I wish that all the science classes in schools would make room for a variety of bio-enclosures and teach the kids how and why it works. It is such a good way to learn about ecosystems and biomes. Terd is so cute - I love his little face! Thank you Jessi!
That's what I want to do to teach students hands on ecology. It'll get their attention and inspire a sense of awe and respect hopefully to preserve these animals' wild habitats.
Yay! I love when you feature the herptiles and how to care for them. It isn't as easy as some would think, if you want to do it right for the critters. We love them so, and we love Animal Wonders and Jessi!
Very interesting! The more we can make our friends' homes like their natural environments the better! I always enjoy seeing your videos and this one is right up at the top of the list for rewatching from time to time. Great job !
I love seeing you advocating for bioactive!!! Ive have all my herps on them and they really seem to thrive on it. Snakes are shedding well, and the chameleon breeds a lot of her own food in her enclosure! I'm expecting a rainbow boa soon, Ill have to try this waterfall trick!
We in the dart frog hobby have been using bioactive enclosures since the late 80s early 90s, and it's great to see that they are becoming much more common these days. While this is a great overview, I did see a few common mistakes made. It is very important to have at least an inch of an air gab between the drainage layer and the substrate otherwise the water will just wick up and saturate the soil causing it to stagnate like there was never a drainage layer to begin with (The waterfall can cause this too). Another nitpick would be that I would never use a waterfall or pothos in a cage that small, as it will quickly outgrow the tank and need constant pruning. Without good access to the pump they are just more trouble then they're worth. If you want more humidity just cover part of the top with some glass, but that's just me. Love the content keep up the good work!
I'm so thankful for this channel, I'm starting a Zoo Biology degree in September over here in the UK, and these videos are so informative! I'm also super stressed with exams at the minute and these videos keep me motivated and remind me what I'm working for. Thanks so much!
I love seeing your videos on the reptiles, and really all of your animals in your rescue. You really do an amazing job at improving their enclosures, and keeping every animal comfortable in their environment. I truly cannot wait to one day be in a position where I can improve the lives of more animals around than just the wonderful pets that keep me company. I look forward to my dreams of owning a shelter/rescue to save as many animals as I can. 😍💗
Michelle Winters I can recommend beginning by volunteering at lots of rescues to gain tons of experiences!! I want to run a parrot rescue so I currently volunteer at one! It’s so amazing. I wish you the best in your dream ❤️
I really enjoyed designing things and changing up an enclosure is a good chance to keep your animals mentally active and adapting to their environment.
I've been a subscriber for a couple of years, and I love your videos. I have to say that this is one of my favorites that you've made, it was educational, interesting, and entertaining!
You are so awesome Jessi, I wish I had your knowledge when I kept a bearded dragon, I'm still super sad about her passing but if anything it was a super valuable lesson on that keeping an animal isn't easy. Great video!
Huh. I've been doing something like this for years with my various animals, I didn't realize there was a term for it! This was a great tutorial, thank you! My favorite part was the curious tortoises 😂😍
"Terd" Hahahaha. Its funny seeing someone so wholesome and cheesy on camera subliminally having a good sense of humor behind the scenes =). Nice spelling save. Can't stop laughing lol.
Such very cool little skinks! Such as shame we can’t keep them in Australia but we do have some very cool native alternatives.🦎 As always I adore your enclosures and your reptile room looks fantastic We are considering swapping our reptiles to bioactive but I think it’ll take awhile with so many tanks! Look forward to next weeks video 😊
This really made me think about how I went about setting up my Tropical Fish tank and doing a fishless cycle to create the bacterial colony to deal with the Ammonia etc. It's fascinating and I've never ever kept reptiles but having only just discovered these adorable little skinks I'm a little obsessed now! They look just like dragons! I'm not even sure they can be seen/ kept in the UK. Stunning little creature! I'm aware of how small his enclosure is and just wondering how long you'd wait until moving him on to a larger enclosure??? Would you ever put him with other species at all? He really is beautiful as are his parents!
I always love your videos and find them very interesting. This one was more interesting and I totally laughed when you planted the second plant and this little head poked up over your leg. :) - Heidi
Tami Lindsley Because he's used to it and with the water in the enclosure so dirty I wanted him to have access to clean familiar water while he got used to his new surroundings and let the new water settle.
Great bioactive enclosure! I have one for my green treen python. I even included some natural vine and ficus plants. I have also included earthworms to help turn the soil. My enclosure recently sprouted mushrooms and from what I can tell mushrooms are a good thing for the ecosystem of the enclosure.
I set up one for my snakes, 2 ribbon snakes, and 4 brown snakes, (its a 40 gallon tank) just renovated it as the plants I had in previously died. I carved out two hides from small pieces of firewoord and placed them at opposite ends of the tank, one next to the heating pad, and the other away from it, the plants are in the middle. the thing is I haven't been able to get the detritivores because they kept dying in the mail. But I found a local suppler and they guarantee live delivery, so with luck I should have them early next week. I'm very happy with how its worked so far, the ribbons were captive bred, but the browns were wild captures from my yard, I kind of wrecked their habitat when I was clearing away the leaves and branches they were living under. I used to play with them as a kid, but i could never get them to eat in captivity, but the ones I have are taking the worms I've been giving them, and I'm thrilled. The ribbons are fine on cut up tilapia. It was a bit of work, but its paid off, I've barely had to clean it. mostly I just change the water dish, and removed sheds. the little guys don't produce a lot of waste. hoping that once I get ispods and springtails in there things will get even better. I have had an issue with mushroom growth.
I'm going to add to my previous comment here. Research and care sheets for adult ribbon snakes recommend at minimum 10 gallons per snake, though some recommend 20 gallons for longer snakes. There is less care information out there for brown snakes, but the recommendation seems to be similar, 10 gallons for a single snake and 20 gallons for 2-3 snakes. Meaning, an enclosure for the number and type of snakes you have should be 50 gallons at the absolute minimum and probably more like 60 gallons. Might be worth considering setting the ribbon snakes in their own 20 to 40 gallon enclosure to give everyone appropriate space.
Do you think theres a good way to do a bioactive setup for a leopard gecko? Im interested in making a bioactive but im not sure if my leo if the right choice for it
Awesome skinks! Total cuties. Is there ever any problems using the exo terra backgrounds I’m bio active setups? I’m getting ready to set mine up and wasn’t sure whether the cleanup crew would eat it or not lol
Hannah Mooney crested geckos do amazing in bio active enclosures! I have both of mine in live planted bio active setups. There’s a TH-camr called Leopard Gecko who has videos of her crested gecko’s bioactive setup and a lot of helpful info about it.
WeepingAngel Lex iv heard its difficult to do with blood pythons but idk havent tried it. Personally i think most reptiles would be more than happy with bioactive but im not really an expert.
@thisisthehelen Thanks! I want to get a crested gecko someday and the whole time while watching this was wondering if it would work for them. Awesome to know that it does. :D
There are a lot of videos of people making bioactive enclosures for Leopard Geckos...and then in the updates all the bugs and plants are dead/dying. It can be done, but it is hard to do for lower humidity animals. The bugs and most plants need higher humidity. Also, plants would fry if you put them in the temperatures usually needed for bearded dragons for example. Bioactive enclosures seem to do well with higher humidity, and moderate temperatures. So not great for low humidity/high temperature animals.
Do you have any tips or way to make bioactive environment for parrots? They chew on everything like plants and wood so it's very difficult to give them a natural environment but I would love to find a way to do so!
This has me excited thinking about my long term term plan for getting a crested gecko. Assuming this also works for them I think I'll want to do this. Also, question: if you don't already have bugs from another bioactive enclosure you've conveniently got close at hand, where do you get them?
Steven Brogdon There's a few places online in the US you can get them from. I got a shipment from Josh's Frogs and another from Critters Direct. I was happy with both.
But why the big bulky water dish that stands out when he already has the waterfall and small pond? Everything looks great in there minus the bowl. Good job 😊
Don't think I'll ever get a skink because I'm content with my cats and brave enough to admit I wouldn't be a good reptile care giver, but I really enjoyed this video on the behind-the-scenes (if you will) of how reptile parents take care of their babies.
I love bioactive enclosures, they are so cool. I want a ball python someday and will definitely have that type of enclosure. Does your husband have any planted fish tanks? If so, can he give some advice? Tell him we miss him! :)
Wow I had no idea this is what a bioactive enclosure was. I thought you just throw a couple plants in there and your done, I didn't know there was so much more to it.
I wish that all the science classes in schools would make room for a variety of bio-enclosures and teach the kids how and why it works. It is such a good way to learn about ecosystems and biomes. Terd is so cute - I love his little face! Thank you Jessi!
That's what I want to do to teach students hands on ecology. It'll get their attention and inspire a sense of awe and respect hopefully to preserve these animals' wild habitats.
My old teacher taught us that for one semester lol
Tortoises want to see what's going on! So fun to see them hanging out with you.
Yeah, the tortoises made me smile.
I loved the dancing snake in the background.
Did you see the turtle?
@TeganGarretson at which moment?
2:51 bottom left
Lil cricket escapes clutches of the human
StarStuff 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
I was wondering what the heck was running across the floor. The tortoise might have got it later.
LOL he's like "we out!"
@@rei_cirith Is that what it was eating at 5:22
Yay! I love when you feature the herptiles and how to care for them. It isn't as easy as some would think, if you want to do it right for the critters. We love them so, and we love Animal Wonders and Jessi!
It was so fun to see the "photobombs" from your other reptiles! The snake behind you seemed especially interested in the commotion. :)
Very interesting! The more we can make our friends' homes like their natural environments the better! I always enjoy seeing your videos and this one is right up at the top of the list for rewatching from time to time. Great job !
I like how casually the turtles just walk up out of nowhere and stay like "hey, what's going on around here"
+
they're not turtles, they're tortoises (sorry if I seem nitpicky) :)
Perfectly good correction! I always mix them up, even in my native language, looking the difference up makes me less propense to do so again. :)
Titus and Yucca are great reptile room helpers!
I love seeing you advocating for bioactive!!! Ive have all my herps on them and they really seem to thrive on it. Snakes are shedding well, and the chameleon breeds a lot of her own food in her enclosure! I'm expecting a rainbow boa soon, Ill have to try this waterfall trick!
Aweee! Terd it growing so well!
We in the dart frog hobby have been using bioactive enclosures since the late 80s early 90s, and it's great to see that they are becoming much more common these days.
While this is a great overview, I did see a few common mistakes made. It is very important to have at least an inch of an air gab between the drainage layer and the substrate otherwise the water will just wick up and saturate the soil causing it to stagnate like there was never a drainage layer to begin with (The waterfall can cause this too).
Another nitpick would be that I would never use a waterfall or pothos in a cage that small, as it will quickly outgrow the tank and need constant pruning. Without good access to the pump they are just more trouble then they're worth. If you want more humidity just cover part of the top with some glass, but that's just me.
Love the content keep up the good work!
I second this.
He’s so cuuute! And his new home looks so cool :-)
It's so awesome that these animals get such excellent care with you.
I'm so thankful for this channel, I'm starting a Zoo Biology degree in September over here in the UK, and these videos are so informative! I'm also super stressed with exams at the minute and these videos keep me motivated and remind me what I'm working for. Thanks so much!
I didn't know Bioactive Enclosure is a thing, it's so cool.
it's called a vivarium
I love seeing your videos on the reptiles, and really all of your animals in your rescue. You really do an amazing job at improving their enclosures, and keeping every animal comfortable in their environment. I truly cannot wait to one day be in a position where I can improve the lives of more animals around than just the wonderful pets that keep me company. I look forward to my dreams of owning a shelter/rescue to save as many animals as I can. 😍💗
Michelle Winters I can recommend beginning by volunteering at lots of rescues to gain tons of experiences!! I want to run a parrot rescue so I currently volunteer at one! It’s so amazing. I wish you the best in your dream ❤️
I absolutely love red eye crocodile skinks! They are beautiful!
This channel has to be one of my favourite channels here on TH-cam, every video is so interesting and I feel like I learn so much when I watch them.
beautiful terd much love
Coolest rescue mom ever
Terd is literally the cutest little dude!❤
The snake in the background really wants attention ;)
Lol
I love that in start of the video one of the snakes 🐍 tried to be in the camera 📷
'Terd'? That's an...interesting name...
Will be my son's name
My thoughts exactly. Im all "poor guy, sounds like crap." At least he doesn't know what his name sounds like. Well thought out enclosure though.
Just like a walstad aquarium! Very cool.
This was inspiring and had me think of an entire enclosure thank you
A red eyed croc skink is one of my dream pets!
Thank you so much for showing us a way to do this simply!
I love how you can see the snake and tortoises in the background
Efren Chen “Pay attention to us!”
I really enjoyed designing things and changing up an enclosure is a good chance to keep your animals mentally active and adapting to their environment.
Would you be able to tell if Terd doesn't like either the sound or the vibration of the water pump?
That was very interesting Jessi,,,I am sure Turd is happy. He is so cute too! Thanks for the video :)
i love your channel Jessie!!! 😊😊😊💛💛💛
aww I see your turtle friend watching what you are doing.
Thank you that showed me exactly what I needed to do
What a beautiful bioactive enclosure!
I think “ The parents of Turd” is my favorite thing you have ever said 😂
Loved this video! Turd is so cute and tiny. I would like to see more enclosure videos, especially with the birds!
I've been a subscriber for a couple of years, and I love your videos. I have to say that this is one of my favorites that you've made, it was educational, interesting, and entertaining!
You are so awesome Jessi, I wish I had your knowledge when I kept a bearded dragon, I'm still super sad about her passing but if anything it was a super valuable lesson on that keeping an animal isn't easy. Great video!
Huh. I've been doing something like this for years with my various animals, I didn't realize there was a term for it! This was a great tutorial, thank you! My favorite part was the curious tortoises 😂😍
you are so helpful you are very kind and you take care of your animals i have also subscribed
"Terd" Hahahaha. Its funny seeing someone so wholesome and cheesy on camera subliminally having a good sense of humor behind the scenes =). Nice spelling save. Can't stop laughing lol.
Such very cool little skinks! Such as shame we can’t keep them in Australia but we do have some very cool native alternatives.🦎
As always I adore your enclosures and your reptile room looks fantastic
We are considering swapping our reptiles to bioactive but I think it’ll take awhile with so many tanks!
Look forward to next weeks video 😊
Lol the tortoise in the background 😂
you care for yout animals delicatly
This really made me think about how I went about setting up my Tropical Fish tank and doing a fishless cycle to create the bacterial colony to deal with the Ammonia etc. It's fascinating and I've never ever kept reptiles but having only just discovered these adorable little skinks I'm a little obsessed now! They look just like dragons! I'm not even sure they can be seen/ kept in the UK. Stunning little creature! I'm aware of how small his enclosure is and just wondering how long you'd wait until moving him on to a larger enclosure??? Would you ever put him with other species at all? He really is beautiful as are his parents!
I really enjoyed this video, thanks for sharing!
The turtle and snake stole the show.
I always love your videos and find them very interesting. This one was more interesting and I totally laughed when you planted the second plant and this little head poked up over your leg. :) - Heidi
Why the water dish in addition to his new waterfall and stream?
Tami Lindsley Because he's used to it and with the water in the enclosure so dirty I wanted him to have access to clean familiar water while he got used to his new surroundings and let the new water settle.
AnimalWonders Montana ahh got it so it’s part of the transition? Looks like a great place for a hide later then?
this reminds me of a vivarium build
He looks awesome
So cute I love hem I would love to have one
Great bioactive enclosure! I have one for my green treen python. I even included some natural vine and ficus plants. I have also included earthworms to help turn the soil. My enclosure recently sprouted mushrooms and from what I can tell mushrooms are a good thing for the ecosystem of the enclosure.
I set up one for my snakes, 2 ribbon snakes, and 4 brown snakes, (its a 40 gallon tank) just renovated it as the plants I had in previously died. I carved out two hides from small pieces of firewoord and placed them at opposite ends of the tank, one next to the heating pad, and the other away from it, the plants are in the middle. the thing is I haven't been able to get the detritivores because they kept dying in the mail. But I found a local suppler and they guarantee live delivery, so with luck I should have them early next week.
I'm very happy with how its worked so far, the ribbons were captive bred, but the browns were wild captures from my yard, I kind of wrecked their habitat when I was clearing away the leaves and branches they were living under. I used to play with them as a kid, but i could never get them to eat in captivity, but the ones I have are taking the worms I've been giving them, and I'm thrilled. The ribbons are fine on cut up tilapia.
It was a bit of work, but its paid off, I've barely had to clean it. mostly I just change the water dish, and removed sheds. the little guys don't produce a lot of waste. hoping that once I get ispods and springtails in there things will get even better. I have had an issue with mushroom growth.
Wait, sorry, maybe I misread something but do you have 6 snakes in a single 40 gallon tank?
I'm going to add to my previous comment here. Research and care sheets for adult ribbon snakes recommend at minimum 10 gallons per snake, though some recommend 20 gallons for longer snakes. There is less care information out there for brown snakes, but the recommendation seems to be similar, 10 gallons for a single snake and 20 gallons for 2-3 snakes. Meaning, an enclosure for the number and type of snakes you have should be 50 gallons at the absolute minimum and probably more like 60 gallons. Might be worth considering setting the ribbon snakes in their own 20 to 40 gallon enclosure to give everyone appropriate space.
How do you maintain the water cleanliness? Do you do water changes? Is there a filter needed?
What pump did you use for this? Having trouble finding one under 50gph.. I don't want to blow the water from the back, just trickle down like yours😅
6:35 Tortoise: "Whatcha doin?"
I've been considering going bioactive for my reptiles and really enjoyed this video, but my favorite part was the ball python in the background lol
I love snakes but when I first noticed the one in the background I jumped! Haha great enclosure idea! Love the videos!
Where does one initially get the decomposers?
I've seen lots of people order them from suppliers online. You could also check any pet stores or reptile specialty stores in your area.
Can’t believe you don’t get that much hate on going bio active as Happy Tails did. Y’all 2 are great TH-camrs and I got inspired to go bio active
Do you think theres a good way to do a bioactive setup for a leopard gecko? Im interested in making a bioactive but im not sure if my leo if the right choice for it
he's adorable
🦎 👀 like cute lil’ dragon❕🙂
Thank you for this video :)
Awesome skinks! Total cuties. Is there ever any problems using the exo terra backgrounds I’m bio active setups? I’m getting ready to set mine up and wasn’t sure whether the cleanup crew would eat it or not lol
Does the noise of the pump not drive them mad? Way less tricking waterfall than buzzing motor
What reptiles work best in a bioactive enclosure? Are there any reptiles that you SHOULDN"T put in one?
Im wondering the same thing, i have 2 crested geckos and am wondering if this would work.
Hannah Mooney crested geckos do amazing in bio active enclosures! I have both of mine in live planted bio active setups. There’s a TH-camr called Leopard Gecko who has videos of her crested gecko’s bioactive setup and a lot of helpful info about it.
WeepingAngel Lex iv heard its difficult to do with blood pythons but idk havent tried it. Personally i think most reptiles would be more than happy with bioactive but im not really an expert.
@thisisthehelen Thanks! I want to get a crested gecko someday and the whole time while watching this was wondering if it would work for them. Awesome to know that it does. :D
There are a lot of videos of people making bioactive enclosures for Leopard Geckos...and then in the updates all the bugs and plants are dead/dying. It can be done, but it is hard to do for lower humidity animals. The bugs and most plants need higher humidity. Also, plants would fry if you put them in the temperatures usually needed for bearded dragons for example. Bioactive enclosures seem to do well with higher humidity, and moderate temperatures. So not great for low humidity/high temperature animals.
How does having a waterfall in the tank work? Like do you need to change the hydro balls?
What lights did you use ?
Verrrry active snake movements going on in the back!
Do you have any tips or way to make bioactive environment for parrots? They chew on everything like plants and wood so it's very difficult to give them a natural environment but I would love to find a way to do so!
Will you do a video on crested gecko enclosures? I want to get one as a pet friend but I want to make sure his little life is enriched.
This has me excited thinking about my long term term plan for getting a crested gecko. Assuming this also works for them I think I'll want to do this. Also, question: if you don't already have bugs from another bioactive enclosure you've conveniently got close at hand, where do you get them?
How do you get the bugs if you are starting with all new materials and do not have an established set up to borrow from ?
Steven Brogdon There's a few places online in the US you can get them from. I got a shipment from Josh's Frogs and another from Critters Direct. I was happy with both.
The snake behind you is going "pay attention to meeeeeeeeeee!"
I'm wondering why you chose a water feature an how it helps enclosure? Also why that and a water bowl?
Best drainage layer: Reese's Puffs
Ahh tortoise in the background again 😊
Where did you buy the pothos plants from?
But why the big bulky water dish that stands out when he already has the waterfall and small pond? Everything looks great in there minus the bowl. Good job 😊
Turd is going to be the name of my next pet. That’s an awesome name
I’m going to ask my mom for a crested gecko soon. I’ve already done a lot of research so wish me luck
Cupcake Killer good luck! I hope she says yes!
Don't think I'll ever get a skink because I'm content with my cats and brave enough to admit I wouldn't be a good reptile care giver, but I really enjoyed this video on the behind-the-scenes (if you will) of how reptile parents take care of their babies.
Love the bioactive enclosures. So much stimulation for the animal. Are they appropriate for bearded dragons and if so, how do we do it? Tell Hank hi.
Do you guys have merchandise
www.animalwonders.org/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Great video!
I love him!!!!!!!
New to your channel so I didn't even know you had Reptiles n lizards....😮😮
know any good reliable places i can buy these skinks from?
Question: What’s a bio active biome?
jessie i love your vids
Can you tell me what kind of food would an lovebird would eat
I love bioactive enclosures, they are so cool. I want a ball python someday and will definitely have that type of enclosure.
Does your husband have any planted fish tanks? If so, can he give some advice? Tell him we miss him! :)
Wow I had no idea this is what a bioactive enclosure was. I thought you just throw a couple plants in there and your done, I didn't know there was so much more to it.
There's usually more to it than this too.
Does the Croc Skink bite really hard?
How long does it take the springtails to repopulate?
Walt R. Buck About 2 months. I'm hoping to do an update on how the enclosure is doing to show off how it progresses :)
Awesome. I'm very interested in this. I'll be waiting patiently.