Conservationist and
wildlife advocate Ben
Dessen is Reptiles
Department Manager
at Kellyville Pets and is
passionate about
educating newcomers
to the reptile hobby. In
this issue he ventures
into the ‘brave new
world’ of bioactive
systems....
An introduction to Bioactive Systems.
The reptile hobby in Australia is going through an
exciting new phase. With the next generation of
reptile keepers, we are witnessing a fresh approach
and a new set of values surrounding the care and
maintenance of reptiles and amphibians. A shift
towards providing reptiles with natural captive
environments that replicate wild habitats and
conditions is well and truly underway. Australian
herpers are following in the footsteps of many
international keepers and going bioactive!
Bioactive systems (sometimes written as bio-active)
seek to recreate an animal’s natural environment as
closely as possible through the use of live plants
and organic substrates with living invertebrate
decomposers, along with appropriate temperatures,
lighting and humidity levels for the species being
housed. By replicating an animal’s wild living
conditions, not only can their health and wellbeing
be optimised, but an aesthetically pleasing and
attractive display can also be achieved. Bioactive
systems are a modern
approach to reptile and
amphibian husbandry, as we
evolve beyond more
traditional methods such as
newspaper substrates, toilet-
roll hides and dark racking
systems!
Type of System.
The first step in creating a
bioactive system is to under-
stand the needs of the
species you wish to house. A
good starting point is to
research the specific
husbandry requirements,
natural living conditions and
habits of the animal. Ask
yourself a series of questions.
Is it a tropical, arid, temperate
or alpine species? Is the
animal arboreal, terrestrial,
fossorial or aquatic/semi-
aquatic? Can the animal be
found basking out in the open,
or does it prefer plenty of
4.