Month: November 2025

Nature in a Box: How to Design a Stunning (and Self-Cleaning) Bioactive Home for Your Crested Gecko
Exotic Pet

Nature in a Box: How to Design a Stunning (and Self-Cleaning) Bioactive Home for Your Crested Gecko

- by Elbrock Sodherock

For years, the standard for keeping a Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) was a simple glass tank with paper towel bedding and a few plastic plants. While functional, these “sterile” setups require constant manual cleaning and offer little in the way of natural enrichment.

Enter the Bioactive Vivarium.

A bioactive home is a self-sustaining ecosystem where live plants, beneficial fungi, and a “cleanup crew” of tiny invertebrates work together to break down waste. Not only are these enclosures visually stunning—transforming a pet tank into a living piece of tropical art—but they also create a healthier, more humid, and more stimulating environment for your gecko. Best of all? The tank cleans itself.

Here is your master blueprint for designing the ultimate bioactive “nature in a box.”

Phase 1: The Foundation (The Drainage Layer)

In a bioactive setup, you are watering live plants and misting for humidity. Without a way …

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Look Before You Leap: A State-by-State Guide to the Legalities of Owning a Sugar Glider
Exotic Pet

Look Before You Leap: A State-by-State Guide to the Legalities of Owning a Sugar Glider

- by Elbrock Sodherock

Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) are undeniably captivating. These small, nocturnal marsupials from Australia and Indonesia have large, soulful eyes, a soft coat, and a “patagium”—the membrane that allows them to glide through the air. However, before you fall in love with the idea of a pocket-sized companion that glides into your hand, you must navigate a complex, often confusing web of legislation.

In the United States, sugar gliders are classified as “exotic animals.” Unlike dogs or cats, their legal status is not uniform across the country. Depending on which side of a state border you reside, owning a sugar glider can range from perfectly legal to a criminal offense.

This guide breaks down the legal landscape to ensure your leap into exotic pet ownership is on the right side of the law.

Why Are Sugar Gliders Regulated?

Before diving into the “where,” it is important to understand the …

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The Beginner’s Blueprint: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Perfect Bearded Dragon Habitat
Exotic Pet

The Beginner’s Blueprint: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Perfect Bearded Dragon Habitat

- by Elbrock Sodherock

So, you’ve decided to bring home a “beardie.” You aren’t alone—Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps) are arguably the most popular pet reptiles in the world, and for good reason. They are docile, visually striking, and possess “dog-like” personalities that set them apart from other lizards.

However, there is a common misconception that Bearded Dragons are “easy” pets. While they are hardy, their survival and happiness depend entirely on a highly specific environmental blueprint. In the wild, they thrive in the harsh, arid woodlands and deserts of Australia. To keep one in your home, you aren’t just buying a cage; you are engineering an ecosystem.

This guide will walk you through the essential components of the perfect habitat, ensuring your new companion thrives for its full 10-to-15-year lifespan.

Phase 1: Choosing the Enclosure (The “Forever Home”)

Many beginners make the mistake of buying a small 20-gallon starter tank for a …

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Small Space, Big Personality: 7 Low-Maintenance Exotic Pets That Thrive in Apartment Living
Exotic Pet

Small Space, Big Personality: 7 Low-Maintenance Exotic Pets That Thrive in Apartment Living

- by Elbrock Sodherock

Living in an apartment shouldn’t mean you’re limited to a goldfish or a pet rock. While dogs require walks and cats need vertical space (and can sometimes be tough on a security deposit), the world of exotic pets offers a fascinating array of companions that are perfectly suited for “small footprint” living.

For the modern apartment dweller, the ideal pet is quiet, odor-free, and capable of thriving in a controlled environment. “Exotic” doesn’t have to mean “difficult.” In fact, many exotic species have lower daily maintenance requirements than traditional domesticated animals.

Here are seven low-maintenance exotic pets that bring massive personality to small spaces.

1. The Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

Often cited as the “gateway” reptile, the Leopard Gecko is the gold standard for apartment pets. Unlike many other lizards, they don’t have sticky toe pads, meaning they won’t be climbing your walls if they escape, and they …

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