Natural or Whats easyer

[meow_mix450]

Hey,

Everyone here has there own opinion on this and i just wanted to know what do you guys perfer. For all the reptiles they all need different needs. But what would you pick.

1. Make the enclosure all natural, and nature looking.

2.Or making it easy with simple hiding spots such as a coconut hut and news paper as substrate.

So really if your really a show kinda guy or just simple that doesnt want a lot of work

Meow

[djc3674]

I like to keep things easy. We have 2 boas, 1 bp, & 1 leopard gecko. I use newspaper as substrate, a water bowl, hide boxes, a heat sorce, and something to climb on. Nice and simple.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Depends on the animal. I don't think a coconut hut would work for an Anaconda, do you?

[HeRpZ03]

I'm more of the person who sets up something natural, more appealing and makes a great display item in a room. The only hassle is cleaning it but what can ya do, theres a downside to everything :P

[HeRpZ03]

Originally posted by Jeff_Favelle
Depends on the animal. I don't think a coconut hut would work for an Anaconda, do you?

It mite if you have coconuts the size of volkswagen beetles

[Kimo]

Natural...regardless of the fact if you intend to show the animal off or not, if ur lazy...u shouldn't own an animal period

Just My 2 cents

Kimo

[Brock]

I think it was the meaning behind the question: natural or simple?

All of the animals in my signature are housed in as natural enclosures as I can provide. They are all voracious eaters, grow well, breed well, I have never had a single problem in 4 years of keeping them, they can survive going a more than two weeks without food because they are so healthy prior to, sheds are good, personalities (with the exception of my male veiled who was bought as a juvie) are very friendly, and I would think it's save to assume they feel more comfortable - hiding spots, variations in tempurature with shade and stuff, comfortable and variable basking/lounging spots, and better excersize.

I think as long as diet and other neccessary needs are met, it doesn't matter what methods you use, but in my opinion and experience, a natural setup is easier than an easy one.

-Brock

[djc3674]

Natural...regardless of the fact if you intend to show the animal off or not, if ur lazy...u shouldn't own an animal period

How do you asscociate a simple set up w/ being lazy? Your comments make you seem quite ignorant. What your saying is since I use newspaper instead of a loose substrate that "looks" natural, I am lazy? I am willing to bet my boas could care less weather they have a nice plant in their enclosure or not. As a matter of fact, they would probably destroy anything I put in their enclosures that you would consider "natural" looking. They have climbing branches that they use occasionally, so anything more would be overkill.

As many times during the month, my snakes soil the newspaper, it is much easier to just throw it out. With loose subtrates, if you spot cleaning, you are not getting it all out. You would literally have to change all of the substrate everytime your animal deficates.

I don't know if you have any larger reptiles, but my 7ft boa urinates a ton and his crap is like a German Shepard's. I will stick to what works for me thanks!

[hhw]

I'm with Jeff here; it depends on the animal.

Natural is not necessarily better. If you go simple (which I interpret as utilitarian), you are still meeting all the needs. You just aren't doing it in an as aesthetically pleasing manner. On the other hand, for some animals, the fundamental requirements entail naturalistic items. In this case, utilitarian and naturalistic are the same thing. Either way, just go with what works best for you.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Exactly what hhw said. Totally.

[Kyle Barker]

i agree. But if i had the space/money i would do it all natural. So i just do natural for my lizards due to their activness. Day geckos just arnt as much fun without plants!

hey jeff, you have any idea whats happening with the crb at crystal? they said they have never had one before when i took it back. i was told to take it back there, i did leave it there. did they figure out what was happening? im so confused.

[Derrick]

I've seen too many people with natural displays who dont take care of it after the initial setup. Crap and urates dont look to bad when its stirred into repti-bark. It doesnt sit on newspaper for half a day at my place.

I have a full time job. herps are a hobby I do whats best for them and still allows me a life. natural displays especially substrates are a breeding ground for bacteria.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Ah man, you didn't give it back gravid did you??

They never contacted me though. I just heard through Don that the breeding loan might be over. But past that, I never heard a word my man.

[mykee]

I used to have a few of my balls in natural settings, I'm assuming you're talking about glass aquariums and the like. I found it impossible to maintain proper husbandry in these enclosures, and regardless of what I thought looked better, a rubbermaid/rack system maintains better husbandry in my situation, so that's what I use.

[Linds]

hhw is right on the money, imho. I would also like to add that it is nearly impossible to successfully create a truly naturalistic atmosphere for reptiles. We can try and make things "look" sort of natural, but there are so many things that come in to play in the wild to make those conditions successfully liveable that we simply cannot replicate, even in large enclosures.