Pet shop advice vs. APS advice

[Red-Ink]

Just a kind of on topic question when do you need to use uv/UVB and when don't you need to?

You don't need it for pythons... (or nocturnal lizards)
You need it for "most" diurnal lizards...
Strophurus geckos do better with low amounts of exposure...

That's about the "generalised" view mate.

 

[Waterrat]

If anyone In a pet store advises anyone reptiles do not need heat they should not be working In any pet store thats just incompetents
on a massive scale If reptiles do not get heat they will die a slow death

Mate, the current temps in Cairns are 24 - 32 degrees. Why would you provide any additional heat for a carpet python or any snake for that matter (unless kept in a cool-room). All my snakes are outside and never get artificially heated except for gravid females.
You're criticizing the pet shop girl but you're advice is equally wrong. Do you live in Cairns?

 

[Scleropages]

Ha, ha, ha, in Cairns? All the 16 year-old shop assistant girls are experts here.

Can I ask, is it necessary to have the snake in an airconditioned room? You would save a lot, both on equipment and electricity if you kept it in ambient temperatures. The only time you would need some extra heat is for about 3 months in winter.

There must be at least one good shop?

But I do remember seeing some dodgy ones when I went up there a few years ago

 

[Waterrat]

There must be at least one good shop?

But I do remember seeing some dodgy ones when I went up there a few years ago

The shops are not bad, the junior staff is.

 

[DeadCricket]

I think part of their problem is that they are trying to keep lots of info on a broad range of animals. Its probably more of a case of being told that reptiles need uv, or those are the reptile products over there. Certainly someone with a particular passion about a certain animal will have more info. Even further would be a person who just LOVES diamonds or something. They would retain much more specific information. Its all ways good to double check your info anyway, bad habits get passed on.

 

[Nighthawk]

Personally I wouldn't hold it against the juniors; usually they're just trying their hardest to do their job and look good (or at the other end of the spectrum, do as little as possible *shrug* who knows, but I like to think the best of people...), owners/managers need to train their staff a bit better, and in a lot of cases let them know that it won't p-off a customer too much to hear "I don't know, but I can find out for you if you'll just bear with me a moment..."

 

[mysnakesau]

It depends on the temperatures up there I guess. If the temps are constantly over 30c chances are you could get away with not having a heat source, but I am sure they still like the opportunity to sun-bask. So providing a basking spot, or give him some fresh air and sunshine might be enough.

Whether they UV or not, has been debated on here more than once. I prefer to listen to my knowledgeable friends who have kept snakes for 30+ years, never provided UV lighting and have bred them successfully. TO me, a snake that eats readily, and breeds readily, is a happy snake. Don't fix what isn't broken.

 

[No-two]

I have several snakes without heat in Melbourne, they're not pythons (well one is) but defending on your climate you definatley do not always need heat for a reptile. If I lived up north I doubt I'd use as much electricity as now and I would definatley set my collection up to use as little heat as possible.

 

[mysnakesau]

Personally I wouldn't hold it against the juniors; usually they're just trying their hardest to do their job and look good (or at the other end of the spectrum, do as little as possible *shrug* who knows, but I like to think the best of people...), owners/managers need to train their staff a bit better, and in a lot of cases let them know that it won't p-off a customer too much to hear "I don't know, but I can find out for you if you'll just bear with me a moment..."

Yes I agree here. The shops hire juniors because they're cheap on wages. The juniors want the pet shop jobs because they think they'll get to play with cute puppies all day. The juniors don't really know any better, but their bosses should.

When I first started my shop I knew absolutely nothing about reptiles. I didn't know this forum existed or to even look online, but luckily one of my reps claimed to know a bit about them, so whenever my customers came in I was on the phone for his advice to set these people up.

 

[mad_at_arms]

I have several snakes without heat in Melbourne, they're not pythons (well one is) but defending on your climate you definatley do not always need heat for a reptile. If I lived up north I doubt I'd use as much electricity as now and I would definatley set my collection up to use as little heat as possible.

How do you provide a heat gradient for them?

 

[Tiliqua]

I have to agree with the minority of posts in this thread, and say 'Not all pet shops are bad' and as someone else suggested- If the advice isn't up to scratch, find another shop. I work in a pet shop in the reptile section and love correcting advice given out to customers from online forums A lot of customers complain they're too afraid to ask on online forums anymore for fear of being ridiculed, despite me promoting forums as a great way of researching.

 

[mysnakesau]

How do you provide a heat gradient for them?

Having your warm end up to its ideal, and allowing the rest to run naturally. All you need to do is make sure the warm end is working at its ideal temperature. However, if you're in a cold region where the cool end falls well below ideal, you may need to use heating at both ends but setting it on low at the cool end.

When you have a warm spot, check the temperatures around the tank. They will all vary.

I don't have my shop anymore, but everyone knows where I am. Lucky for Coles, they come in to do their shopping, and still ask me about their pets as well. What food for my fighter? Who has snakes? My last customer was recommended giving her new puppy cooked chicken necks. I told her no don't cook them. Raw is best, and aside from that, cooked bones of any sort can splinter and cut them open internally.