Why a Reptile Enclosure can be a useful tool to support your Classroom Curriculum.

Reptile Enclosures are an interesting alternative to traditional animal cages kept in classrooms such as those used for mice or hamsters. Reptile enclosures provide a virtual Animal Planet in your classroom and give your students the opportunity to interact with some of the world’s most unique species.

Live animals of any species are a window into nature and help to showcase how animals live and this can be an invaluable teaching tool. Placing a Reptile Enclosure in your classroom and observing the live reptiles in a naturally landscaped terrarium environment will support your teaching curriculum in a myriad of ways. Some suggestions for assisting your teaching modules are listed below:

* Biology - Your reptile enclosure will quickly become a quick reference point for a host of biology subjects, these may include;

- Movement: use of limbs, how animals move (particularly using 4 legs in unison), flexibility and strength. Reptiles can scurry around quickly so students can observe firsthand movement and balance.

- Skeletal Structure: joints, skull, backbone.

- Internal structure: sensory organs, internal organs, perhaps leading to a discussion on which vital organs all animals share.

- Common features shared by all animals - movement, respiration, senses, growth, reproduction, excretion, and feeding habits.

- Investigate why reptiles differ to mammals. What are the main differences between cold-blooded and warm blooded animals? Why is heat important to cold-blooded animals?

- Case Study and Observation skills: spend a day observing the reptile at certain intervals taking note of periods of activity and rest and times for feeding. This will help encourage students to become observant budding scientists and to accurately record their observations.

When it comes to Biology, the list of positives for having reptile enclosures in the classroom is endless. Live animals are an inspiration in themselves!

* Taking Responsibility - Reptile pets require care and living species require and deserve constant attention. Maintaining a Reptile enclosure in the classroom can foster teamwork. Encourage the class to have a roster system for cleaning and feeding duties. This in turn helps groups interact between the sexes and may encourage a shyer member of the class to come forward.

* Reptile Healthcare - this links in appropriately with the “Taking Responsibility” module and reinforces the lessons learned in the importance of cleanliness in the reptile enclosure.

* Reptile Feeding - a good opportunity to delve further into lessons comparing herbivores with carnivores or omnivores. What type of food is required to keep a reptile well nourished? Observation skills will be called upon again to assess which types of food are more popular and what quantities are appropriate.

* Reptile Habitats - the Reptile enclosure can be a focus point for highlighting and researching habitats suitable for different reptile species and can include the climate, temperature and natural surroundings. Providing features within the reptile enclosure from the reptile’s natural home provides a realistic insight into another world that your students will enjoy researching and recreating. Consider using a wide range of natural reptile enclosure decorations such as bamboo roots, real jungle vines, parasite wood and natural beddings to design a fitting reptile enclosure for the species you intend to keep in the classroom.

* Conservation - many reptiles are on endangered species lists around the world. Class research could begin with your reptile and continue with seeking additional information on the more critically scarce species and the conservation efforts underway to protect them.

* Geography - reptiles span the globe and come from a cross-section of continents. Your living classroom reptiles could provide an interesting topic starter in researching their country of origin and run on to other reptiles or mammals from these continents. You can even further focus your research projects on specific habitat types (desert, rainforest, woodland, scrubland, or on a particular country). Again, climate could be a research point as well. Do your reptiles come from a dry climate or a wet humid one? How have reptiles adapted or evolved to cope with these climates?

* Art - reptiles make great live models. They can stay still for extended periods of time and have amazing scales and skin details which make them ideal art subjects. The features included in your reptile enclosure will also provide great background details. Knotted pieces of wood, twisted vines and tropical mosses are fantastic to draw in any reptile enclosure.

When it comes to inspiration in your classroom, a prominent Reptile enclosure is an ideal teaching tool to stimulate and inspire your students. Encourage your class to assist in the set-up of the reptile enclosure and perhaps the purchase of the reptiles you wish to include. This will promote “ownership” of their new reptile pets and will become a source of pride in your classroom. Enjoy!

bio = Eco-Terrarium Supply offers a large variety of natural terrarium decorations to create an exciting reptile enclosure. Check out the selection of real jungle vines, decorative roots, terrarium backgrounds, hiding places, tropical moss and rock products to enhance your pet reptile’s natural terrarium environment. Eco Terrarium Supply also offers a wide range of exotic pet care sheets, and terrarium building articles for your enjoyment.

View their website at: http://ecoterrariumsupply.com

Popularity: 20% [?]

Why a naturalistic vivarium??

The concept of a naturalistic vivarium will benefit both reptile and owner.

The Naturalistic vivarium can create an environment that replicates the animal’s natural environment and help lead to a stress free life for your reptile. A well designed naturalistic vivarium is also extremely enjoyable for you to look at.

The landscape you choose to create in your naturalistic vivarium can be anything from a landscape that would never be found in nature, to one that exactly matches a picture from a book or even scene from a TV show. Building a naturalistic vivarium which closely resembles your reptile pets natural environment can be exceptionally rewarding. Get creative while designing your naturalistic vivarium and build the ultimate habitat for your pet reptile.

By designing a naturalistic vivarium you will see your pet reptiles show more natural behaviours and interaction within their enclosure. These conditions are environmentally enriched and will maximise the keeper and reptile experience. Both you and your pet reptiles will find these conditions more rewarding.

A naturally landscaped vivarium is the most pleasing to the human eye, and causes the least amount of stress for you reptiles; this in turn will let your animals show their natural behaviours to their fullest.

Environmental enrichment within reptile vivariums may furthermore encourage good husbandry and provide the appropriate environment for species-typical behaviours to occur. This added level of stimulation and activity is conducive to good health.

Reptiles vary widely in their natural ranges. They are found in an array of habitats and ecological niches. They exist in the temperature extremes of the desert, the moisture of the tropical rainforest and also the marine environment, just to mention a few.

Reptiles have adapted to each of these vastly different conditions and flourished on the microhabitats of each in order to survive. They may be aquatic, terrestrial, arboreal, or subterranean, or in many cases some combination of these depending on their stage of development and the time of year.

Reptiles utilize a variety of food types and feeding strategies. Species may be herbivores, insectivores, carnivores, frugivores or omnivores. Some reptiles are primarily predators while others are primarily prey; however, most are both to some extent. The design of your reptile cage must incorporate how they would eat so the food can be presented safely.

Locomotive styles include terrestrial locomotion by means of limbs, limbless locomotion, aquatic locomotion and even aerial locomotion where species glide or parachute to their destination. Other behaviours typical of most reptiles include excavation of nests or burrows, sexual and territorial displays. Some of these latter behaviours may only occur in a social context.

Reptiles are poikilothermic, or (wrongly called) cold-blooded, animals. Because their body temperature is dictated by external temperature, reptiles can regulate their body temperatures through behaviour. Reptile life and reproductive cycles are also influenced by the availability and quantity of water. In some species the amount of moisture in the air is critical while in others, access to a pond, lake or river is essential for their health.

Perches in most reptile enclosures are crucial in providing arboreal access for both semi and fully arboreal species. When these areas have a heat source, perching provides an important mechanism for thermoregulation.

Perches should be placed near heat sources to allow the animals to bask. Placing perches at varying distances from the heat source provides a temperature range that allows the animals to maintain body temperatures within a level appropriate to the species.

These heat sources can also encourage movement around the vivarium. Providing locations that are slightly hotter than optimum conditions can encourage movement in and out of that area, rather than having the animal continuously bask in the same location.

Creating vertical as well as horizontal basking and climbing sites can offer additional dimensions to the enclosure and stimulate climbing in some species. For example many species of snakes can develop gastrointestinal problems and/or become obese through lack of exercise. Periodically changing the perching in its enclosure may stimulate a healthy increase in movement as the animal explores its enriched environment.
Regular misting of a naturalistic terrarium can also increase activity and assist with the shedding of skin. Water features, if appropriate for the species can help make the enclosure landscape more interesting and raise the humidity level. Additions of plants, moss and soil can also help to maintain humidity and moisture within your vivarium.
Natural terrarium substrates such as soil, wood chips, moss, etc., can give reptiles the ability to manipulate their environments and engage in natural behaviours such as digging a burrow or creating a nest site (Tegus). Moisture, texture and temperature gradients within the vivarium may all play a role in the selection of a nest site. It is also important to provide a natural substrate and conditions for potentially gravid females. This can help the females to deposit their clutch of eggs and to not become eggbound.
As you can see naturalistic vivariums and terrariums have advantages both for you as the hobbyist, and for your reptile pets.
The naturalistic vivarium industry has come a long way in the recent years. Now a vast amount of natural products are available, thus enabling you to create a beautiful natural reptile environment with little hassle. With the roots, vines, backgrounds and hideouts on the market today the only limitation in designing your naturalistic vivarium is your imagination.

bio = Eco-Terrarium Supply offers a large variety of natural terrarium decorations to create an exciting reptile enclosure. Check out the selection of real jungle vines, decorative roots, terrarium backgrounds, hiding places, tropical moss and rock products to enhance your pet reptile’s natural terrarium environment. Eco Terrarium Supply also offers a wide range of exotic pet care sheets, and terrarium building articles for your enjoyment.

View their website at: http://ecoterrariumsupply.com

Popularity: 25% [?]

Even if you don’t really follow football closely or at all - everyone celebrates the Superbowl. There is fun for everyone, like new and funny commercials, over the top pre-game and half time shows, and an excuse to have a party, eat and drink too much.

The foods that are most famously associated with this event are admittedly geared more towards men and carnivorous choices but, you can find a vegetable or legume on the list too. Some items on the list can be made as unhealthily or healthful as you like by the ingredients you use.

Most would agree that the Superbowl is all about food, friends and fun!

Okay, Here is my list of the top ten Superbowl foods:

10. Chips, Dips, Salsa and Nuts
This is a big umbrella of general “snack food” or ” junk food”. Beer nuts or any kind of nuts are almost a pre-requisite for a Football party anyway. There are some really great appetizers that are now almost synonymous with Football. For example: Nachos - whether you just pour some melted cheese on them or go all out with salsa, guacamole, jalapenos, black olives, refried beans and spiced ground meat - these are always a crowd pleaser. There’s also the “old fashioned” Chex mix that is really quite a nice retro snack. Purchase, various Chex cereal flavors, add mini pretzels, some peanuts, melt some butter and honey with some kicked up seasonings - mix them all together and spread them out on a cookie sheet in the oven on 350 for 15-20 minutes. Great stuff.
9. BBQ Baked Beans
The classic baked bean recipe can take over 24 hours to prepare and serve. It involves soaking the dry beans which takes up most of the time, and marinating and baking the beans in a combination of Molasses, brown sugar and BBQ sauce. It normally has Pork in it too and that adds a really great flavor but, if that’s not your bag you can substitute ground turkey or have no meat at all.
8. Steak Tips
There are also Turkey, Swordfish and Chicken tips out there too now a days. Whichever you choose, marinating them in a good marinade first is a must. Steak will need the longest in a marinade but, all of them will be great once they are grilled on a nice hot grill. Pair tips with Salad and a mixed rice and you are all set!
7. Sandwiches
I prefer the foot long Italian hoagie from the local deli cut up into 2 or 3 inch size sandwiches. Hot peppers are a necessity but should probably be “on the side” for the less inclined. Any kind of sandwiches will work really and Calzones which are not really considered sandwiches are a great choice because they are easy to eat while not sitting down and come in all kinds of yummy flavors.
6. Pizza
Well, I had to put it on the list. It is really popular as a football food. It’s not truly my choice but, considering that watching football is a male oriented past time and most men are not into cooking, it makes sense that something you can pick up the phone and have delivered within 30 minutes (men are not normally planners either) would be on the list. PS: Anything that can be ordered, created and delivered within 30 minutes is not something I would recommend for adults - Children.okay.
5. BBQ Pork with all the fix’ins
This choice is really for a dedicated BBQ’er and will take some time to do right but, boy. It is well worth it. You really have to start this menu item the day before you want to enjoy it. It takes a smoker and a pork butt, some good dry rub, a mop sauce (this is important as far as I am concerned) and some good BBQ sauce along with a dedication to the low and slow way of cooking. In addition to the pulled pork, lay out some hamburger buns, home made cold slaw, and some chips and you have the perfect football party meal.
4. Chili
This is one of the most versatile and easy one-pan dishes you can make. You can prepare it for a whole crowd using a crockpot and it has so many variations there is bound to be one that’s to your liking. Just type in “Chili Recipes” in Google or your favorite browser and see all of the hits you get. Yep, you can’t go wrong with a good chili. Make sure to have extra hot sauce for the diehards that insist on kicking it up a notch!
3. Ribs
Short ribs, Long ribs, Dry ribs, Wet ribs..There is a whole big debate about the best type of meat to use and the best way to cook ribs that is almost as hotly debated as who is going to win the big game. Two things I can tell you about ribs: 1. They are difficult to cook just right and, 2. When they are cooked correctly they are delicious! My suggestion to you is to purchase some ribs at your best local BBQ restaurant or grocery market and pop them in your oven before your friends arrive, set out your favorite BBQ sauce and pass them off as your own creation. See if anyone figures it out.
2. Sausages, Hot Dogs
These may not appeal to those of you that are on a health food kick but, really there have been vast improvements in the hot dog and sausage varieties and quite a few are now more healthy options than other choices. And really, what’s better than a sweet Italian Sausage smothered in sauted peppers and onions with gobs of mustard all wrapped up in a bun - mummm mummm. You can take a walk at half time to make up for it.
1. Chicken Wings
Okay, No surprise here. I don’t know exactly how Chicken Wings became the unofficial Football food but, I am cool with it. I have no complaints. Wings are pretty easy to make and you can make small batches at a time which is great if you are not sure how many people will be showing up demanding to be feed on the big day. The secret to great wings is the Wing sauce. There are almost as many brands of Wing sauce these days as BBQ sauce and mustard! That tells a little something about how popular these babies are.

bio = Chris McCarthy is the owner of InsaneChicken’s Hot Sauce

Popularity: 19% [?]

What’s the difference between success and failure.?

One Degree!

Have you ever seen Tiger Woods play golf?

Tiger Woods knows the importance of one degree. Why?

Well, think about this for a moment.

What’s the difference between Tiger hitting a perfect straight shot and him hitting a shot that goes way off to the right?

You guessed it. One Degree.

One degree of difference in the angle of his club can mean hitting a perfect shot or hitting a shot that goes nowhere close to the direction he wanted it to go.

So what does that have to do with you, especially if you don’t know anything about golf?

Everything!

You make decisions everyday of your life that will dictate where you end up in life. One wrong decision, if not corrected properly, can make your life go in a completely different direction than where you wanted it to go.

Now, don’t get discouraged about that. Everyone makes wrong choices in their life, finances, career, and relationships.

But how do you learn to correct those things and then how to avoid making many of those mistakes in the first place?

You need what Tiger Woods has.

You need a coach or mentor.

Tiger may be the best golfer in the world, but imagine if he didn’t have a coach. He would be out there with no one to help him correct the things that are throwing his game off. He would be out there all by himself trying to figure out what was going wrong.

You see, Tiger’s coach may not play golf as well as Tiger, but he can see and recognize the things that Tiger may not be doing correctly. He can see little things like the way Tiger is standing, the swing of his club, the angle of his club, and countless other things that Tiger may not even know. And if Tiger does know that he is doing something wrong, he may not know how to correct it.

Well, it works exactly the same way in your life. Coaches and mentors will help you get to your goal much faster because they know what you need to do, what you need to stop doing, or what you need change in order to get you to where you want to be.

Think of it this way.

You have been told that you have greatness on the inside of you. To realize that greatness you have two roads that you can choose to travel down. On the first road you must go alone. They tell you that this road is more or less the same as the second road. Both roads have potholes, speed traps, dangerous bends, detours, unnecessary exits, or unexpected obstacle.

The second road however, has a tour guide who will help you on your way. If you listen to the guide he can help you avoid many of these dangers. And if you do happen to get into some type of trouble, he knows ways to help you get back on course.

So which road would you choose?

Decide today that you are going to surround yourself with coaches and mentors in your life to help you achieve greatness in your life.

bio = Jason and Rebecca Osborn have dedicated themselves to changing thousands of lives by helping people find their greatness and true potential through their Find Your Greatness Newsletter. To get your free 7 part e-course, subscribe at www.findyourgreatness.com.

View their website at: http://www.findyourgreatness.com

Popularity: 18% [?]