10 Mistakes I’ve Made As A Reptile Keeper

[@WhiskeyQuests]

If we don’t own up to our mistakes how will we learn and help others from doing the same errors. Awesome video kind of makes us feel better about also making mistakes. 🙌

[@jipjuda4662]

I’ve made my fair share of mistakes in keeping reptiles as well, most notably: trying to keep my spotted python in a bio active setup that was way to humid for him and causing scale-rot, using tape in the enclosure and having snakes get stuck to it, trying to force feed pinkies to my rhino rat snake instead of mice tails (tails are a lot easier and she was really small) and of course impulse buying a snake at a reptile expo (I was familiar with the care beforehand). We shouldn’t be scared to talk about our mistakes, we’re all human and talking about our mistakes let’s us learn from each other.

[@creepygallery3303]

One of the mistakes for me was not using calcium and mineral supplements for my previous animals. Now I know a bit more about MBD I have to put my hand up and say I had reptiles that definitely suffered from it. Big regrets there.

[@snakemannn1744]

Thanks for the great help ,,, now i have saved my pollies ,,,, I did not think i had to keep the inner substrate moist I've just kept the top wet at times ,,,, now i see why my last year pollies did not show up ,, they dried to death ,,, now all the mental Lego blocks came in thanks to ya vid on the whole substrate to be moisten and not just the top area ,,, now my new age pollies are saved ' by the way great vid and thanks '

[@lindsaysmythe9820]

It's just human nature that we make mistakes- but (hopefully) we learn from them and move on and do better next time! I had a baby Boa escape on me last year, and he was gone for a little over a month- and i was sick to my stomach over it. We ended up finding him- he was asleep curled up in my dog's bed (Thank God that my dog didn't find him first) and he fed and shed right after we put him back in his cage. Also- we've all been new to this at some point. Definitely by watching you, and other reptile youtubers, and lots of research- I've learned so much and have done better since. It's great to see people with a platform that we all trust admit to your mistakes, and learn from them. You are one of the best lady- and we love you and your scaly babies!!

[@reptiliangarden]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad you found your boa and he was okay! Losing reptiles is so stressful!

[@olivethedragon6831]

I’ve made many mistakes with my animal care and this video helped me realize that everybody can make mistakes with there animal care. I saw someone else talking about dry periods and I think you forgot to mention that overly wet substrate can also cause scale rot in reptiles ( if you did mention it then I missed that part ). Great video as always!

[@juelz713]

The winter in Chicago is going on, my reptiles hate the long winter.

[@sylviabellie4297]

This made me feel a lot better about the mistakes I’ve made in the past for my bearded dragons. They’re 7 and 8 now, and living their best lives. But I got them when I was 9 and and then 10 years old, so I didn’t do the best for them diet and tank size wise. I’m so glad that they’re still thriving with much better care now, and I’m proud that I’ve learned so much from taking care of them. I can’t wait to continue learning and having more reptiles and especially dragons in the future! 🦎

[@NemZar]

Ughhh so many great tips. I've personally struggled with the humidity so badly with my red-footed tortoise as well! I have a fogger that I didn't realize was dripping into the corner I had it in so it was keeping that substrate wet ALL day. I'm glad I noticed and caught it before any mold or anything grew so I just replaced that substrate and added a hanging cup to it so it catches the water and I can just dump that without it going all over the substrate. Thank you for sharing all these!!

[@spamoons]

I had a gopher snake get into a couch! A year later and two moves I found him in the morning! I left a water bowl out for him every day . He’s very hungry but not thirsty! Great video, liked and subscribed! You might mention that tape can be very dangerous! Thanks again

[@Akatipirt]

Lots of love from Dominican Republic!

[@samsung8310]

Watching your video just reminded me that I have a small storage container in my closet with Panda King isopods, that I bought like six months ago and I forgot to feed them 😬

[@byashbutera]

It's sadly impossible NOT to make mistakes - all we can do is learn from them and keep going! I've been feeding my adult beardie way too many bugs so that's something i've been correcting...also, I bought a fixture from walmart for my first UVB when I got my beardie and for awhile I accidentally left on the cover. 🤦‍♀I posted a pic of my beardie's enclosure on a reptile group and thankfully someone pointed my mistake out to me.

[@typicallyusual6984]

I’ve heard that a false bottom is the key to a good bioactive enclosure. It’ll prevent the substrate from getting too moist while still preventing it from drying out to the extent that all your springtails die.

[@DaZzZ3Dx]

No tape in the enclosure. I used tape to hold down a thermometer probe and came home to a snake with duct tape on his head. As a newbie I freaked out of course. I see new people doing it a lot and always try to give warning.

[@LuckyStone888]

I love the Leopard Gecko condo video, I started following you a little bit before then. I also thought it was a great idea until you warned us of the escape potential. I had all the parts ready until you sent out the warning, Funny enough now it houses my Microfauna colonies. I fell in love with Isoodopds, but your right they are challenging to keep alive in an enclosure long term. I learned that Isopods need a gradient 1/2 damp reprisal or moss and 1/2 dry leaves Oak and magnolia, but that does not work for my reptile enclosures. Great video, I always enjoy your content.

[@dawnhazell2697]

My personal lesson - seal all the gaps in your vivarium that your snake could possibly fit through!

[@sophiacoccia5214]

oh its ok! thank you for posting everyone makes mistakes we also learn form all of them

[@nataliesreptileroom3348]

Great video, and all excellent points

[@avaogara]

Trisha I fracture d my wrist n had surgery yesterday watching alot of you ..now I got my reptile expo on hold til later in yr n also buying a frot opening enclosure..dam!right ?so keep up the videos my fave is ball pythons 🐍💚🦎😘🐸🐍

[@ashm7955]

Hey! Just a few friendly corrections... I think glass holds humidity well, but not heat. That may have been what you meant to say. The white stuff in potted plants is actually usually perlite, which is a substance made from volcanic emissions and it is usually used to help create air pockets to keep the soil oxygenated. Fertilizer is usually contained in those green balls, and that may have been what you intended to point out.

[@chibicricket]

I appreciate posts like this. I had to do some trial and error with thermostats. I ended up getting wifi ones that I can view from my phone on an app, and it's been much easier.

[@TonerLow]

You wouldn't happen to have a link to the one you bought by any chance?

[@avaogara]

We learn from our mistakes ,ty for sharing all this info!omg poor metamora.know you were upset .by the way love that hair color on u.

[@tristan2224]

Good video!

[@nataliesreptiles]

Now I'm paranoid and going to check my beardie's UVB to make sure there's no plastic on it.

[@michaelcychmistruk3899]

Great video. I just got a new addition to the family I got a marginated tortoise 🐢🐍🦎🐢🐍

[@reptiliangarden]

Congratulations!!!!! 🐢💕✨

[@skylarutd]

Cacho 😍😍😍so cuteeeeee

[@angiecuyar2677]

Extremely random question but where do you get your shirts? I love them 💚💚🌿🌿

[@reptiliangarden]

This is a dress that my friend actually gave me. A lot of my clothes are just thrifted

[@EberhardtTheReindeer]

This video was so encouraging.❤️ I recently had my first reptile escapee (a gargoyle gecko) and I’ve been completely distraught. 😮‍💨

[@saveriopanaccione996]

So I should take the fake leaves and vines out of my ball pipe on tank?

[@lindsaysmythe9820]

Nope- not at all... she said fabric- so like if you have silk plants in there or anything that's fabric and porous- because they harbor alot of bacteria. If you have plastic/reptile plants- they are fine :)

[@saveriopanaccione996]

@@lindsaysmythe9820 ah Ok. Must of missed that part

[@徐精明]

My chameleon also suffers from mild rickets, irreversible damage. It often walks on its belly against the ground. Artificial UVB bulbs cannot safely replace sunlight. What can be used to replace plastic fake plants?

[@maryannemontoya6657]

Real plants! They are honestly similar in price if you go to Lowe’s, a sansi plant light is all you really need to keep them alive other than watering them.

[@徐精明]

@@maryannemontoya6657 Thank you so much for your suggestions, I've been hoping to add a little green veggies to my chameleon food!

[@halleworkman4992]

I have a question about my rainbow boa set up! I’m getting a rainbow boa sometime next week and My hydrometer only reads up to 99% humidity. I have my enclosure all set up and the humidity is reading 99% but how do I know if it’s past 99% and the humidity is too high? Im really nervous about having it be too wet and causing scale rotting issues. Do they still need a dry period? And how low can the humidity get during the dry period without being an issue? Any tips to tell if it’s too wet would definitely help!! Thanks!

[@reptiliangarden]

They do need a dry period during the day that way the substrate can breathe a bit and make sure it’s a healthy environment. So I recommend misting every morning and heavily every night. Then let it dry out during the day as always with fresh water available

[@halleworkman4992]

@@reptiliangarden Thanks 😁

[@danielarosito4644]

I also think another mistake people make at times is buying reptiles on impulse without really realizing the commitment they are signing up for.

[@saveriopanaccione996]

That’s fair I remember the mistakes I made with my critters in the past

[@danielarosito4644]

Definitely not feeding enough live insects to my gecko and not knowing if he had enough calcium in his diet, not cleaning him often enough, burning candles in the same room. I know I know super awful. But, I've fixed those mistakes and no longer do them. Thankfully he is healthy and doing great and with the proper education I now care for him like he needs me to.

[@franknichols6894]

Great informative video.. Speaking of UVB lighting, if you use it for your reptile, please purchase a Solar Meter to monitor the exact amount of exposure your animal is receiving.. If you had this meter, you would have found your reptile was receiving no UVB exposure, before removing the plastic.. Now that you have, how much UVI is the animal actually receiving.. Please do not rely on the package instructions and recommendations, it is very incorrect.. Bulbs have varying outputs even when new, mesh screen diffuses UVB as well as distance from the animal.. Please do extensive research on reptile UVB lighting before using..

[@saveriopanaccione996]

Didn’t you already make a video like this?

[@reptiliangarden]

Yup! I’ve made new mistakes since then, so it was time for a refresher 😂

[@saveriopanaccione996]

@@reptiliangarden fair

[@lisamccullough5150]

I hope you don’t use heat pads anymore overhead heat is far better for most reptiles. Deep heat projectors and halogens.