chlorine or alternatively, use bottled water instead, although this is likely to be more costly.

Follow these guidelines and you will have a pet that will provide you with hours of entertainment and fun. To be perfectly honest with you, feeding a pet like this is nowhere near as tricky as feeding a picky adolescent.

Characteristics Of A Golden Retriever


The Golden Retriever is an exceptionally beautiful large and highly energetic dog. It is also known as one of the world's best family dog breeds. They do well as bird hunting dogs as well as serve as police helpers, a guide for the visually impaired, therapy do and assist as a service dog for the disabled.

These dogs are one of the friendliest and most useful dogs in the world due to their desire and eagerness to please as well as their capacity to love and trainability. They have also been ranked as 4 out of 79 recognized breeds for their working intelligence and obedience. Golden Retrievers are quite calm as well as responsive and affectionate, although they don't make outstanding watch dogs due to their over trusting nature and lack of suspicion of strangers.

They are quite difficult to match against any other breed in the world, which is why they are such a popular pet.

Their general appearance is beautiful, strong, well proportioned body. Their coat is medium in length with a feathery feel; they are generally cream to golden in color, with part of their coat water resistant. They have a strong broad shaped head and a powerful muzzle. Soft brown eyes with dark rims and pendant shaped ears, their muscular neck and thighs as well as broad chest map out their characteristic physic.

Golden Retrievers are such well behaved, lovable, intelligent pets with a lot of charm. They are loyal and quite confident, gentle and eager to please their owners. Although they are very active they do make the ideal family pet. They enjoy spending time with people and love training as a chance to spend more time with you and have excelled in many obedience competitions.

They are happiest when they around people but if isolated they may become mischievous and can cause a bit of chaos by tearing up things around the house. But they do make tremendous companions for people of all ages and are the easiest dog to train. They are very people orientated and will enjoy spending time with someone everyday.

Ideally, Golden Retrievers need regular exercises and prefer large backyards to play and move about it. They love playing games with balls, and sticks so really, exercise for them should be fairly easy. Without adequate exercise they can become difficult in their behavior within the home.

While they are easily trained and exceptionally patient and gentle with children, supervision is a must with a young child due to the dog's uncontrollable excitement can bump young children over without meaning too. They are friendly to anyone they meet including other dogs and family pets but have limited guard dog instincts, although will bark as a form of greeting that is sometimes intimidating.

Although like other dogs they have their fair share of health issues from hip dysplasia and cataract opacity they do generally live a fairly good life span of about 14 years. With a healthy diet and exercise they will live a fulfilling life when spending time with their family, they will give many years of companionship.

Lea Mullins, a long time dog owner, provides information on characteristics of a Golden Retriever. Visit TrainPetDog.com to learn about dog breeds.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Pet Training - How to Train Your Rabbit



Owners must accept that rabbits will instinctively exhibit behaviors that you may not like but are second nature for your rabbit such as, chewing furniture, digging up the carpet and marking the floor. This behavior is rare but does occur.

If your rabbit is chewing furniture consider purchasing a special spray to deter them from chewing. These are sold at all pet stores and shops such as Wal-Mart and Target. Also, be sure to provide your bunny with plenty of chew toys which you can purchase at the pet store. I like to cover the areas they like to dig with a bath mat or another large object to cover the area.

Rabbits have the urge to mark their territory with urine and certain fecal pellets. If you spay/neuter your pet this will eliminate this desire and will prevent the risk of ovarian cancer and unwanted pregnancy. To train your rabbit to use a litter box, make sure you pick a one that is the right size for the bunny. A tiny bunny will not want to use a gigantic litter box and a large rabbit will not enjoy using a litter box designed for a small bunny. Place the litter box in a corner in a private place that is quiet and will be relaxing for the bunny to use. It helps to put several poops in the litter box so they know that it is the designated area for them to relieve themselves

Rabbits respond extremely well to rewards so giving them treats for a job well done is the best thing you can do to train your rabbit. They do not respond when they are yelled at or hit and do not understand why they are being punished. Reward your bunny every time they do something great by giving them a treat. Immediately give them a treat as soon as they do the good behavior and be consistent. Make sure that your bunny knows why they are getting a treat. Make sure you use treats that your bunny loves because they will do anything possible to get that treat. My rabbits favorite treats are lettuce and pretzel treats designed especially for rabbits.

It takes time to train your rabbit and the best thing you can do is to devote at least thirty minutes a day of quality time to training. If you consistently train them each day you will see the results. Your bunny will respond more to you, you and your bunny will be closer and you will see quicker results.

How to Train Ferrets - Tips to Stop a Ferrets Biting



Admirable pets with abounding energy, ferrets are habitual nippers. A Ferret bite is painful as is its habit. Ferrets bite by habit and mostly when they are playful with their peers. So, once you acquire a pet ferret you need to train these little fellows quickly. Be patient with them as you would with any puppy and use a firm but gentle method to train them. If you are tired of ferrets biting you, follow these tips to train them.

Before you commence with training your pet ferret, determine why it bites. Perhaps the pet is injured and the wound has not healed yet. So when you cuddle, you could be disturbing the wound. And every time you pick him up, he bites to get free. Your quick reaction to free him makes the ferret to realize that if he bites, he can free himself.

Another reason your ferret could bite is when the environment is unsuitable and has nicotine smells, dust or alcohol smells which might irritate the pet. Furthermore, confining the ferret can be frustrating to their playful attitude, which they may vent through biting.

Stay firm and signal your pet a staunch `NO` when he bites. If he still bites, leave him and walk away from him. He will sense your resentment to biting and understand biting is not being tolerated. Resume playing when he calms down. Repeating this process will make him understand that he should not bite. If he does not reciprocate, put him in a cage whenever he bites and let him out only when he calms down. Repeat this process every time you get nipped. Since ferrets do not like being caged, he will respond.

As has been advised in the beginning, you need to be extremely patient in dealing with your pet ferret. If he does not respond soon, you may have to be more aggressive with him. Pick him up by the neck, nudge him, shake him, and call out a firm NO. A light tap on his nose will also help him understand. According to experts, you can spray a bitter tasting spray on the paws to discourage ferrets biting.

Finally, it is your love and commitments towards you ferret that will bring out an appropriate response. And do not forget to reward your pet with his favorite food every time that he obeys.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Top 10 Most Popular Types of Parrots



Parrots
are becoming more and more popular as pets in captivity. People love to train them and teach them tricks and to speak phrases. In the wild, these birds have been admired because of their beauty, intelligence, and outgoingness. They have similar characteristics as humans, as they replicate human words and sounds. Parrots have very childlike behavior and thinking, with some behavioral scientists demonstrating they have the intelligence and communication skills of a 3 year old. This is why these birds make fantastic companions and pets.

There are many kinds of parrot types in the animal kingdom with varieties based on size, shape, and feather colors. The following outlines the top 10 most popular types as pets and in the wild:

1.) Parakeets - Parakeet parrots are known by their long tails, and tend to be a more favored parrot type compared to the Cockatiel for example. Known as a small parrot, the parakeet has bright feather colors. Their behavior is typically energetic and they crave human interaction.

2.) Cockatiels - Cockatiels are smaller parrot types typically identified by their notable head and tail feathers. Males have great speaking abilities, while the female Cockatiels are quieter, but are more aggressive. The females also are more likely to bite and hiss. The Cockatiels are good pets in captivity, as they are very sociable and love to interact.

3.) Lorries & Lovebirds - These birds are from South America and have been an inspiration to many as they are extremely peaceful birds with bright feather colors. They do not require much space, are able to maintain great health, and love to be with other parrots.

4.) Conures - The Conures are more playful birds that are large parakeets, which have a slightly smaller build with longer tails. These parrots are from Central and South America, and have friendly personalities, sometimes leading to louder squawks.

5.) Macaws -These birds are mostly recognized for their large frame and bright rainbow colored feathers and beaks. Originating from the tropical regions of South and Central America, the macaw shows great intelligence with fantastic speaking abilities.

6.) Amazon -Also known as green parrots (since most have an overwhelming green feather color), Amazon parrots are very smart, talkative, and friendly. These parrots are easier to train than other parrots, and can duplicate the human voice of their owner.

7.) Cockatoo -Most known by their standing head crest and arched bills, these parrots types are larger than many other parrots but have less color in their feathers. These parrots are both friendly and talkative with frequent squawking and screaming.

8.) Caiuges - This parrot type is regarded as both smart and attractive in the parrot world. These parrots have an array of different feather colors, and have been referred to as the seven-colored parrot from their vast feather colors.

9.) Poicephalus Parrots -Originally from Africa, these birds are usually on the shy side but have endearing personalities. Ranging in size from small to medium, this parrot type demonstrates good and social behavioral traits.

10.) Parrotlets - These types are also known for their smaller size. With energetic, enjoyable, and courteous attributes, they can duplicate human voice and words, but are harder to understand. In the wild, these birds travel in flocks.

Parrots can be a fun and rewarding pet to own and care for. It is important to ensure your parrot receives proper training and love with much time devoted to their parrot. Remember this is a long term commitment, since parrots can live literally decades.

Parrot Feats



Ever wonder how parrots look so wise and lovable? This is because of their learned feats that parrot enthusiasts teach their pets. Teaching parrots how to acquire feats and traits are quite tricky. We do these to gain a play time with our pets and share wonderful experiences with them. It could also lessen some of the parrot's distasteful attitude sometimes.

As we do the teaching, we need to consider where we hold this important moment for our pets. The space needs to have a sense of restfulness in the air to gain the bird's undivided concentration to what we are teaching them. It would also be best for them to eliminate too much things that are not needed when teaching the bird some feats. As an enthusiast, be aware that you need a stress free environment and trusting relationship with your pets so that no bad effects would be produced in your parrot's experience of your teaching. You must also have a strong will to maintain your positiveness in teaching them feats.

A favored feat that parrots do is when they come forward to you. You need to say "step up" for them to do this. Give them a gift like a piece of food for good behavior once they follow your directions. This feat basically has rewarding outcomes when the parrot learns eventually, as well as for their breeders. In the case of small birds, you need to place your fingers in front of them to do this feat and entice them with a piece of food. As for the larger parrots, you need to place your arm in front of them or where they perch and hold out a gift as reward.

Once the parrot learns to come forward, how them how to turn in their place. These is done by holding out example, a fruit in front of them and simply go towards your pet's back for them to trail on the fruit with their eyes and give them a fruit or pellet as a reward for good behavior. Some pets easily trail on their back and grab the fruit with their beak while others need more convincing as it is for them do the feat. Now once, they accomplished this feat correctly give them food as a gift.

Do your parrots scream in the middle of the night which often bothers you? If they do you need to teach them the feat of talking. Talking could basically improve their well-being as your pets. Their vocal chords are exercised and they would be very playful with your and your family. You need to start them with some normal common words like, "hello" or "goodbye". Carefully say the word over and over again until you hear them make some kind of sound as a response. At times, family members are also encouraged to speak to the bird using the word you taught over and over for your parrot to learn that word naturally. In turn, your pet would adapt to the word and repeat them correctly.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Create a Cozy Home For Your Cat With a Cat Bed



Cats are curious creatures that are drawn to small, tight spaces. Many times you will find them snuggled up in a dresser drawer or wedged between two pieces of furniture. Outside cats can often be found nestled between a building and some other object or burrowed into a crevice. They are also creatures of comfort, often seeking out bedding and other soft object to create a cozy den for themselves. Purchasing a cat bed for your feline friend will provide them a small, comfortable space to lounge and sleep in.

Cat beds come in all different shapes, sizes, colors and textures, which makes fitting them into your home easy and practical. While they come in a variety of forms, there are really only a couple of things to look for when purchasing a cat bed. First, make sure it is in proportion to the size of your cat. If you have a kitten, you will need a smaller bed to give them the feeling that they are in a small space. A larger one will want a larger bed they can fit comfortably in. Second, many are drawn to soft, plush objects, so make sure your bed has plenty of padding and is covered in an inviting fabric. Third, make sure the bed has sides rather than just a pad (bottom). This gives your pet the feeling they are in their own space.

Once you have selected the perfect bed, placement is also key. If your cat is the private sort who likes to be off away from all the action, placing their bed in an unoccupied bedroom would be ideal. If your pet likes to be in the center of attention, placing the bed in a common area such as a living room or den is more ideal. Many also like to be warm. Placing their bed in front of a sunny window or under a heat register will make their bed more inviting for them.

Cats are fun animals and make wonderful pets. Providing them with their own cat bed will give them their own space and make them feel secure in their loving home.

Huge Maine Coon Cats - How Big Are They?



The Maine Coon Cat breed is known for many striking characteristics. Not the least of these is its size. Huge Maine Coon Cats are quite something to behold!

Myths and legends abound when it comes to a big Maine Coon Cat. We've all heard a story at some point about a massive cat of enormous proportions. So just how big are they, compared to most cats?

An average house cat weighs between 8 and 11 pounds. If they weigh more, they are probably on the chubby side. A female Coon usually weighs between 9 - 13 pounds. Then there are the boys. Males usually tip the scales at around 13 - 18 pounds. There are definitely some huge Maine Coon Cats out there!

The physique of this cat breed is solid. They are strong, muscular, and well proportioned. So an extra large Coon will have a frame to hold his weight. That means he'll be noticeably longer and wider than most other cats. Now, add a shaggy coat and a massive tail. What a specimen!

"What about really huge Maine Coon Cats?" you ask. It's true, many males end up growing well past the average. It's not unusual to hear of a 20 pounder, and sometimes even 25 - 30 or more pounds! These are definitely huge Maine Coon Cats.

Many people want to know where to get a very large Coon. This happens especially when there are photos of big Maine Coon Cats circulating on the Internet. Some folks see pictures of huge Maine Coon Cats and ask, "Where can I get one of those?"

That is certainly part of the allure of this breed. If you are ready to commit to a new cat in your life, you'll want to make sure this cat breed is right for you. Then you'll want to locate a responsible breeder in your area. Most breeders will not breed specifically for size. They are breeding to a standard, breeding great specimens in order to produce, with each litter, the best example possible of what a this breed is meant to be.

Also, these kittens are born to be a certain size. Feeding them extra food or supplements won't make their bones grow longer. It'll only make them fat, and perhaps raise the risk of hip dysplasia.

The kittens are already genetically predestined to be larger than an average cat. But just like in human families, there will be the occasional kitten who falls below the lowest "average threshold" and ends up being a beautiful 8 pound cat. There will also be some who are clearly going to be big, going above and beyond the high end of 18 pounds. The breeder will be able to tell you. So, put in a request for a big boy and your breeder will work with you.

Huge Maine Coon Cats are mysterious and alluring. Of course, there is a lot more to this breed than just size. If this is the breed for you, learn about their stunning physical characteristics, magnificent and gentle personality, and then fall in love with a Coon of your own!

Caring For Cats - Is Your Kitty Pregnant?



There are some tell tale signs that your cat is pregnant, if you know where to look. Here are the most consistent ways to tell if your fluffy is about to have a family:

* The first sign is that your cat will stop going in and out of heat. If you know her usual cycles, you can tell that she's suddenly missed one.
* If her nipples are becoming larger and pinker (known as pinking) she's probably a few weeks along.
* She will start getting hungrier, more often. After all, she's eating for more than one. She will also get a little more affectionate.
* Like humans, cats can get morning sickness. This usually occurs in the third week of gestation. As such, they may not feel like eating whenever morning sickness strikes.
* About a month into the pregnancy, you'll start to notice the abdomen getting larger.

The normal gestation period is 63 to 65 days, though your cat can go into labor as early as 60 days or as late as 70 days during their pregnancy.

While your cat is pregnant you'll want to make sure they get proper nutrition as caring for cats is even more important during this period. A diet rich in calcium and protein is important.

If you're not sure your cat is pregnant, don't be tempted to squeeze the abdomen to see if there are kittens inside. This can harm the kittens and even cause a miscarriage. Only a trained professional should be performing this kind of examination.

As your cat nears her delivery date, restrict access to the outdoors in the last two weeks. Otherwise, you may end up having to fish a new litter out from under the house or the barn. The reason is simple, really. Cats like quiet places to give birth. So you'll want to create a birthing place in your home that is away from the kids and excitement. You can put a kittening box in the area and get your cat used to sleeping there. That way she will know where to go when it's time to give birth. An old blanket or towel will work well for a cushion in the box.

When the kittens finally arrive, don't handle them too much. Mothers have been known to kill and eat their kittens if they don't bond well or if they feel the kittens are being threatened by outsiders. Let them have lots of quality time together. You'll have plenty of time to play with the new kittens in the coming weeks.

If you don't want an additional litter, resist the temptation to let your cat go outside again too soon. Cats can get pregnant in as little as two weeks after giving birth, though eight weeks is more common. Caring for our cats is vital but also you probably don't want another litter so soon anyway.

Remember that allowing your cat to become pregnant is a big responsibility. Not only will there be more mouths to feed, but you don't want to be adding to the overpopulation problem by allowing a pregnancy without first knowing there are homes for the kittens. Shelters are filled with unwanted kittens. Be prepared for more work as you will now have many mouths to feed and cats to care for as fun as it will be most of the time.

Buying Cat Grooming Supplies



Cats have a reputation of being gentle and clean; one strong proof for this is that they clean their own body. It uses its raspy tongue to comb out dirt particles and dead hair from its body. And since tongue can not reach all parts of its body, it usually licks its paw and rubs its body with the moistened paw. You might have seen how your own cats do this. They may look cute as they do their cleaning rituals, but if you ask cat owners out there, it is not enough to let your cat clean itself.

Though this animal can easily clean themselves, it is still important to help them maintain proper hygiene and groom them from time to time to keep them healthy.

This kind of animal is usually sensitive and loving to their owners, if you want them to feel your love back, you might want to consider treating them with good grooming. Though this pet has a reputation of begin independent, they still need your attention and care. Picking them up for minutes of combing and stroking is good, but taking a minute of your time to wash and clean them is actually better to keep them safe from any forms of parasites that feed on their skin.

If you are planning to purchase your cats with pet supplies, it would be wise for you to purchase those things they really need. Toys may be good, but it is important to prioritize buying those things for grooming.

There are combs specially made for pets like this, you can purchase this comb and brush your pet from time to time. Brushing them can help them get rid of their dead hair and stimulate their skin to release oil to moisten and shine their fur. This will help them feel cleaner and healthier. If your pet is having problems regarding fleas, you can use a flea comb and brush.

Some people tie their cat's hair with ribbons; these ribbons are specially made for pets. Ordinary ribbons can hurt them, and they usually get angry easily if they get hurt.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Desert Kangaroo Rats



Regardless of which breed of rat you are talking about it is considered a rodent. Just the word rodent brings up poor mental images for some people but the many species of rodents have unique characteristics that make them interesting to learn about. The desert kangaroo rat has learned to adapt to the harsh conditions of deserts.

The desert kangaroo rat is a rat. They are not related to the kangaroo in any way but they do have a hop that is similar to the kangaroo. They have some biped behaviors that make them different from most other rats.

Their scientific name is Dipodomys deserti. Studies of their evolution show that they are not related to the kangaroo mouse and completely different from the desert rat-kangaroo, which has gone extinct as a species. These rats are medium sized and have a round shape to their bodies. Their hairless ears are round and they have a tail that is usually longer in length than their bodies. They have external pouches in their cheeks that are lined with fur. These pouches are used to help them store and carry food they find in the harsh desert environment.

The desert kangaroo rat is a native species to North American and populate the sandy, dry desert-like areas there. They are also, now, found in some rocky areas of Central America. These rats prefer to live in burrows, like other rodents. These burrows help protect them during the day when the heat can reach dangerous temperatures.

One of the most unique adaptations they have is that they can live their entire lives without water. They don't commonly go a whole life without water but it is possible. Their bodies concentrate urine four times as much as humans do. This allows them to get more water out of the food they find. This is probably the most important factor in their ability to thrive in desert conditions.

Their diets consist of insects, seeds, and any vegetation they can find during the night. They search for food during the night to avoid the heat of the daytime. They use their pouches to carry food back to their burrows to store. When living in a desert, it is important to save the food that is found and not eaten right away.

These rodents have high pitched sounds they create and use for communication. These sounds are also used during their mating season which runs from February to October. A liter of offspring is around four newborns. The babies are born without hair and are unable to see. They are cared for in the burrows until they are old enough to venture out safely. Females can produce three liters each year which is important because their lifespan is only three to five years.

Desert kangaroo rats are usually not considered a good breed for a pet rat, although they are kept in captivity in some situations. Most pet rats today are slightly domesticated for use as pets. This helps them become better companions for humans. Regardless, the desert kangaroo rat is an interesting study of survival in harsh conditions and their desire to survive is commendable.

Ferret Fun - Games to Play!



Hey everyone, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite games that I like to play with my ferret friends.

- Tuggy
This is the simple game of tuggy, you grab your ferrets favorite toy and then shake it in front of them, they will then grab onto it and start to try and pull it off of you, the game has begun! You can now play tug of war with your ferret, being gentle of course as they are only little!

- Hide and Seek
Usually this is a game that just happens because your ferret is being mischievous! They love hiding and tunneling where ever they can, remember to be careful and not let them get where they shouldn't!

- Fetch
The idea with fetch is to start off with playing tuggy, then move onto throwing their toy, this helps a lot if their favorite toy is slightly smelly as ferrets do not have the best eye sight in the animal world, throw it slightly away from them and they will usually come back and start to try and play tuggy again!

- Reverse Fetch
This game is a strange one, most ferrets do it, but if you give your ferret tiny little toys, sometimes they will take it off you then go and hide it, if you keep giving them little treats they could do the same as well, this game is great as you can find our their little hiding place which they think is oh so secretive!

- Tummy Rubs
I love this game, if you have a really gentle docile ferret then you can slightly push them over on their back and rub their tummy, they love this, if you don't have a gentle but playful ferret, you can pick them up and lie them on your arm like a baby, whilst keeping a good eye on the mouth area, then you can tickle there tummy whilst maintaining more control as the alpha ferret!

- Chase!
Ferrets love chasing mom or dad, if you nudge them away a little using a toy then run off ferrets will mostly start to chase you out of curiosity!

Supplies For Your Chameleons



Chameleons are fun and loving reptiles and they are among the most ideal types of exotic pets. However, since they are not like cats and dogs that easily adapt with the human environment, chameleons need a certain space in which they get to enjoy their natural habitat. Of course, you can't just give them that easily, especially when you are living in an urban settlement, thus you would have to use certain supplies which help in keeping up with your chameleon's needs in order to live long, healthy and happily.

Below are some of the common chameleon supplies which you will use once you start owning and taking care of a chameleon:

1. Vitamin supplements. Chameleons don't just need food in order to have a good health. They also need multivitamin supplements which help keep their bones strong, muscles lean and flexible, skin nourished, and color vibrant. These come in the form of special flakes, sprays and dusts and can be purchased in the pet store.

2. Light fixtures. Unlike other animals which remain to live the same way despite being exposed to different lights and shades, chameleons are more sensitive and rather choose to have dim lights instead. Thus, it is important that you add certain fixtures such as dome lamps, clamp lamps and fluorescent hoods to maintain such lighting and warmth inside their cage.

3. Heaters. Heat emitters and thermostats are also important for chameleons. This equipment keeps the chameleon's home warm and humid enough to act as its natural habitat. An enclosure that's too cold and dry will heavily affect the chameleon's overall well being, and may even cause certain ailments and illnesses as time goes by.

4. Care and Health. Aside from being choosy when it comes to proper lighting, temperature and humidity, chameleons are also sensitive when it comes to cleanliness. Thus, you must make good use of cleaning supplies, together with other supplements such as Repta-Aid and electrolytes to keep your reptile friend and his own home clean and tidy. Doing this will protect him from parasites and other issues caused by insects and microorganisms that may cause harm to his health.

5. Feeder Insect Supplies. Since your chameleon will be living in your place, he will not be able to go around and hunt for crickets, his favorite insect food. Thus, you may supplement his need for cricket protein by providing insect feeds, such as cricket dust, gut loads and shakers. These aids will help your chameleon in ingesting the food you give, particularly those which are artificial and powdered.

6. Watering and hydration. Chameleons also need a regular supply of water, both for drinking and keeping a humid environment. When keeping one, you should have a mister and dripper placed inside its cage, to maintain humidity. You can also spray the cage with water everyday so that it will be kept cool and humid inside. Despite the changing weathers in the outside world, chameleons won't be affected and will continue to enjoy the sweet life they've always had.