DESPITE THEIR TOUGH-GUY attitudes, reptiles can be delicate creatures to keep. Lighting, temperature and humidity can affect whether a reptile will absorb calcium, deflect parasites or avoid a scale and skin disease. You can’t stock a lizard’s preferred optimum temperature zone (POTZ), but you can stock vitamin, calcium and humidity boosters with special formulas for indoor and outdoor pets.
*All prices manufacturer’s suggested retail
Essential Elements
Calcium is the bone-building element that grounds the entire skeletal system, and it’s directly related to a reptile’s heartbeat, metabolism and nerve signals. If a family reptile is suffering from a dietary issue, chances are it’s related to calcium. Maybe they’re not getting enough, or need an accentuating element like magnesium or vitamin D to metabolize and digest it properly.
Liquid Calcium-Magnesium Supplement EXOTERRA BY HAGEN
Selling point: A combination liquid power pack of calcium and magnesium to maintain strong bones.
MARKETING TIP:Passes directly into the small intestine, which means high absorption rates.
exo-terra.com, (800) 724-2436
Reptile Cactus
TIMBERLINE
SELLING POINT: Serve up fresh calcium to herbivores and omnivores with this 80-gram cup of fresh-cut Nopales cactus.
MARKETING TIP: Play up the garden-fresh element and keep the cactus crisp in your store’s cooler.
timberlinefresh.com, (800) 423-2248
Ultrafine Calcium Powder
REP-CAL
SELLING POINT: Oyster shells are ground into an ultra-fine powder in this phosphorous-free calcium carbonate, combined with vitamin D3 to boost absorption.
MARKETING TIP: Mix it with fruits, vegetables and RepCal’s Herptivite for a full meal.
repcal.com, (800) 406-6446
Shape Shifters
Even reptiles can use spa days, especially those that frequently lose a layer of skin. Give transforming creatures the comfort of an easy peel with the same approach you’d take at Club Med: Apply balms, lotions and steam to shed that tired old hide. For an added spa element, give out sachets of almond leaves as a DIY water conditioner.
Repti Shedding Aid
ZOO MED
SELLING POINT: Jojoba oil and vitamin E conditions reptile skin and provides a visible sheen as it helps snakes and lizards shake off dried-out skin.
MARKETING TIP: The conditioner gives new skin a healthy luster, too.
zoomed.com, (888) 496-6633
Shed-Ease Reptile Bath
ZILLA
SELLING POINT: Aloe vera combines with other emollients to soften old skin in 20 minutes and slide it off.
MARKETING TIP: Also helps with shedding linked to stress, poor health, improper diet and lack of humidity.
zillarules.com, (888) 255-4527
Bamboo Humidifier
GALÁPAGOS
SELLING POINT: Fill this natural bamboo humidifying element with wet moss to promote shedding in woodland reptiles and amphibians.
MARKETING TIP: It doubles as an egg incubator or tarantula hide.
galapagospet.com, (805) 618-2829
Supplement Surge
Keeping a balance of vitamins and minerals is key to good reptile health, but what do you do with a picky eater? Serve up fresh greens with a dressing or find supplements that align with the pet’s preferences. Forget the jelly pot and excite your customers with vitamin and mineral fortified treats made just for their pets.
Miner-All
Sticky Tongue Farms
SELLING POINT: Includes naturally grown aquatic vegetation, which brings 50 vital minerals like zinc, iron and copper.
MARKETING TIP: Available in two formulas, for indoor pets and sun bunnies.
stickytonguefarms.com, sales@stickytonguefarms.com
Banana Cream Pie
Repashy
SELLING POINT: The recipe combines bananas, dates, honey, mango and watermelon — perfect for frugivores, which are herbivores and omnivores that prefer fruit.
MARKETING TIP: Target owners of skinks, bearded dragons, iguanas, anoles and tortoises.
repashy.com, (855) 737-2749
Reptile Salad Dressing
Nature Zone
SELLING POINT: A splash of flavor encourages appetite and new food acceptance, with vitamins that brighten skin color and boost the nutrition of mixed greens.
MARKETING TIP: Available in strawberry for bearded dragons, cantaloupe for tortoises and musk melon for iguanas.
naturezonepet.com, (530) 343-5199