Bio-active environments have captured many people’s imaginations. It is the most true approach to creating a “slice of nature” in our living rooms. But more than just a pretty scene, bio-active environments can be more healthy for your chameleon or other reptiles. Join John Courteney-Smith and I in exploring bio-active environments!
This podcast interview is the first of two episodes which reviews John’s book “The Arcadia Guide to Bio-Activity and the Theory of Wild Re-Creation”.
John Courteney-Smith, MRSB is the Head of Science and Innovation at Arcadia-Reptile. It is his job to push captive husbandry as close to optimal health for our reptiles and amphibians as possible – and make that products that allow this to be carried out. He is also the author of a set of books which address the many aspects of keeping healthy reptiles in captivity. In episode 55, we discussed his first book, The Arcadia Guide to MBD and its elimination in captivity. And if you haven’t heard it, I suggest going back and catching that one! In episode 59 we started on his second book, The Arcadia Guide to Reptile and Amphibian Nutrition. In that episode we concentrated on vitamins. Of course, all vitamins and minerals work together and must be in balance so it is impossible to discuss one without the other. Naturally, our next episode, episode 60, was about minerals! We then finished up the nutrition topic with Ep 65: Gutloading Chameleon Feeders.
I highly recommend picking up the book series as they are full of information.
The links below take you to retailers that carry this book, The Arcadia Guide to Bio-activity and the Theory of Wild Re-creation.
John mentioned the Reptiles and Amphibian Bio-Active Setups Facebook group. This is a great group of people who would be very helpful in answering questions that you might have in your particular implementation. Click on the image below to go straight there.
John has worked with Peter Blake to put together a ten part series on setting up a bio-active enclosure for pygmy chameleons. This guide was presented one part per issue in Practical Reptile Keeping magazine from the UK. You can check out the magazine through their webpage below, but I highly recommend you load up their iTunes or Google Play app which will allow you to purchase digital back issue and even subscribe. I have a digital subscription and greatly enjoy it.
Magazine Website
The iPad/iPhone app can be found at this link
iPhone/iPad app
The Google Play app for Android devices can be found at this link
Android app from the Google Play Store
John’s Bio-Active Vivarium series starts with Issue 88 with the Yellow and Black Dart Frogs on the cover!
There are two other books that present John’s research and direction for Arcadia-Reptile. His first book is The Arcadia Guide to MBD and its Elimination in Captivity which goes over the very important need to understand the UVB/D3/Calcium cycle.
In the US, you may purchase a physical book from Light Your Reptiles or get a kindle edition from Amazon.com. In the UK you can head on over to the Northampton Reptile Centre. Click below for purchase.
The second book is a thick one and goes over vitamins and minerals and there value to reptiles.
Arcadia Reptile has earned their place in the reptile community by producing quality products. Their website arcadia-reptile.com is an excellent resource on reptile lighting.
Thank you John for coming on a sharing with us!
