When it comes to pets, any animal that requires live feed is quite obviously more complex than your usual dog-food-in-bowl routine. Thankfully, taking care of this creature is so rewarding, many consider them worth the effort.

Hailing from the arid regions of Central Asia, Leopard Geckos are insectivores. While us humans benefit from fruit and veggies in our diet, these creatures do not. There is a huge range of insects these critters consume, but they can be narrowed down to the most common two– mealworms and crickets

Crickets are excellent leopard gecko feed. Since they move around quite a bit, they serve another purpose: during mealtimes, they simulate the hunting scenario the lizards would experience in the wild. This is healthy, as your leopard gecko needs exercise and stimulation. Crickets are also easily available and are arguably the most nutritious of the leopard gecko feed options. Crickets also have a thinner protective covering than mealworms. This makes them easier on your gecko's digestive system.

There are some issues that lizard keepers have with these critters. For one, crickets make quite a bit of noise. Live crickets will also need housing and food. Remember to only put the right amount into the vivarium. Only 3-4 crickets for each gecko. When uneaten, crickets are known to gnaw at the geckos– not fun.

Mealworms are much easier to feed your gecko with. Place them in a pan and put them into your vivarium. Make sure the pan is stable and does not tip over, as mealworms like hiding in the substrate. They aren't as stimulating as your crickets though. The way to fix this is to put some cricket feed into their pan. They squirm around in response to the dust and in effect, make for a very stimulating meal.

Mealworms are usually seen as treats given sparingly. Some new schools of thought, however, entertain the idea of mealworms as a part of a gecko's balanced diet.

As with all great endeavors, it is all a matter of trial and error. Let's hope you find the right mix to help your gecko become strong, healthy and fruitful!

Learn more about leopard gecko feed . Stop by Ethan Milroy's site where you can find out all about leopard gecko information

Boa Constrictors live in Central & South America and some islands in the Caribbean. Boa constrictor's habitat varies widely depending of environmental conditions, from tropical rainforests to arid semi-desert country. However, it prefers to live in rainforest due to the humidity and temperature. In Costa Rica it can be seen in Corcovado National Park.

They are a large, heavy-bodied species of snake. They are patterned with brown or reddish brown "saddles" that become more pronounced towards the tail. Their color can vary greatly depending on the locality. However they are generally a brown, grey or cream base color. Their diet consists of rodents, large lizards and mammals as big as ocelots are reported to have been consumed. Boa constrictors are ambush predators, as such will lie and wait for an appropriate prey to come along. The boa will strike at the prey, grabbing it with its teeth. Then it constricts the prey until death and consumes it whole. It will take the snake approximately 4-6 days to fully digest it.

They will generally breed in the dry season, between April and August. During breeding season the female boa will emit a scent to attract males, who may then wrestle for the right to breed with her. The gestation period is approximately 100-120 days. The female will then give birth to young that average 38-51 cm in length. The litter size varies but can be between 10 and 65 with an average of 25. The young are independent at birth and will grow rapidly. They are nocturnal however they may go out during the day. Boa constrictors are solitary animals, and will only associate to mate.

They can leave 20 to 30 years, but there was a 40 year case. Females are generally larger, in both length and girth, than males Boas can reach lengths of anywhere from 1-4 meters depending on the locality and the availability of prey. Adults weigh approximately 60 pounds.

Most populations are not under threat of immediate extinction. In some regions Boa constrictor numbers have decreased by predation from humans and other animals. Some South Americans keep boas in their houses to control rat infestations.

Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, has been living in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for over 10 years. She has traveled here extensively. Now loves organizing vacations to this amazing part of the world, having first hand experience of all the places with her family. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!

They are native to Panama, Belize, and northwestern Colombia and Costa Rica. This species can be found in tropical and subtropical wet, moist, and dry forests. In Guatemala, this species is widespread, found practically anywhere where there is a water source. Basilisks are lizards that have large hind feet with flaps of skin between each toe. This allows them to move quickly across the water and gives them the appearance of "walking on water". Because of that they were given the nickname "Jesus Lizard".

They usually appear in brown or olive brown with black stripes. The stripes are usually only on the flanks and on the dorsal crest. They also have a white stripe, which extends from the eyes to the rear legs. The males have a larger crest than the females. The average lifespan for a well kept basilisk can be 7-8 years. Basilisks are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and small animals. They feed mostly on insects but are reported to sometimes feed on fallen berries. Male Brown Basilisks can reach 80 cm in length and females are somewhat smaller

At night it can be found sleeping in vine-covered thickets or in the open on low bushes. Basilisks are capable of climbing, running, and swimming, all with equal facility. This lizard is quite arboreal, and can be seen in bushes and the lower branches of trees, but also spends time on the ground.

Brown basilisks breed once a year. Sexual maturity is reached at about 9 to 10 cm at less than a year of age, and during the wet season. Females lay 3 to 12 eggs from May to August in a secluded moisture retaining nesting site, usually a hole. The young hatch during the early part of the rainy season from June to September in about 55 to 65 days.

Since people have been invading tropical areas, they are commonly seen in houses placed in areas that have the right climate. They are also very popular as pets.

Marina K. Villatoro, lives in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She has traveled all over these areas with her family and now she loves to organize vacations to Costa Rica and Guatemala. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip! Also published at Fun Facts About Brown Basilisk.