Reptile & Amphibian Forums

n/p
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True "power" is not to be found in social or economic placement or stature, which are merely illusory, finite, frail and brief.
True power is to be found in one's sheer will and personal determination to achieve one's goals at ANY cost and at ANY sacrifice.

When preparing an interesting forum, it is always best to begin with 5 cups of topic, 2 tablespoons of Rob, 2 tablespoons of Tango, 8 tablespoons of Brian being difficult, and a dash of controversy. Blend ingredients together and cook at chat room temperature. The results: You have one fine forum feast.

>>n/p
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>>True "power" is not to be found in social or economic placement or stature, which are merely illusory, finite, frail and brief.
>>True power is to be found in one's sheer will and personal determination to achieve one's goals at ANY cost and at ANY sacrifice.
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True "power" is not to be found in social or economic placement or stature, which are merely illusory, finite, frail and brief.
True power is to be found in one's sheer will and personal determination to achieve one's goals at ANY cost and at ANY sacrifice.

Good one Brian. Well, things have been VERY busy with our soon to be opened wildlife center (The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest, IL 60045). Our burm exhibit is going to feature Big Bertha and she is getting a custom made Habitat Systems cage that will measure 12' wide x 4' deep x 4' high. There will be viewing windows on both of the long width sides. Each end will have natural rockwork with a large rock basking ledge where Big Bertha can soak up the rays under a pro product radiant heat panel and a bank of full spectrum lights. Additionally, this enclosure will be complete with a ground level thermostatically controlled Kane heat mat, AND, my favorite part, a misting system to keep her looking in tip top shape. This will be a ground level display so that even the younger kids can get eye to eye with one of the biggest snakes in the Chicago area...should leave quite a lasting impression. On top of Big Bertha's cage will be another beautiful exhibit showcasing our colony of rhinocerus iguanas (Cyclura conservation)...once again, it has all of the bells and whistles. Our other burm, "Popcorn" the 16' albino, is going into a 10' custom made cherry wood cage made by Crescent Moon Creations. This cage is absolutely STUNNING...a real museum/furniture piece that will look beautiful in our farm building. This, too, has pro product radiant heat panels and everything else.

Other exhibits will include: alligator snapper, american alligator, dwarf caiman, crocodile monitor, gila monsters, australian pythons such as carpets/olives/etc., Illinois native herps plus all four species of venomous snakes, asian vine snakes, tree vipers, green tree pythons, blanding's turtles, black tree monitors, and our outdoor exhibits will include birds of prey and native mammals (like Opie the Oppossum).

So how does this sound?

>>Good one Brian. Well, things have been VERY busy with our soon to be opened wildlife center (The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest, IL 60045). Our burm exhibit is going to feature Big Bertha and she is getting a custom made Habitat Systems cage that will measure 12' wide x 4' deep x 4' high. There will be viewing windows on both of the long width sides. Each end will have natural rockwork with a large rock basking ledge where Big Bertha can soak up the rays under a pro product radiant heat panel and a bank of full spectrum lights. Additionally, this enclosure will be complete with a ground level thermostatically controlled Kane heat mat, AND, my favorite part, a misting system to keep her looking in tip top shape. This will be a ground level display so that even the younger kids can get eye to eye with one of the biggest snakes in the Chicago area...should leave quite a lasting impression. On top of Big Bertha's cage will be another beautiful exhibit showcasing our colony of rhinocerus iguanas (Cyclura conservation)...once again, it has all of the bells and whistles. Our other burm, "Popcorn" the 16' albino, is going into a 10' custom made cherry wood cage made by Crescent Moon Creations. This cage is absolutely STUNNING...a real museum/furniture piece that will look beautiful in our farm building. This, too, has pro product radiant heat panels and everything else.
>>
>>Other exhibits will include: alligator snapper, american alligator, dwarf caiman, crocodile monitor, gila monsters, australian pythons such as carpets/olives/etc., Illinois native herps plus all four species of venomous snakes, asian vine snakes, tree vipers, green tree pythons, blanding's turtles, black tree monitors, and our outdoor exhibits will include birds of prey and native mammals (like Opie the Oppossum).
>>
>>So how does this sound?
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Pebbles create ripples.
Ripples can become tidal waves.
Tidal waves sink ships.
The largest ships sink the fastest.

I look forward to showing off pics of our new digs....it is gonna be beautiful. Anyway, with our burmese python display, I am struggling as to what sort of substrate to use so that it looks natural. I am toying with cypress mulch, a sandy/soil/gravel mix, forest humus, or I may just resort to aspen bedding which still shows off a burm nicely. Personally, I'd rather use newspaper but I can't in a public display. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Like you I think newspaper is best. But for a public display it just won't do. I don't think that any form of gravel, rock or sand is a good idea. It's non absorbant and would have to be removed or even washed and returned. This is not feasible time-wise. Plus, being non-absorbant, the area beneath this (cage bottom) would get 90% of the urine and would have to be cleaned frequently. You should focus on highly absorbant and replaceable substrates. I personally think that cypress mulch might be your best bet. It looks nice, it affordable, is absorbant, generates steady humidity when dampened, and is easily scooped and replaced with fresh mulch.

>>I look forward to showing off pics of our new digs....it is gonna be beautiful. Anyway, with our burmese python display, I am struggling as to what sort of substrate to use so that it looks natural. I am toying with cypress mulch, a sandy/soil/gravel mix, forest humus, or I may just resort to aspen bedding which still shows off a burm nicely. Personally, I'd rather use newspaper but I can't in a public display. Any thoughts or recommendations?
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Pebbles create ripples.
Ripples can become tidal waves.
Tidal waves sink ships.
The largest ships sink the fastest.

Hi Rob,
The facility sounds great! Please feel free to give me a call if you need any help at all. I have a ton of free time coming up. By the way...the womas are at it again!

Keep in touch!
Brett