Species Husbandry & Care Guides
Species Husbandry & Care Protocols
Science-backed, empirical husbandry protocols designed to ensure lifetime vitality, correct thermal gradients, and natural behavioral enrichment for every bloodline we preserve.
Our Hardware & Enclosure Standard
Correct husbandry begins with thermal stability, moisture retention, and bio-available spectrum lighting. After years of testing across our breeding colonies, we exclusively build around two enclosure systems and one lighting standard:
Engineered from recycled polymer and wood composites. Impervious to moisture rot, warpage, and odor absorption. Excellent thermal insulation for terrestrial species like Western Hognoses and Colubrids.
The commercial-grade standard in high-density expanded PVC (T8, T10, T12, T100). Superior heat and humidity holding capability, lightweight, stackable, and flame-retardant. Essential for Ball Pythons, Boas, and Monitors.
We utilize Arcadia ProT5 UVB (ShadeDweller 7%, 6% Forest, 12% Desert) and Arcadia Deep Heat Projectors (DHP). Arcadia delivers precise Ferguson Zone spectrums and bio-available Infrared-A/B wavelengths.
Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus)
Morphs: Albino Conda, Super Arctic Super Conda, Extreme RedFamed for their upturned rostral burrowing spade and curious personality. Manageable adult size (14–20" males, 24–36" females).
Recommended Setup Protocols:
- Housing: Ecoflex 24" or 36" Lounge or Animal Plastics T8. Solid walls reduce stress and support deep bedding.
- Lighting: Arcadia ShadeDweller 7% UVB mounted on a 12-hour photoperiod to support D3 synthesis and natural coloration.
- Substrate: 3–4 inches of shredded aspen or bioactive arid mix allowing tunnels to hold structure.
- Feeding: Appropriately sized thawed feeder mice every 5–7 days.
African Import F1 Ball Python (Python regius)
High-Vigor Locality BloodlinesDirect F1 offspring from robust African wild-type bloodlines, selected for disease resistance, strong feeding responses, and pristine genetic diversity.
Recommended Setup Protocols:
- Enclosure Choice: Animal Plastics T10/T12 or Ecoflex 48" PVC enclosure. Solid tops preserve essential humidity far better than open screen glass tanks.
- Lighting: Arcadia ProT5 6% Forest or ShadeDweller MAX for Ferguson Zone 1-2 crepuscular light exposure.
- Substrate: Coco husk, cypress mulch, or bioactive tropical soil mix holding moisture without molding.
- Hides: Two identical snug hides (one hot, one cool) to avoid making the snake choose between security and thermoregulation.
Captive-Bred Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
Rare 100% US Captive-Bred BloodlineHigh-metabolism, intelligent varanid requiring intense basking surface temperatures, deep burrowing substrate, and heavy whole-prey/insect diets.
Recommended Setup Protocols:
- Housing: Heavy-duty Animal Plastics expanded PVC. Enclosure must hold 12–24 inches of packed soil/sand mix without leaking or warping.
- Lighting: High-output Arcadia 12% or 14% Desert UVB spanning 50% of the enclosure alongside halogen flood arrays to properly simulate sub-Saharan solar energy.
- Diet: Dubia roaches, hornworms, crickets, chicks, and occasional feeder rodents dusted with calcium and multivitamins.
Colombian Boas, Chad House Snakes & Sand Boas
Pure Geographic StrainsFrom the arid fossorial Kenyan Sand Boa to tropical Colombian Boas and hyper-active Chad Locale African House Snakes.
Theraphosidae: Birdeaters & Arboreal Tarantulas
Mascara Birdeater (Pamphobeteus) • Venezuelan Suntiger (Psalmopoeus irminia)Captive-bred New World tarantulas. Mascara Birdeaters require deep moist terrestrial substrate; Suntigers thrive in vertical arboreal acrylics with cork bark tubes.
Specialty Mammals: Woolly Mammoth Mice & Steppe Gerbils
Cold-Hardy Phenotypes • Dreamsicle Pied • Mongolian GerbilsSelected for docility, cold hardiness, unique coat density, and vigor. Excellent companion rodents and foundational breeding pairs.
Big Game Theory: Heritage Avian Division
Active Programs: Blue Rosecomb • Sumatra (Black, Blue & Splash) • Appenzeller Spitzhauben • Porcelain d'UccleOur Avian Preservation program focuses on rare, purpose-bred heritage landraces and true bantams. We maintain pure genetic lines tracked for structural vitality, cold hardiness, type, and distinct plumage traits.
Blue Rosecomb Bantam
Aristocratic British true bantam with solid slate-blue feathering (Bl/bl+), prominent circular white enamel earlobes, and a classic square rose comb with leader spike. Compact, proud, and upright.
Sumatra (Black, Blue & Splash)
Ancient Indonesian landrace featuring beetle-green black and slate-blue plumage (with upcoming splash variants), pheasant-like carriage, multiple spurs, and long sweeping sickles.
Appenzeller Spitzhauben
Historic Swiss alpine breed famed for its forward-pointing feathered crest, horn comb, and spangled plumage. Extremely cold-hardy, agile climbers, and efficient self-foraging layers of white eggs.
Porcelain Belgian d'Uccle
True Belgian bantam featuring lavender (isabel) dilute mille fleur plumage, full beard, muffs, and heavily feathered shanks/vulture hocks. Exceptionally sweet and calm temperament.
Key Flock Management Protocols:
- Dry Footing & Feather Care: Heavy foot-feathered breeds like Porcelain d'Uccles and long-tailed Sumatras require covered runs with coarse sand or clean dry pine shavings to prevent mud balls, breakage, and bumblefoot.
- Ventilation & Frostbite Prevention: Coops must have high-level cross-ventilation to remove moisture while eliminating direct drafts over roosts. Rose combs, horn combs, and small pea combs are naturally frost-resistant.
- Dust Baths & Parasite Control: Provide continuous access to a sheltered dust bath with clean dry soil, coarse sand, and a light dusting of food-grade diatomaceous earth.
- Pedigree Breeding: View our Big Game Theory Division to explore our genetics tracking, pairing calculator, and lineage trees.
Have Questions About Your Setup?
Every animal we place comes with ongoing keeper support. Reach out anytime for enclosure auditing or husbandry guidance.
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