Surprising predictions part 4

 How a Gecko Eats a Scorpion: Western Banded GeckoStyle

Geckos are one of the most diverse groups of lizards on Earth, and many of them are able to live in the harshest conditions. For example, the western banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus) lives in areas of extreme heat and sand dunes in southwestern North America and northwestern Mexico. It can also eat scorpions—and it’s not afraid to do so! Watch this entertaining video about how a gecko eats a scorpion, step by step.

How does the western banded gecko eat a scorpion?

The western banded gecko has cleverly devised the following strategy to disarm the scorpion without incurring harm to itself. The western banded gecko slithers on top of the scorpion and acts like an apple. As soon as the scorpion attempts to attack, it will quickly flip over and hit the back of its head against the ground, rendering it temporarily unconscious. After that, it will just eat up whatever it pleases from this temporarily in-activated predator. But because scorpions have a quick recovery time (according to Encyclopedia Britannica), foraging for their lunch might not be all that fun! They can recover quickly by turning around and striking at the lizard with a new determination. If they strike at you, don't worry too much because they cannot penetrate your skin with those tiny claws. However, if you are bitten by one of these creatures, there is still danger lurking about. Even though these little critters are only about an inch long, their venomous sting can still hurt you badly enough to need medical attention. So next time you're out walking through your yard or garden beware if you come across any spiders or scorpions - stay away from them no matter what! You'll want to take extra caution so that you won't get injured from such venomous creatures. You might also want to consider putting together a care package of nonvenomous friends like crickets, cockroaches, and mealworms for your future visits into these territories. These insects provide hours of entertainment while they scurry around doing their thing (as long as they stay inside the terrarium). Remember to take safety precautions when dealing with all bugs whether venemous or not! Mealworms seem like a great choice if you happen to love eating fried worms. 

This furry friend may not look tough but his trickery has served him well since he was first discovered in 1896. 

He's been able to escape many predators during his lifetime due to his uncanny ability. 

Sometimes it takes more than brawn to conquer your opponent and luckily our little friend knows this well!

Handling tips for your new pet

There are few predators as amazing as the gecko. With their sticky feet and lightning quick moves, they are one of the only animals that can come out victorious when matched up against their number one enemy—the scorpion. In order to understand how they do it, you have to know what the scorpion has in store for them. The scorpion's tail is made up of many different pieces that can cause varying levels of injury to its would-be predator, but there are two things at work that most deadly. Scorpions have a strong neurotoxin in their stinger and also modified venomous fangs with venom potent enough to kill humans in small doses. When the gecko starts wrestling with the scorpion, it eventually gets some kind of grip on either the head or another part of the body before going in for the kill by biting off one of these parts.

The best way to prevent your new pet from being injured by a wild caught scorpion is to use tongs or tweezers during handling. Once your pet has been securely handled you may release him into his cage or put him back into his terrarium if he was removed earlier. If your new pet was purchased from a breeder then make sure that he stays calm and try not to overstimulate him while introducing him into his new home! Be patient with this process because sometimes getting used to new surroundings takes time. As always, happy herping! 

The best way to prevent your new pet from being injured by a wild caught scorpion is to use tongs or tweezers during handling. Once your pet has been securely handled you may release him into his cage or put him back into his terrarium if he was removed earlier. If your new pet was purchased from a breeder then make sure that he stays calm and try not to overstimulate him while introducing him into his new home! Be patient with this process because sometimes getting used to new surroundings takes time. As always, happy herping! 

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How to feed your reptile correctly

Contrary to popular belief, it is not advisable to feed your gekko live food like crickets or roaches. Live food makes it easier for insects to bite and transmit diseases like Salmonella, which can be fatal for reptiles. As an alternative, there are freeze-dried and canned versions of these same bugs that you can feed to your gecko. Freeze-dried bugs come with an added benefit of being environmentally friendly because the material doesn't have to be replaced after use. They're also significantly less expensive than fresh crickets. The only downside to using freeze-dried bugs as food is that they don't last as long as live ones do, so you'll need to make sure you've always got a supply on hand in case disaster strikes and your pet goes hungry. Most people just buy the small bags of freeze-dried bugs, but if you want something more economical and environmentally friendly, cans of bugs may be a better option. Just make sure that any can you buy has airtight seal because this will prevent any odor from seeping out into your kitchen. You'll need to monitor how much food is left inside at all times by checking the weight. That way, when it's time to open up another one, you won't run out unexpectedly! If you'd rather stick with live food, cockroaches seem to be the best option because they're hearty enough to stay alive through the whole journey without dying prematurely. But it's still important to ensure they're healthy before feeding them to your reptile - cockroaches often carry Salmonella too. It's recommended that you put them in water and leave them overnight so any bad bacteria within their bodies will die off. After 24 hours, just make sure there aren't any insect eggs present on their bodies before feeding them to your animal - then voila! A perfect meal for Fido...err...er I mean Scratches :)

What should I know about heat lamps?

Heat lamps are often used to help maintain optimal temperatures in enclosures. Heat lamps not only offer the benefit of retaining heat, but also that of lighting and can be used in combination with each other for both purposes. They are perfect for young animals or animals who have special needs (due to illness, injury, etc.). Some animals prefer having one or two areas in their enclosure heated and lit while others prefer having the entire area heated and lit.

The lamp must be set on a sturdy surface that is not flammable such as concrete or ceramic tile because radiant heat passes through anything under it - creating a fire hazard. Make sure you place the lamp out of any areas where substrate may accumulate so there's no risk of it igniting. If the animal spends time on different levels of the enclosure, make sure you provide an adequate amount of light for them at all levels. 

The best type of bulbs for heat lamps are metal halide bulbs which produce high amounts of ultraviolet light which stimulates vitamin D production. If your animal doesn't need UVB radiation, use a ceramic metal halide bulb which will save energy costs. Use an incandescent bulb if you're going to have multiple animals housed together in close proximity since they don't emit UVB radiation like metal halides do and it would cause eye problems among those animals receiving too much exposure.

Feeding insects, spiders, and worms

Geckos are able to eat insects, spiders, and worms as they lack rigid jaws and teeth. They use their sticky tongue to capture prey that it can then ingest using the soles of its feet. If the prey is too large for the gecko to kill with its mouth and feet it will constrict or tear it into smaller pieces before consuming it. When eating food larger than the size of its head, a gecko will typically lie down on top of it so that it is partially flattened by the gecko's weight before consuming. To do this a gecko will usually work from one end of the meal to the other until all parts have been eaten. 

The average lifespan in captivity for western banded geckos is 20 years.

What can I do if my pet poops inside its cage?

One solution is to put your pet's water bottle near the door of the cage. Your pet will poop close to its food and water, making it easier for you to pick up! Another option is to take your pet out of its cage several times a day and in an area where there are no hazards, like outside or on some old newspaper.

An additional strategy would be to feed your gecko so that it won't feel hungry enough to poop in its cage. Feeding live crickets will keep any hunger pangs at bay while also keeping your geckos' teeth clean! You can give your gecko live crickets by pinching them between two fingers with one hand and dropping them into the tank with the other hand. The sound of movement inside the tank will lure them closer to their dinner, which they'll snatch up with lightning speed. If you're feeding large prey items like pinky mice, use tongs or tweezers to drop them into the tank; this way, they don't escape!

The basics of proper lighting and UVB bulbs

What do you need to know about your gecko’s cage? One of the most important things to keep in mind is that they need the right kind of lighting and access to ultraviolet rays. What you want to provide is a temperature gradient, a basking spot at the top of the cage where your gecko can get warm and then thermoregulate as it needs. What do you put on that spot? Something with infrared lights (heat lamps). These will not only provide heat but also UVB radiation from special bulbs designed for reptiles.

Should I clean my enclosure’s substrate?

Pet geckos typically are kept in glass enclosures with sand for the substrate, but don’t forget to make sure that your gecko’s enclosure is clean. Dirt and dust will carry pests into the enclosure. You should clean your pet’s cage at least once a week by dumping the substrate out and wiping down everything with warm water. It may be necessary to scrub areas that are caked with feces, droppings, or dried mucus where you can’t easily wipe away any bacteria or pathogens. When cleaning a new litter box, thoroughly rinse it before putting in fresh substrate and adding your gecko to its new home again. Remember not to use soap, detergent, bleach, ammonia-based cleaners or scented disinfectants as these can kill beneficial bacteria which help keep things clean and control odors. As always when handling your pet - avoid stressing them unnecessarily as this increases their risk of illness.

What are the basic cares of corn snakes, king snakes, leopard geckos, ball pythons, bearded dragons, alligators, African clawed frogs and more?

It's no surprise that many people like reptiles as pets. Reptiles and amphibians are some of the most popular animals found in homes and zoos across the world. But did you know that there are over 3,000 different types of reptile species? In this blog post, we will provide you with detailed information on the care for corn snakes, king snakes, leopard geckos, ball pythons, bearded dragons, alligators and African clawed frogs to name just a few. If you have any questions about caring for your pet snake or lizard, please don't hesitate to contact us! Western banded geckos eat scorpions by first swallowing them whole, head first. They then coat their stomach with saliva which helps break down the arthropod's exoskeleton. Next they liquefy their prey by means of enzymes which cause tissue cells to rupture and release their contents into the body cavity where it is ingested through a process called pinocytosis. Lastly, they excrete waste from both ends which can be quite unpleasant if not dealt with quickly enough.

Why should I add hide boxes and other decor?

In the wild, animals are free to roam in search of food and shelter. In your home, they are in constant danger of either of these running out. Your geckos need a way to get away from each other when they're stressed out. Hiding spots can be as simple as overturned plant pots, kitty litter boxes with sand or dirt inside, toilet paper rolls taped together, or deep ceramic bowls with bedding inside. Be sure to include plenty of these spots around the enclosure so that your geckos have an escape route no matter what side they're on. To make them more attractive, place hides in areas where you've observed them during their natural hunting behavior. For example, if you see them mostly hunting on the ground outside their hide box, place the hide at floor level and face it towards the outside wall for easier access. If you find them hunting up high near their water dish, use vines or branches to create an obstacle course that leads all the way up to their favorite spot!

Understanding Humidity Levels in Your Reptile Enclosure

It's very important to understand how humidity levels can affect your reptile pets. If the humidity is too low, it could lead to problems such as metabolic bone disease. If it's too high, it can lead to issues such as respiratory infections and skin problems. One way to keep an eye on the humidity level in your enclosure is by investing in a hygrometer. These are devices that measure the humidity levels and can be found at most pet stores. Another tip for monitoring the moisture levels is by taking note of what types of plants you have in your home terrarium. Live plants require water and when they don't get enough, they wilt or die. These signs are good indicators that you need to add more water to your habitat or mist the terrarium more often with a spray bottle full of fresh water (as opposed to tap water). A third indicator that you may need more moisture in your environment is if there is condensation on glass surfaces (usually seen around lights) which means there isn't enough air circulation.