Howdy fellow keepers! As Earth Day rolls around, it's a fantastic time to reflect on how we can make our passion for herpetology a little kinder to our planet. Caring for our scaly, shelled, and slithery friends brings us so much joy, and with a few conscious choices, we can help to ensure that our hobby leaves a lighter footprint. Here at ReptiChip, it's Earth Day every day, we're all about providing natural and sustainable substrates. We believe that eco-consciousness can extend to all aspects of reptile keeping, without making your husbandry more complicated than it needs to be. So let's take a look at some tips for sustainability!
Sustainable Substrates (Like ReptiChip!)
This might seem obvious coming from us, but your choice of substrate makes a real difference! Forget about substrates that are environmentally damaging to harvest or produce. ReptiChip is derived from sustainably sourced coconut husks, a renewable resource. It's not only fantastic for your reptiles, providing excellent humidity retention and burrowing opportunities, but it's also a responsible choice for the planet. Plus, its longevity means less frequent changes and less substrate waste in the long run!
Smart Lighting and Heating
Energy consumption for lighting and heating can be fairly significant in reptile enclosures. If you work to utilize thermostats and timers to precisely regulate temperatures and light cycles, you'll not only minimize your impact but also save yourself some money! This prevents overheating, unnecessary energy use, and can help to ensure your digital items last a little bit longer in the long run.
Use Water Resourcably
Of course, all animals need water, but we can always be mindful of our water consumption and find ways to reuse water. If you use misting systems, set them on timers to avoid over-misting and water waste. Running a bioactive or vivarium-type terrarium? Water removed from enclosures that hasn't been contaminated with chemicals or waste can even be used to water houseplants.
Work with Natural Decor
Chances are, you're probably already using either a bioactive or semi-bioactive setup, and if so, using natural decor items not only helps your system to work more efficiently but also lowers your consumption of non-renewable items like plastics and resin! Try incorporating more natural elements like branches, rocks, leaves, mosses, and cork bark. Just make sure you're collecting these items from an area with no pesticide usage and that you're safely sanitizing them before using them in your terrarium directly!
Reusable Dishes
No matter what kind of reptiles or amphibians you may be keeping, you more than likely need some kind of dishes, whether that's for food or for water. Keeping a gecko eating a prepared fruit diet? Try silicone or biodegradable cups rather than single-use and disposable plastic ones! Keeping a frog with a soaking dish? Try a ceramic bowl rather than a plastic or resin one, they help to lower the amount of bacteria harbored in them! There's all kinds of reusable dishes that are widely available to purchase, so no matter what kind of herptile you're keeping, there's definitely a dish for you.
Support Sustainable Breeders and Suppliers
When expanding your reptile family or purchasing supplies, choose breeders and suppliers who prioritize ethical and sustainable practices. Ask questions about their sourcing and environmental consciousness.
Education and Advocacy
The more we learn and share, the bigger impact we can have! Educate yourself and fellow reptile and amphibian keepers about sustainable practices. Help spread awareness and encourage responsible herpetology!
This Earth Day, let's pledge to make conscious choices that benefit both our beloved animals and the planet we share. By incorporating ideas like these tips, and by choosing sustainable products like ReptiChip, we can cultivate a more environmentally friendly approach to reptile keeping. Every little step counts towards a greener future for all!
Let's try to make it Earth Day every day.