These 5 RIDICULOUS Outdated Reptile Keeping Practices Must End NOW!

[@tracey5324]

The 'large cages stress them out' comment never rang true for me because in the wild they have an entire world- thats a damn big cage.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

yep!

[@cornmais2522]

Agree!

[@tinkeramma]

I understand from two perspectives. A giant glass box with nowhere to hide would even stress me out. More space in the wild means more food options available. More space in captivity doesn't come with the same increase. Given proper enrichment and making sure your animal eats, the rest makes no sense to me either.

[@briamorgan4576]

Lmao

[@alexistaylor9078]

​@@WickensWickedReptiles Also good to point out when you first move your animal to a larger enclosure it is going to be stressed! But it would be just as stressed if you moved it to the exact same size enclosure or to a smaller enclosure. Reptiles just generally get a bit stressed when you move them. I had to move my boa's tank (not even put her in a new tank, just relocate the one she was in) and she went on a 2 month hunger strike. She was definitely stressed over it, but it had nothing to do with tank size, it was 100% due to snakes needing time to adapt to a move.

[@carschmn]

This is why you shouldn’t feel bad about unintentionally bad husbandry in the past if you did your best at the time with what you knew.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

it's all about doing your best!

[@anniec6211]

I needed this. Thank you

[@carschmn]

@@anniec6211 all you can do is your best.

[@herpthings]

I cringe at my childhood self

[@jonsweeney4347]

@@herpthings i find that life is a series of moments where you cringe at stuff you did in the past. Just means you're growing.

[@caseysilva6919]

I feel it is important to be in a constant state of learning.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

if you stop learning, your meaningful life is over. Life is all about learning.

[@caseysilva6919]

@@WickensWickedReptiles I feel like I am brain burnt out at the end of every work day there is nothing left to absorb 🤣

[@Guff93]

@@WickensWickedReptiles learning will drive you crazy but it’s good to keep updated

[@torquess454]

Amen!!!

[@ashsteren]

Why does my phone say this video was posted 3 hours ago but this comment was posted 2 days ago

[@AuroraExotics]

"Some things that are better take more effort, that's just how life works." Put that quote on the freaking wall, man. Well said!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

100% the way life is man!

[@avonavians2860]

@@WickensWickedReptiles Not always, though. Fish tanks, for example, are actually much easier to manage when they are bigger.

[@nataliesreptiles]

The most dangerous sentence in the English language is "We've always done it this way." 100% agree with ya on all of this. Most of the time my snakes know I'm not feeding them. Probably because they don't smell any rodents. Every now and then 1 will bite before it thinks. But it's literally only happened like 3 times in my whole time of snake keeping. No need to move them for feeding day.

[@alyssastickels1324]

I’ve always hated that phrase because it’s almost exclusively used by people that don’t want to take responsibility and make necessary changes. It’s used to excuse actions that are known to be harmful.

[@Breviparopus]

I hate feeding containers so much

[@Vcaser]

Learning is why my betta now has a 10 gallon planted mansion. I don’t have any reptiles but I love learning about them. Life must be so boring for those who are not curious enough to want to learn new things.

[@AllCanadianReptileGirl]

It's so important to keep learning. The 'snakes are dumb and don't need enrichment' argument kills me. Yes, technically, many can live a long, healthy, maybe even contented life with minimal enrichment. But is that the best life you could reasonable give them? I find such a difference in behaviour/temperament when a snake is in an enclosure they find stimulating vs one that just has the basics ...and snakes look better in cool enclosures. Why wouldn't anyone want that?!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

when I talk about elaborate enclosures, I always think of your enclosures.

[@AllCanadianReptileGirl]

@@WickensWickedReptiles Thanks Adam 😊

[@6strings735]

This is not a rant against you or Adam, it is my observation in general terms. I am happy to see animal welfare taken more seriously now. What I am not seeing is an understanding of the species being kept. Again, in general terms, not this video. We are getting farther away from what was common knowledge by the early field herpers. Sometimes the "enriched cage" is kind of off the mark for the intended species. Take Cal kings for example. I live near Cal king habitat, and I have seen the micro-habitats where they thrive vs where they do not. It is not at all about looking good, about fake plants, about branches. The things live in the ground. Flat-ish ground mostly, or gentle hillsides, but in the ground in a network of tunnels. We can't really do that in captivity, so we try to simulate with low-height hides and moist hides, which is all good and approximates it to some extent. Branches not necessary, potted plants not necessary. Not every cage needs to look like a lot of cages are now looking - in many cases all the same decor, as if all of the species are the same. Which is the exact argument against racks. Ever been to western hognose habitat? I have seen one cage that approximated that. A plywood box with loamy soil and dry grass. Heated from above. The owner's hognose made burrows, and the female laid eggs in there. Just awesome. Now that is a naturalistic cage and yet not elaborate at all. Not even difficult. Simple was best in this case.

[@tinkeramma]

@@AllCanadianReptileGirl Something I say in my jumping spiders groups is that we *have* to give our animals advantages to captivity vs. life in the wild. Food security and lack of predators make a big difference to these animals but enrichment alongside those gives our babies the chance to live their best lives with us.

[@kiki29073]

This is the same issue with parrots.

[@joshuaflower2448]

Yo yo I just wanted to say, you have some of the best educational reptile content on KZbin up there with Clint's reptiles and snake discovery. All the best from the uk dude.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thank you so much!

[@norarussell7920]

I'd watch this channel over those any day! (Not saying Clints or sd are bad, still an awesome 2nd best)

[@danielvinson]

I appreciate the honesty of not always being right and owning up to it. I enjoy and feel more educated by your content. Thanks.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I appreciate that!

[@tinkeramma]

I prefer to learn from those who can admit when they're wrong. Means I can trust in being right or wrong together.

[@Jennifer-vl6po]

A tip I learned from snake discovery if you’re having trouble with decalcified eggs for hognose snakes is to put some calcium powder on the mouse before you feed it to give them an extra boost of calcium!

[@rubeneilvillanueva8740]

The "Ew that's a piece of poop" got me lmao.

[@augusthickerson7761]

I took my leopard gecko to the vet in a container that had some loose coconut fiber and she got mad and told me it was bad for the animal. Then she gave me this PetSmart looking care guide. I was dumbfounded that a person who studied this was perpetuating ideas like that.

[@ZepherArt]

I’ve heard of vets being like this a lot, and tbh I think a lot of this comes from them seeing lots of reptiles basically at death’s door in their line of work. They’ll see a lot of reptiles with impacted substrate in their gut that had generally poor husbandry, but not the ones that are healthy and also kept on substrate. So then the substrate gets blamed more so than the overall husbrandry etc.

[@LisaOuwersloot]

Write a letter, explain politely. Maybe they will consider further education.

[@pinecreekranch9075]

xZepherx is completely correct in my opinion. I'm a third year veterinary student so that's where I'm forming my opinion. Its very important to keep in mind that most reptile keepers do not take their animals in for annual exams as one would for a dog or cat or even horse. Mostly, because there are no annual vaccines for reptiles. I would argue, you should still take even reptiles in for an annual physical if you can though. Just the same as we go in for annual exams, we can catch problems sooner and develop a baseline level of health for that particular animal. That is all very important in the long run. However, for the most part, we don't see healthy reptiles. We see ill reptiles. For example, I have a leopard gecko in a bioactive terrarium with loose substrate. I take my leo in for annual physicals to our teaching hospital. We have a wonderful post-doc student in our exotics department that keeps his animals bioactive and he still won't often recommend loose substrate to clients because the top reasons they see leopard geckos are 1) Vitamin A deficiency, 2) stuck shed, and 3) impaction. They rarely see a healthy leopard gecko at all, much less a healthy leopard gecko on loose substrate. Mine is likely one of the few healthy leopard geckos they see all year. Lastly, another reason is we do not receive a lot of exotics training unless we go out of our way to learn it. Its not often apart of our core curriculum. This makes sense though when you think about it. We're licensed to treat All animal species when the equivalent degree for human medical specialists only allows them to treat a single species- humans. We focus on 5 core categories- dogs, cat, horses, cattle, and small ruminants (sheep and goats). Frankly, its hard enough to learn 5 species in as much detail as we are expected to within the core curriculum much less additional species. We also tend to talk about "reptiles" as we would dogs or cats. But in reality, the reptile category is extremely diverse. Its not just like learning about a dog vs a cat. Its more like trying to memorize everything about All mammalian species everywhere- and we all know how very different a cow is from a dog despite them both being mammals. This is why most vets won't see exotic animals- they chose to focus elsewhere (like on dogs or cats or horses). Those of us that want to treat exotics (or anything other than our core species), take electives and volunteer to work with exotics over our breaks. Some of us even go on to do internships and residencies to learn enough to care for them properly. Even then, we tend to have to focus on a select few species that we decide to specialize in simply because the numbers and information are overwhelming. This is why I would always recommend finding board certified exotics specialists for your animals if you can. I realize that's not always possible though, so simply speak with your vet more often about possibly them collaborating with an exotics specialist. 99% of the time, they'll want to send things off to a specialist if you are willing to have that added expense because they also want the best for your pet.

[@mladyisthename]

@@ZepherArt lmao I had a small animal and bird vet tell me not to worry about my discolored beardie's tail because if it dropped it would grow back. Needless to say I scrambled to find a reptile specialist asap.

[@333virgohermitqueen8]

@@pinecreekranch9075 I also agree and kudos to you for sticking with Vet school because it's definitely harder than trying to become a primary care Dr for people! I tried studying about 20 different species of animals at one point but had to give it up because it was too overwhelming for me. I do wish more promising vets would focus on reptiles a bit more as I don't have any in my area. I can say I've been lucky tho the past couple years with keeping all my reptiles on loose substrate. I learned it's best to tong feed or bowl feed crickets and other insects to my geckos, beardie etc. as they have never had impaction issues. I think the reptiles with impaction issues may be free roam feeding 🤔

[@danielcarver590]

I bet in twenty years a lot of the things we’re doing right now will be considered outdated. Can’t wait for that 2041 part 2!

[@6strings735]

Some of the principles from 30 years ago will come back I believe. The good stuff. When herpers applied field knowledge to husbandry. I hope anyway. What they did not have back then was the better temperature control equipment, heaters and lights that we have now, and that part of the hobby will continue to improve in the future.

[@Hardhatreptiles95]

People are going to nit pick I'm happy with what I got

[@ipodhty]

Just because you are happy doesn't mean you're animal's are.

[@Hardhatreptiles95]

@@ipodhty my animals are dying 😢😭💔 and they never get held 😢😞😔😪💔😭 they don't shed probably ether 😭 they never eat ether. I'm kidding crucify me for keeping them in tubs and adventualy rack system. 🤷‍♂️ worry about your self not what others are doing. Unless they are starving a reptile stomping it ot cooking it and neglecting it. Or making it bleed. You can have lot of space for them to move around in but they are going to hide a lot aspecually when they are older. I had many people tell me to do this and that. So I stop listening to people and watched what people do for a long time and I'm glad I talk to breeders not Facebook people or comment people because breeders help me out a lot. Aspecually this breeder I go to he's against tubs but that's just him and he has some in tubs but mostly all are in nice set ups. Which are really cool but I'm not into nice set ups. I care about getting the Temps right and making sure my snakes are healthy

[@nathanstover2014]

@@Hardhatreptiles95 I don't even understand what you are trying to say. He states throughout the video that it is his opinion on many things and he also says he doesn't have anything against a tub setup. I'm sorry that you took offense to a video that is 100% reasonable and does nothing to take away from your tub keeping practice.

[@quasiotter]

I'm adopting my first reptile tomorrow, a buttermilk corn snake! Your channel (and Clint's & Snake Discovery etc.) has helped me so much - the seller felt comfortable giving her to me. I don't think this comment is super relevant to this video, but... I'm excited, and... I think more comments helps you out, anyways? lol

[@shyann3927]

Good luck, corn snakes are rad!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

That is awesome! thanks so much for watching and commenting

[@Rayneworld]

I gave my male BP a branch after hearing that from a different vid of yours. He immediately used it and sat on it for hours lol. He doesn't use it as much any more, just once in a blue moon, but it made me realize that they do really appreciate a change of environment. I'll definitely be moving their decor around more.

[@kellyhamergia]

I love that Adam isn't afraid to tell us the truth!!!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I do my best

[@kimpanther5110]

I think this is one of the most important videos you've done, it's so vital for people to continue learning about the animals they keep! I'm much more familiar with the horse world than the reptile world, and I hear all the time "well this is the way my grandpa kept horses" or "I've had horses my whole life so I know everything". It's infuriating and their horses suffer because of their unwillingness to learn or change. Thank you for all you do!!! 💜

[@Trynedge]

Agreed! Having done something for a long time - and even having it work out okay - doesn't mean it's optimal or even right! People who are open to learning and trying new ways that have science or logic behind them tend to make the best keepers (and the best people, frankly). What kind of horses do you work with? What are some of their names? 😊

[@kimpanther5110]

@@Trynedge I own and show miniature horses! 😊 My horses names are Aries, Sampson, and Gianna 💜💜 A friend's Shetland pony is staying at my house too, his name is Balenciaga And we have miniature donkeys too! Arthur and Gus 💜 One of the barns I work at has Warmbloods (like in between normal sized horses and draft horses) Tigger, Rex, Evie, Santiago, and Maui 😊

[@heartlandreptiles]

I agree on putting branches and climbing stuff in enclosures! I caught my snakes that “don’t climb” using it all the time with a camera set up on them even though I didn’t see it in person much

[@Kialna]

The one point that I always keep in mind and agree with is; He may not need it, but I want him to have the choice whether or not he wants to use it. This includes UVB and climbing opportunities. I know he likes climbing a LOT, and people just keep telling me that BP's are terrestrial. They're really not and my boy will absolutely explore every way he can to climb on things... like my headset when I have a customer on the phone. It's time the BP community really acknowledges the studies from the 90's that suggest semi-arboreal behaviour and birds in their diet. That said; I'm so curious about the new reptile room! :)

[@NicholeParker]

I love seeing other people with BPs who climb! Mine loves it :)

[@herpthings]

Think about nature outside. The ground isn't just a nice flat space. It's bumpy af

[@6strings735]

@AlyFrederi I agree with you. The body shape of a ball python - the heavy base with the smaller neck and head - that is a snake that can strike from a burrow, can climb on/around ground-based obstacles, I suppose even up into low trees by concerntina method if they actually do indeed hunt birds.

[@troyandskyelar9588]

Similar to Woma pythons - largely considered terrestrial and even fossorial but they’ve now been recorded climbing in trees, just no one ever really looked for them there.

[@tinkeramma]

My ball python loves to climb. We don't have UVB but regularly take him outside to let him roam. Last time he was outside, he climbed straight up the wall of my house. 😆

[@rizzselanna1630]

As someone who just came into the hobby a year ago, I feel like at least half of people are really starting to see these things. Maybe I'm just watching the right channels, but I can honestly say that I've heard more people breaking these practices than not. Because, science. XD

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

science baby!

[@kwiggy5091]

You'd be surprised. Most of the Facebook groups are full of outdated info and breeders normalizing substandard care.

[@ameliaharrington8591]

Can’t wait for the new reptile room!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

same!

[@laurensvdd1666]

I feel like people shouldn't feel bad for having incorrect husbandry in the past. As long as they improved, or trying too you shouldn't be ashamed.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

agreed

[@alexp3519]

True that and depending how far in time you go back we didn't know any better and without that learning we wouldn't have what we have now. I first started keeping in 1986 with a red sided garter snake. The set up was a basic vivarium with a unguarded household light bulb. The stats you had to attach the plugs yourself. It was kept on woodchip wall paper with a single hide box and a water bowl. The reptile shops were also an interesting experience. Looking back on it even in my life time its crazy to see how far things have come on.

[@laurensvdd1666]

@@alexp3519 yeah. I mean if we don't know better, what is there to be ashamed off. As long as you improve, and learn,imo everything is fine

[@chibicricket]

I've had reptiles since I was 10, and now I'm 41. So many things change over the years! Always keep learning! I think space is always a positive. My iguana was free roaming and had access to the outdoors. He lived to be 21. Most don't live that long. I used to rehab animals, and you'd be shocked at what some pet stores tell people to do.

[@hirvosenniina1911]

Tiny sunglasses for Thunder COULD look awesome though, just saying.. 😂😎

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

True!!

[@Nadia-ri5wx]

Never stop learning in life! I give my royals a load of enrichment, climbing opportunities and uvb. Am surprised to say they do bask in the uvb esp after eating. Am also sorting skyhides for them too. Great vid again.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Well said!

[@aidanlauzier326]

Please do more amphibian content!!!! It would be so awesome, also congrats for 100k!!! Your the person who got me into owning reptiles and really pushed me to try to get into a reptile related job

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

100%

[@aidanlauzier326]

@@WickensWickedReptiles Maybe top 5 best tree frogs, top 5 amphibians for cohabing, or top 5 underrated amphibians? I would love to watch that

[@kalabell12]

@@aidanlauzier326 all of the above! 😄

[@lynellewheeler9564]

Tried feeding our fat tail in a separate enclosure once as we had heard that that was a good idea to minimize the risk of impaction. She was so stressed about her new environment she refused to eat anything until we put her back in her regular enclosure. It also means she can hunt on her own terms and timeline.

[@michaelchavez9138]

He said the most woke thing I’ve heard this year. They’ll be an adult most of their lives, 😬dosent everyone miss being a kid

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

hahahah right

[@catcando1131]

All the time.

[@robg7970]

I feel really bad for kids growing up today .. my childhood was awesome ! If we could go back to no internet... discovering things meant so much more .. even if you didn't discover as much as kids do today . It was just different.. I remember the first huge Burmese python I ever saw .... was a guy that used to travel the country in a tractor trailer with his huge snake in the trailer . You paid 50 cents to walk in and see this big ass snake and walk out the other side of the trailer ... and he made alot of money that way .. but , it probably was just enough to put gas in the semi , and feed himself and the snake !! Not much more .. but again , this was early 1980s. And it was great .

[@claraog]

@@robg7970 H

[@robg7970]

@@claraog thanks for the reply

[@akiradragon2935]

This is the type of content people need to see. Your putting straight facts AND your opinion! People are super dumb, and your here putting them right. So thank you!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

hey thanks so much for watching

[@GraceWhip]

This is so informative! I love the explanations of why things are different now and how we can solve the problems the old ways were trying to address. Also your little hype man beardie is wonderful as always :D

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Glad you enjoyed it! Diamond is the man!

[@tylerlittle8577]

On the feeding aspect, I do put my hognose in a smaller tub to feed her. It’s the only thing that has ever worked with her. She can’t stand when I leave her mouse in her tank with her and she refuses to eat off of tongs. For whatever reason she will only eat if I put her in a small tub and place her in a dark room. 🤷‍♀️ whatever it takes to avoid a six month hunger strike haha

[@thejackalbaby8385]

Hogs in particular are the outlier most of the time. They are just weirdos in almost every aspect lol

[@yvechapman9342]

Just when I thought I couldn't stan this channel any more, here you come with the advanced husbandry ❤

[@MingoandWraith]

yo congrats on 100k! ur the reason why I'm into reptiles (have a bearded dragon, soon getting a snake!) this video was very helpful, keep up the good work.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thanks so much for watching

[@lefrenchman9222]

I just want to share my experience with adding UVB to reptiles that never really required it. I added an old UVB T5 tube that was previously used for a bearded dragon to my leopard gecko's enclosure as an ordinary light for a proper day/night cycle. Its been almost a year, and I've definitely noticed that his coloration has been much brighter and he also seems to enjoy taking a nap under the light (yes he is provided with three different hides because he is spoiled).

[@kristimorrison6501]

What do you use in the geckos cage, do u do substrate or a reptile carpet? I'm new to this. We have a leopard gecko and now I'm questioning EVERYTHING the pet store told us lol

[@Mbapaparaue]

@@kristimorrison6501 the pet store was probably wrong. This is Adam’s care guide on leopard geckos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6PEoZuAnbOqmpI

[@jasmineadams6615]

I love every single part of this video. It's like every argument I have with other keepers in a nutshell.

[@akiradragon2935]

About the whole ‘separate bin feeding’ thing, I don’t think it really matters for most animals. But like you said, every animal is different and has there own personality. So it’s situational. I personally own turtles and I feed them mostly in a separate bin just because they are such messy eaters.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

100%

[@norarussell7920]

Agreed, I feed my garters in a separate bin since I house then communally and I don't want food fights.

[@gavin5239]

Yeah, it really depends on the insect you are providing and what pet it is. For my Leopard Geckos, if I am feeding them any type of worm, I either just throw them in a food dish or i give it to them in their enclosures. But fast insects like crickets, i usually feed in a separate bin because crickets are a pain in the ass.

[@PrimalKevYT]

My Gecko happily eats whenever i put her in a seperate feeding bin but stops and kind of freaks out once she notices she is trapped lol, so i stopped doing it.

[@tracey5324]

When feeding my beardie I put a deep plastic pan inside his cage when he is getting crickets or roaches. It lets him chase them around and I can line it with calcium powder without having to somehow catch, dust and decant an angry roach army.

[@matthewswanson7271]

once i finished school i came right to this video and it was worth it

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thank you so much!

[@kevinthegrizzly5074]

Stellar video Adam👍🏾. Sometimes the truth hurts. Keep up the excellent work 🇺🇸🇨🇦.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thank you, I will

[@oanaenache991]

I just found a really weird creature that I've never seen before, I'm talking about Sirens (the amphibians), I thought you might want to take a look if you make more rare/unheard pets list

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

wow eh

[@anonymouswrangler4776]

My BI did get to a point where she thought that everytime I opened her enclosure, she thought it was feeding time. BUT I did not start moving her to feed her. I gave her cues when it was not time to eat and she was fine after that. I just had to start handling her more. (Work and a move took time away from handling.)

[@kiki29073]

That's very smart. I was going to suggest teaching them how to target. When the target is there no food. When you don't have it then it's feeding time. Or, something similar

[@anonymouswrangler4776]

@@kiki29073 I have seen a lot of people that have retics use a hook. They tap the snake with the back of it to see what mode they are in and to let them knows its time for handling and not feeding. Takes time, but it works well!!

[@Alamito24]

I hope you have as much of a good time making these informative videos as I have watching them. Sure, making films and narrating them in a lively fashion must be tedious, at times. But for all the sharing and teaching you do you must know you are appreciated. And also, listening to your frequently spontaneous, humorous "asides" never fails to be very amusing. Grabbing a handful of substrate, then going "Oh, that's poop!" then making a fast drop was a good one. Regards from New Mexico in the USA.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

hey I'm just glad you guys like them :)

[@dynamosaurusimperious2718]

Well this sure is nice video on some outdated reptile caring things,that must be STOPED. Also I wish you a good day,you awesome dude.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thanks, you too!

[@dynamosaurusimperious2718]

Your welcome

[@StaySomniaaa]

I just found your channel yesterday and I've been binge watching them lol

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Yay! Thank you!

[@wtfisditvoorbullshit]

same

[@oscarleonard5244]

Still watching every second of vids 😊😊

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thank you so much!

[@tonysmith4801]

I really appreciate this video. One of my largest sources of frustration in reptile husbandry is that there is so much contradictory information out there, and so many myths are perpetuated by people who just haven't taken the time to do the research. Speaking of research I really wish we had more empirical studies out there on reptile husbandry. It would be nice if when I ask someone with more experience and knowledge than myself a question about a certain aspect of reptile husbandry the response didn't include, "in my opinion" . . . Instead it would be nice to hear, "According to a study published in" . . . (Not meant as a slam to you Adam). One thing I have discovered in my own research is that there can be many different ways to accomplish the same goal, and that some of the information you receive is based off of limited experience or purely anecdotal evidence. Thanks for the video. It was very enjoyable!

[@Katey4ever]

I believe in general they have minimum size recommendations, never maximum, for that very reason. I imagine the reason to keep an enclosure on the smaller side would be beneficial for a blind reptile though. Although special needs reptiles will be inherently different than the average reptile.

[@nataliaprado2337]

Great video. My albino corn snake basks every day under her UVB and halogen. She has many options to be in and out of light with plenty of nooks and crannies, and yet she routinely chooses to bask directly under her lights, and then moves away when she's had her fill. Go figure she knows what she needs.

[@DevynPlaysGames]

honestly, I feel like most enclosures for animals are probably too small. upgraded my leopard gecko to a 40 gallon equivalent, and can't imagine putting her back in a 20 long

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

amazing

[@teddyroberts308]

Hi from Northwestern Pennsylvania, USA. I just recently started watching your channel. I like it so far. You're entertaining and informative.

[@thatdudeacro7553]

Hey,Adam, can you please talk about green Ameivas. I really want one and there aren't alot or care guides on them.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

for sure

[@aidanlauzier326]

I agree, really awesome and underrated lizard

[@leiannphillips4005]

Great video! Always learning.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thanks so much for watching

[@gabbyb.1005]

My beardie is only 7 months old and 14 inches and I’m already looking for a 100-120 gallon

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

that is awesome

[@bailey6781]

Yeah, my beardie right now is 4 months and 12 inches and I’ve got him in a 120 gallon and he loves it

[@jackimatamoros7098]

Finally!!!!!! 500k here we come #WWR I don't have and reptiles but I love watching all of you guys. It looks like there's a major difference bt breeders husbandry and pet keeping husbandry. Kind of like industrial keeping vs individual keeping? Different needs, but shows the animals all experience a wide range of care.

[@Tytylord17]

You need to make a update video on how to properly care for animals 2021 because it’s confusing on what to believe

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

for sure

[@Scales13]

Really like the points on substrate and light great video man. Totally agree.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thanks 👍

[@rpggaming8950]

I'm in the hospital with a collapsed lung love all your videos my wife is taking care of my bearded dragon but I'm missing him so much but I was like call me back to my wife my reptile video is on lol

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I hope you get better very soon!

[@rpggaming8950]

@@WickensWickedReptiles thank you im improving so I'm hoping to be home Saturday maybe I appreciate it man keep up the great work on your videos by far my favorite reptile youtuber

[@erinbuck129]

You miss your beardie… but don’t miss your wife? 🤣 JK, man. Feel better soon!

[@TehBuggy]

Amazing video! It’s so important to stay open to learning and change what you’re doing when you learn you’ve made a mistake. I see so many pointless debates that are pure stubborness and ego and I just think: Would you rather have a happy and healthy animal, or win an argument with a stranger on the internet? 😬

[@janlynnmccoy4067]

I’m so glad that someone finally talked about the substrate! I have kept my bearded dragon on all natural dessert sand for his whole life. He is 7 and he has never been impacted once. I listened to the breeder and didn’t change it. He likes to dig and put sand into his cave. He wasn’t having the problems that everyone told me he would have. I continually talked with the breeder, the expert. My lizard is given the best care I possibly can.

[@S4lv4tion101]

The honest in this video is refreshing. We’re always learning 😄 As keepers, we have a responsibility to provide our animals with the best care possible. On that, the UVb topic is still a debated one. Personally I provide all my animals with UVb and am working towards providing them all with full spectrum lighting as much as possible. JTB Reptiles on KZbin has some brilliant peer reviewed videos on the subject of lighting for reptiles if you think you could learn some more on the topic 😄

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I hope you enjoyed!

[@S4lv4tion101]

@@WickensWickedReptiles sure did! Learned a lot from your channel 😄 Thanks for all you share!

[@axxotics]

I’m 16 and glad I knew all of these. I have a leopard gecko with loose substrate, lots of cork to climb on, and UVB. My cornsnake also lives in a naturalistic 120 gallon enclosure! I wouldn’t have it any other way.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

amazing!

[@robhutchanimation]

Solid vid and conversations I have with people all the time. I hope your fans go back to your old videos to compare how you've grown with your husbandry (or maybe do your own comparison video later???). You were willing to learn and research the evidence and your animals are thriving from it. You deserve your 100k followers mate!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thanks so much! I appreciate the push a few years back!

[@LuckyStone888]

You forgot that Bearded Dragons need to eat earlobes once in a while. I've had bearded dragons for 15 years and I routinely feed them earlobes and they develop striking blues and purple along their spines. (I do not keep Bearded Dragons, I am being a troll, but also being nice by leaving a comment to help with YT engagement algorithm. )

[@MrJkfixe]

geez I needed to google earlobes to know what it was (not english native) and got super confused. Thank god you added the last sentence

[@TheDreadhead65]

Hi Adam I've kept herps for 26 years and it's good to see a channel promoting proper husbandry, not just what is convenient & cheap which seems to be a common attitude. Much love & respect from Scotland. 👍

[@AyameM]

I got chewed out in a reptile group for putting my ball python in a 40 gallon when he was a baby. "IT'S TOO BIG!!" But he has like 5 places to hide and lots of foliage? and.. he was fine... :D

[@PrimalKevYT]

The reptile community generally just sucks like that, there is a great part but usually there is always a ton of unlikable rotten apples in these groups.

[@buddylove4686]

You animal...😂

[@shortpockets9408]

Thank you for the video. Very helpful! 💕

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thesnapperkeeper]

Wow I never heard the “albinos must be kept in darkness” one😂

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

crazy right

[@sahvanna97]

Right ! I did notice my eclipse gecko not liking her bright light above her tank. So I took it down and she has light coming from the snake tank next to her. She comes out more during the day now.

[@CCNorse]

Specifically basking reptiles can go blind because of UV explosure (in Clint's "Top 5 Iguanas" video, you can see some Iguanas that have gone mostly blind). Human albinos tend lose vision as they age too. I would never get an albino in a species that needs lots of basking.

[@pendlera2959]

It's worth remembering that most artificial light is *much* weaker than natural sunlight. Like, less than 1% the strength of the sun.

[@luketroller5508]

I liked all this and agreed with all of it and I liked that you were also open minded with some like the moving animals I had to start doing this not because they always thought there was food when the cage was opened but because they would go in their hide and just ignore the food then I left them in an empty container with their food and they ate it so much easier. Glad you are so open with this kinda stuff

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

very good!

[@nightinggale6470]

If they’re not eating inside their enclosure it may mean they don’t feel comfortable eating inside the enclosure (perhaps it’s too open and there isn’t enough clutter). You could try adding more clutter. Or feeding them in a container inside the enclosure, so they can leave on their own (without needing to be picked up to move them back).

[@sahvanna97]

I have a hognose that will not eat unless she's in a covered deli cup. I tried drop feeding. Tong feeding and this is the only thing that works for her. The rest of my snakes take it from the tongs

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

wow really?

[@sahvanna97]

@@WickensWickedReptiles ya she just hisses at the mouse. The only tried and true way to get her to eat is a deli cup. Nothing else. Not Tupperware either. Just a deli cup 🤣

[@xandermin]

My albino ball python has a fully decorated 120 gallon enclosure with low UVB daylight bulbs (on a timer ofc) & she's thriving! I often catch her calmly moving around her enclosure at night, just casually exploring her space, & she loves her climbing features! Makes sense as she loves climbing on me too lol.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

amazing!

[@OhhWeOhh]

My favorite is a fish one... "inch of fish per gallon of water" *puts 3 1/2 foot Catfish in a 40 breeder* 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦‍♂️

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

hahahhaaha wild eh

[@tracey5324]

Don't forget that people justify Betta Splenden tanks by saying they 'live in puddles." Never knew you could call a gigantic miles long rice paddy a puddle.

[@shriihanmukherjee6502]

I had thought everyone knew that rule was for fish between 1-3 inches only (like 10 1 inch ember tetras will be fine in a 10 gallon, but a 10 inch oscar definitely can't fit.)

[@pixeldogz]

One thing ive always gone by is that more is always better when it comes to things like tank size and enrichment items. I have a big bioactive tank for my gargoyle gecko and it's been running for about 10 years. if I could afford more reptiles right now, I'd put them all in huge bioactive tanks. it's just so fun to see them moving around and utilizing their enclosures!

[@thefreebird413]

Looks to me like your snake was having a great time in the sun.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

sure seems like it!

[@FatherAdam666]

Thank you for making this video. It says a lot about your character and integrity that you’re willing to admit to previous mistakes, especially in such a public way, and it’s such an important lesson for all animal keepers out there. I personally differ somewhat in some of my opinions (I recommend UV for all reptiles, as an example), but regardless, all of the information you give here is valuable and not being promoted nearly enough by other people with the kind of reach you have. I have no doubt that among your many followers are new and aspiring keepers who rely on the recommendations of youtubers like you, and by instilling this belief of learning from your mistakes and keeping up with all the research that’s being done, you’ve just increased the chances of that many more people giving their living, breathing animals the care that they deserve. It really makes a difference, so again, thank you.

[@lindsayschultz3816]

Boomer bois!!! I love these titles!!!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

hahahhaa

[@alyssastickels1324]

I love that even though you have different approaches and different opinions than Snake Discovery, but both channels make it clear that other ways of doing things can still work fine and to do what works best for you and the animals you have

[@BlackReshiram]

Very helpful video for this future reptile keeper

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thank you!

[@rottweilerfun9520]

I found this channel yesterday , it was on my feed so I checked out one video and just keep watching. I have two Turtles and never knew how much I needed a Bearded Dragon, Leopard Gecko, and Blue Tongued Skink.

[@heartlandreptiles]

I love that you’re always pointing out how to progress reptile keeping further!

[@evangugle6097]

Amazing video! Keep up the amazing work!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thank you so much!

[@joshpeterson2203]

I had bought two books prior to purchasing a baby African spurred tortoise.. both books kind of ill advised me on proper diet. After two vet visits I donated it to the vet. I was so embarrassed but I heard it is doing well last I heard. I never bought another one, but I did learn what should have been it’s proper diet. I just keep snakes now but always try to keep learning, some in thanks to your channel :-)

[@colemckinstry1010]

My girlfriend and I are constantly learning and changing our husbandry. It's crucial to do the best you can for your animals, and not get stuck in your ways.

[@Katiethewizard]

I TOTALLY agree about the climbing spaces. Once i gave my leopard gecko rocks/wood to climb on I'll find him at the very top of the height all the time just looking around. He loves exploring and I even change around the enclosure every couple months just to keep the enrichment from getting boring!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I love giving climbing opportunities

[@shanontaylor5770]

Awesome video as usual Adam :)

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Legend!

[@daniwolf5766]

Thank you for your courage to always speak out on controversial reptile content, you are amazing!

[@tribex11]

100% agree with all of it and am actually upgrading my reptile room again now to provide more space for all my reps

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

nice

[@jacobtheperson5177]

Great video adam. Congratulations on 100k I have been here since 50k. Ever time I fell like I loose interest in reptiles I just watch your video and bam. I love all the point you made.

[@stuckinthelazycorneragain4016]

Great video debunking this nonsense! It gets exhausting telling people loose substrate is not the devil and bigger is always better so I'm glad that you (and others) are coming out with this modern and fact based information. If you aren't willing to give your pet the space and enrichment it needs to live a fulfilling life don't get it! Or give it to someone who is willing and can give it that. Snakes and lizards and animals in general are way smarter than people give them credit for. Some people will refuse to listen no matter what, it's sad because it's always the animals who suffer. I want to believe that most people are willing to change their husbandry as they learn and evolve but those who refuse are best ignored imo. Replicate it's habitat in nature is something I feel is a really good starting point. Ask yourself, would they have access to this in the wild? That's how I believe enrichment, space and UVB are necessary for most reptiles as they would have it in the wild. Great video again dude 😁

[@janicemorelock5791]

I am moving Velvet from a tub to a 55 gallon fish tank. We are in the process of getting it set up with some climbing logs, natural hides that my husband made out of a log, uvb light, bioactive with live plants and a good clean up crew. She is about 1 1/2 years old, never had a problem with her sheds, eats live rats like a champ. I havve learned so much from watching your videos, Adam, I'm thankful for you, Clint, and Emily....such good teachers. My ball python Velvet and I are excited about her move. Well I am....not sure about her....

[@jaydenjenniker3565]

Keep up the awesome work learn alot from you

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thanks, will do!

[@awesomeanimalswithalishav5874]

Totally agree with these. Even in my ball python bioactive setup video I was trying to encourage people to give them bigger tanks with more to climb on. There was a study on ball pythons that showed many of them were found in trees and had eaten birds. Even though he spends most of his time watching the world from his cave, my boy Azi really enjoys exploring, though part of that is because I made sure he had a wrap-around background to make him feel really secure. And my garter snake, Gertie, is getting a bigger tank than my ball python because she is so active and is always checking things out when she isn't sitting under the lights she supposedly doesn't need. I'm always having to deal with people upset that I have loose substrate, but it's not calcium sand, no one has pica, and they're fed in bowls or on flagstones. They aren't sitting there eating dirt for no reason and if they were it would be because I failed somewhere in caring for them. A lot of the issues seem to be because people like to think animals are completely dumb toys, and yeah, some over-bred ones almost are, but many are intelligent and curious but just have minds that work differently than ours. Reptiles especially. ~ A vampire with light blue eyes who somehow manages to go outside in the desert sun (sometimes) without catching on fire.

[@kristenle1141]

Agreed with all of this, but yes, I absolutely want you to have little sunglasses for Thunder and I demand a photoshoot

[@lionman1573]

Hi, Adam. New subscriber, big fan already. I'd just like to add that one more reason why one would prefer to take a reptile out of an enclosure for a feeding, is simply in order to control the situation. If I were to drop a feeder insect in to a reptile's enclosure, and this insect gets ignored and scurries off, I now have to go hunt and remove that insect. These kind of situations (As well as aggresive feeders, as you mentioned) are just so much easier to deal with in a controlled environment. I myself am a bit of a perfectionist on these things, and believe in feeding any reptile out of their enclosure. I even used to do this with the Corn Snake I had. But I will admit that it probably isn't as necessary as someone like me would make it seem. It's just something that I personally do believe in. With that being said, if I had an entire room of reptiles, it would probably end up being a bit of a faf to do it this way every time.

[@jackw2277]

These videos are always amazing and I’m glad to say that you helped me get my first crested gecko so thank you very much!

[@tds8980]

Arcadia reptile is a very good informational source for lighting, learning about the ocular system of different species can help to further understand aswell. Knowing more about the ocular system is when you'll start to distinguish why products such as red lighting is awful to have. It is very helpful to understand the basal ganglia pertaining to reptilia, I found it helpful to identify behavioral factors.

[@Kaikia5]

I go a little overboard when it comes to enrichment, 2 hides, some stuff they can rub on for shed, and my one gecko loves their mirror

[@katelyntuttle4706]

Great video, I have thought about switching to substrate for my bearded dragon's. Don't worry their adults now. Good video again by the way. Thank you 😌❤️

[@danicegewiss862]

Hi, Diamond! I had a funky little frog that lived in water. It ate its substrate and wasn't able to pass it, so it ballooned up. I had researched it. It was recommended. I did further research and those people said my substrate was the worst. Aaauugh!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

weird

[@DTAever]

My baby corn snake is in a 3 foot pvc enclosure and he LOVES IT! he has branches, hanging plants, a hide on each side, fake flowers on the floor, two different substrates and I usually catch him hanging in his plants or roaming around making little burrows in the Aspen. He’s much more active now that I upgraded him. I was scared he’d be stressed out but he’s not at all and eats like a champ still. My baby ball Python is in the same exact enclosure (until he gets bigger) and he’s uses every inch of it also. And he loves to climb! I’m sure he may not as he gets older but for right now I give him the opportunity and he absolutely uses it. They are both fed in their enclosures and show no food aggression when I open the doors at all. They know exactly when it’s feeding Time and when it’s not. I definitely agree with this video!

[@nightinggale6470]

That’s awesome! You’ll be upgrading your corn once he’s an adult, though, right?

[@DTAever]

@@nightinggale6470 yes, that’s the plan.

[@nathanrupley]

So glad to see you moving towards larger enclosures, uvb, and enrichment.

[@MrDJsArcade]

I love the Andy Bernard video when you said the sun hurts their eyes. Lol. Great video man!!