Good sources for animal husbandry?

[KeGathings17]

Where are some of your trusted places on the internet to fact check things relating to reptile/amphibian/fish/other exotic type animals? Is it more useful to research things like natural habitat, and behaviors, and use common sense? Any links, or books, or even personal experience is all appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Poonjab]

I’d argue message boards. Mostly because it’s years of personal experience and people sharing what works and what doesn’t work.

 

[The Snark]

Where are some of your trusted places on the internet to fact check things relating to reptile/amphibian/fish/other exotic type animals?

Excuse me for being ironic or even sounding facetious, but that query is so nebulous it's like asking which direction is best for looking for stars. If a person wants the real low down without several million tons of manure tossed in, put university + animal husbandry into a search engine. I'd suggest you narrow down which animal type then fire off some emails. If you have a specific animal genus or species in mind the chances are reasonably good an advanced student will be referred your way that is looking to write a term paper.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

What animal are we talking about? There is no general purpose exotics forum that is any good AFAIK, but there is a good one for royal pythons, another for dart frogs, and so on.

Be careful with simply imitating natural conditions in captivity. It often fails spectacularly. SImply mimicking humidity, temps, etc can easily lead to dead animals, since a little glass box just isn't at all like natural habitats in every other respect.

 

[viper69]

Where are some of your trusted places on the internet to fact check things relating to reptile/amphibian/fish/other exotic type animals? Is it more useful to research things like natural habitat, and behaviors, and use common sense? Any links, or books, or even personal experience is all appreciated. Thanks!

I just use YouTube, Reddit, and Facebook

My best resource has been contacting/speaking with world experts, be it other scientists, well known breeders etc, and of course reading scientific literature/books.

There’s a definitely a lack of common sense when it comes to owning exotic animals for many people.

 

[goliathusdavid]

The definitive database on animal husbandry is ZIMS (Zoological Information Management Software) but it is restricted to zoological institutions, zoological associations, and universities. Therefore, it is of little use to most hobbyists.
I would argue that your question is extremely species specific. Nevertheless, I will provide a few general resources. If you are looking for husbandry advice on inverts, Arachnoboards partnered with Orin Mcmonigle's books is probably the best you can get. Regarding reptiles and amphibians, I highly recommend the Youtube channel Clint's Reptiles. The most wide ranging database is likely The Spruce Pets, which outlines BASIC care for everything from millipedes to sugar gliders (which please, please don't keep). But I want to emphasize on that last one, that they may not have the specifics you are looking for.

 

[KeGathings17]

Thanks everyone, I was just bored and wanted more so read any reliable info regarding captive animal husbandry, although I suppose just googling the animal in question with the term itself will yield more results than one can shake a stick at. Thanks everyone.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

No offense, but the Spruce is a pretty poor recommendation. It is so painfully general that it borders on misinformation in many cases, and some recommendations really are simply wrong. I looked through the pages of the reptile species that I keep and breed, and there is a lot to take issue with.

 

[goliathusdavid]

No offense, but the Spruce is a pretty poor recommendation. It is so painfully general that it borders on misinformation in many cases, and some recommendations really are simply wrong. I looked through the pages of the reptile species that I keep and breed, and there is a lot to take issue with.

I don't disagree, it is incredibly general, and not without incorrect information. But it can be a good place to start if you are just browsing around for species people keep and get a VERY vague idea of what that care would look like. Please don't believe that I love it as a resource, quite the opposite, but because this thread was not asking about any specific species or even genera, I felt it was an okay database to provide.

 

[Sterls]

I tend to use both books and the specialized forums. Googling the specific species and 'forum' together usually points you in the direction of the "arachnoboards" of other critters.

Side note, after reading this thread I opened up an old book I used as a resource way back when I started. I think it's husbandry section is a little dated, lol
(re: ball pythons)

 

[RoachCoach]

but that query is so nebulous it's like asking which direction is best for looking for stars.

Um, Up? I get you though. If there is any unbelievably reliable info for insects I will always defer to Orin McMonigle. Other than that it seems like a shot in the dark. There are thousands if not millions of free online peer reviewed journals you could literally get a PHD on whatever animal you choose. "How do you like them apples?"

 

[The Snark]

Other than that it seems like a shot in the dark. There are thousands if not millions of free online peer reviewed journals you could literally get a PHD on whatever animal you choose. "How do you like them apples?"

That's why I recommend going through a university and hopefully getting expert input or having a student assist. Most of the footwork is already done.
Say I want the low down on Sequioa Sempervirens. Get buried in info or head to Humboldt State University and get the info from the horses mouth, updated several times a month. After all, that's what reputable universities are all about. The dissemination of accurate up to date info.

 

[schmiggle]

Having gone through the husbandry rigmarole with white papers and plants, I have to say--I found it useful, but not more useful than hobbyists. A lot of times their methods are impractical for hobbyists, since they have lots of money and need rigorous control. It's a good resource to have, but not necessarily one I would go to first.