2013-PATS-logos---joint 

In This Issue
Job losses at Spectrum Brands Pet Division
Westland to spend £1m on marketing Peckish bird food range
PATS Sandown is already 83% full of exhibitors
The reptile products of tomorrow
Cat Mate launches two new cat flaps
Revealed: The UK's most popular dog-friendly places
Bumper festive season for fraud on the cards
Old English Sheepdog could risk extinction
"Walking my dogs helped me lose six stone"
Smart point of sale can help drive Christmas sales
RSPCA struggling to rehome abandoned pets
New DNA testing scheme for Golden Retrievers
New head of comms at the RSPCA
Send us your news
For enquiries concerning Pet Trade Xtra email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk
News items and views on topical issues are welcome.
For advertising details email jayne.h.phillips@hotmail.co.uk

The reptile products of tomorrow

As the reptile sector of the pet trade continues to show growth, manufacturers are striving to develop and launch new products. We asked three internationally renowned reptile experts about their hopes for the future and the products they would like available to sell.  

Kathy Love, Corn Utopia (Alva, Florida, USA): “Elongated snake hides in a range species specific sizes that run the length of the vivarium to provide shelter along the whole temperature gradient. Ideally the hides should have enclosed ends (with removable stoppers) and an entrance at the top. A deluxe version could have a built in thermometer.  That would be a perfect snake hide!"

Kevin Stevens, Owner of Zoo Logic (Darlington, England): "In my leopard gecko breeding colonies I use lengths of plumbing pipe glued together in a pyramid to offer multiple hide options at different temperatures. A concentration of hides in a small footprint area is very useful in multi-occupancy vivariums. Manufacturers should think about making a more attractive version."

Ken Foose, Owner of Exotic Pets (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA): "I've always wanted to see a complete bottom for terrariums. It would have a subterranean section and a top part that snap together making a cave system you can see into. The reptile can bask on the top section and have access to the subterranean caves via tunnels and doors. A great addition would be a snap-on background made of the same material, with ledges and places to attach plants, water bowls and other decor. A modular system like this would be pretty cool."

Words: Tony Jones

Email Software by Newsweaver