EXOTICS NEWS • UK SEA TURTLES • TARANTULA ENRICHMENT • UV FOR BIRDS • PRICKLY GECKO

www.exoticskeeper.com • november 2022 • £3.99

ALL IN
A DAY’S WORK
The care and keeping of day geckos.

SCALING UP PEACOCK KEEPING SPACE HOPPERS

What does it take to create the perfect Although peacocks are instantly recognisable, Tim Baker, LVI Lead Keeper at Drayton
enclosure for giant snakes? Keepers at there are a lot of things the average person Manor shares how the zoo managed to
Paradise Wildlife Park share their thoughts. doesn’t know about these flamboyant birds. breed starry night reed frogs.
 W
e’re now into our third
CONTACT US
year of Exotics Keeper
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
Magazine and what a time
hello@exoticskeeper.com
it’s been! To celebrate, we have
SYNDICATION & PERMISSIONS launched a ‘highlights’ edition of
scott@exoticskeeper.com Exotics Keeper Magazine, available
on pocketmags and our website for
ADVERTISING new readers to get a taste of some
advertising@exoticskeeper.com of our oldest issues. You can find it
at exoticskeeper.com/free-ek. This
......................... is a great opportunity for current
subscribers to check out what you
might have missed in the early
About us days. We will also be discontinuing
most of our oldest issues in the
MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY coming weeks (apologies if this
Peregrine Livefoods Ltd has happened before the current
Rolls Farm Barns magazine arrives) but if anyone is
Hastingwood Road missing a copy and wants to grab
Essex a back issue, now is the time! Feel This month welcomes the addition
CM5 0EN free to message our social media of our new recurring feature ‘Fish
channels and we will check if there is Science’ with Dr David Pool. Some
Print ISSN: 2634-4695 any extra stock available. of you may have seen Dave’s
Digital ISSN: 2634-4688 articles in the past. He is a Zoologist
This month’s content addresses specialising in Freshwater Fisheries
EDITORIAL: some key husbandry topics, from Biology with over 45 years of
Thomas Marriott ‘best practice’ for giant snakes to UV industry experience. Dave is a
for birds. Unfortunately, both areas leading figure in the aquarist hobby
DESIGN: of exotics keeping seem to have and the new monthly feature aims to
Scott Giarnese some catching up to do, so we’ve dive into the world of aquatics in an
Amy Mather highlighted an excellent example accessible way.
of an anaconda enclosure at
......................... Paradise Wildlife Park and outlined Finally, all being well, I will be visiting
the reasons why indoor cage birds Madagascar later this month. My
Subscriptions need UV lighting. We also have an other true passion in life is travel and
......................... unintentional Madagascar focus, I frequently write reptile-focused
as Tim Baker LVI Lead Keeper at travel blogs on my other channels.
Drayton Manor joins us as a guest I hope to bring more of this to EK
writer to discuss how the zoo with regular social media posts and
successfully keeps at breed starry a full feature on the expedition in the
night reed frogs. Simon Prentice coming months. This is just a trial,
at Phelsuma Farm also contributes but I’d love to hear from our readers
......................... some interesting tips for keeping whether it’s something you would
Follow us day geckos. like to see more of.

Thanks!

......................... Thomas Marriott

Features Editor
Every effort is made to ensure the
material published in EK Magazine is
reliable and accurate. However, the
publisher can accept no responsibility
for the claims made by advertisers,
manufacturers or contributors.
Readers are advised to check any
claims themselves before acting on
this advice. Copyright belongs to
the publishers and no part of the
magazine can be reproduced without
written permission.

Front cover: Giant Madagascar day

gecko (Phelsuma grandis)
Right: Giant Madagascar day gecko
(Phelsuma grandis)
‘Best Aquarium Fish Food’
As voted by readers of
Practical Fishkeeping magazine

Aquarium Fish Foods with Insect Meal

Uses cultured insect meal to recreate the natural
insect based diet that most fish eat in the wild.

Easily digested and processed by the fish resulting in less waste.

Environmentally friendly and sustainable.

www.fishscience.co.uk
02 06 16 24 32 41
EXOTICS NEWS
02 The latest from the world of
exotic pet keeping.
06
SCALING UP
What does it take to provide
optimal husbandry
for giant snakes?
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
14 Focus on the wonderful world
of exotic pets. This month
it’s the Prickly gecko
(Heteronotia binoei).
FISH SCIENCE SPACE HOPPERS
15 With Dr David Pool.
32
The care and keeping of starry
night reed frogs.
KEEPER BASICS:
16
AN
INTRODUCTION TO
PEACOCK KEEPING
41
The EK guide to ultraviolet
radiation and bird health.
How to perfect peacock
husbandry with Sussanne
FASCINATING FACTS
Chambers from Peacocks UK.
45
Did you know...?
24
ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
The care and keeping of
ENRICHMENT IDEAS
day geckos.
46
Monthly tips on how to
enrich the life of your pet.
 Exotics News
EXOTICS NEWS
The latest from the world of exotic animals
©pwp.org
Paradise Wildlife Park
Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne,
Hertfordshire have announced that
their pair of Malayan black hornbills
have successfully bred for a second
time this year - which is unheard of in
this species before. The first chick was
parent-reared by female “Mulu” and
male “Darwin” back in April, and now
two more chicks are being reared.
In European zoos there are 26 birds
registered in the EAZA ex-situ breeding
programme and these chicks are the
only ones to be hatched this year within
this programme.
Released Spix’s
Macaws Died
Dr Cromwell Purchase, ACTP Director
Brazil and Manager of the Spix’s
Macaw Release Centre in the Caatinga
announced the tragic loss of two
released Spixs`s macaws.
One Spix’s macaw went missing on
2 NOVEMBER 2022
August 25th 2022, after eight days
it was relocated via radio-telemetry
some distance away and was sighted
flying and foraging with a flock of
native parrots before its signal was
once again lost. A second birds` signal
was also lost, it left the release area on
September 6th 2022, but the next day
this solitary macaw fell prey to an avian
predator only a few kilometers from the
release site.
Reintroductions are extremely
challenging for any species, especially
for one that was previously extinct in
the wild. Although losses may inevitably
occur, careful and meticulous planning
and execution can help to greatly
reduce or limit such. Indeed, losses
themselves also present opportunities
for continued learning and assessment
of techniques and strategies. Dr.
Cromwell Purchase explains: “What
our results to date tell us is that the
macaws are successfully adapting to
the wild, the radio-tracking devices are
working as designed, and our overall
strategy has thus far proven sound
and effective. The released macaws
are gradually becoming independent;
most remain together as a flock, and
all are becoming increasingly adept at
obtaining resources”.
It has since been announced that the
second planned release of Spixs`s
macaws will be around the 10th
December 2022.
CITES 19th Meeting
Conference of the Parties
Between 14th- 25th November in
Panama City the 19th Meeting of the
Conference of the Parties will take
place to propose some changes.
These include some upgrades of the
following species to provide greater
protection, potentially moving them
from Appendix 2 to Appendix 1 ; the
red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur
kachuga) , IndoChinese box turtle,
Leith`s softshell turtle, (Common)
hippopotamus, straw-headed bulbul
and some South African populations
of elephant. In addition, several
reptile species are proposed to join
Appendix 2 which aims to prevent
further declines in their populations,
some of these are presently freely
traded by commercial reptile dealers,
these include familiar species such
as; Chinese water dragons, snapping
turtles, mud/musk turtles, horned
lizards and glass frogs.
Photo, taken in 2007; “Kiri” with
“Sula” on the right - with the
straight horn © P. Irven
Marwell Zoo
On the 27th September female white
rhino “Sula” sadly died. The week
before she had collapsed, but the
keepers managed to get her up.
She was 36 years old and had two
calves at Marwell – one in 1999 and
a second in 2003, she was a delight
to work with, always friendly with the
keepers, though she often used to
push her old companion “Kiri” around
a bit at times.
 Exotics News

Seth Macfarlane, the creator of family guy and long-

time supporter of ‘The Rainforest Trust’. The polka-dot
patterned frog is a toxic species discovered by Dawn
Recalde, a field technician of the EcoMinga Foundation.
So far, four specimens have been found, all within just
a few square meters of one another. “This is a very rare
frog found only at high elevations in a remote part of our
Machay Reserve (the subject of World Land Trust‘s “Forests
in the Sky” appeal in 2015), so it took us these four years to
find enough individuals to make a thorough description of
it” writes Dawn in a blog post.

The patch of rainforest sits on a ridgeline of the Cerro

Mayodormo, Ecuador. This secluded habitat is likely to
harbour more unique species and The Rainforest Trust is
continuing its work identifying new species in the region.
©Dean Lomax Researchers are hoping to analyse the toxicity of the new
species over the coming months.
Jurrasic Fossil Fish Found
A beautifully preserved, three dimensional, ferocious-looking
fossil fish, has been unearthed from a Jurassic dig site,
located on a grassy bank, behind a cow shed in the village of
Kings Stanley just outside Stroud, in Gloucestershire.

The landowner, Adam Knight, had no idea his English

longhorn cattle were grazing on top of a rich fossil seam,
recalling a time, 183 million years ago, when his farm
would have been lying under warm tropical ocean waters.

Mr Knight gave permission to prolific West Country fossil-

hunters Neville and Sally Hollingsworth, and a team led
from the University of Manchester, to investigate the bank
further. They said "when we prepared this fossil, revealing
its bones bit by bit, it was amazing because we suddenly
realised its skull was uncrushed”. A digger was brought
in to extract hundreds more of the nodules, which were
carefully cracked open to see what they held inside. The
tuna-like predator, named Pachycormus, was encased in
one of the many limestone nodules that were falling out
from an exposed clay layer. There is particular interest
because the specimens were extracted from a rare UK
©JWPT
example of a time slice in the early Jurassic - the Toarcian
Stage. It is known for exceptional preservation, including
of soft tissues, and the team has a fish, for example, in Uplist for Jumping Rat
which it is possible to see the stomach contents. In the 1990s Jersey Zoo (JWPT/DWCT) became the first
institution to commence a captive breeding programme
The intention is to stage a public display of the fossils at the which was very successful. However a recent assessment
Boho Bakery Café, which is close to Court Farm, in October. of wild populations of the Malagasy giant jumping rat
by Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has estimated the
current population to be down to approximately 5,000
individuals. A combination of their low reproductive
New Frog Species Named After rate, habitat loss, with degredation and fragmentation of
‘Family Guy’ Creator their environment over many years, has led to a decline
A new species of frog has been described in the of around 88% between 2007 and 2019. As a result the
Ecuadorian Andes. Hyloscirtus sethmacfarlani has been species status has now been upgraded from Endangered
named in honour of U.S film and television creator, to Critically Endangered.

NOVEMBER 2022 3
 Exotics News
New Sloth Species Recognised
The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is home to two separate
species of sloth - with heads that look just like coconuts,
new research reveals. Found in a small region of this
coastal forest, maned sloths were previously thought to
represent a single species – but it turns out that those in
the northern section of this range are genetically distinct
from those in the south.  limited area may have contributed to the separation of the
The maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) was first
described in 1811 – although British zoologist John
ON THE WEB
Websites | Social media | Published research
Each month we highlight a favourite website
or social media page
THIS MONTH IT’S: HERPETOFAUNA OF MADAGASCAR
Dr Mark D. Scherz presents the current list of all described
species from Madagascar. This list is regularly updated with
new species descriptions, and also seeks to immediately
take into account new taxonomic changes. In some
instances, it includes notes on taxonomic changes, who they
were made by, and their references.
www.markscherz.com/herpetofauna-of-madagascar
4 NOVEMBER 2022
Edward Gray claimed to have discovered a second
species in 1850, which he named Bradypus crinitus.
His assertions were later dismissed, with taxonomists
agreeing that the specimen described by Gray was
in fact B. torquatus, although this new study proves
that B. crinitus does indeed exist.
Recently researchers conducted a morphological
analysis of 24 maned sloths, some of which came from
the northern states of Bahia and Sergipe, while the rest
were from Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo in the south.
Compared to their northern counterparts, southern sloths
had flatter skulls, rounder jaws, and wider cheekbones.
Genetic analysis of 55 maned sloths then revealed
“substantial genetic divergence” between the southern
and northern groups. Studying a group of collectively
inherited mitochondrial genes, the researchers identified
86 mutational steps separating the two populations, and
calculated that this divergence occurred around 4.24
million years ago. “Our integrative approach demonstrates
that two species of maned sloth can be recognized: the
northern maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) occurring in
the Brazilian states of Bahia and Sergipe, and the southern
maned sloth (Bradypus crinitus), occurring in Rio de
Janeiro and Espirito Santo states,” say the researchers.
The two species’ ranges are separated by the Rio
Doce River, which also acts as a dividing line between
related species. However, the researchers are unable
to say whether the river provides a physical barrier or
if contrasting climatic and geographical features on
either side of this marker are responsible for these
phylogeographic breaks. However, they do note that
the B. crinitus population on the southern side of the
Rio Doce River would have been restricted to a “small
climatically stable refuge,” and that confinement to this
two species.
Collated and written by Paul Irven.
 Title

NOVEMBER 2022 5
6
 SCALING Title

UP
What does it take to provide optimal husbandry
for giant snakes?

Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus)

NOVEMBER 2022 7
 Scaling Up

T
he care and keeping of giant snakes is a contentious subject,
particularly in the private sector. Not only do giant snakes
require giant enclosures, but they also demand an immense
amount of electricity and pose a genuine threat to human life. All
these challenges can be overcome with the correct knowledge and
resources but for most private keepers, these resources are well out
of reach. Despite this, some species, such as reticulated pythons
(Malayopython reticulatus), are frequently kept in the UK. Others, such
as green anacondas (Eunectes murinus) are less commonly kept but
still occupy myriad private collections across the country. Whilst there
is no innate distinction between the resources available to a zoo and
the resources available to a private keeper, zoos often have much
more funding and a necessity to present only the best husbandry
practices to ensure a positive visitor experience. In this sense, zoos
offer excellent insight into how giant reptiles should be kept.

Anacondas at Paradise Wildlife Park
Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne, Essex is home to
Optimus, the UK’s largest on-display green anaconda.
Optimus and recently introduced, Nina share one of the
most renowned giant snake exhibits in the country. With
a whopping 80 square-foot of floor space, including a
4-foot-deep pool, keepers at Paradise Wildlife Park have
managed to house these goliaths in optimal conditions.
Green anacondas are the heaviest snakes on the planet. They
have been the subject of various horror films and feature
heavily in South American mythology. Reports of man-eating
snakes are rife in pop culture and whilst unverified, are likely
to have occurred in remote regions of the Amazon, where
native children play close to the river. There are, therefore,
many benefits to displaying these otherwise fear-inducing
snakes. “Green anacondas have been kept in zoos and private
collections for many years now” explains Jennifer Bartlett,
Reptile Section Leader at Paradise Wildlife Park. “There is
a challenge for us is that not a lot of research happens on
their wild ecology. They are considered ‘least concern’ by
the IUCN but listed as ‘data deficient’. The big problem is
in South America, they’re very widespread and they live in
environments that are very difficult to track in the wild. A lot of
collections display green anacondas, but because they live
such a long time and get so big, they are often rehomed to
other collections once they reach a certain size. We’ve had
Optimus from a private collection at a very young age and

8 NOVEMBER 2022

once she got to a certain size we hit that same crossroad.
However, we chose to build something massive that would
house her for the rest of her life.”
Green anacondas were previously ranched in South
America quite often. Their distribution covers the entire
Amazon region and as far South as Paraguay. As their
distribution covers many countries, each with slightly
different animal export laws, in-situ keepers could breed
large numbers of the snakes and export them across the
world to zoological collections and private collectors with
relative ease. Nowadays, things have changed slightly
and laws are more stringent. There are also four different
species in the Eunectes genus, and more are likely to be
described in the future.
NOVEMBER 2022
Scaling Up
Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Jennifer continued: “Anacondas are livebearers, they give
birth to anything up to 30 babies in one go and because of
that, most people that do breed them will struggle to house
them all. Currently, there are no breeding programmes
established for zoos, which isn’t a problem now but perhaps
in 20/30 years we will find that there will be a shortage of
green anacondas as display animals.” Green anacondas are
also able to reproduce via facultative parthenogenically,
which means females can reproduce by replicating
themselves in the absence of a male. This was first recorded
in the UK in 2014 by O’Shea et al but has more recently
been documented in other collections across the world. So
far, the parthenogenic births have only produced a small
number of young (between three and five offspring) which
is very few compared to a normal birth.
9

Creating paradise
Large constrictors, such as Burmese pythons (Python
bivvitatus), boa constrictors (Boa constrictor) and to a
lesser-extent African rock pythons (Python sebae) have
historically been housed in proportionately small vivaria.
Nowadays, particularly in the UK and Europe, that is
changing. Although the popularity of Burmese pythons
may have dropped, various social media platforms still
show enormous, reticulated pythons (arguably the longest
snakes in the world) kept in outrageously small enclosures.
Although anacondas are never likely to reach the same
commercial appeal as reticulated pythons, these worrying
husbandry misconceptions may have far reaching
implications.
“A lot of people underestimate the amount of space they
need” added Jennifer. “We are firm believers that snakes
should be able to fully stretch out. These snakes really
do require their own building. Most private keepers can’t
facilitate that, but there are some that can. Another major
consideration is how powerful they are. Anacondas are
typically quite docile, but they can be very unpredictable.
You do need a second person in the room whenever you’re
getting close to giant snakes. In our case, these are trained
staff who know the procedure if the snake does bite.”
There are other obstacles when it comes to housing a
10
Burmese python (Python bivvitatus)
giant snake. Whilst some of the larger pythons reach
similar sizes to green anacondas, their natural behaviours
make them slightly more manageable providing a suitable
enclosure can be maintained. The building that houses
Optimus and Nina cost the zoo around £250,000 to build.
As well as all the necessary lighting and heating, catering
to the species’ aquatic behaviours is not only costly but
demands a lot of time and effort.
We know they spend about 80% of their time in the water
but there are myths out there too” added Jennifer. “Some
say that once they reach a certain age, they will spend all
their time in the water and that just isn’t true. Although
it is rare to see them completely out of the pool, our
huge female, Optimus will happily sit on the land. We
will often catch her on the cameras moving around. They
spend most of the day in the water and then perhaps
every other night, they will come out, follow scents and
explore then return to the pool before the zoo opens
the next morning. They definitely appear to feel more
secure in the water. They are a lot more timid than people
realise. They can be inquisitive but as soon as they notice
anything unusual, they will move as far away from it as
possible. If we go in at different times, or if we feed them
later in the day, they will be much more hesitant to feed.
This makes it even more rewarding when we do see them
being active and curious”
NOVEMBER 2022

Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) at Paradise Wildlife Park
Wild conditions
Green anacondas are perfectly adapted for a semi-
aquatic lifestyle. Their eyes and nostrils are positioned
slightly higher on their head to allow them to stalk
their prey from beneath the water. They are primarily
nocturnal and use flooded plains and forests to move
long distances, undetected. This cryptic behaviour is
extremely important to juvenile anacondas which are
prey for a huge number of Amazonian species. “When we
first moved Optimus in, you could tell she had never had a
pool that was deeper than she was. It took her about three
months to learn to swim. We added logs to make sure
she felt secure, but you would see her latch onto the log
with her tail. She would move around the pool but always
gripping onto something with her tail. When we moved
Nina in, she went to explore the pool and just instantly
dropped in. So, she spent about 3 days gripping Optimus
to make her feel secure while she was in there. Now she’s
swimming great on her own.”
Allowing animals to enact their natural behaviours is
the backbone of excellent husbandry. Over the years, a
greater understanding of animal behaviours as well as
new advancements in product design, have put a greater
emphasis on welfare standards. Whilst it is possible
to keep a whole plethora of animals alive and even
breed them, good welfare standards require innovative
enclosure design and technologies. Whilst the provision
of UV lighting is now considered the industry standard
for all reptiles and amphibians, providing this to a 15-foot
snake can prove to be far more challenging (and a lot
more expensive!)
NOVEMBER 2022
Black tree monitor (Varanus beccarii)
“We have a 125kg sand filter with UV filtration and heating
attached to the water supply. The enclosure itself has
underfloor heating as well as backup heating. We can
adjust this throughout the day so the heating moves
around the exhibit over time to encourage more enclosure
use. We have a misting system as well as a big UV lighting
rig. This is supported by natural sunlight that comes
through the back window, which helps with the day/night
cycle. We cover all the basics but on a much bigger scale.”
Maintenance
As well as the initial financial output for establishing such
a large exhibit, keepers at Paradise Wildlife Park have their
work cut out when it comes to maintaining the species.
Filters are cleaned once a week. The tank is back washed,
and all urates and detritus are scrubbed away twice a
week. The keepers do a full water change every three
months. The substrate is spot cleaned constantly and a full
substrate change happens each year. Safety is also a huge
concern and the pool has been fitted with a duck valve,
that allows the water to be drained very quickly. This is an
important health and safety feature irrespective of whether
the snake is in the exhibit.
Keepers practice de-sensitization techniques to get the
snakes more familiar with the keepers. This is usually
limited to touching the snakes with snake hooks as they
walk past. Over time the keepers have managed to safely
touch the snakes with gloves to get the animals more
used to them. “Reptiles are very stoic animals” added
Jenny. “When they’re more relaxed, they are more inclined
11
 Scaling Up
to show you when they are unwell.” The keepers are much
more hands-on with their reticulated pythons than their
green anacondas. This is because they generally spend
more time on land and have slightly more predictable
temperaments than the anacondas.
The anacondas also have an off-show area for their exhibit
which is comprised of an 8 feet long vivarium that acts as a
temporary isolation area for the snakes. “If we have an animal
that isn’t well, or we need to monitor their diet or separate
them for any reason we have an area where we can do that.
If we also need to do any major maintenance, they can come
into this off-show vivarium temporarily while we get the work
done. They will come into this area on their own as well, so
they have an area off-display if they want to be on display.”
Feeding
Feeding giant snakes can also present an issue. In the
wild, green anacondas are known to feed on other apex
predators including caiman (Caiman spp.) and jaguars
(Panthera onca). More frequently, they will feed on
capybara (Hydrochoerus) which can grow up to 1.3m
and weigh in at 60kg. In captivity, this is very difficult to
replicate. Large-bodied prey also poses a genuine risk
to the health of the snake. A wild snake must feed on
whatever sized prey it can hunt. During this time, they
are vulnerable, especially when feeding within the water.
Digestion can take up to three weeks and the animal will
not need to feed again for several months. Zoos often
choose to mitigate some risk by feeding smaller prey,
more often. “We feed them all frozen foods” explains
Jennifer. “Whole, XL Chickens, rabbits, rats and quails tend
to be our go-to. We feed them once every month or so
African rock python eating an Antelope
12
but that depends on the amount and the size of the food
they’ve had. When we first introduced Nina, we fed them
both at the same time but in separate locations. When we
strike feed, we only feed them in one spot, so they know
‘this is where I get fed’. We do also scatter feed, so we will
make scent trails and leave prey items around, but it is
more difficult to monitor that, especially with a new snake.”
Keeping giant snakes
Although giant snakes have been popular in herpetoculture
since the exotics boom of the 1980s, people’s ideas on
what constitutes ‘successful’ husbandry has changed over
time. The limitations of resources, particularly in the private
sector mean that keeping giant animals is often not viable.
However, exhibiting these impressive reptiles can have
serious conservation benefits.“It is so important to display
these giant snakes” Jennifer added. “Not everyone can visit
South America and see these animals in the wild, but a lot of
people have seen horror films about these snakes. We want
people to want to conserve them and not be terrified of
these animals. It’s crucial to developing understanding. We
used to do a lot of keeper talks pre-covid and the anacondas
were one of the most popular. Allowing people to see them
up close and see them swimming and enacting natural
behaviours is so important.” While people remain fascinated
by giant reptiles, they will always have an appeal to private
keepers. It is therefore vitally important that a balance
is struck between inspiring budding conservationists
with educational outreach and providing the very best
husbandry practices for these animals in captivity. This is not
strictly limited to zoological institutions and Exotics Keeper
Magazine will be covering the ambitious task of keeping
giant reptiles in private collections in an upcoming issue.
NOVEMBER 2022
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A royal python expressing climbing behaviour

NOVEMBER 2022 13
 Species Spotlight
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
The wonderful world of exotic animals
Prickly gecko
(Heteronotia binoei)
Heteronotia binoei is a species of small, slender-bodied
gecko from Australia. It is a highly adaptable species,
occurring across most of the country including urban
areas of Western Australia. This species is one of very
few which reproduce parthenogenically, making them an
excellent breeding project for beginner hobbyists and
businesses alike.
Sometimes referred to as ‘Bynoe’s gecko’, the species
gets its name from British naturalist, Benjamin Bynoe
who was a naval surgeon on the HMS Beagle. This
species, although nocturnal, can make an interesting
observation animal. They will flicker their tails to
communicate and when hunting. They also have well-
developed vocal cords and can be heard clicking and
calling throughout the night. Customers should be
made aware that they can be extremely noisy and as a
parthenogenic species will require consistent rehoming
of offspring.
14
The prickly gecko can be found in a variety of habitats
from arid deserts to tropical forests. This makes them an
extremely hardy species and an excellent beginner species
for those looking for a “hands-off” lizard. A 45cm cubed
vivarium would happily house a pair of these lizards but a
larger enclosure may be beneficial once they begin to lay
eggs. Zone 2 UV lighting should be provided. An overhead
heat source should also be provided to produce a basking
spot of around 32°C. Although they will not frequently bask,
a flood spot or CHE will allow for natural thermoregulating.
There are currently no recognised subspecies of H. binoei
(although island populations may eventually prove distinct),
so providing a deep layer of arid substrate such as Bio Life
Desert, alongside plenty of cork bark and slate, should
provide a naturalistic setup that encompasses most of the
species’ range. A bioactive setup would also work extremely
well for these small lizards who will actively shelter amongst
snake plants and cacti. Humidity should be kept reasonably
low at around 50%, though irregular spraying will help
create beneficial fluctuations and simulate wild conditions. A
varied diet of suitably sized insect prey should be provided
a few times a week.
NOVEMBER 2022

FISH SCIENCE
With Dr David Pool
heat germ-rich foods have always been popular
W amongst koi enthusiasts as the winter months
approach. Japanese koi keepers have used these
foods for generations and hobbyists across the world
have followed suit. In many cases, the reason hobbyists
transition to a ‘winter diet’ goes unquestioned as the
results speak for themselves. However, there is a rich
science behind the importance of ‘wheat germ’ foods as
temperatures begin to cool.
What is wheat germ?
Wheat germ is the name given to a small part of the
wheat seed. It is the part of the seed that germinates
(hence the name) and allows the wheat plant to start
growing. The wheat germ is surrounded by the rest of
the seed, which provides the initial food source for the
growing seedling. To use this food source, the wheat
germ has to be rich in certain vitamins, minerals and
essential fatty acids and proteins.
The benefits of wheat germ to Koi
• The rich and concentrated nutrients contained within
wheat germ have many benefits when consumed by koi.
For example, wheat germ is rich in:
• Vitamin E - This vitamin is important for protecting
cell membranes, allowing the effective use of fats and
improving the overall health and vigour of Koi. It is also
important for the development of the reproductive
organs and therefore benefits the fertility of the fish.
• Vitamin C - Essential for the efficient use of other
nutrients and skeletal formation. In combination with
vitamin E, it helps koi overcome problems associated
with stress.
• Fatty acids – The important fatty acids contained within
wheat germ are used to form the cell walls, improve the
digestion of other nutrients and as a storable energy
source. Wheat germ is particularly rich in linoleic acid,
which is essential for tissue repair.
• Amino acids – Wheat germ contains Lysine, an important
component of the diet to allow tissue repair and
formation as well as aiding the immune system.
• Wheat germ, as an ingredient in a balanced nutritional
food, has important benefits to people as well as koi.
Health food stores have recognized these benefits to
humans and sell large amounts of wheat germ in a
variety of different forms.
NOVEMBER 2022
Title
Winter feeding for Koi
The nutritional requirements of koi vary considerably
throughout the year, hence the need for different diets. For
example, protein is necessary for growth, but can only be
used at warm water temperatures (over 15°C). Therefore,
in summer, we feed a high-protein food because the koi
can use the protein to grow. Whereas, in winter, a lower
protein food is sufficient because the koi are less active
and not increasing in size.
Feeding protein-rich foods at low temperatures can
even harm koi. Below approximately 10°C few if any of
the proteins will be used for growth. Some may be used
inefficiently to produce energy for movement etc, but the
majority will pass straight through the fish. The resultant
protein-rich waste can have adverse effects on the water
quality as it decomposes.
In addition, the digestion of proteins into amino acids starts
at the front of the intestine where the enzyme Pepsin gets to
work. Pepsin works best in acidic conditions where the pH
is 1.5 to 2. If a koi consumes a diet rich in protein and then
the water temperature drops, the acidic stomach conditions,
together with raised levels of Pepsin, can remain in the early
intestine for a prolonged period. This can expose the koi to
the risk of stomach ulceration and future infection.
To avoid these two problems, many koi keepers simply
stop feeding their fish when the water temperature falls
below 10°C. The theory is that the fish can obtain what little
nutrition they require from within the pond and from their
stored food reserves. Whilst this may be a possibility in a
natural, planted pond, there is unlikely to be sufficient food
in a koi pond. The fish would therefore have to rely on stored
reserves in the form of fat and muscle tissue. Not feeding
over a 3 – 4 month winter period would lead to the koi being
thinner and weaker in the spring, and consequently more
susceptible to disease attack later in the year.
Information for keepers
Koi should be fed during the winter. It is an important
aspect of koi care and can help to keep them healthy
and allow them to overcome the dangers of spring. The
food should be vegetable based with a good wheat germ
content. This will ensure the fish can utilize it as effectively
as possible. As with all feeding, keepers mustn’t overfeed –
a few sticks or pellets per fish is sufficient.
15
 Title

AN INTRODUCTION TO
PEACOCK KEEPING
How to perfect peacock husbandry with Sussanne Chambers from Peacocks UK.

Indian blue (Pavo cristatus)

16 NOVEMBER 2022
 Title

NOVEMBER 2022 17
 An Introduction to Peacock Keeping

P
eafowl were first bred in China as ornamental
birds some 4,000 years ago and later introduced
to Europe where they were considered a delicacy.
The birds, originally from South Asia were exported and
frequently bred by various cultures including the Romans,
Mesopotamians, and Phoenicians. Nowadays, they are still
frequently kept, but usually for sheer appreciation of their
outstanding beauty. Even though peacocks are instantly
recognisable, there are a lot of things the average person
might not know about these flamboyant birds.

Species and varieties

There are three species of peafowl. The Congo peafowl
(Afropavo congensis) is a threatened species found only
in the Congo Basin. Its unique appearance distinguishes it
from the Asian species, as it does not have extremely long
tail feathers but sports an impressive iridescent green/
blue plumage. The remaining two instantly recognisable
species are the Indian blue (Pavo cristatus) and the green
peafowl (Pavo muticus). The Indian blue peafowl can
be found across the Indian subcontinent and the green
peafowl, across Southeast Asia as far South as Java. Like
many species found across archipelagos, the green
peafowl has several subspecies, P. muticus spicifer P.
muticus imperator and P. muticus muticus. Both blue and
green peafowl prefer open deciduous woodland habitats,
which has prompted the IUCN to list the green peacock as
‘endangered’ due to habitat degradation.
Although green (often referred to as ‘Java’ peafowl) are
often available in the world of peafowl keeping, extensive
captive breeding of the Indian blue peacock has now
created a myriad of popular breeds and colour mutations.
The United Peafowl Association lists 225 breeds of
peafowl, however, most of these breeds are not available
within the UK.
In 2011, Peacocks UK in Worcestershire imported the first
rare breed peacocks to the UK. These breeds included
Purple, Opal, Burford Bronze, Silver Pied, Cameo and
White-eyed. Sussanne Chambers, Founder of Peacocks UK
and known by many as the ‘Peacock Lady’ explains: “The
breeds which are most popular within the UK are the
traditional ones such as the Indian Blue. This is the peacock
most people have seen wandering around when they visit

18 NOVEMBER 2022

Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis)
stately homes. However, the Black Shouldered peacock is
very similar and some people think they are more beautiful.
The male has a similar neck and tail to the Indian Blue,
but the shoulders are iridescent black and stunning in the
sunlight. The Black Shouldered peahens are cream and
brown, which is also very pretty. Pure white peacocks, are
also very popular. All these breeds are mutations of the
traditional Indian Blue peacock.”  navy of the Opal and the stunning khaki and gold of
Breeders have also cross-bred the black-shouldered and
the Java green peafowl, to produce a breed known as the
‘Spalding peafowl’. These are larger birds, with striking
colouration that combines the iridescent colours of both
species. Even the peahens exhibit a good amount of
green iridescence in their plumage. As well as various
domesticated breeds, new genetic mutations have
produced some stunning pied varieties. ‘Pied’ generally
NOVEMBER 2022
An Introduction to Peacock Keeping
refers to a lack of pigment in some but not all of the
animal's body creating patches of white with accents of
greens and blues.
Sussanne continued: “For people looking for something
a little more unusual, the subtle café o lait colours of the
Cameo, the discreet grey with its flashes of emerald and
Burford Bronze peacocks are very alluring. The Silver Pied
peacock is a combination of white, with the blue neck of
the Indian Blue and silver and grey. The purple peacock
has a purple neck and purple eyes within its tail. These rare
breeds are now available in the UK through the creation of
ethical breeding programmes.”
Peacock keeping is becoming increasingly popular and
thus, rare breeds are becoming increasingly more available.
19
 Green peafowl (Pavo muticus)
Care and keeping
Peacocks have been kept in the UK for centuries. Often
seen patrolling the grounds of large estates, they are often
considered symbols of wealth and grandeur. However,
peacock keeping is becoming increasingly more popular
in rural communities and is no longer restricted to the
upper classes.
Peacocks have very similar care requirements to
other members of the Phasianidae family, including
exotic pheasants and turkeys. There are generally two
approaches to caring for these birds. Some opt for
‘free-range’ birds, while others build aviaries. Either way,
an enclosure with a covered area is necessary to house
peachicks and acclimatise the birds into a free-roaming
lifestyle. Sussanne explains: “Originally peacocks were
brought to the UK by the landed gentry from their grand
tour to adorn their estates. Now, however, peacock keeping
is not just for people with a large estate and acres of land.
Peacocks UK is one of the largest breeders of peafowl
within the UK. Sussanne Chambers is a recognised UK
peafowl expert and regularly comments on peafowl on
radio and TV. Sussanne also appears in film with her
peacocks, including appearances in Bridgerton and
House of the Dragon. Visit www.peacocksuk.com to
find out more.
20
A large garden is a sufficient space to comfortably keep
and enjoy peafowl." 
Peacocks have their own territories which may cover
a garden or neighbouring garden, but in countryside
areas with plenty of green space, peafowl can be kept
successfully, provided they are given a secure shelter
to roost that protects them from weather extremes and
predators.
"Peacocks are one of the world’s largest flying
birds" Sussanne added. "But it is a bit of an effort for them
to fly due to their weight, a full-grown male will weigh on
average 5.5 KG! Peacocks like to fly up to a landing place
and then fly back down, they rarely fly for fun.”
“If you are planning on keeping peacocks, you will usually
need to do some preparation beforehand, even if the new
keepers would like to have their peacocks roaming free
range. Initially, they will need to be kept in a pen or aviary
for two to three months. During this homing period, it is
important that the peacocks can see their surroundings
so that they get an impression of the lay of the land and
where their home is. Over time, the peafowl will get used to
their new keepers and their surroundings. When it is time
to release the peacocks, it is important to take it slowly.
Initially, just one peahen or peacock should be released,
leaving the others in the pen. As peafowl hate to be alone,
they will hang around the pen where the other birds are still
situated. Ideally, if you can get the first released bird back
NOVEMBER 2022

into the pen then you can release the next bird, leaving
the originally released peacock in the pen. Even when the
peacocks have been released it is important to still care
for them by providing access to food and fresh water.
Peacocks can be trained to return to the pen in an evening
to keep them safe.”
Peafowl should have access to a secure ‘homing’ aviary for
the rest of their lives. Although they will happily roost on
high perches which may be safe from predators, foxes will
attack nesting females on the ground. Furthermore, the
aviary will provide respite on cold, or rainy days which can
lead to health complications or death in less-hardy varieties.    Although not everyone will have access to a garden large
In the wild, peafowl will scavenge for insects, worms, seeds,
and plant matter. As pets, they should be fed a good
quality game feed which has a high protein content. As
well as a staple diet of commercial game feed, they should
receive treats in the form of peanuts, mealworms, fruit and
vegetables, cheese and scrambled eggs. The health of a
peacock is demonstrated in the mature male peacock’s tail.
The healthier the peacock, the more feathers he will have
and the larger the 'eyes' within the tail will be. Food types
can also be adjusted throughout the year for optimal health.
Sussanne continued: “Peacocks are
very sociable birds and love to
NOVEMBER 2022
An Introduction to Peacock Keeping
live in groups. Many people keep trios of one male and
two peahens. While others prefer the prettier combination
of two pairs. Preferably of differing colours. If space
and budget allow, then a larger group of a combination
of breeds will form an attractive addition to any
garden.” Some considerations must be made once winter
arrives, to protect the peafowl from harsh weather. These
birds prefer a dry environment and so it is important
to encourage all birds to go inside at night during the
winter. Additional heating lamps may be necessary for
Java green peafowl.
enough to house a group of peafowl, their straightforward
care requirements mean that space limitations is the only
major husbandry obstacle that most people will face.
However, in some rural communities, peacocks can be a
nuisance. They are loud birds that are unlikely to receive
a warm welcome in densely populated neighbourhoods.
However, this only lasts for a short period during the
breeding season which usually lasts from March to July.
There are also methods of quelling the peacock’s loud calls
by adjusting their daylight cycles. Peacocks will typically call
at sunrise and throughout the day, so by keeping them in
darker buildings until later in the morning, the
keeper can reduce the amount of
time they are calling.  
21
 Title
Javan green peafowl (Pavo muticus)
Breeding Peacocks
Although peacocks can breed
readily on their own given the right
conditions, a few dedicated breeders
are producing birds for the growing
demand. By spending some time
perfecting the formula for more
obscure species and maintaining a
personal log to produce healthy colour
mutations, there is likely to be a much
more diverse selection of peacock
breeds available in the UK in the
coming years. Sussanne added: “The
Java as a breed is more flighty and
easier to upset, they also take longer to
settle into breeding groups. To ensure
a successful breeding season we like to
get the Java pen set up in November
/ December time. This gives the birds
longer to get used to their breeding
group and to settle in.”  the breeding season, which generally
“Java peafowl are early layers, and we
consequently increase the protein in
their diet earlier than the other peafowl
breeds. In January, the birds go onto
22
Game Breeder feed with added protein
from cat biscuits. The birds are also
wormed earlier than the rest of the
flock. It is so important to get the Java
peafowl into peak physical condition
before the breeding season. The
healthier the peafowl is, the healthier
the chicks will be.”
Peacocks UK sells many peafowl eggs
for hobbyists to raise the chicks right
from the egg. Peafowl hatch rates
are poor compared to chicken hatch
rates, but can be greatly improved
by incubating them under a broody
hen. By selling eggs to customers
with hens, there is a much higher
rate of successful incubation. This
also allows Peacocks UK to ensure
a steady supply of eggs throughout
lasts from April until August. The
chicks that are hatched are reared for
at least 6 weeks before being moved
onto their new homes. Until then, the
chicks are extremely vulnerable to cold
temperatures and require powerful
artificial heating. This artificial heat is
needed for the first few months of a
peachick's life until the chicks develop
their downy feathers to keep them
warm. This is significantly longer than a
chicken or a duck, which only requires
artificial heat for around 4-6 weeks.
Peachicks must also be transported in
heated vehicles as any cold draft could
seriously impact the birds’ health.
Peacock popularity
Peacock keeping has seen a rise in
popularity in recent years. “During the
pandemic, at Peacocks UK we saw an
increased number of peacocks moving
to new homes” added Sussanne. “This
was possibly because people were
spending more time at home in their
gardens. Also, new potential owners
had time to prepare the infrastructure
required for peacocks to be kept safely
in their new homes. Anyone in the UK
can choose to keep peacocks, there
NOVEMBER 2022

are no licences required by the UK
government for keeping or moving
peacocks.”
Although peacocks are likely to remain
on the fringe of exotics keeping due
to their large space requirements,
NOVEMBER 2022
their striking appearance and regal
nature will undoubtedly perpetuate
their appeal for many years to come.
Sussanne concluded: “Peacocks will
enhance any garden and they are
amusing pets to keep and will become
a much-loved part of the family!”
23
DID Title
YOU
KNOW
Peacocks can swim.
Although they have almost
no adaptions to an aquatic
lifestyle and typically
inhabit dry forests in
the wild, several videos
of peacocks swimming
alongside waterfowl in
ponds and lakes have
surfaced in recent years.
Even though peafowl are
the world’s largest flying
birds and typically roost in
trees, they will always nest
on the ground.
Every year, just after
breeding season, peacocks
will shed all of their tail
feathers. The process takes
around two weeks and
these feathers will begin
growing back soon after.
A group of peacocks is
often called an ‘ostentation’
while a group of peahens
is called a ‘harem’. A group
of peacocks and peahens
is called a ‘party’.
ALL IN
A DAY’S WORK
The care and keeping of day geckos.

Giant Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma grandis)

24 NOVEMBER 2022
 Title

NOVEMBER 2022 25
 All in a Day’s Work

T
here are over 50 species of ‘day gecko’
belonging to the Phelsuma genus. They are
brightly coloured lizards from the Gekkonidae
family and are found across Madagascar and the
neighbouring islands (Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion,
etc). Most Phelsuma species are neon green with vivid
blue and red patterns. As their name suggests, they
are diurnal, highly active lizards. These characteristics
make day geckos some of the most entertaining of all
pet lizards and have prompted hobbyists to keep and
breed a variety of species since the 1980s.

Species diversity
There is a lot of diversity within the Phelsuma genus.
The largest of the species, P. grandis or the ‘giant day
gecko’ can grow over a foot long, whereas the smallest, P.
klemmeri rarely exceeds 10cm. Of the 53 species
described at the time of writing, seven were newly
discovered in the last 20 years (and even more subspecies
have been named more recently). Many of these species
are sexually dimorphic. Males typically growing larger
than females and have distinct preano-femoral pores.
They are usually vibrant lizards but will quickly change
their colouration to become drabber if they are stressed.
Although some day geckos are very adaptable and
some thrive in human-inhabited areas, deforestation
in Madagascar threatens many Phelsuma species. This
is even more disastrous to island populations and has
directly caused the functional extinction of several species
within the last decade.
Not only do these lizards rely on delicate ecosystems, but
in many cases, the ecosystem also relies on them. Day
geckos are active seed dispersers and pollinators. They
will feed heavily on fruits and nectar and patrol reasonably
large territories spreading these seeds across forests and
built-up areas. Their ability to adapt to human infrastructure
has brought many benefits from spreading wildflowers to
controlling mosquitos and other biting insects.
Phelsuma Farm
Simon Prentice is a UK-based day gecko breeder in
Somerset. He took on and developed Phelsuma Farm in
2015 from Toby Mace who had established the breeding
project in 1988. In 2019, Simon opened Phelsuma Farm
to the public for the first time, allowing visitors to view
his Phelsuma breeding centre and collection. Simon
told Exotics Keeper Magazine: “In the late ‘80’s and early
‘90’s, lineata, laticauda and grandis were commonly
imported and wild-caught specimens would frequently
show up at wholesalers and shops. This was with good
reason – these species are the most abundant, widespread
and adaptable of the Phelsuma. Fortunately, in one
respect, this is no longer the case – Madagascan export

26 NOVEMBER 2022

Neon day gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri)
restrictions mean that stressed,
parasite-laden wild animals are now
rarely available. Now, I’m mostly
focussing on high quality Phelsuma
`grandis, Phelsuma cepediana,
Phelsuma laticauda, Phelsuma
klemmeri and a few other species.”
Day care
Day geckos are extremely fragile
lizards and certainly not an ideal ‘pet’.
Even the largest species are basically
un-handleable. Like most lizards, day
geckos will drop their tails if they are
injured or restrained. Some species of
day geckos take this one step further.
Their soft and delicate skin can easily
tear and in the case of P. grandis (and
possibly several other species) chunks
of skin can be removed completely
NOVEMBER 2022
to help them evade predators. This
means that extra consideration must
be made to protect Phelsuma from
unnecessary trauma. Keepers have
reported anything from territorial
disputes to aggressive feeder
insects causing medically significant
damage to their geckos. Despite
this, their care requirements are
reasonably straightforward and
provided they are treated solely as an
‘observation’ lizard, almost all readily
available Phelsuma species are easily
maintained. They also make excellent
observation animals and for those
wishing to build a naturally planted
slice of the Malagasy rainforest, day
geckos are the perfect pet. Most day
geckos have been recorded to live up
to 20 years, with some of the larger
species living even longer.
All in a Day’s Work
The first decision that a keeper is likely
to make when selecting a day gecko
species, is the size of the enclosure
that they can provide. A trio of small
neon day geckos (P. klemmeri) will
happily live in a 30x30x60 terrarium.
A giant day gecko, however, should
ideally be housed in at least a 60 x 45
x 60cm glass terrarium. Whilst these
dimensions are logically based on the
size of the animals, the smallest species
often receive the largest enclosures
based purely on their unproblematic
cohabitation potential. Often,
keepers will house klemmeri with
poison frogs in very large bioactive
setups. Whilst a bit of maintenance is
required, these communities tend to
live amicably. Larger-bodied lizards
such as grandis are generally more
territorial, far more destructive and will
27
make more of a mess down the glass
surfaces so, are often kept in smaller
easier-to-manage enclosures. Neither
species are appropriate to handle
and therefore, it is important that the
keeper seriously considers which
species is right for them.    having full control over when to warm
Regardless of the size of the gecko,
broad-leaved plants are required to
give them places to hide. Smaller
geckos will benefit from thick-
stemmed plants such as peace lilies
(Spathiphylum), Sansevieria, and
spider plants (Chlorophytum), as
they can hide amongst the leaves.
Broad-leaved plants such as Monstera,
Epipremnum and Calathea will also
provide valuable basking spots for
larger species and create visual
barriers for smaller co-habiting species.
Another useful piece of décor is
bamboo. Some species have been
recorded only on dead or decaying
bamboo. Whether this is because it
may attract more insects, or because
the darker colouration provides
more heat, or simply that it’s easier to
navigate remains a mystery. However,
bamboo plays a fundamental role in
the lives of smaller species such as
klemmeri. It is extremely practical in
a vivarium setting and can provide
shelter for smaller species as well
as provide basking platforms for all
arboreal geckos. Clever positioning of
vertical bamboo branches will allow
the geckos to utilise possibly the most
important aspect of their enclosure,
zonal lighting.
28
Zonal lighting
Day geckos, unsurprisingly, need
good-quality, full spectrum lighting that
replicates the sun. Like all heliotherms,
they require external sources to
regulate their body temperature and
up or cool down is a requirement for
a lizard to stay healthy. In tropical,
arboreal setups a ‘zonal lighting’ model
is best applied. By adding overlapping,
vertical bamboo poles from the top of
the enclosure to the bottom, the gecko
can pick and choose just how close
they want to be to the light, without
grasping onto the mesh. This should
allow their entire body to receive the
necessary UV and IR in short bursts as
they require it, then move to a lower
branch to remain warm without such
high radiation exposure.
The use of a metal halide with a strong
reflector will produce a powerful beam
of light and heat which the animal can
move closer to and further away from.
This method of lighting will penetrate
deep into the enclosure, preventing
the animals from clustering around a
preferred basking spot which can lead to
aggression and stress. It is important to
remember metal halides cannot be used
with a thermostat, which means that
they are not suited to small enclosures.
Smaller enclosures require high output
T5 UVB light and a basking spot lamp
controlled by a dimming thermostat.
A high output T5 can also be a great
investment for keepers who are looking
to light several smaller vivariums.
Where possible, the keeper should
provide seasonality in their lighting.
“Gradually changing the daylight
cycle for a couple of months will halt
mating and give breeding females a
chance to rest and recuperate” explains
Simon. “A couple of degrees ambient
temperature drop during the rest
season, followed by a return to the
slightly warmer ambient temperature
should trigger mating behaviours as a
new season starts.” New technologies
in herpetoculture can be of serious
benefit to day gecko keepers. Not
only do they provide more accurate
environmental conditions, but they can
also give the keeper far more freedom.
Simon continued: “Keepers must use
the very best UVB light units and full
spectrum LED lights for their setups. I
would also recommend people move
towards smart technologies. Day
geckos require excellent photoperiods,
so a wifi thermostat such as a
Microclimate Evo Connected will make
things much easier for the keeper.
Breeders should also consider setting
up motion detection sensors in their
incubators with notifications on phone
apps. This is useful and gives the
keeper up-to-date information as well
as reducing the risk of an escapee.”
In case of escape
Day geckos are fast-moving, fragile
animals that can scale just about any
surface. An escapee is a serious cause
for concern. The keeper should always
locate the position of the animal before
NOVEMBER 2022

opening the door to the enclosure. The keeper should
place their hands in front of the glass once the animal is
located, to discourage it from accelerating forwards (which
can certainly take people by surprise). However, it is not
always that simple. Having kept and maintained hundreds
of geckos in his time, Simon is no stranger to the odd
escapee. He advises: “First, stay calm. This happens to the
very best day gecko keepers. Smooth body movements
will have a calming effect and the keeper should avoid
sudden movements or noises. It is best to move only
your eyes to scan for the lizard. Next, get someone else
to keep an eye on the gecko while you reach for a long
bamboo cane and an empty cricket tub. Close any open
windows and doors. Once the room is secure, try to use
the thin bamboo cane to coax the gecko to an open
area of the wall and away from any nooks and crannies.
Quietly, smoothly and confidently place the tub over the
gecko taking care not to catch the gecko’s tail. If this does
happen and the gecko drops part of its tail don’t panic as
this will cause further stress to the animal. Finally, carefully
slide the cricket tub lid under the tub, so the gecko is
safely captured and ready to be returned to its enclosure.”
“The longer the chase continues, the greater the stress
to the animal. You will need to learn when to leave it
be and when to try later. Day geckos can learn the best
hiding spots in the room and the longer it is left, the more
confident and cunning the animal will become. If the
recapture process lasts longer than a day, it is important to
make sure there is a water source and food available and
all doors and windows are kept closed.”   always quite rightly want to see photos of the geckos
Breeding day geckos
Although some species of day geckos have been popular
in captivity for many years, some obstacles make captive-
breeding a challenging prospect. This has impacted
and pre-determined the availability of many species in
captivity. “The species from mainland Madagascar tend
to be easier to work with as a breeder as they tend to be
egg-layers” explains Simon. “Species such as giant day
geckos (P. grandis), gold dust day geckos (P. laticauda),
neon day geckos (P. klemmeri) and the lined day gecko
(P. lineata) are all very popular for this reason. The more
obscure species from the islands in the Indian Ocean such
NOVEMBER 2022
All in a Day’s Work
as the Mauritian blue-tailed day gecko (P. cepediana) and
the Mauritian lowland forest day gecko (P. guimbeaui) are
often egg-gluers.”
Egg-glueing species produce eggs that can stick firmly
to different surfaces and are very hard to dislodge. It
is impossible to guarantee exactly where the eggs will
be laid, meaning some eggs will never make it into the
incubator and leave the hatchlings vulnerable to other
hungry geckos. Egg layers, on the other hand, support
their eggs until the exterior shell hardens up. Not only
are egg-layers easier to work with, but if the breeder can
transfer the eggs into an incubator, they can determine
the sex of the offspring. Naturally, this allows them to fulfil
demand and support their own breeding collections with
more success.
Simon continued: “Those who are breeding egg-glueing
species should always provide removable egg-laying items
(such as floral tubes) that can be moved into an incubator.
Some breeders will glue some mesh around the egg-
laying sites to protect hatchlings from the parents. Some
people will leave the eggs to hatch in-situ and simply catch
the babies before their parents devour them.”
The challenges presented by breeding large numbers
of day geckos, when compared to other popular gecko
species can be seriously off-putting for most hobbyists. At
Phelsuma Farm, there are many other issues presented by
breeding obscure and unique day gecko species. “Buyers
they are buying” added Simon. “Try catching a good clear
picture of a Phelsuma ornata or a Phelsuma cepediana,
without the photo being blurred or the gecko escaping.
It’s not easy. This makes the whole process of buying and
selling day geckos a little more difficult than some other
more easily handled and photographed species.”
“These things being said, the complexities and difficulties
of breeding some of the more exotic Phelsuma day
geckos are far outweighed by the experience of catching
a glimpse of a Phelsuma borbonica, Phelsuma ornata,
Phelsuma guimbeaui, Phelsuma inexpectata, or a Phelsuma
robertmertensi. These to me are some of the most
stunningly beautiful geckos on the planet.”
29
 All in a Day’s Work
POPULAR DAY GECKOS
IN CAPTIVITY
Giant Madagascar Day Gecko
Phelsuma grandis
The giant Madagascar day gecko is the largest of
the Phelsuma species. Previously considered a subspecies
of Phelsuma madagascariensis, grandis is now thought to
only inhabit a very small distribution in North Madagascar.
Like its relatives P. madagascariensis and P. kochi, this
species inhabits a variety of environments from deciduous
forests to banana plantations and rainforests. Because of
their adaptability, there are now populations on Reunion
and Mauritius as well as in Florida and Hawaii. These
animals will begin life with lots of elaborate red patterns
across their dorsum but eventually, grow into an almost
uniform green lizard with some spots and facial markings.
Males can quickly turn aggressive towards females and
must be housed individually.
Peacock day gecko
Phelsuma quadriocellata
The peacock day gecko is a common species from the
lowland coastal forests of East Madagascar. There are three
distinct subspecies, and all possess large dark spots on both
sides of their body, which look like the eyes of a peacock
feather. Some subspecies have two spots, while others have
four. Genetic work on the populations in the Ranomofana
region suggest that P. quadriocellata may be a species
complex and there could be many more species to identify
in the future. They are commonly found in mid-altitude
rainforests, which is uncommon for a Phelsuma species.
30
Gold dust day gecko
Phelsuma laticauda
Gold dust day geckos are widely distributed across North
Madagascar where they are abundant in high-humidity
regions. They are very adaptable and considered one
of the hardiest of the Phelsuma species in captivity. This
species is medium-sized, widely available in captivity and
exhibits many of the desirable traits of a day gecko. They
are well-natured lizards and in the wild and will often
become ‘tame’ as they enter peoples homes to feed on
leftover fruits and the associated insects. They typically
eat more insects than other species and can be more
territorial than their smaller counterparts. The term ‘gold
dust’ refers to their golden dorsum patterns.
Lined day gecko
Phelsuma lineata
The lined day gecko is a widespread and abundant
species that occupies the tropical climates of Eastern
Madagascar. As such, there are numerous subspecies that
have been described. Those from drier regions are much
drabber than those from rainforests. The term ‘lined’ refers
to the dark line that runs down their flanks. All subspecies
are reasonably small, rarely exceeding 15cm in length.
They are very adaptable and therefore, make excellent
pets. However, availability of this species (and subsequent
subspecies) has diminished greatly in recent years.
NOVEMBER 2022

Standing’s day gecko
Phelsuma standingi
Far less popular now than they were in the 1990s, this
species from Southwest Madagascar has intricate patterns
across its entire body. It is considered a vulnerable species,
Blue-tailed day gecko
Phelsuma cepediana
P. cepediana is one of the more popular species from
Mauritius. Their striking blue appearance makes it one
of the most beautiful gecko species in the world and
although they are challenging to breed in large numbers,
NOVEMBER 2022
All in a Day’s Work
with unregulated collection and deforestation as the
primary driving forces for its decline. Juveniles are born
with strong banding that covers their green/blue base
colouration. As the lizard ages, this banding breaks up into
an almost reticulated pattern. Like many Phelsuma species,
they are listed under CITES Annex II.
dedicated hobbyists have been working with this gem
for some time. Although they are commonly referred
to as ‘blue-tailed’ day geckos, they can go through
ontogenetical colour changes depending on their activity
levels and mood. This species is also the sole seed
disperser of Roussea simplex and therefore plays a pivotal
role in the ecology of Mauritius.
31
32 NOVEMBER 2022
 Title

SPACE
HOPPERS
Captive breeding the starry night reed frogs

by Tim Baker, LVI Lead Keeper at Drayton Manor

NOVEMBER 2022 33
 Space Hoppers

T
he starry night reed frog (Heterixalus alboguttatus) is one of
the larger species of Heterixalus with females growing up to
around 40mm SVL and males a little smaller at 30mm SVL.
They are quite variable in background colour from pale yellow/
white through to blueish hues or dark purple-black. Variation
seems somewhat dependent on temperature, light levels and
time of day. Throughout these variable colours, they retain the
yellow and black dorsal speckles. The ventral colouration is
white/cream and the feet and lower limbs are orange. They occur
in the East and South-East of Madagascar in low-mid elevation
savannah, grasslands, degraded habitat and agricultural areas.
They can be found sunning themselves in the day on exposed
leaves, and at night they use a multitude of perching to hunt and
locomote in their environment. This species breeds in small water
bodies such as ponds and paddy fields. Considering their body
size, they are capable of laying a surprisingly large number of
eggs amongst sunken twigs and leaves, the details of which I’ll
revisit later.

At Drayton Manor Zoo over the past 6 years, we have been
working towards diversifying our herpetofauna collection
which now stands at 64 species, of which 23 species
are Madagascan. We chose the Starry night reed frog at
Drayton Manor Zoo to increase species diversity in one of
our otherwise conservation-focussed Madagascan-themed
exhibits, holding critically endangered Golden Mantella
(Mantella aurantiaca) and endangered Yellow-headed
day gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri). It has so far worked out
well, providing a diverse mixed exhibit that works for the
species housed and for the interested viewing public.  The substrate provides the frogs with an option to burrow
Creating the perfect reed frog setup
The Starry night reed frogs at Drayton Manor are housed with
Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) and Yellow-headed
day geckos (Phelsuma klemmeri). Since the exhibit was
created over a year ago, there have been no apparent issues
with this set-up. The exhibit is around 150cm3 with numerous
microhabitats provided by Madagascan ferns and reeds.
Complex rockwork and bamboo provide lots of crevices for
refugia and egg-laying sites, and a deep substrate with lots
of leaf litter helps regulate relative humidity within the exhibit.

34 NOVEMBER 2022
away during the drier seasons too. Creating a successful
mixed exhibit can come with its challenges and we are very
careful in the decision-making process to avoid any potential
issues such as predation or resource dominancy. Where we
can, we like to create mixed exhibits that are accurate to the
geographic region for the flora and fauna in them, so in this
example, we have Malagasy flora and fauna mixed in a way
that suits all the inhabitants but also is a great way of creating
an informative biotope for guests when they visit. It allows
them to learn about not only each species, but their natural
history, ecology and relationships they share with other
species from the natural habitat.  was a consideration here too.
NOVEMBER 2022
We have a mixture of plants in the exhibit, and we have
tried choosing Madagascan plants where possible, to
ensure they are relevant to the ecology and habitat of the
species present. We have a fast-growing Madagascan
sedge plant that the reed frogs like to rest on in the day, as
well as some broader leaved plants like Madagascan stags
horn ferns that act as daytime refugia and basking areas.
There is lots of moss and low-lying ferns growing on the
ground, which provides lay sites for the Mantella. The dead
bamboo is what the Phelsuma klemmeri live on in the wild,
and apparently are never found on the live bamboo so this
35
Developing tadpoles
When we create mixed exhibits, we must ensure the
presence of one species is not going to negatively
impact another to make it successful. So, in doing this,
we consider; useable space- is there enough space
for all individuals to live, thermoregulate, feed, and
locomote separately and all together? There needs to be a
consideration for multiple, suitable, relevant microhabitat
provisions for each species/individual and preferably
each species within the enclosure occupies a separate
niche to minimise resource competition/dominancy.
Is there a size difference between species? Is there a
predation risk? Are the climatic conditions suitable and
relevant to all inhabitants, and not that conditions are
optimum for one and ‘acceptable’ for another? We also
consider the geographic accuracy of mixing species to
make it informative for guests but also generally means if
you are mixing sympatric species or species from similar
habitats, in most cases, they require very similar climatic
conditions and occupy different niches. Some of the
other Malagasy mixed species exhibits we have done at
Drayton include leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus henkeli)
with tomato frogs (Dyscophus guineti), radiated tortoises
(Astrochelys radiata) with spiny-tailed iguanas (Oplurus
cyclurus), day geckos (Phelsuma kochi) with giant water
skinks (Amphiglossus reticulatus), and ground geckos
(Paroedura pictus) with three-eyed iguanas (Chalarodon
madagascariensis) and girdled lizards (Tracheloptychus
petersii), to name a few.  breeding stimulation. In summer, it can get to 30-35C in
36
A female reed frog about to spawn
Environmental conditions
Reed frogs, geckos and Mantella all occupy different
niches within the exhibit and therefore rarely interact
with one another (aside from the odd time a reed frog
bounces down in front of a Mantella to take the food it
was about to eat…but providing enough food is provided,
this has never been an issue over time). The geckos
usually occupy pieces of dead bamboo, higher up in the
enclosure, as they would in the wild. They live amongst
the cracks and crevices within the bamboo and this is
where the eggs are laid, basking sites are found, and
where the refugia are. The gecko eggs have so far, been
incubated in situ. The Mantella live and breed amongst
the leaf litter and moss within the enclosure at ground
level. The reed frogs utilise the whole enclosure but are
most active at night. During the day they are resting and
therefore rarely interfere with other cohabitants. At night
they are awake, moving around the enclosure hunting.
They are small enough to not pose a risk to the other
species in the enclosure and seem to live alongside them
without incident. There is also a densely planted pond at
the rear, that allows the frogs to swim and hydrate, and
also probably helps to maintain ambient humidity levels.
Temperatures and relative humidity during the day and
night vary throughout the year to replicate what occurs
in the wild habitat in Madagascar. There is a drier, cooler
season followed by a warmer wetter season which aids
NOVEMBER 2022

The Madagascar exhibit at Drayton Manor
the upper levels of the exhibit and
25-27C in the lower areas, whereas
in the cooler season it may drop to
12-17C in the lower areas and 20-30C
in the higher areas. Humidity is always
higher at night than during the day, as
it would be naturally in the wild and
this aids passive hydration. In the drier
seasons, it can drop to 40-50% during
the day and in the wetter seasons,
it's usually 70-80% during the day.
The Heterixalus appear to need this
prolonged dry period to generate
eggs, as with regular spraying/higher
humidity, they tend not to generate
eggs in my experience.  tank base. I mounted the spray bar to
Stars in their eyes
Back when we initially acquired this
species, we got 2.2 young adults (two
males and two females). The enclosure
was a simply designed Exo-terra glass
terrarium measuring 45x45x60cm,
with no substrate, potted plants and
thin branches for perching. This design
allowed us to maintain good hygiene
levels and also the opportunity to
NOVEMBER 2022
periodically flood the base of the
tank in future. We kept them like this
off exhibit for an isolation period in
line with our in-house biosecurity
measures during which time they
were kept quite dry, and I noticed the
females were getting particularly ‘full’
with eggs, becoming visibly rotund.
You could see the eggs through the
skin laterally in front of the hindlimbs.
At this point, they were out of isolation
and I set up a simple closed-system
rain chamber with a small pond pump,
some piping and a spray bar mounted
below the roof mesh and flooded the
rain on around 50% of the furnishings
and left the rain on constantly. By
doing this, the frogs had a choice to
avoid the rain and dry off if needed-
this is something to consider because
I have since noticed they are quite
prone to bacterial skin issues if they
are constantly wet in rain chambers
for prolonged periods. Although
we never observed any calling or
amplexus, by the third morning of rain,
the frogs had spawned. Based on the
Title
quantity of spawn, we assumed both
females had spawned- until we found
one female still very big and hadn’t
spawned. We had 11 separate clumps
of eggs sunken below water level,
anchored to sunken twigs, leaves, and
other décor. Each clump had around
20-30 eggs and we experienced an
estimated >95% fertility rate. Eggs
were mostly uniform black colour, and
some were 50:50 white:black. Some
of the white:black eggs developed,
but some were infertile. All the black
eggs developed. Development in
this species is fast! Eggs hatch within
5-10 days and the tadpoles consume
the remaining infertile egg and jelly
mass. This immediate consumption
of infertile eggs makes it difficult to
calculate exactly how many were
infertile, but in total, we hatched over
300 tadpoles. We set up water tanks
with a temperature of around 20C but
after some initial losses, we increased
the temperature to 24C. We took a
little bit of time experimenting with
what the tadpoles enjoyed feeding
on, and through this, we had some
37
 Space Hoppers
A newly metamorphosed froglet
cannibalism of tadpoles by other, stronger tadpoles.
We believe this should be avoidable in future with the
correct food items available from hatching. In the end,
they fed well on cucumber, natural algae growth in the
tank, fish flake, spirulina, tree bark and magnolia leaves.
Water parameters (NO2: 0, NO3: 0-50, GH: 14, KH: 6-10,
pH 6.8-7.2, Cl:0) were maintained by regular daily water
changes and waste removal, as well as feeding little and
often up to 5x daily. The tadpoles were raised together
in a 60L tub that was heated by fish tank heaters and
maintained at 24C with a few degrees drop at night.
Under these conditions, development was fast, the
tadpole stage took around 70 days.  maintain humid microclimates within the enclosure. Also, a
We were surprised at how much food the tadpoles ate,
the appetite was seemingly insatiable. In comparison,
a similar quantity of Red-eyed tree frog (Agalychis
callidryas) tadpoles may consume 50-75% less food than
the Heterixalus within a set time. It is impressive how many
eggs come out of such a tiny frog species. The females
are so swollen before spawning that they look more like
tomato frogs than tree frogs.  bacterial issues.
Once the tadpoles had popped all four legs, they
were removed from the main tank into smaller shallow
dishes to morph out into small containment tanks. The
containment tanks had damp paper towels and moss to
aid in hydration retention. Once the froglets had absorbed
all their tails, they were transferred into planted 45cm3
glass terraria with soil, leaf litter and moss. The froglets
had large appetites just like the tadpoles and fed well
on pinhead crickets and fruit flies within 24hrs of the tail
being absorbed. I have heard of smaller metamorphs
having to be started on springtails, but we did not have
this issue and the variation may be due to differing tadpole
38
husbandry. After around 6 months, the froglets were of a
subadult size and some of the frogs we bred are now on
exhibit with the rest of the adults. In total, we morphed
around 200 froglets and they all survived to adulthood. We
now have a nice group of 23 adults on exhibit, of mixed
sexes and bloodlines, and the rest were moved to other
zoological institutions in the UK. This species is rarely bred
in both zoos and private collections, so it’s been really
good to expand the holding in captivity. 
Wild research
I travelled to Madagascar in 2017 and saw this species
in Ranomafana village, which for any keen wildlife nerd,
is awesome. The Heterixalus were found breeding in a
reed-filled garden pond, with 4 - 5 other frog species.
We also saw them on nearby fence railings, and in some
dense riparian habitat that was just teeming with different
species of frogs of different sizes, colours and ages. I took
some temperature and UVI readings in the habitat, as well
as habitat photographs to inform any future husbandry for
various Malagasy species throughout the trip. All this data
has been used to inform the husbandry decisions we have
made at Drayton, alongside other published references
and online data.
Advice for private keeepers
Starry night reed frogs can be described a bit like Flubber
- they bounce from wall to wall with tireless energy and
are very good runners too. This means the keeper must
have their wits about them when entering the enclosure
to avoid escapes. They also seem to benefit from a choice
of microclimate. This way, they can choose to sit and bask
in the open air on top of a leaf or other solid surface, but
equally can reside in crevices or under leaf litter. Keepers
must be extremely vigilant on the cleanliness of the tank,
as bacterial issues can affect the frogs, especially in periods
of higher humidity. I’d always recommend live plants over
plastic. They are less of a harbour for bacteria and help
nicely planted tank is very aesthetically pleasing but it does
have to be functional for the animal before being pleasing
for the keeper. We keep 25 in a large enclosure, but I’d say
the highest density without affecting welfare and hygiene
would be 10-15 adults in a well-planted 60x45x60cm glass
terrarium. They certainly benefit from UVB exposure too.
At Drayton Manor, we keep ours within 0-3UVI and this
provision will also help the frogs stay on top of dermal
  
About the Author
Tim Baker is the Lead Lower Vertebrates and
Invertebrates (LVI) Keeper at Drayton Manor Zoo.
He has been keeping reptiles and amphibians since
2013. He works closely with species from Madagascar,
Pantanal, southern Africa and the deserts of south-
western USA to maintain a diverse collection of species
with a conservation interest.
NOVEMBER 2022
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NOVEMBER 2022 39
 Title

DRY FOODS, FORMULAS & SUPPLEMENTS

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Ideal for species which, in the wild, consume a significant amount of fruits and seeds
from oleaginous plants (genera Psittacus, Ara, Poicephalus).
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 Title

KEEPER BASICS:
ULTRAVIOLET
RADIATION AND
BIRD HEALTH

Keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)

NOVEMBER 2022 41
 Keeper Basics: Ultraviolet Radiation and Bird Health

B
irds are very closely related to reptiles. In fact,
turtles and crocodiles are more closely related
to birds than they are to lizards and snakes. We
understand that most reptiles need UVB for physiological
development and all reptiles will have some form of
relationship with the sun. Whilst we might not understand
this relationship completely, hobbyists still provide some
level of UV to ensure that they are not denying their
animals something which they would have access to
in the wild. We understand that amphibians, mammals
(including humans) and even invertebrates may benefit
from UV exposure. However, there are some polarising
views on the need to provide adequate UV for pet parrots.

Natural behaviours
Birds, particularly the brightly coloured parrots that
are most popular in the pet trade love the sun. From
budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) that cross huge
expanses of desert in some of the most sun-drenched
regions of Australia, to the toucans (Ramphastos sp.) that
sit atop the canopies of tropical forests in Central and
South America, wild birds are typically exposed to a lot
of sunlight. They even possess a pineal gland, like that of
many reptiles and amphibians, that can sense UV radiation
which helps them establish periodicity in their day-to-day
lives. This determines when they should roost, feed, mate
and enact various other biological functions. When birds
migrate, it is typically triggered by changing photoperiods
as opposed to temperature and humidity. As the days
get shorter, many birds from temperate climates will take
this cue to move towards the equator where the days are
longer, and they have more time to feed and socialise.
Even without analysing the biochemical role of sunlight in
pet birds, it is important to consider that light plays a huge
role in the day-to-day wellbeing of wild birds.

42 NOVEMBER 2022
 Blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna)
UV-B
Although light is essential for bird wellbeing, some argue
that UV is unnecessary. The main justification for this
claim is that UV does not penetrate feathers and thus the
exposure to certain wavelengths is negligible. A quick
look at parrot morphology will argue that parrots have
evolved with this in mind. Species that spend a lot of time
beneath a leafy canopy, such as macaws or African greys
have far more exposed skin (particularly around the face)
than those that inhabit sparser regions or sit atop the trees.
Some aviculturists even theorise that captive parrots will
pluck their feathers deliberately to expose more skin to
make better use of limited ultraviolet light. Like reptiles,
birds require vitamin D to synthesise calcium. Although
fortified pellets will contain some level of both elements,
UVB radiation is a catalyst in this absorption. Dr Karen
Becker explains “Pet birds have a preen gland above the
base of their tail that secretes oil. Inside this gland are
vitamin D precursors which come out in the oil.” Birds
generally spend a third of their day eating, a third of their
day playing or napping and a third of their day grooming.
When they groom, they spread this oil over their feathers.
Dr Becker continues “when the oil is in direct contact with
ultraviolet light the vitamin D precursors turn into vitamin
D. As the bird re-grooms the oil they ingest that vitamin D
which becomes active vitamin D for the kidneys and liver.”
NOVEMBER 2022
There are some considerations the keeper must make
before adding artificial lighting to their set-up. As birds
are not ectothermic and do not ‘bask’, there have been
relatively few studies into appropriate amounts of UV
provision – especially when compared to reptiles. Too
much UVB can have negative implications and cause
macular degeneration, cataracts and blindness. This is
because birds have developed highly specialised eye
media to protect their sensitive eyes from overexposure
to the sun’s radiation. It is therefore extremely important
that hobbyists using a UVB lamp fix this at an appropriate
distance from the top of the cage.
As bird cages often have diverse designs, a lamp that
emits UVB horizontally and directly into the bird’s eye
can be dangerous. Most lighting products aimed at birds
only produce a small amount of UVB and UVA to cater
for this. Keepers should not aim to estimate a parrot’s UV
requirements based on their geographical range without
significant scientific research to back these claims. Over-
exposure to blue lights can also adjust the sexes of chicks
in breeding females and therefore using LED lights aimed
at the aquatics market is also a potentially problematic
move. Keepers looking to provide UV to their birds should
always choose a bird-focused product.
43
Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)
UV-A
Birds can see UVA waves. Unlike humans which only see
wavelengths within the ‘visible light spectrum’, birds can
see far beyond this and many experts believe they can
experience around 100 times the amount of colours that
humans can see. They were some of the first creatures to
develop colour-vision to aid them in selecting the ripest
fruits and distinguishing edible berries from poisonous
ones. This link between colour vision and UVA also explains
why some birds possess dazzling iridescent plumage
or develop intricate mating rituals to flash their feathers.
Even popular pet birds such as budgerigars will glow
magnificently under black light – a strategy that helps them
find a suitable mate in flocks of up to a hundred birds.
Even if a parrot is kept in a bright room with plenty
of natural sunlight it should still have exposure to full
spectrum lighting. Neither UVA nor UVB can penetrate
glass, meaning a pet bird that is kept close to a window is
colourblind in comparison to the birds outside. This is a
troubling concept for many keepers, especially at a time
when energy prices are so high. As we cannot see UV, it
is easily forgotten about. Therefore, unless the keeper
has invested in a solarmeter, it is important to replace the
UV emitting bulb each year to ensure maximum efficacy.
Of course, the easiest way to provide well balanced,
full-spectrum light is to take the bird outside. Even if this
is only for a short period, a well-constructed aviary will
allow the bird to stretch its wings and receive important
UV exposure. Bird cages can be moved outside in the
summer, but the keeper should be considerate that
44
many smaller parrots may find this restrictive and aerial
predators such as birds of prey may increase stress levels,
meaning the caged bird should be observed at all times.
The keeper should start with 5-10 minute sessions and
build this up over time. Adding shelter, such as a towel to
three sides of the cage then slowly removing it as the bird
becomes more confident is a good strategy. Those lucky
enough to have space for an aviary can create a very basic
setup to be utilised on the sunniest days, with some shelter
and some sunny perches. Regardless of the method used,
the bird should be able to transition between sun and
shade at its leisure.
To UV or not to UV…
Although there is much to learn about the role of UV
in avian physiology, current research suggests that the
provision of small amounts of UVA and UVB is extremely
beneficial to the wellbeing of pet parrots. Whilst
constructing an outdoor aviary is preferable, it is not
always an option for every keeper. Therefore, investing in
a good quality bird-focused UV lamp can at least provide
a beneficial substitute. Photoperiodicity is extremely
important for birds’ wellbeing and all lighting fixtures
should be run through a timer to provide a consistent
and reliable day/night cycle. This aspect of pet care
is often neglected, particularly for animals which are
housed in living rooms and communal areas. Artificial
lighting can be an excellent tool for establishing a routine
for such intelligent birds, even if many benefits are still to
be discovered. 
NOVEMBER 2022

FASCINATING FACT
Sea turtles in the UK
S
ix of the seven species of sea turtle found on planet
Earth have been recorded in UK waters. The only
turtle not to have been officially recorded in the UK is
the Australian flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus). This
species has the smallest geographic range of any marine
turtle and rarely leaves the shallow waters of the Australian
continental shelf. The most turtle to join the list of UK
visitors is the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).
An individual from this species (which is found most
commonly in the Gulf of Mexico) washed up in Anglesey
in 2016.
Other species of sea turtles are far more frequent
visitors. Some argue that leatherback sea turtles
(Dermochelys coriacea) should be considered one of the
UK’s migratory species, as they visit British waters to hunt
for jellyfish. Although they are most seen in late summer
NOVEMBER 2022
Fascinating Fact
and early autumn, they can be spotted year-round. There
are around 15 sightings of these animals in the UK each
year and that number is increasing. Leatherbacks are
far more tolerant of colder temperatures than other sea
turtle species and can be found across all but the most
northern and southern oceans. Weighing in at almost one
ton, only the largest leatherbacks migrate to the UK. Only
the animals with the highest body mass can withstand the
cooler temperatures of British waters. Around 84% of sea
turtle sightings in the UK are leatherbacks and 12% are
loggerheads (Caretta caretta). Sightings of both species
are becoming more common each year. The remaining
hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), green (Chelonia mydas)
and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) are
likely to visit UK waters by accident, however, all species are
listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act,
awarding them additional protection as a British species.
Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
45
 Enrichment Ideas

ENRICHMENT IDEAS
Tarantula enrichment

Invertebrates are often neglected in the discussion
around environmental enrichment. This is likely due
to our limited understanding of their cognitive ability.
Observational studies of even the most developed species
can sometimes lead us to believe they have no brains at
all. However, that is not the case and so enrichment should
be a consideration for any invert keeper. For tarantula
keepers, there are a few things that can be done that might
improve the welfare of their pet spider.
Correct substrate
The substrate should be deep with a damp bottom
layer that dries out as it reaches the surface. This is
a no-brainer for burrowing species that require a
subterranean hide, but it does not harm to provide a few
extra inches for all species. Even arboreal species, when
housed within a small enclosure will utilise most of the
space within the terrarium. A deep substrate allows for
better humidity control and more consistent conditions
within the terrarium.
Novel objects
Slightly more controversial, the inclusion of novel objects
may allow your tarantula to exercise its senses. Some
keepers add ping pong balls, bottle caps, shiny pebbles
and even teacups into their enclosure and have anecdotal
evidence that suggests the arachnids interact with
them to varying degrees. There is not much science
behind this but considering this enrichment
method is free and easy it is worth giving a go.
Do not place any fabric or soft items into the
enclosure that the spider could get its tarsi
(claws) caught on.
every few weeks to keep things fresh without disturbing
the tarantula too much.
Sky hides
Most tarantulas are not very active and therefore, most
keepers provide an adequate-sized terrarium that has
room for a single hide. In the wild, however, some
tarantulas will occupy hollowed trees off the ground. If the
terrarium has enough space, using a waterproof sealant
to attach a cork bark tube to an elevated position within
the terrarium will maximise the usable space and provide
interesting observations for the keeper. This can also break
up any overhead lighting and add depth to the enclosure.
Decorated enclosures
Everyone has their own taste when it comes to
establishing an enclosure. Basic setups are perfectly
acceptable, but adding resin ornaments, artificial plants,
hardscape and more can help the keeper learn more
about their spider’s preferences over time. Not only will
this inspire new ideas when the enclosure is upgraded, it
will also provide some insight into the spider’s behaviour
that may not be obvious in a basic enclosure.

Leaf litter
In the wild, terrestrial tarantulas
(particularly those from tropical
forests) will be exposed to
thick layers of leaf litter. Even
Brachypelma species will occupy
dry forests that are typically
characterised by vast amounts
of dry leaf litter. Keepers should
factor this into their enclosures.
The addition of leaf litter and
some springtails instantly turns
the setup bioactive and can make
general maintenance much easier.
There are various types of leaf litter,
seed pods and other bioactive decor
on the market that can be swapped out

46 NOVEMBER 2022
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