Video - Patreon Extras: Top 5 UNCOMMON Reptiles For Beginners (Rarer and BETTER)
Added 2021-11-24 17:00:07 +0000 UTCWe had some extra content!
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My first paragraph wasn’t an attack on Clint, merely a request to curb a little of his enthusiasm and add more frank info in his main videos. He’s rightfully gained much popularity and respect but with that comes some degree of responsibility. When I got my group of ETS they were barely known about but since, Clint has created a large boom in demand. Advertising them as ‘beginner’ pets means they’re more appealing to people with barely any basic reptile knowledge. They’re often unaware pet stores sell WC, don’t think to ask or simply too desperate to get the ‘best’ pet reptile - not realising what they’re getting into. You can’t rely on people to watch other videos and who reads the description box? Often for crested geckos 10 gallon tanks are recommended, which is most definitely too small. This species is very active and should be housed in the range of 36x18x36 - a breeding group even larger! Getting the temp + humidity right in an enclosure that size, that should ideally be bioactive with UVB isn’t a small feat or cost for a beginner. A pair could go in a smaller size but that is why they’ll want to come out more and jump head first into the glass! Cohabitation isn’t a beginner topic, it complicates everything and can easily go wrong quickly for the unprepared. I’d recommend a pair 1.1 or 0.2 over a single ETS as generally they do better, although a lone skink won’t die from another skink. There is a misconception this species is highly social that has people regularly attempting to put as many as possible together, assuming they’ll be no issue. I’ve my personal experience of them not getting along, as well as Clint and also weekly from other keepers to the point I find it distressing - skinks are stressed, injured and dying unnecessarily in significant enough numbers. Just because some have success doesn’t mean others will and shouldn’t be expected they’ll automatically get along (regardless of sex) . It’s irresponsible to push the notion to the inexperienced and vehemently stand against this assumption. What is your basis, what advantages for the skink overcomes the risk for the skink to have more than one tank mate? It’s not proper care, it’s the opposite. In your last sentence you essentially acknowledged your proposition was against the general norm, so please demonstrate it than state subjective opinion. Not that I’m saying your wrong in a vague sense, only unconvinced it extends beyond a single mate. Breeding is not beginner either but likely to happen in a mixed group and where you might begin to see conflict. The video implied CGD as a primary over insects (not only in a pinch) which I merely stated shouldn’t be encouraged, trying to be cautious as some people will take it the wrong way. Hope that made my position clearer to you.
Fox Socks
2021-11-29 07:55:59 +0000 UTC"being referred to as social creatures has people attempting to stuff exo terras full of them" This is something I genuinely object to in a really serious way though. ETS are social, they should be housed in a group. It won't kill them to be housed alone, but it won't kill a blue tongue to not give it UVB in most cases either. Bringing attention to the fact that they are a social species is important to encouraging that they receive proper care. It's not implying that they are so easy you don't have to try or doing anything irresponsible to emphasize that they are social. I'm far more worried about people trying to house them alone than I am about people overcrowding them. I'm sorry I keep editing this, but I really care about us making it clear that these guys are the exception to the vast majority of lizards and ETS will actually probably get lonely.
Hedrigal
2021-11-29 02:41:03 +0000 UTCEverything he says about captive bred emerald tree skinks is true. They are absolutely excellent beginner lizards. A pair of emerald tree skinks in my opinion would probably do pretty well in the same sized enclosure as would be appropriate for crested geckos. I also don't understand the objection to saying they can go onto crested gecko diet for a period of time where you do not have insects and cannot get insects for a certain amount of time. It's true, and can actually be helpful to know.
Hedrigal
2021-11-29 02:31:49 +0000 UTCI really just couldn't disagree more, because you can't hold Clint responsible for someone who watched a video they made but then deliberately did a bunch of things he explicitly said not to do. He has always said that only breeders should be buying wild caught animals whenever he's brought them up. The video where he explains that wild caught animals are not a good idea for anyone but people who really know what they're doing is linked in almost every video he makes. How can he be held responsible if a random person ignores all of that and gets wild caught emerald tree skinks?
Hedrigal
2021-11-29 02:18:28 +0000 UTCThe format of this channel lends itself to a demographic of relatively new inexperienced reptile keepers. Simplistic brief introductions, not designed to be taken as care guides with Clint’s infectious enthusiasm being somewhat hyperbole - unfortunately many take it literally without further research which leads to misconceptions. I’d like to see more frank information in the main videos. Hyping and classing ETS as ‘beginner’ reptiles to those with barely any basic reptile knowledge has resulted in people buying (without questioning) wild caught, which is advanced level with majority dying. The enclosure itself along with cohabiting is more intermediate level - being referred to as social creatures has people attempting to stuff exo terras full of them. Insects appropriately dusted should be their primary diet, the video implies CGD alone would suffice for periods of time which shouldn’t be encouraged. These animals are very inquisitive, love to explore and want more space than the general commercially available tanks allow - this is why they jump out, because they’ve learnt you’re safe whilst attempting to figure out the rest of the environment. Having said all that, I do enjoy the channel and appreciate what you do for the hobby!
Fox Socks
2021-11-24 21:57:40 +0000 UTC
