Crazy Critters Inc.

Crazy Critters Inc. is a Non-Profit, 501(c)3, Private Exotic Animal Rescue, Sanctuary, and Conservancy. This Wildlife Facility is located in Eustis, Florida. Crazy Critters Inc. was established to provide non-domestic, non-releasable animals with a safe and permanent home. At the moment the facility houses animals including lizards, turtles, skinks, geckos, and birds. Animals are not on display as in a zoo setting, instead, we provide animal education during private events.

Saturday, August 31, 2019

The Red-eared Slider × Yellow-bellied Slider Is An Intergradation

The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is native to the Mississippi River drainages. A subspecies, the yellow-bellied slider occurs naturally in north Florida.

Yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta) are aquatic turtles belonging to the family Emydidae. This subspecies of pond slider is native to the southeastern United States, specifically from Florida to southeastern Virginia.

The red-eared slider crossed with the yellow-bellied slider is an intergradation of a subspecies.

Intergradation ~ In zoology is the way in which two distinct subspecies are connected via populations that are found to have the characteristics of both.

On the side of its head where a normal yellow-bellied slider would have solid yellow, there will be red interposed.

The bottom of the shell is a bright yellow with varying numbers of black dots.

The slider turtle is the little green turtle that has been sold by the hundreds of millions in dime stores and pet shops throughout the United States.

It is the most commonly exported reptile species, with over 52 million being exported from the United Stages from 1989 through 1997.

Effective July 1, 2007: Red-eared sliders can no longer be sold as pets. Commercial or research uses allowed but require a permit. Existing pets allowed, but any eggs or hatchlings must be destroyed. Color morphs such as albino can be legally possessed or sold.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Why We Do Not Need Volunteers

This is video 3 of our series where we explain what, why, and where we are going with this non-profit. I talk about why we do not need volunteers while showing you how easy it is for us to care for four dozen turtles. All in about five minutes of time.

Added, we have had our volunteer form published for months... Guess how many applications have been submitted? ZERO! But that may be due to us having a background check fee. We do not know how to get out of that. It is important to protect animals with proper screening. It also maybe because we have all the help we need. Ken has built this facility to the point that it is easy to maintain. Another thing is if we need help, all we have to do is say it. We have all you guys supporting us. Furthermore, we are building a facility with a goal of being FDA approved in which volunteers would come from bonafide higher educational referrals. Lastly, it is so hard to realize that we scoop poop all day. And at the end of the day, it is so easy for us to do! Why would we want to have people come over just to scoop poop? Because at the end of the day, that is the real animal work being done. We go into more detail on the next video, stay tuned for that! Click to see the 1st video that talks about why we allow animals to breed...https://youtu.be/_hS1AzJ-_qs Click to see the 2nd video that talks about why we do not rehome...https://youtu.be/VuoY5R6HRTQ Click to go to our volunteer form...https://crazycrittersinc.com/crazy-cr... Crazy Critters Inc. was established to provide non-domestic, non-releasable animals with a safe and permanent home. The sanctuary has adopted animals including reptiles, birds, and assorted wildlife. Once brought to the facility, these exotic animals are housed in naturalistic settings. Allowing propagation that is used for conservation. Currently, this facility houses 16 species of animals listed on CITES. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is an international treaty to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct because of international trade. Adding, the Crazy Critters organization has produced offspring from species currently found on the IUCN's Red List. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Crazy Critters Inc. is a self-funded organization that depends on the greenhouse nursery to pay for the cost of housing exotic animals. The facility grows and sells species of plants such as succulent and cactus to support the care of the animals. Many too are listed on the IUCN's Redlist. We Grow Crazy Plants So We Can Care For Crazy Critters! Follow us on our journey as we build our Herp Haven called Crazy Critters! We share as we build, make mistakes, learn, and grow! Find us on most social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and more! WEBSITE: https://www.crazycrittersinc.com/ Crazy Critters on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyCritter... Crazy Plants on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyPlantsN... Crazy Critters on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/crazy_critt... YOUTUBE: https://goo.gl/V2bF1o PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/CrazyCritte... TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CrazyCrittersFL/ TUMBLR: https://crazycrittersinc.tumblr.com/ GOFUNDME: https://is.gd/STh3H5 We even have a BLOG https://goo.gl/TwBLnX Please like, share, follow and subscribe. If you or your company would like to help a cause like ours, please contact us. Or use our donation page! https://crazycrittersinc.com/donate-t... We are Amazon Affiliates! Here are links to our recommended products. Shop from here and we will receive ten percent commission! That is the same as making a donation!! If you do not like our recommendations, that is ok! Choose the brand of product you like after clicking these links We will still receive two percent commission! It is a win-win! Animal Care Products Reptile Calcium https://amzn.to/2qWCtnt Reptile Lighting https://amzn.to/2OUP2sX Reptile Water & Food Bowl https://amzn.to/2PGInYP Soaking Pond https://amzn.to/2qXGZ5o Aquarium Heater https://amzn.to/2OT4ENV Pond Heater https://amzn.to/2qWmgin Aquarium Filter https://amzn.to/2KpWKuR Starter Kits For Your Animals! Baby Tortoises https://amzn.to/2DOPVSX Bearded Dragons and Other Desert Reptiles https://amzn.to/2Tt1tzN Snakes, Frogs and Lizards https://amzn.to/2S3dvhP Geckos and Insects https://amzn.to/2RYhlc6

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Airplant (Tillandsia) Care and Information

The genus Tillandsia was named by Carl Linnaeus after the Swedish physician and botanist Dr. Elias Tillandz . The genus contains around 650 species, where 635 are considered epiphytic are traditionally divided into seven subgenera.

Airplants are in the family Bromeliaceae. They are native to the forests, mountains, and deserts of northern Mexico and the southeastern United States, Mesoamerica and the Caribbean to mid-Argentina.

Some common types of Tillandsia include air plant, ball moss (T. recurvata) and Spanish moss, (T. usneoides ).

They are known as Airplants because of their natural propensity to cling wherever conditions permit which includes telephone wires, tree branches, bare rocks, etc.

Their leaves, more or less are silver in color and are covered with specialized cells capable of rapidly absorbing ambient humidity. Tillandsia also absorb their nutrients from debris and dust in the air

Tillandsia species are epiphytes which translates to ‘upon a plant’. Due to the epiphytic way of life of the plants the peculiarity arises that these bulbs do not lie in the ground, but hang in the air on branches.

Air plants grow without dirt and come in all sizes and colors. Although air plants used to be a rare greenery, these hardy plants have become popular in the past couple of years,

I should say most Air plants are epiphytes, meaning plants that grow without dirt.

But there are also species that survive lithophytic on rocks, roofs, and even telephone wires. Some species are more or less xeromorphic and even aerophytes, which have a minimal root system that grows in shifting desert soil.

Airplants have naturally been established in diverse environments such as equatorial tropical rain forests, high elevation Andes mountains, rock-dwelling regions, and even Louisiana swamps, such as Spanish Moss (T. usneoides), a species that grows atop tree limbs.

There are several types of air plants: Those with silver foliage tend to be the most drought-tolerant; greener plants dry out faster.

The key to air plant survival is constant air circulation, as its name indicates. Water your plants about once a week even though some varieties can go two weeks without being watered.

You should always know where your plant is native to and mimic the conditions as such. Keep an eye on them to determine what exactly your plant needs.

The green species with their claim to a cool-humid climate live mostly more in the shade terrestrial or in the lower levels of the forests. In contrast, almost all gray species live in low precipitation areas with high humidity.

Generally, the thinner-leafed varieties grow in rainy areas and the thick-leafed varieties in areas more subject to drought.

If one of your plants looks severely dried out, pull off the bottom dried parts and place the plant in a bowl of water for several hours. In the winter, if your home’s heater is on, your air plants may look a little dry.

Simply mist them with water (focusing on the base of the plant) every few days to keep them looking fresh.

You’ll know that an air plant is happy when it sends up flowers. Once the flower dries out, all you need to do is snip it off.

These low-maintenance plants are the perfect little companions for home, work or school. They require very little upkeep and are a nice green addition to brighten any setting regardless of the season.

How To Use AirPlants?

Air plants look great alone as architectural elements or in an air plant terrarium. Place varieties such as Tillandsia aeranthos ‘Amethyst’, also called the rosy air plant, in a pot or against a container that complements or contrasts its pink flower spike.

Air plants naturally suited to growing in trees can be lashed against a protected wooden post with translucent fishing monofilament and a bit of sphagnum moss to hold moisture.

Tillandsia species also make fine companions on a branch with orchids because they like essentially the same conditions. Hanging air plants are a popular design element

How To Water Airplants?

You should water in accordance with the weather. Water/mist/soak more often if it is hot and dry, and less often when it is cold, dark or damp.

Larger varieties like to be soaked, and smaller varieties do wonderfully with just a good misting.

Generally, the best way to care for them is to have a soak once every two weeks that can range between fifteen minutes to overnight.

Allow them to dry completely before placing them back into their home, to avoid mold.

A good tell for whether or not they are thirsty is the curvature of the leaves of your Air Plant. They will curl in as they are getting a little too dry.

Their roots are only there for anchoring them as they grow, but are not necessary to maintain and can be trimmed down without harm to the plant.

If the tips begin to dry out, it is a sign that they might be getting too much direct sunlight or are a little dry. You can also clip the dry tips with clean scissors. You should then remedy the care by moving it out of direct sunlight or increase your watering or misting.

Light And Temperatures For Airplants?

Don’t let an air plant sit somewhere colder than 45 degrees; it will die at those temperatures. If you live in Zone 9 or warmer, you can grow an air plant outdoors all year if you keep it dry during the winter.

Although they love warm temperatures, most air plants need protection from full sun. The amount of light required depends on the species; overall, air plants with silver dusting and stiff foliage will require more sunlight than air plants with softer foliage.

They generally need a strong light. In summer outside, however, they prefer the light shade of a tree at the hottest hours. If it’s a type that grows naturally wild on trees, keep it in moist, partial shade. If it is a ground type, such as T. cyanea or T. lindenii, grow it indoors in bright, filtered light or outdoors in the partial or dappled shade.

Species of Tillandsia photosynthesize through a process called CAM cycle, where they close their stomata during the day to prevent water loss and open them at night to fix carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

This allows them to preserve water, necessary because they are epiphytes. They do not have a functional root system and instead absorb water in small amounts through their leaves via small structures called trichomes.

Most species also absorb nutrients through the leaves from dust, decaying leaves and insect matter, aided by structures called trichomes.

How To Propagate Airplants?

The best way to propagate tillandsia is through the division of the offsets, or pups. The time to do the task is during the morning hours or early afternoon. Separate the pups from the parent plant by gently pulling the plants apart at the base. The leaves may break if you pull from the top. Put the pups into the bowl of water as you separate them from the parent plant.

Tillandsias, like other bromeliads, can multiply through pollination and seed formation. Since Tillandsia are not self-fertile, the pollen must come from another plant of the same species. Their light seeds have a silky parachute that helps to promote this spread.

Tillandsie takes many years to flower. With the fruiting, the life of the individual species has come to the end. There are still seeds formed, then the mother plant is destroyed.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Eastern Box Turtle Sex Room With Adult Only Humor

We realized recently that we will never make everyone happy. SO we are not even trying in this adult-only Eastern Box turtle Sex Room Video.

Really it is just the newest adoptions that have been put together. This was not our intention. In fact, we are working on the enclosure and that is the only reason these particular animals are being shuffled around. Click for more about this species from our website...https://crazycrittersinc.com/?s=box+t... Crazy Critters Inc. was established to provide non-domestic, non-releasable animals with a safe and permanent home. The sanctuary has adopted animals including reptiles, birds, and assorted wildlife. Once brought to the facility, these exotic animals are housed in naturalistic settings. Allowing propagation that is used for conservation. Currently, this facility houses 16 species of animals listed on CITES. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is an international treaty to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct because of international trade. Adding, the Crazy Critters organization has produced offspring from species currently found on the IUCN's Red List. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Crazy Critters Inc. is a self-funded organization that depends on the greenhouse nursery to pay for the cost of housing exotic animals. The facility grows and sells species of plants such as succulent and cactus to support the care of the animals. Many too are listed on the IUCN's Redlist. We Grow Crazy Plants So We Can Care For Crazy Critters! Follow us on our journey as we build our Herp Haven called Crazy Critters! We share as we build, make mistakes, learn, and grow! Find us on most social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and more! WEBSITE: https://www.crazycrittersinc.com/ Crazy Critters on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyCritter... Crazy Plants on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyPlantsN... Crazy Critters on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/crazy_critt... YOUTUBE: https://goo.gl/V2bF1o PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/CrazyCritte... TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CrazyCrittersFL/ TUMBLR: https://crazycrittersinc.tumblr.com/ GOFUNDME: https://is.gd/STh3H5 We even have a BLOG https://goo.gl/TwBLnX Please like, share, follow and subscribe. If you or your company would like to help a cause like ours, please contact us. Or use our donation page! https://crazycrittersinc.com/donate-t... Feel free to contact us with questions requests and comments. Crazy Critters Inc. 22921 County Road 44a Eustis, Fl 32736 We are Amazon Affiliates! Here are links to our recommended products. Shop from here and we will receive ten percent commission! That is the same as making a donation!! If you do not like our recommendations, that is ok! Choose the brand of product you like after clicking these links We will still receive two percent commission! It is a win-win! Plants! Succulents https://amzn.to/2TrqQly Cactus https://amzn.to/2DNNGPU Orchids https://amzn.to/2TrkAKu Soil https://amzn.to/2FyE0u3 Succulent & Cacti Care Book https://amzn.to/2qVQrGj Animal Care Products Reptile Calcium https://amzn.to/2qWCtnt Reptile Lighting https://amzn.to/2OUP2sX Reptile Water & Food Bowl https://amzn.to/2PGInYP Soaking Pond https://amzn.to/2qXGZ5o Aquarium Heater https://amzn.to/2OT4ENV Pond Heater https://amzn.to/2qWmgin Aquarium Filter https://amzn.to/2KpWKuR Starter Kits For Your Animals! Baby Tortoises https://amzn.to/2DOPVSX Bearded Dragons and Other Desert Reptiles https://amzn.to/2Tt1tzN Snakes, Frogs and Lizards https://amzn.to/2S3dvhP Geckos and Insects https://amzn.to/2RYhlc6 Books! Miles and Miles of Reptiles. Dr. Suess Book https://amzn.to/2PEDuPP Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins Natural History Book https://amzn.to/2DBFoJI Diagnostic Imaging Book for adults https://amzn.to/2DzFxxC