You might be asking, what the heck is a sandbox movie? Clearly, it is a lizard. These little guys are great care for first time reptile owners. Cheap and easy to care for, not to mention venerable. The most interesting thing about these little lizards is their ability to literally “swim” through the sand…it’s amazing to watch. They don’t bite both, which of course adds to those points just starting with reptiles. They are hobbies, for many reasons.
Appearance
The sand film is much smaller than other reptiles, measuring only five to six inches in length as adults. They are yellow in color, with alternate bands of brown on the back. Their legs are very short, their noses somewhat pointed.
Lifespan
When properly cared for, sandfish skins last an average of 20 years. This, among other things, makes them very easy to start as first-time reptile owners.
Diet
Sandfish feed on the skins of crickets and blackheads. These can be purchased from a local pet store and are quite cheap. They need to be fed three to four times per week, and consume about 4 crickets/mealworms per feed. They must be placed in a still living aquarium, as the film is “preserved” for their presence in the sand by movement. A note to keep here in the food of your skin: keep the cicadas in an insect cage with a small amount of water (about one tablespoon-they are not very intelligent and prone to drowning themselves) and half a potato. You can expect them to live for about two weeks, so don’t buy too many at once. The moths are kept in the same container as the whales, and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. They don’t need Easter, full of horns.
Dwelling
A reptile aquarium is always best, but a fish tank with the lid removed will do just as well, as long as it’s at least 5 gallons. You don’t need to worry about your skin escaping because it doesn’t “climb”. However, if you have other concerns in your home, you may want to consider placing a reptile in the aquarium. The bottom of the container should be covered with at least 2 inches of sand to allow your skin to dry. You should also include a “swimming pool” – you’ll want to cool all of this down sometimes. You can get such a tank from petstores for about five dollars. Don’t forget to change the water every day.
Sandfish skins are native to the desert, so they require a warm and dry climate. The temperature during the day should be kept at about 85 degrees Fahrenheit with a sunny spot of 105 degrees and 75 degrees at night. Heat lamps should be used rather than a> pads, since these films will spend most of the time being scratched under the sand. They need to be exposed to full spectrum UV light for at least 12 hours each day. This is easily achieved by purchasing two bulbs, a “day” bulb and a “night” bulb, both in store.
Conclusion
If you think this sounds like a lot of maintenance for pets, then reptiles are not for you. Sand film is actually the easiest part of reptile care. They require little of you, except feeding and maintaining a constant temperature. They are beautiful to look at and amazing to watch as they engage. They really are a rewarding hobby, and for anyone thinking about getting a reptile, consider sandfish cuticles.
