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  Müller’s (Mueller’s) Sand Boa: The Secretive Burrower of African Sands

  Learn how to care for Müller’s Sand Boa, also called Eryx muelleri, a small burrowing snake from West and Central Africa. This guide covers its habitat, size, calm nature, vivarium setup, deep sandy substrate, temperatures, feeding, handling, health concerns, lifespan and breeding. Müller’s Sand Boas need a secure arid enclosure with plenty of loose substrate, low to moderate humidity, fresh water and minimal disturbance.

  7 August 2026

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  Exotic

  The Complete Guide to Keeping Fiddler Crabs

  Fiddler Crabs care summary. Small semi-terrestrial crabs kept in a brackish paludarium (a tank with both land and slightly salty water). Use at least 60 litres for 3–5 crabs. Make 70–80% land and 20–30% shallow water no deeper than 5–8 cm. Provide 8–10 cm of fine sand or a sand–soil mix for burrows. Salinity (salt level) 1.005–1.015, temperature 22–28°C, pH 7.5–8.5. Humidity 70–90% and air temperature 24–28°C, use a tight lid and mist the land daily. Feed algae wafers, spirulina pellets, sinking crustacean pellets, vegetables and occasional protein. Keep at least 3 crabs with 1 male to 2–3 females and use a species-only tank. Do weekly 20–30% water changes, use a gentle sponge filter and provide hides and climbing decor. Support moulting with calcium and steady conditions. Lifespan about 2–3 years. Not suitable for simple freshwater tanks; they do well with a proper brackish setup.

  4 August 2026

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  Exotic

  A Complete Guide to Owning an African Flower Mantis

  African Flower Mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) is a small, colourful mantis from sub-Saharan Africa with petal-like limbs and bright eye spots. This flower mantis is active, fast-growing and has bold behaviour, making it a popular pet for mantis care and observation. Housing needs vertical space, good ventilation and places to hang for moulting; a 20x20x30 cm enclosure with branches and plants works well. Keep temperature 24 to 28°C and humidity 50 to 60% with light daily misting and plenty of airflow. Feed nymphs on fruit flies every 1 to 2 days and adults on small crickets or flies every 2 to 4 days. Remove uneaten prey and do not offer food larger than the mantis head. Moulting requires hanging space and no disturbance. Lifespan is about 6 to 9 months. Handle only briefly and gently. Legal to keep in the UK; buy captive-bred stock from reputable sellers for best mantis care.

  28 July 2026

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  Exotic

  An Owner’s Guide to Keeping the Northern Banded Newt

  The Northern banded newt (Ommatotriton ophryticus) care guide covers housing, diet, breeding and health for keepers. It explains a paludarium with a water area 20–25 cm deep and a damp land area, plus tank sizes for pairs and groups. Diet notes include bloodworms, earthworms and small insects, feeding schedules, and calcium and vitamin supplements. Care tips cover gentle filtration, weekly partial water changes, and keeping temperature at 16–20°C with no higher than 24°C, a 12 hour light cycle and low level UVB. Breeding advice includes a winter cooling period near 10°C, spring warming, courtship, plant-wrapped eggs and larval rearing. Common health risks are dirty water, fungal infections, low humidity and poor diet, and handling should be minimal with wet hands or gloves. Legal and conservation points stress buying captive bred animals and responsible keeping. Size, lifespan and seasonal colouration changes are included for UK keepers.

  25 July 2026