News from Carolina Pet Supply

In this issue:

1. Substrate
2. Superworms
3. TNT
4. Seed mixes and starting seeds
5. Specials
6. KLS Jewelry
   

One of the best substrates I have found for reptiles is coconut coir. It holds moisture but doesn’t remain soggy and when mixed with clean play sand it is perfect media for tortoises and reptiles.

Coconut coir is a by-product of the coconut industry where they soak to ensure low salt content, grind up the shells, dry and compress into blocks. Each compressed brick is rehydrated in 4 quarts of water for 30 minutes. Place into the bottom of your cage and add an equal part play sand. Mix thoroughly and spread evenly. Check every day and if it starts to dry just mist thoroughly with plain water from a spray bottle.

Superworms, (Zophobas morio)

An excellent and easy to keep feeder insect for many reptile, amphibian, and bird species. I personally use superworms for box turtles. If fed properly superworms can be kept at room temps for a long time. I have some superworms that I have been keeping for more than 1 year.

Superworms are NOT the same as Mealworms or Giant Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) though they are similar in appearance. Superworms need to be kept at room temps and will not turn into to beetles while in a group. On the other hand mealworms quickly pupate at room temps and should be refrigerated to keep them in the larval stage. Superworms are in fact more easily digested when compared to mealworms since they have less chitin. Small superworms have even less chitin.

Nutritional Analysis of Superworms:

Moisture: 59%

Protein: 20%

Fat: 16%

Ash: 1%

For information on improving the nutrition of superworms click here: http://www.carolinapetsupply.com/gut_loading_insects.html

I keep my superworms in bare bottom Tupperware containers. I put some fresh greens over them daily. Weekly I put some cactus or hibiscus powder at one side.

When I want small superworms for hatchling box turtles, I take 6 or more superworms and place 1 each in a multi-compartment storage case. I put a little bit of greens with the superworms and wait. In about a week the superworms stop moving and curl up.

Within a few days it will shed its skin and pupate.

In 2-3 weeks the pupae will become a beetle. When it first emerges its white...then red and finally black.

I move the beetles to another container and keep them on damp sphagnum moss and feed them small amounts of greens. In a few weeks you will see movement in the moss. The superworm’s larvae are very small and almost impossible to see without a magnifying glass. Below is a picture of superworms at 1 week old.

This blend of powders was developed for Russian Tortoises, but is excellent for all grazing torts and herbivorous reptiles. I have also used this on feeder insects with good results. It has been tested over the last 5 or so years on hatchlings and adults. By using this I have eliminated the need to use any other supplements including calcium powders. All ingredients were chosen for their health benefits, palatability and nutritional content. The result is a mix with balanced amino acids, high calcium and magnesium, low phosphorous and high soluble and insoluble fiber. This ensures that your reptile is getting nutritionally what he/she needs to live a healthy life. All ingredients are human food grade certified organic products.

ingredients:

• * barley grass powder
• * Roselle powder (Hibiscus)
• * cactus powder (opuntia)
• * powdered orchard grass hay
• * dandelion leaf powder
• * plantain leaf powder
• * calendula petal powder
• * chick weed powder
• * rose petal powder
• * clover leaf powder
• * strawberry leaf powder
• * raspberry leaf powder
• * mulberry leaf powder
• * rose hip powder
• Professional Grade Probiotics with 16 strains of microencapsulated (so more survive the digestive process and end up in the intestines where they are needed) beneficial bacteria

Feeding schedule:

Use 1 tsp sprinkled on food 2 to 3 times per week. I have good luck using the “Shake and Bake” method. Sprinkle 1 tsp in a bag, add slightly damp greens and shake to coat.

Grazing tortoise seed mix
For all species and especially those that like grasses

This mix contains a wide variety of seeds such as chia, timothy grass and other grasses and clover. The seeds germinate at different rates and most should sprout in 2 weeks. The seeds we pick are picked for their nutritional content including essential fatty acids and also the ability to bounce back from grazing. If you have an already established grazing area, just sprinkle the seeds and water daily until they sprout. For starting a new area, rake the soil, water and press the seeds down by lightly walking over the area. Be sure to spread the seeds evenly and water lightly (so as not to wash the seeds away) daily until they sprout.

Allow 6 weeks of growth before letting the tortoise graze to give the plants a chance to grow some and develop a good root system.

These can also be grown in trays. Cat litterboxes work great. For substrate I use the  coconut coir/sand mix from cage cleaning..  For a continuos supply of graze, start a new tray weekly

Dandelion, Plantain and chickweed:
Most tortoise seed mixes on the market contain plantain and dandelion. However, because of the special germination requirements these rarely germinate in those mixes.

So I like to start them separately. I use a container with no holes on the bottom that I place small square peat pots and a good seed starting mix such as Jiffy mix. Water and let sit for a half an hour or so to completely saturate the media. For plantain and chickweed as these seeds are really small, it’s almost impossible to put 1 seed per pot so I try for 2 or 3 and press lightly into soil but do not cover. They need light and warmth to germinate. Keep the starting media moist but not wet. I use a hand sprayer with plain water to mist when drying out, check daily.

For starting dandelion seeds I use the same peat pots and make a small indentation in the middle of each peat pot. Place 2 seeds in each indentation and do not cover with soil as these need light to germinate. These are cool growers as well so do not try to germinate outside in the hot summertime. You can start these indoors at room temperature or cooler and they can take light frosts. Best time to grow outside is early spring and fall.

Our new Russian Tortoise seed mix

Contains less grasses and more broad leaf plants such as clovers. Start the same way as the grazing mix.

Chia Seeds

One of the easiest and very nutritious plants to grow are chia seeds. In any container, tort pen (where they can’t get to them until established) or outside. These are in the salvia family and very hardy. Just sprinkle the seeds and water until they sprout.

Specials For June

Zoo Med Coconut coir
Regularly 4.50
Now 3.50 while supplies last.

Superworms
Regularly $10.00 per 100, $30.00 per 500, $31.95 per 1000
Now 8.50 per 100, $28.00 per 500, 29.95 per 1000

Select Seeds 10% off