Cutting Energy Corners...

[Loren]

A large part of my collection is CA. native species- legally collected/aquired animals only. I do have a few odds and ends that are not native as well. It is my goal to have 1 of each species that I can legally have, apart from the very few that I may not be able to provide a steady captive diet for. I like to do presentations with them occasionally.
I tried to keep a Sharp tail in the past- I did not do well with it. According to books, they eat slugs and slender salamanders- but in my personal experience- they just eat slender salamanders(nearest slender habitat is 1.5 hours away).
I have not looked into solar power. I would love to hook my entire house up to solar- but the initial cost will need to come down some first- or my bank account balance will need to rise.
I did put quite a bit of work into the insulation of the room, so that helps with power useage. I also cover the windows with 2 inch thick foam panels- rated at R-13. The ceiling has 6" deep blow-in insulation that I spread by hand. The walls have R-13 under the sheetrock. The prehung steel door insulates great too.

For me, having a separate building is great- not all house visitors want the "reptile experience" and sometimes, like if an insurance man comes or something- it is best that they dont see them. This keeps the animals safe and out of site for all but those who want or need to see them.

[brain]

I tried to keep a Sharp tail in the past- I did not do well with it. According to books, they eat slugs and slender salamanders- but in my personal experience- they just eat slender salamanders(nearest slender habitat is 1.5 hours away)..

Slender salamanders … well I have enough slugs of three different types around here maybe that will work. A buddy herper knows of area in the Sedro/Woolley (town) where we might get one … hopefully.

For me, having a separate building is great- not all house visitors want the "reptile experience" and sometimes, like if an insurance man comes or something- it is best that they dont see them. This keeps the animals safe and out of site for all but those who want or need to see them.

True very, true my cleaning lady won’t go down the hallway towards my snake room ... lol. It was funny the first time she came. I told her I had snakes but really didn’t explain to well where they were. Short part was as soon as she opened the door and seen my Kings she did a 180 and screamed “Michael”. Brought back memories’ of my child hood.