forming on the glass, which can cause the
globe to blow very quickly. Use a tissue or
cloth when screwing a new bulb into a fitting.
Run the globe on a good-quality thermostat.
The greater your investment in purchasing a
good thermostat, the more money you will
save in the long run by not having to replace
your globes as often. Cheap on/off thermo-
stats can significantly reduce the lifespan of
heat globes, as they rely on simply switching
them on and off frequently to regulate tem-
perature; dimming thermostats are more
efficient and accurate.
Use a surge-protected power board to run all
heating and lighting equipment on your reptile
enclosures.
Avoid bumping/knocking heat globes when
cleaning and servicing your enclosures.
Incandescent globes have a delicate filament
that will easily break if the globe is knocked.
Also, when you are cleaning or misting enclo-
sures, ensure you do not get any water on the
heat globes, as even a small droplet can
cause them to blow.
Check your fittings. Old fittings that have
corrosion or burn marks from previously blown
globes may cause new globes to blow as well.
If there is any discolouration inside your fitting,
it is best to replace it with a new one.
Purchase quality reptile globes that are
designed specifically for use in a terrarium.
Whilst these globes may be two or three times
the price of a standard incandescent globe
from the local hardware store, they are made
from more durable glass and have thicker
filaments designed for much more vigorous
use; they should generally last much longer
than a cheaper globe if used correctly.
Kellyville
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Ad.
“Can I feed my lizard insects and
bugs that I catch in the yard?”
It is not advisable to feed your lizards any live
insects caught in the backyard, for a number of
reasons. Wild insects may have been exposed to
pesticides, snail baits, fertilisers and other chemicals
that pose a serious risk to captive reptiles. They may
potentially harbour parasites that will infect your
animal if consumed, and can also often be of poor
nutritional value. Captive-bred insects are ‘gut-
loaded’ and fed on nutritious diets, which will
ultimately benefit the health of your reptile.
“My snake is very aggressive, how
can I get it to stop biting?”
I don’t like to use the term ‘aggressive’ when refer-
ring to snakes that are ‘snappy’. The term ‘defensive’
better describes this kind of behaviour, which is often
directly attributable to an unhappy or stressed
animal. Some possible causes include:
Image by Michael Cermak.