Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I read the articles that Wes posts on many of the forums. Usually for the ones where some moron accidentally turned their animals loose or something of the sort, you usually get some cocky dork yelling that these animals shouldnt be kept and they should be kept in a zoo setting. Much like the case of the issue where an asian water monitor got loose. They said that the animals require special lighting and heating in order to for the animal to thrive (duh). Is there any difference in the type lighting bulbs and heating elements that are provided in zoos compared to private availability? Do these zoos have special systems set up in each and every vivarium/enclosure that makes their care MUCH more elite? I am just curious as to what zoos have to offer (besides the obvious conservation and education reasons) that the private keepers don't or can't provide? Any ideas or info to help me understand this?

Your ideas and help are much appreciated.

Best Wishes,

Chris

There is nothing a Zoo can provide that a private keeper couldn't and vice versa. As a matter of fact I know of many colllections that can rival any accredited Zoo out thier. Most Zoo keepers I know have private collections whether it be Reptiles, Mammals, Marsupials, etc. The problem comes when Zoos ( Generally AZA accredited ) shun private keeping because they think their institution is better suited for the animals. I can see thier point about having to give out thier own stockpiles of anti-venin when a private keeper is bitten, but other than that thier opinion and stature is based on fear and ignorance. Remember, most Zoos are funded by public money, so private collections are more apt to have the direct cash flow needed to focus on the species your keeping and your facility upkeep

Most people cannot care for a large reptile like that, and in my opinion thta is the point they are trying to make. there are a few people out there who are repsonsible and devote themselves to the animals and those are the only ones who really need them. Special lighting is a bunch of crap for snakes and monitors (maybe important to other lizards, I don't know cause that is not my area, but not for monitors.) It has been proven by Frank Reetes that those special bulbs are not needed for keeping monitors. It is just a way for those big reptile industries to make a few extra dallars and the lights can actually be more hazardous than beneficial and can cause blindness if there is not way to escape it. I don't think it is just zoos to have them, but responsible people is a must. A person should do research before getting somethign that gets big like that.
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Justin

I was told the same thing from Bob at Pro-products. He said the RHP's they sell provide all of the UV properties needed and a regular light bulb (although not needed if sufficient light) could be used to assist with the simulation of day and night.
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell