www. pettradeworld. comPET TRADE WORLD DECEMBER 2009 45 Reptile and Exotic Food Focus Contacts JBL - Telephone: + 49 6236- 4180- 200 Email: Website: www. jbl. de Peregrine ( Lucky Reptile and T- Rex) - Telephone: 0800 919 631 Website: www. peregrine- livefoods. co. uk Tetra ( UK) Ltd - Telephone: 02380 60 60 70 Website: www. tetra. de Zolux Hobby UK Ltd - Telephone: 01908 487633 Email: contact@ zolux- hobby. co. uk Website: www. zolux- hobby. co. uk Zoo Med - Website: www. zoomed. com Exotic pet feeding tips from company directors Dave Perry and Tim Green at Peregrine Livefoods Ltd for retailers and their customers. . Little and often.. Many insectivorous insects would hunt throughout the day ( or night if nocturnal) so feed them little and often. This mimics what would happen in the wild and allows them more opportunity to hunt. It also avoids large numbers of feeder insects being loose in the tank and reduces the risk of the insects biting the lizard. . Take care with frozen rodents - Frozen rodents are the most convenient way to feed most snakes. But remember that these are pieces of raw meat and may contain pathogens such as salmonella - treat them with the same caution that you would use with a raw chicken. Defrost thoroughly ensuring that you do not contaminate areas that may come into contact with food, wash your hands and always supervise children who may put their fi ngers in their mouths. Always follow the REPTA guidelines which can be downloaded at www. peregrine- livefoods. co. uk . Don't forget to balance - Many foods used for captive reptiles are defi cient in vitamins and minerals, or have an imbalance. Using a good reptile vitamin and mineral supplement, such as ZooMeds " Reptavite", ensures that the pet does not suffer from defi ciency diseases such as metabolic bone disease. . Things really do bite the hand that feeds them! - Snakes often get a bit over excited at dinner time so reduce the risk of getting bitten by using a pair of long feeding tongs to present food to over enthusiastic feeders. . Sometimes worse is better... Weeds are not a very good food nutritionally, low protein, high fi bre, low carbohydrate ; you wouldn't want them in your salad! But they are the best food for Mediterranean type Tortoises; Hermans, Horsefi elds, Marginated and Greek Spur Thigh. It is the food source they are designed to exploit in the wild and encourages slow natural growth and correct shell development. . Get them while they are fresh. Once packed into containers for transport, the nutritional value of feeder insects will start to decline. It is best to buy fresh Crickets and Locusts as you need them to ensure they are in good condition. . But don't ignore your bugs. If you do keep feeder insects for more than a few days then provide some food and moisture. There are many insect foods available, such as ProRep " Bug Grub, which will ensure the insects stay healthy. For moisture try " Bug Gel" which can provide water without the risk of drowning. If you are keeping insects for more than a week then you will need a holding tank, ones such as the Lucky Reptile " Cricket Keeper" which also has special attachments to help you get the insects out to feed the animals. . Take care with pellets - There are many Tortoise Pellets on the market. These are useful for the winter months when fresh weeds may be short in supply but should only ever be used as part of a good basic diet. Avoid ones with a high protein and carbohydrate content. . Size does matter! - Feeding food items that are too large can cause problems for animals. As a general rule only feed insects no bigger than the distance between a lizards eyes over the top of its head. . Have a nice bonding session - Bearded Dragons are very social lizards and love interacting with their owner. Why not try hand feeding them as a special treat. Extra large Locusts are ideal for this. ¦ Tim GreenDave Perry

Who has been the biggest mentor in your life? My wife Annie When and what last made you cry? Death of my wife's father What guidance would you give your teenage self? Be less conservative What would your friends say is your best and worst habits? Best - fun to be with Worst - makes too many lists What is the most outrageous thing you've ever done? Presented a cake in the shape of his rather large private parts to a male friend at his birthday party Which celebrity would make the best Prime Minister? Ian Hislop What is the worst present you've ever received and what did you do with it? A horrible tie - binned it! Do you have any pets and, if so, what are they? Not at the present - but soon getting a working spaniel What is the best piece of business advice you've ever been given? The harder it is to do, the better the opportunity to make it a success. Who has been your biggest crush? Dusty Springfi eld or Tina Turner If you were hosting a dinner party which starter, main course and desert would you choose to cook? Garlic prawns with chilli and spring onions Shoulder of lamb and vegetables Crème brulee What is your favourite item of clothing and why? My two tone leather brogues - feel relaxed and comfortable in them and they look smart Which two items would you have to have with you if you were marooned on a desert island? Bottle of Chanel Eau de Toilette A fi shing rod What's the one question you should have asked but never did? Why wasn't I picked to play Rugby for Yorkshire? 4 6 PET TRADE WORLD DECEMBER 2009www. pettradeworld. com 5 Minute Interview Getting to know... Ken Stirk, Technical Director, Burgess Petcare CIRCULATING OVER 12,000 COPIES A MONTH To retailers, manufacturers, vets, kennels and catteries, garden centres, equine and aquatic related outlets and pet related organisations throughout the UK and the rest of the world Pet Trade World really does Lead the Way!