2. Creating a clean reasonably easy to maintain and safe to handle the croc environment (no dead areas in water for detritus to build up, safety in handling the croc, ease of water changes or general cleaning)

Just thought this discussion might be a little more stimulating than the usual posts...

Mr. F

Not a croc expert, but in general I don't see as much competetion between the two directives as some do. You just have to comprimise the aesthetics of the situation some time. For instance, my larger snakes and lizards get PVC pipe instead of cork or other prettier hides--they're easier to clean, they're certainly secure feeling, and they're available in really really large sizes (5" diameter holds a BIG snake!). Instead of natural branches I use lumber or other building materials to make things for them to climb on.

I try to find a way to allow them to do thier natural behavior w/out comprimising my ability to clean them or care for them. It isn't always pretty--no one could accuse a cage with PVC sections of piping of beig natural or aesthetically filling--but my animal doesn't give a damn. It can hide, thermoregulate, drink, climb and explore. And I can clean my cage without too much problem. Now, I've not worked with crocs, but that's how I approach snakes and lizards and turtles

I love natural looking cages, but they're not always the best for the animal, if they become too hard to maintain. Look at letting the animal fufill it's needs,a nd try to approach it without preconceptions.

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• Striking the balance - mrfisher, Wed Jan 28 10:59:22 2009
• RE: Striking the balance - varanid, Wed Feb 4 12:29:11 2009