Most reptiles and amphibians do not need to hibernate in order to live well in captivity. Some species may require a short dormant period or artificial hibernation in order to reproduce though, so if this is your goal research your particular species thoroughly and see if this is required.

This is the number one question that I get asked through email. Often people are camping and they stumble upon a small toad. Other times people find baby turtles near a local lake or pond. Although it can be very tempting to remove a reptile or amphibian from its natural habitat to keep as a pet, I strongly recommend leaving wild animals in the wild until their care is fully understood.

The first thing to do is to separate that animal from others in the cage. Move it to a new enclosure or container that is simple and clean. After the animal has been quarantined away from other cage mates, contact a veterinarian that has experience with reptiles and amphibians as soon as you can. If you don't know of one locally see Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians. or The Herp Vet Connection Those sites have listings of reptile and amphibian vets from all over the world.

Stress, parasites, disease, incorrect temperatures or humidity levels, and being housed with dominant cage mates are just a few reasons why an amphibian or reptile will refuse food. If it is a new herp that you have had for less than a few days do not be concerned. It often takes reptiles and amphibians a while to adjust to their new environment before they start to eat. Do not handle the new animal during this period, and avoid other stressful activities such changing the new cage setup around.

I'm thinking of getting a dragon but I want to find out more about them, and I also want to find a breeder First of all- Good for you. Hopefully by doing your research first and learning all you can about the kind of care a water dragon needs you will do very well with your first dragon. :) To learn even more about water dragons you might think of joining the water dragon mailing list. It's free! Please see http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/wdmailng.htm for more information.

When held in captivity, fish, amphibian and reptile species do not exhibit the same sort of behaviour as mammals commonly do. Most aquatic vertebrate and (especially) invertebrate species have very limited territories in the wild, some no more than a square foot or less. Even most of the highly coloured species from coral reefs have very limited territories. Some species are born, feed, reproduce and die in an area no larger than a kitchen sink.

Bears usually den up when the food sources are depleted, the snow begins to fall and they are fat enough to make it through the winter without food. The word "hibernate" is controversial in scientific circles.

One of the more frustrating problems facing a reptile keeper is snake mite infestation. These are reptile-specific ectoparasites that are not thought to be harmful to humans. They can be harmful to reptiles in that they can cause anemia, stress related anorexia, or possibly infection at the sites where the mites feed. It may be possible too that mites transmit other harmful illnesses such as Inclusion Body Disease or endoparasites.

No, tree squirrels are active all year round. You may not see them as often in the Winter, since they stay in their nests to conserve body heat.Index

Technically it's not hibernation, but they will slow down their body functions (they become "torpid") if the room temperature of the room they are in gets unusually low, but shouldn't just go into hibernation just because it's the winter season. If your hamster reaches this state, in most cases do not to disturb them. Let them come out of it naturally. Golden hamsters become sluggish at about 14C and torpid at about 10C.

Amphibians are sensitive animals that should not be held on a regular basis. There are two reasons that I do not recommend handling amphibians. The first being that all amphibians have permeable skin that most use to absorb water with as well as to partially breathe through. Oils that are found naturally in human skin often irritate them. Small amounts of soap, lotion, or other products that are on our hands can also cause problems.

The majority of amphibians need to be fed live food. Most rely on movement to trigger a feeding response, so at a minimum the food being offered needs to move. Certain species, such as horned frogs (Ceratophrys species), will accept pre-killed or freeze-dried food from tweezers. Many aquatic amphibians will also eat non-living food, such as frozen fish foods or pellets.

In hibernation or aestivation operculate and pulmonate snails react similarly. The heart of the pulmonate may slow down from 36 beats per minute to only three or four. In the operculates it may drop from 53 to only two to three times per minute. As an indication of how much body processes are slowed down, a hibernating pulmonate at 30°F will use as little as 1/50th the amount of oxygen used by an active snail at 59°F. [1]

Opossums do not hibernate. Their greatest challenge during winter, especially in colder climates, is simply to survive. Very often opossums will alter their foraging habits during winter, coming out during the day when it is warmer rather than at night. It is not uncommon for opossums in northern regions to suffer frostbite during extremely cold periods. Their tails are particularly susceptible to frostbite as they have no fur covering to protect them.

Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma and Red Admiral all hibernate as adults from October until the first of the warmer weather in March. You will find them in sheds, garages and sometimes in your house looking for a cool, secure site. They are often eaten during hibernation by shrews and spiders as they can not escape.

No, not in the sense that hedgehogs hibernate. Badgers will put on a lot of weight in the autumn to see them through the lean winter months, when earth worms and other foods are harder to come by. During the winter months they sleep deeper and longer, and in very wet or cold weather they may stay underground for days at a time.