CORN SNAKE Facts

I get a lot of questions about owning a Corn snake so I decided to put together a list of Corn snake facts that you should know before you consider owning one.

Corn Snake devouring a dead mouse fetus. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. TIME

There are a few on this list that can be considered "number one", however I feel this is probably the one most people tend to over look. While the maintenance for a snake isn't nearly as much as a dog, it's just as important. Like any pet, it's going to require feeding, handling, cleaning up after, etc. Remember that the life span of a healthy Corn snake is between 10 to 20 years.

2. PET SITTER

One of the most important things to plan for is finding someone responsible to care for your Corn snake whenever you must go out of town for any reason such as vacation or a business trip. Not only should they be responsible, they need to also not be afraid of snakes. You'll come to find that it isn't quite as easy as finding a pet sitter for a dog or cat. This brings me to the next thing on this list

3. MICE

Your snake will feed on either frozen or live mice. If the thought of handling this part of the responsibility makes you uncomfortable, this consideration should be very high on your list. Another thing to consider is that you will need to have a place to store the mice. Also, this will be another requirement for the person you select to watch your snake when you are out of town.

4. MONEY

Remember that your snake will need housing, a heating source, substrate, hides, and food. While baby Corn snakes can be kept in small containers, such as a shoe box; they will soon out grow it and will need to be moved to a bigger tank.

5. WHERE TO BUY?

I would suggest purchasing a corn snake from a local breeder, or from a local reptile expo. These shows are held annually in various cities across the country. If attending one of these shows isn't possible then my next suggestion would be to purchase it from a reputable website. Be sure to do a thorough research on Google for customer reviews and ratings. I would avoid purchasing one from a local pet store if possible but if you have no other choice, some things to look out for include: Is the store clean? Do the employees appear to be good with snakes and knowledgeable?

By asking a few basic questions, you'll know if they have any knowledge at all. Some questions you can ask include: What do you recommend for tank size? How often should I feed it? What is the idea temperature for my Corn snake? What should I do if it won't eat? If they can answer these types of questions then it's time to move onto the snake. Be sure to check the snake thoroughly. It should be alert and responsive. It should also be free of any scars or parasites. The body weight should be appropriate for its size, not scrawny and weak. It should also have good muscle tone.

By Benjamin Andrade [http://www.cornsnakecare.net]         Article Source: EzineArticles

INVERTEBRATES Are Trustworthy Friends For Aquariums

In addition to your personal efforts in maintaining your aquarium, you can also get help from a team of invertebrates who will work quietly without any expectations. If you know them well, you can realize how valuable their support is in maintaining the natural environment in your aquarium.

There are a number of invertebrates who are friendly to your fish and will happily live in the aquarium. Let us the list them on the basis of functions they perform.

There are mainly three types of functions which the invertebrates perform - the control of algae, the sifting of sand and detritus control.

Red-knobbed Starfish Protoreaster linckii at Bristol Zoo Aquarium, Bristol, England.
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Controlling the algae

You can use snails, sea slugs and crabs for controlling algae in a salt water aquarium. There are a number of snails which can be used for this work. Astraea snails and turbo snails are important amongst them. They come from the Turbinidae family. This is most common family of snails. Both types of snails look similar. Their shell will be conical and smooth. It will look like a turban.

Now the question is how to identify them? Well, it is easy. Just look at their operculum. This is the door which these snails use for closing the shell. It is brown in color.

These snails are algae grazers. However they cannot eat all types of algae. So you should add other snails and crabs to control other types of algae. Some of them are - sea hares, emerald crabs and lettuce slugs. Out of these, sea hares can be the best choice for controlling algae. Emerald crabs are considered to be somehow rare in the world of crabs. But they are very famous for doing their job faithfully.

The work of sifting the sand

For this work your best choice is sand sifting starfish. Tiger Tail Cucumbers are also a good option. They are recommended if you have a bed of sand in the aquarium. They grow up to an inch in length and they live for a long time. Sand sifting starfish will clean up the sand. The only bad thing about them is - they will eat up everything in the sand, including the good stuff.

Tiger Tail Cucumbers will literally vacuum the sand. They will consume bacteria and micro-algae, making it sparklingly clean. The only thing you have to ensure is a reasonably big size aquarium. If the size is small, say less than 60 gallons, there is a risk of water getting toxic due to the waste created by them.

The control of detritus

It includes the particles of food which are left over, the waste of the fish accumulated in the aquarium etc. You can rely on many animals for controlling detritus - Bumble Bee snails, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs and Cerith Snails. You can make a combination of any of these animals for creating an effective team of cleaners and caretakers of your saltwater aquarium.

By Chintamani Abhyankar Chintamani Abhyankar is a goldfish enthusiast and has been raising and breeding goldfish for many years. He is an expert on their care and an advocate for raising healthy goldfish the natural way. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Keep CHOCOLATE LYRETAIL KILLIFISH for Easy Breeding and Feeding

If you want to keep a fish with stunning colors, Chocolate Lyretail killifish should be your ideal choice. Even though chocolate color is dominant, you will get orange and red colors on their body to complement it. As it goes with the other varieties of killifish, the male Chocolate Lyretail killifish will bear these colors.

As the name suggests, the fish will have a lyre tail with spiking dorsal fins. The anal fin is also pointed and all the colors will be looking very attractive on the background of chocolate color. The size of a grown-up fish is usually small (about 2-3 inches) like any other killifish.

By Alexander Prokoshe  (CC)

Chocolate Lyretail killifish can easily adapt to a number of conditions of water and this quality makes them a good choice for the beginners as well as the experienced fish-keepers. Further, they can get along with other species of fish very easily because they are peaceful by nature.

Just like most of other killifish varieties, Chocolate Lyretail killifish can be found in shallow waters in the wild. You should remember this origin when you set up your aquarium. You should provide a long but shallow aquarium with a lot of decorative items like driftwood, rocks and gravel. You should also provide floating plants so that the fish will have enough places to hide.

The size of the aquarium should be reasonably big. There should be enough area for the fish to swim around. If you over-populate your aquarium with many varieties of fish, Chocolate Lyretail killifish will get stressed and they will look inactive with dull colors.

You should also cover your aquarium properly so that they will not get any opportunity to jump out. Like any other killifish, they are fond of jumping and they cannot live out of water for a long time.

They are non-annual killifish meaning their life cycle is not limited to one year. So they prefer to stay in the permanent bodies of water in the nature. In your aquarium also, you should not keep currents in the water which will disturb their swimming activity.

They are comfortable in the subdued light so you should see that there is no direct sunlight hitting the aquarium continuously.

The breeding process for Chocolate Lyretail killifish is very easy. The only precaution you should take about their breeding is you should arrange them in the proportion of at least two to three females against one male.

They are continuous breeders and they will lay their eggs on the leaves of a plant or even on the mops.

Sometimes the experienced fish-keepers increase the temperature of the aquarium which will act as a trigger for spawning. After spawning, you need not remove the eggs out of your main aquarium. The eggs will take about a month to hatch.

As the fry come out, you should shift them to another aquarium. This new aquarium can be small and it need not have dense plants. The newly born fish should be fed with live brine shrimp from day one and you should look after them every day. You should clean the tank water daily and keep the levels of toxic elements under control.

As the fry grow, you will be able to easily identify between males and females because of their colors. The females will not have pointed fins but they will have rounded fins.

Chocolate Lyretail killifish will not live longer after spawning. Within about a couple of months after spawning, they will die.

If you use dark substrate, the bright and colorful Chocolate Lyretail killifish will shine very well. If you feed them with live food frequently, their happy and graceful swimming and jumping will keep your aquarium lively all the time.

By Chintamani Abhyankar Chintamani Abhyankar is a goldfish enthusiast and has been raising and breeding goldfish for many years. He is an expert on their care and an advocate for raising healthy goldfish the natural way. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Amazing Facts About SALAMANDERS

Salamanders are one of the animals that make up the Kingdom Amphibia, particularly the order Caudata. There are around 400-500 species known worldwide and some of them are mostly found in the temperate lands of tropical South, Central America and all over the Northern hemisphere. In the past, salamanders have spread out in regions like British Columbia and central Labrador. If you want to know more about them, then below are some of the interesting facts about salamanders.

Photo by wwarby

Average Size and Life Span

Salamanders vary in sizes. Some may only reach the size of 3.9 cm while others may reach up to the size of 180 cm. One of the smallest salamanders is the 4-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) that only reaches 5-9 cm. On the other hand, one of the largest is the mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) that may reach a length of 43 cm. Salamander's life span also varies. The Chinese giant salamander can live for about 52 years while other salamanders may only reach a year or two.

General Description

Salamanders closely resemble the lizards. That is the main reason why they are typically mistaken as lizards. However, salamanders do not have the characteristics that lizards have. For example, salamanders do not have claws. Also, they have moist skin compared to lizards that have dry and scaly skin.

Generally, salamanders can't hear sounds; instead, they depend on the vibrations that they sense in the environment. These creatures are also voiceless, although some species have the ability to produce soft squeaks. Some of these species breathe through their pair of nostrils, while others breathe through gills or skin, or at times in combination. They often have movable eyelids and fine teeth. Their heart consists of 2 atria and one ventricle, making it a 3-chambered organ.

Behavior

Salamanders hibernate every year in order to survive. Since they cannot endure extremely cold temperatures, they need to dig underground. Aquatic salamanders are generally active at any time of the year while terrestrial salamanders are only active during night time, or when the land is moist or damp. Temperate seasons or warm period may immediately cause them dehydration.

Reproduction

There are two ways on how the eggs of the salamanders can be fertilized. It can be through external or internal fertilization. Internally, the male will drop jellylike capsule of sperms and the female will eventually take up these sperms through the lips of the cloaca. The eggs are fertilized as they are pushed out. On the other hand, external fertilization occurs when the egg is already outside the salamanders' body.

Nutrition

Generally, salamanders are carnivorous. Bigger salamanders are fond of eating earthworms and larvae of insects. Smaller species like small insects and small invertebrates while salamander larvae eat tadpoles.

Importance in the Environment

Salamanders are considered as great benefit in the field of agriculture and forest industry since they consume harmful insects that may destroy crops and plants. Salamanders are maintaining the balance of the food chain just like what other animals do. Without them, a break in the food chain can happen and problems related to plant industry may arise.

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Salamanders today are continuously decreasing in number since a lot of universities and research laboratories catch them and make them subjects in their studies. That is why local laws are protecting these salamanders in order to keep their numbers in the wild. Take your part in the campaign of saving salamanders. Read more information about salamanders so you will know how to care for them properly.

By JM Miller Salamanders are interesting pets to keep. If you want to know more about salamanders , then visit our site at [http://www.salamandercare.com]. Get your own FREE mini-course on salamander facts when you sign up at our site. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Switching From a FRESHWATER to a Home SALTWATER AQUARIUM

Many people would like to own and maintain a saltwater aquarium but they shy away from them, turning instead to the freshwater variety because they have been told that saltwater aquariums are difficult to maintain and require additional equipment. That is not necessarily true. For the most part converting a freshwater tank to a saltwater tank is simple. Most of the equipment both tanks use is the same, with only a few notable exceptions. One such exception is the aquarium substrate. 

A shot of our 10 Gallon tank. Hopefully being used as an example of a personal water tank.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Instead of using the gravel that your fresh water fish preferred tropical fish fare better with a substrate that is made of live sand or crushed coral. Most filtering systems work well in both freshwater and saltwater environments, but many aquarium owners take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade their system, i is also important to remember that the filter you are using in your saltwater tank circulates the water throughout the entire tank. Disturbing the water's surface maximizes the amount of oxygen in the water. If you are planning to maintain a fish only aquarium you shouldn't have to worry about upgrading your lighting system. The only time the lights will have to be upgraded is if you start adding coral reefs to your tank.

A mistake many aquarium lovers make when they are converting their freshwater tanks to saltwater tanks is assuming that all they have to do is add a little salt to the water and voila, a saltwater tank. All they have done is create an environment that will kill any coral reefs, tropical fish, and freshwater fish that they place in the tank. The bacteria in saltwater is completely different from the bacteria in freshwater. People who want to speed the waters cycling process should scoop some aquarium substrate from a warm saltwater aquarium and transfer it to a temperate saltwater aquarium. Before you add fish to your freshly converted tank, make sure you purchase a refractometer and hydrometer to test the salinity of your water. The salinity should have a specific gravity that is between 1.020 and 1.026.

Saltwater causes rust. Check your tank and filtration system regularly. If you notice rust starting to form, it's time to replace your equipment.

Before you start stocking you saltwater aquarium with fish do a little research. Many variety's of tropical fish require a different type of food the freshwater varieties. Several of these variety's have to be fed combinations of fresh, frozen, and live food in addition to fish flakes. Frozen food should not be kept in your freezer for more then three months. If you are purchasing a fish that is going to need a great deal of live food, find out what kind of arrangements are going to Switching From a Freshwater Aquarium to a Home Saltwater Aquariums

Many people would like to own and maintain a saltwater aquarium but they shy away from them, turning instead to the freshwater variety because they have been told that saltwater aquariums are difficult to maintain and require additional equipment. That is not necessarily true. For the most part converting a freshwater tank to a saltwater tank is simple. Most of the equipment both tanks use is the same, with only a few notable exceptions. One such exception is the aquarium substrate. Instead of using the gravel that your fresh water fish preferred tropical fish fare better with a substrate that is made of live sand or crushed coral. Most filtering systems work well in both freshwater and saltwater environments, but many aquarium owners take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade their system, i is also important to remember that the filter you are using in your saltwater tank circulates the water throughout the entire tank. Disturbing the water's surface maximizes the amount of oxygen in the water. If you are planning to maintain a fish only aquarium you shouldn't have to worry about upgrading your lighting system. The only time the lights will have to be upgraded is if you start adding coral reefs to your tank.

A mistake many aquarium lovers make when they are converting their freshwater tanks to saltwater tanks is assuming that all they have to do is add a little salt to the water and voila, a saltwater tank. All they have done is create an environment that will kill any coral reefs, tropical fish, and freshwater fish that they place in the tank. The bacteria in saltwater is completely different from the bacteria in freshwater. People who want to speed the waters cycling process should scoop some aquarium substrate from a warm saltwater aquarium and transfer it to a temperate saltwater aquarium. Before you add fish to your freshly converted tank, make sure you purchase a refractometer and hydrometer to test the salinity of your water. The salinity should have a specific gravity that is between 1.020 and 1.026.

Saltwater causes rust. Check your tank and filtration system regularly. If you notice rust starting to form, it's time to replace your equipment.

Before you start stocking you saltwater aquarium with fish do a little research. Many variety's of tropical fish require a different type of food the freshwater varieties. Several of these variety's have to be fed combinations of fresh, frozen, and live food in addition to fish flakes. Frozen food should not be kept in your freezer for more then three months. If you are purchasing a fish that is going to need a great deal of live food, find out what kind of arrangements are going to have to be made to keep the food alive before consumption.

Most fish owners recommend purchasing a small tank that can be used as a quarantine tank. Placing a sick fish in a quarantine tank will make treating it easier and increase its odds of survival.have to be made to keep the food alive before consumption.

Most fish owners recommend purchasing a small tank that can be used as a quarantine tank. Placing a sick fish in a quarantine tank will make treating it easier and increase its odds of survival.

Preparing For a BETTA FISH

Getting ready for a pet is the busiest time of owning it. To get started, make sure you have a good supply of funds, and will be able to afford all the things to care for the needs of you new pet. You will also need to make sure you have time to care for and bond with your pet. Many people do not think you can bond with fish, but they are a very special type of pet that can live in a rather smaller size area, and still provide the companionship you need in a lonely or busy life. And do not hesitate to talk to your fish. They will listen, and not talk back or interrupt. Pets are also proven to be a health benefit.

Betta Splendens fish with his bubblenest just prior to a water change. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Betta, or Siamese Fighting Fish, is a tropical beauty native to Thialand. They naturally live in rice patties. Though these are rather shallow, they are hundreds of mile wide, and one fish can live in up to 100 gallons.

When you head to the pet store, be sure to pick up these things for your new Betta tank:

• Tank, no smaller than 5 gallons, preferably with a lid, and no vases.
• Tank stand, this is if you do not have anywhere to place your new aquarium.
• Filter, this will help you keep your tank water clean longer.
• Heater, Bettas are tropical and NEED heaters, get one that is adjustable.
• Silk or live aquarium plants, (FRESH WATER ONLY!)
• Other decor, be sure none of the things you put in are sharp enough to tear pantyhose or come from saltwater tanks.
• Aquarium gravel, if you like.
• Fish food. NOT FREEZE DRIED! Variety is better, and Bettas do not really like flakes, pellets are OK, but blood worms, brine shrimp, etc. are better for mimicking the natural habitat of a Betta fish.
• Water conditioner. This is good for tap water especially, but it is still recommended for well or fountain water.

When you have your supplies, you can put your tank together. Remove the tank from the box and place it were it will be standing. Make sure you are close to an outlet, where you will be powering your heater and filter from. (If you have a stand, put it together first.) Add the filter, heater and gravel, plants and decor. Fill the tank with water and add the instructed amount of water conditioner. Turn everything on and let it run overnight, you should be able to buy your fish the following day.

Have fun!

By Valik Rudd Valik Rudd is a Betta fish enthusiast. He writes about this topic to educate others on the fish's needs on his Betta fish blog. His latest articles about soap and salt in freshwater tanks is available at http://bettamaster.com/aquarium-salt-and-soap-for-bettas/. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Kumonryu KOI

Kumonryu Koi

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