Mixing species argument with work colleague

[Jmorris1888]

I have been having an argument with a friend from work who is stating that geckos can be mixed with beardies in the same vivarium my answer was the beardie will eat the gecko but he seems to think tht this will not happen can someone give me an answer on this so that we can end this discussion I think he expects them to become best friends and to live happily everafter lol

[vizzyuk]

Leo and beardie friends lol put it this way 2 will go for dinner together one will come home - probably full lol

in seriousness you're right mate the BD will eat the leo

simples

[Jmorris1888]

Lmao I felt daft even writing that but jst had to prove a point lol he's an absolute rocket one of those guys who thinks he knows everything! He's walking away in disgust right now lol cheers pal

[sparkle]

Goodness.. if he had actually done some proper scientific research maybe he wouldnt have been so quick to state what he did.

here is a post from another part of RFUK.. I copied and pasted it.. It was written by forumite MAL...

I do keep 20 plus Leos though along with a few other geckos and snakes. UV light and leos has been mentioned with many saying leos dont need UV. Actually there are some theories that Leos do in fact benefit from some level of exposure to UV. This assumption is brought about by the fact Leos often rest with their tails protruding from their hides. I have just been to check on my collection and two are resting like that now. Also Leos will come out during the day, yes they are nocturnal but they dont shrivel up and die like vampires when exposed to the sun. Three of my Leos are active at the moment (2pm) and two are sleeping fully outside of their hides. My point in mentioning this is that my leos must feel safe or they would be tucked away in the many hides they have available.

Obviously a leo in the wild doing this would be at risk of predation from another terrestial animal or from above in the form of birds etc. In the wild this risk is part of the natural balance of things. The Leo in the wild is like everything else part of a food chain and it takes its chances.

To put a leo or any other animal in captivity in a situation where it can become the prey of a larger animal is hugely irresponsable and I would hazard a guess that to knowingly expose an animal to such danger is illegal. Im sure the animal welfare organisations would be very concerned. The subject of the Leo and the Beardie also makes me think of ongoing threads in other sections of the RFUK, ie the live feeding debate. Basically a leo in with a beardie is live feeding, the only difference being the time for the Beardie to dine hasnt been established.

To say all mixing of species is unacceptable would be wrong. If there is no predation risks etc, if it is animals that share the same environment and they would be in close proximity in the wild under close observation I would have thought it was possible. However I would hope anyone undertaking such a project would have done their research, studied the animals, habitat, behaviour, needs etc at lenght before embarking on it. I would have thought this kind of project would in most cases only be embarked upon by places such as reptile zoos. Clearly a Beardie and Leo come from locations and environments far apart. There can be NO justification in mixing these species together. The beardie in the incident outlined only did what was natural and the outcome was unnecessary loss of the lives of two animals. By the sound of it, the beardie died a horrific death. I think it was said that the Beardie had a perforated bowel. I have cared for many humans with perforated viscera and they have been in excruciating pain. (I am retired ITU staff) Im sorry to say, that beardies suffering will have been beyond comprehension. A total waste of two lives for what purpose ? It cant have been a space issue, it was only a young leo, it would have been happy in a smallish plastic tub on a small mat. I really dont understand why the risk was taken and the inevitable outcome not recognised.

Please do not mix species unless you are absolutly sure of what you are doing, have done your research,extensive research and are sure you can intervene if it starts to go wrong before another experiment becomes a tragedy.

[pymn nice but dim]

reply to your friend....

(insert) BITCH SLAP FOOL (pause for effect) NO, NO!