Kreig's Corner at Aquariums West....................... 1262 Burrard Street, Vancouver B.C. 604-669-9249 Watch "Kreig's Corner" on 
Kreig LeBlanc features some of our new Tarantulas in this latest video. He teaches us about the ones we can handle and the ones we shouldn't handle and includes some interesting facts about them. He also clears up some misconceptions most of us have about spiders....bigger does not necessarily indicate meaner! Did you know the biggest spider ever recorded was 16" in diameter?
Any questions about creepy crawly things visit the store on Wednesdays from 11 - 7:00, Thursday 1-7:00, Saturday afternoons from 1 - 5:00 or all day Sunday 11-6:00 to speak with Kreig. He is an expert in Arachnids and Reptiles and can answer any questions you may have.
Here is Kreig's second installment in "The Reptile Diaries"
Reptile diaries - # 2 Turtles or Tortoises...What's The Difference Anyway?
Not a week goes by without a few calls asking whether or not we sell turtles. Those adorable little guys many of us remember having from our childhood. Interestingly what most of us don't remember is how long they lived. The sad truth is that most of those turtles had very short lives due to lack of proper environment and nutrition. The equipment needed to care for these little guys just wasn't available , and information on how to keep them was sparse. The few that lived to an old age either achieved that through luck or some serious hard work from the owners. These days of course, the information and right equipment are readily available to house turtles; large filters, UV lighting, various housing options, vitamins, plus many other helpful tools, are easily obtained.
However the one thing that has not changed is the amount of time and hard work that is required to keep these aquatic reptiles clean, healthy, and happy. With the busy lives we lead is it practical to have such a time consuming pet? Most of us would say no. So what other alternative is there (it should be noted here that turtles in Vancouver are banned from sale. It seems many folks who bought turtles, with great intentions, found out all too soon how much work was involved and quickly abandoned them ...most into our local ponds !! Not so great for our local creatures living there.) if you have an interest in turtles? The closest thing to an aquatic turtle is a land turtle called a Tortoise.
Tortoises are found all over the globe, some very large and some very small, from very hot dry climates to more warm, tropical, moist areas. Living on land, these reptiles forage on most anything edible. Plants are the main source of food for these creatures, although some will consume some animal material if they need too. They dig a burrow to sleep in or find shelter in rocky outcroppings , or logs. It is these basic needs that make Tortoises so much easier to care for than their Aquatic cousins.
An open pen, or tank, with good heat UV lighting and a shelter to sleep in is all that's required. Add some vitamin supplements and some minor decorations and you have a pretty comfy home for your tortoise. The tortoise I keep at home eats our salad cuttings, pellets, and some greenery from our backyard ( clover , dandelions etc..) . We have a heated, well lit pen inside for cold period ,and a nice little portable one in our yard for nice sunny days. I give my Russian tortoise a weekly shallow bath to drink water and soak up some moisture. Cleaning up the pen requires a scooping of fecal matter and old uneaten foods. A task that takes seconds vs.the hours one would spend cleaning and scrubbing a smelly turtle tank!!
Replacing the substrate is a monthly chore taking 10 minutes at best. Tortoises, like turtles are long lived and that is a factor when thinking about having one in your life. On average most live 30 years or more!! That is a long term commitment, but in my opinion a rewarding one. The great thing with a tortoise is that you can go away for a few day , providing you leave ample food, and your lighting is on a timer. Being curious and eager to eat right from your hand makes for a charming companion that never loses it's charm in our house! I recommend the smaller tortoises that are sometimes available. Russian tortoises, Greek, Spider, Pancake, Red foots and Yellow foots, are all excellent choices. Being that Tortoises are difficult to bring into Canada and therefore must be bred here, taking years by a hobbyist or enthusiast can put a hefty price tag on these amazing reptiles. However compared to the vast amount you would spend on aquatic Turtles, it's a great investment for such an enjoyable addition to one's home.
If your are interested in learning more about Turtles and Tortoises come see us! We are expecting Tortoises soon and welcome the chance to share our interest and respect for these these lovable little creatures .And although we do not sell Turtles, we can help you care for and maintain the ones you may already have.
For more information on How to Care for a Tortoise Click Here
Reptile diaries - # 1 The Spider Myth
"Whoa that's a huge spider....man !! "
Many people wonder why someone would want to keep, or for that matter, why they would find anything interesting about keeping spiders or insects
as pets. When someone sees a giant hairy tarantula for the first time, their reaction may be shock and even fear. Of course, we have all seen giant insects in a large number of Hollywood movies
(Indiana Jones etc.) and they definitely have the desired effect of creeping the audience out! However, things are not
always as they seem at first glance. Nature has a way of fooling the untrained eye. Big may seem nastier and more
dangerous but with spiders and scorpids in particular, smaller is more likely to be the more dangerous of the two.
That's why in film the more gentle giants are used, they have the desired effect of looking scarier yet they are safe
for the actors and film crew to work with. No one making that film wants to be exposed to a dangerous spider I can assure
you! Most of the small spiders used are computer animated or fake for ease and safety of filming.
So why keep one as a pet even if they are relatively "harmless"? Well, the reasons are as varied as the number of insects
available to keep!! They can be kept for educational purposes or for personal ones. Maybe you have allergies to traditional
pets such as cats and dogs, or are unable to keep them due to lifestyle (traveling). Your apartment building may have pet restrictions, or perhaps
space in your home is an issue? Maybe you have a great
love of nature and respect the small nuances that all creatures can teach us. With spiders, you have the option of choosing an easier, smaller, less time consuming companion.
My journey began in 1989. As it happens, at that time I was somewhat terrified of large spiders! Yes indeed. I knew people
kept them as pets and that there were clubs devoted to the study of Tarantulas and other insects, but I avoided large spiders
as much as possible. I didn't know why I was nervous about them just that I WAS. I decided to explore why I was so timid
about them, I mean, I had never been attacked or bitten so why the fear?
On a beautiful spring day I headed to my local
pet store with the intention of buying a tarantula!! Was I crazy or what?? As it happened, the shop had just received a rather
impressive shipment of Tarantulas and I spied the largest, meanest ( or so I thought ) hairiest spider of them all. I had the store
clerk help me with all the basics I needed to house this beast. He was a 6 inch monster known as a Honduran Curly Hair Tarantula. I quickly
made my way home with my new "pet" to get it settled in it's new home. Once home, I set up the new house and contemplated
how to get the spider from it's travel container into the Terrarium. Would I have to touch it!? A disturbing thought. In the end I upended the container into the tank as gently as I could and very quickly put the mesh lid on, lest my little
friend decided to quickly climb out. What happened over the next few months was an eye opener. And what happened was this...
very little. The spider was content to check out it's surroundings initially and soon settled into it's favorite corner, the only excitement
and flurry of motion would be when I placed a few crickets in for it's meal. It would occasionally do a lap around the tank to check things out but otherwise was pretty calm and mellow. Even when the day came and I had to clean the tank it was calm and undisturbed at
being moved into a holding container while I cleaned the main tank out. I came to enjoy watching the careful movements and mechanical
explorations of "Attila". In the end "Attila" was the first of many, many spiders. She lived for close to 20 years.
What I discovered was this: sometimes in order to appreciate something better you need to understand it better. Appearances
can be deceiving, and even spiders have personality and charm. Whether you love them or hate them, insects are a vital
component to our planet. They have an immense value to our ecosystem and are a great tool with which to teach future generations
about respecting all forms of life. Besides, they don't complain, have very easy requirements to stay healthy, and don't require cuddles
or walks several times a day. They don't get lonely when you go on vacation.
Now that is a wonderful pet!! So take a moment and
watch our many-legged friends ....you may be surprised to find yourself admiring them after all.
For more information on How to Care for a Tarantula Click Here |
