Quote Originally Posted by Snake Judy View Post
I checked it out and I get what you're saying. I do think exposure to a balanced level of bacteria in a well-maintained naturalistic/bioactive enclosure is likely to promote stronger immune systems and some resistance to common bacteria, but I don't think that this would negate the necessity for quarantine and other precautionary measures for the many reasons already stated. It's also likely to multiply your problems if not done properly.
What you are advocating has a strong basis in human immunology. The joke is to prevent childhood allergies and boost immune systems is to give children puppies, let them play in the mud, and put them in a daycare where they get exposed to every cold virus known to man. BUT... exposure to deadly or virulent pathogens does not boost an immune system, rather its detrimental to the organism and can/does cause death. Thats why we vaccinate humans, to prevent death and disability from virulent common pathogens, like Flu, which kills thousands of very old, very young and very sick people every year. Thats why we dont advocate exposing people to HIV, hepatitis viruses, shigella, pseudomonas or vibrio to boost their immune systems - in the process of developing an immune response the host can experience eventual death or significant disability.

Most laypeople aren't in a position to culture and identify all the bacterial flora in their enclosures to determine a "balance", or cultivate and properly maintain such a balanced microbiome. As such, for the average lay owner you should focus on hygiene and clean husbandry first and foremost.