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

Good question. I would say as a private keeper myself, that there really isnt much of a difference. There isnt ALOT a zoo can offer that a private keeper cant. It just comes to how serious you are about your reptiles and if you are willing to spend the money to have a nice roomy enclosure like most zoo's offer. So my answer would be no, there isnt alot a zoo can offer that a private keepr cannot. -lamar

As far as keeping large reptiles go, zoos never seem to have enclosures that are too small for their captives. Large monitors in particular require high wattages to provide the high basking temps they need........zoos are always prepared. There is a lot more idiots keeping dogs than reptiles! Peace, out.