The Herper

Breeding Reptiles and Amphibians: 5 Things to Consider First

2012-01-31T13:58:00.003-05:00

Breeding an animal can be a difficult undertaking. Before you begin you should take the following statements into consideration.

1) Do I have the Experience?- You need to know how to take care of the adult animals well before you even begin to think about breeding them. Any problems you have with the adults will be multiplied with the young. I suggest at least 1 years worth of experience caring for the adults.

2) Are my adults ready to breed?- In some cases animals can be old enough to breed but still not ready for it. Make sure they are healthy and have good weight. Do not rush them. Breeding can be stressful.

3) Do I have the money?- Be prepared to spend extra money on more tanks/containers, and more food for the young. Often the young cannot be kept with the adults (cannibalism), or require special food.

4) Do I have the space, and time?- The young will take-up both of these. This is especially true if you breed frogs and raise the tadpoles in individual cups (the horror!).

5) Do I have a plan for the young?- Will you keep them, give them away or sell them? If you don't plan on keeping them you should look around for someone who wants them early in the breeding process. If you are successful and enjoy it, you may develop it into a side business.

How to Dust Fruit flies with Calcium

2011-12-21T19:04:00.005-05:00

Dusting small insects like fruit flies with calcium/vitamin powder can be very difficult. It's hard to get just enough dust on them without extra going into the tank. Fruit flies also crawl up the side of the container and have to be constantly shaken down when not covered. A very simple way to avoid this problem is to:

1) Shake the fruit flies into a container. Put a top on it and place the container into a refrigerator. Let the flies cool for at least 10-15 minutes. They will stop moving.

2) Working quickly sprinkle dust on them and shake.

3) Dump them into a fine mess strainer and shake off the excess dust. They are now ready to feed to your animals.

The flies quickly warm up in the tank and start moving again. This is the method I use to dust flies for my dart frogs. I like it because flies that aren't moving are easier to deal with, and you don't get extra dust in the tank.

How to Get My Snake to Eat?

2011-11-18T13:23:00.003-05:00

A few tips for getting a stubborn snake to eat...

1) Make sure the snake is warm enough. If the snake is in a cool area it's metabolism will be significantly lower.

2) Make sure the food is warm. A living mouse will obviously have a higher temperature than a dead room temperature mouse. If you soak the mice in warm water before using them the snake may think they are alive and be more interested.

3) If a ball python is rejecting mice or rats try gerbils.

4) Don't be afraid to rub the snake with the food in order to get it's attention.

5) Make sure you are not feeding your snakes too often. if the snake doesn't eat today wait a few days and try again. It may still be digesting its last meal.

6) If the snake is new let it get acclimated to it's new environment before trying to feed it. Also ask if it had been fed just before you purchased it.

7) Some snakes may be more accepting of live food. Live food is nothing to be afraid, just don't leave the animal with the snake if it doesn't accept it.

8) If your snake grabs the food off the tongs and then drops it you can try holding on to the prey item and lightly tugging and wiggling it. This will make the snake thing it is alive and he will hold it tighter to try to kill it (gives him satisfaction). Tugging on it for 10 seconds is enough.

How to Care for Poison Dart Frogs

2011-10-03T12:43:00.005-04:00

Poison dart frogs are some of the most stunning and beautiful animals you can have as pets. They have very specific care requirements and require very small foods, With proper research and the right supplies anyone can care for them. Dart frogs are native to Central and South America. They contain powerful toxins in their skin in the wild, but captive bred individuals loose them. They can live 7-15 yrs. These frogs are active during the day and known for being bold. They can provide you with hours of enjoyment watching them search for food and interact.

Housing

Keep your dart frogs in tropical, planted vivarium with plenty of hiding and climbing places. Two frogs can be kept in a ten gallon tank. Add 10 additional gallons for each additional frog to avoid territorial fights.

Water and Humidity

Water should be provided at all times. It can be in the form of a moving water feature or a water bowl. Perform frequent partial water changes if using a water feature, and change the water daily if using a water bowl. Humidity should be between 70-100%. The higher the better with these frogs. Mist the tank daily or hook it up to a fogger to maintain the humidity.

Temperature

These frogs due well with daytime temperature ranging from 72-82 degrees F. Night time temperatures can be allowed to drop down to 70 or high 60s. A heating pad stuck to the back of the tank will provide sufficient heat.

Feeding

Dart frogs require small foods. Feed them pinhead crickets, fruit flies, spring tails, termites, flour beetles and other small foods (Phyllobates terribilis can take up to quarter inch crickets). I culture my own fruit flies, spring tails, and crickets to feed mine.Young frogs should be fed everyday. Adults can also eat everyday, but every other day is just as fine for them. Dust the food with a calcium/vitamin supplement 2-3 times a week and offer a variety of foods.

Good Beginner Species

Dendrobates Auratus (pictured above)
D. Leucomelas
D. Azures
D. Tinctorius
Phyllobates Terribilis
P. Vittatus
P. bicolor

12 New Species of Frog!

2011-09-18T13:14:00.000-04:00

Very interesting article. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/215670/20110918/frog-western-ghats-extinction.htm

New York Metro Reptile Expo

2011-09-11T09:46:00.003-04:00

The reptile expo is back at the Westchester County Center today, Sept. 11 2011 from 10am-4pm. Adults:$10, children;$5, Children under 7:free.

Look at the Color on this Toad!

2011-08-11T15:30:00.002-04:00

This beautiful southern toad (Anaxyrus terrestris...I still like bufo but I guess I'll get used to it)was foud in virginia at my aunts house. It was hiding under a wooden board.

Eyelash Viper

2011-06-03T19:08:00.003-04:00

I was lucky enough to see an eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlebelii) on my trip to Costa Rica. The eyelash viper is a small, venomous pit viper, rarely exceeding 2.5 ft (with females being larger than males). These snakes are arboreal and known for their wide range of colors (red, yellow, brown, green, and pink). Their name comes from scales above their eyes that resemble eyelashes. They can be found in the moist forests of Central and South America from sea level to 2640 m in elevation, though they prefer lower altitudes. These snakes are mostly nocturnal and eat rodents, frogs, lizards, and birds. They are also ovoviviparous meaning that they give birth to live young from eggs stored in the body instead of being laid. They have 10-12 young in this manner.

The snake pictured above was found crossing a trail on a night hike in Poco Sol, after being nearly stepped on by a companion. It was no more than a foot long.

Reptile Expo

2011-06-01T13:31:00.003-04:00

The New York Metro Reptile Expo will be held at the Westchester County Center on Sunday, July 10. It is a great place to get your pets and supplies. Time is from 10am- 4pm. Adults are $10. Children 7-12 are $4, and children under 7 are free.

Smokey Jungle Frog

2011-05-14T15:47:00.003-04:00

Early during my trip to Costa Rica I managed to find one of the biggest frogs down there, the smokey jungle frog (Leptodactylus pentadactylus). I heard a frog calling early one evening and managed to track it down to the edge of a man-made tilapia pond. Immediately upon my grabbing it, the frog jumped into defense mode and began to yelp like a puppy, and secrete a noxious fluid from its skin. I found many frogs in Costa Rica, but this one was absolutely my favorite.

These frogs are native to Central and South America. Their native name translates into "common bulfrog". indeed they are bull frog size with the males growing up to 7.3 inches. They are found near water in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and into montane forests. These frogs are nocturnal and during the day can be found in burrows, under logs, and in leaf litter.

After many pictures were taken (in which I look terrible, and the frog looks almost demonic), the frog pictured above was returned to the pond where he called for the rest of the night.

I'm Still Here!

2011-04-20T16:09:00.003-04:00

I recently got back from a trip to Costa Rica. It is truly a hotspot of diversity and I had a great time. I toured many different tropical ecosystems and saw a number of interesting herps (as well as other animals). New posts are coming soon.

Vivarium Design and Construction

2011-03-04T16:06:00.003-05:00

Check out an article I wrote on constructing vivariums on "The Real Owner" here:
http://therealowner.com/reptiles-amphibians/vivarium-design-and-construction/

Leopard Gecko Care

2011-02-18T13:05:00.003-05:00

Leopard geckos make great pets. I listed them as one of the best beginner reptiles in a past post. They are easy to care for and can live 20yrs.

Housing: A ten gallon tank is fine for one adult. Use a safe reptile sand, turf, or newspaper as a substrate. I like sand because it is more naturalistic. Provide the gecko with a hiding spot of some kind, and a water bowl. Sticks, rocks, and fake plants may be used as decoration.

Heating and lighting: Leopard geckos come from warm regions in Afghanistan into Pakistan. They thus require added heat. An under tank heat pad will serve this purpose perfectly. The temperature can be in the 80s during the day and drop down to 68 degrees F at night. They are nocturnal and thus do not require special lighting like most other reptiles, but a UV light will make the tank easier to see into and it certainly won't hurt.

Feeding: Leopard geckos are insectivorous. Feed them crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and any other insect. A big adult can even eat a pinkie mouse (but these should not be fed often). Dust the food with a calcium powder once a week.

Handling: Leopard geckos are not very fast, and are very docile, so they can be handled. Don't handle then excessively, though, and be gentle with their tails.

Exitement in the Neighborhood

2011-01-29T11:35:00.002-05:00

Sounds like a fun day in the condos, but seriously if you are going to keep a big lizard, keep it locked up when you are not around.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iR6Z4yt-fszJ2UtXEE1NOlw_QfJQ?docId=df1a849b5786482995c1a4e11db33736

Breeding and Raising Crickets

2011-01-12T09:29:00.005-05:00

If you have a lot of insectivorous reptiles and amphibians then chances are you have to buy a lot of crickets. Or maybe you already breed them yourself. If you do, read no further. if you don't, why don't you? If a1l you need is 20 crickets a week breeding them won't be worth it (but it will still be fun). If on the other hand you need 100 or more crickets a week then you should definitely look into breeding your own. Be warned, though, crickets smell and they chirp. So find a place not near your sleeping area to store your colony.

Sexing Crickets
You will need adult crickets to begin your colony. Adult crickets are about an inch long and have fully developed wings covering the abdomen. Males have 2 appendages sticking out of the end of the abdomen. Females have three. The middle one on the females is long and black and is called the ovipositor. It is from here that they lay their eggs.

How Many Crickets Do I Need?
Not as many as you might think. A female cricket lays about 5-10 eggs a day, for a total of around 100 in her life (this does not mean the only live 10-20 days just that they will lay up until they reach 100 give or take). So 10 females should give you 1000 baby crickets if you let them lay for 10 days right? Well some females will inevitably die and some may be more or less prolific (not to mention some eggs might not hatch and some babies will die also) Basically the longer you let the females lay eggs the more baby crickets you will get. I recommend starting off small. Go to a pet shop and ask for 20-30 large crickets. You should get a good mix of males and females to start with. Make sure they are adults, though. Not all crickets sold as large may be adults (look for fully developed wings- if you can see the abdomen the wings are not fully developed).

The Setup
A glass tank or critter keeper is good for a small colony. Provide the crickets with food, water, heat, something to crawl on, and a place to lay eggs. Food can include store bought gutload, cricket gels, chicken mash, fruits and vegetables, and oatmeal. Water can come from the foods if they are well like fruits, wet paper towels, or a shallow dish of water with cotton swabs on them. Heat can come from a heat lamp, heating pad or placing the cage next to a radiator. Crickets like it between 85-88 degrees F. Toilet paper tubes and egg carton (paper) will give them climbing surfaces. The egg laying container can be any old plastic container filled with moist coco fiber or other clean soil. Keep it moist not wet. I use old margarine tubs. Clear containers are nice also because you can see the eggs around the edge.

The Babies
Remember that the females will lay 5- 10 eggs a day. The average of that is 7. If you have 15 females, in 3 days you will have around 315 eggs (I you do not heat the crickets you will have significantly less). I would remove the egg laying container at this point, since you don't want to many for you first time. Put the container in another heated cage. Keep it moist! The eggs will hatch in 10-14 days. The young are called pinheads because they are very small. If you have small animals you may use them now. If not you will have to raise them. The young eat what the adults eat, but I would chop it smaller for them. Crickets go through eight sizes. How fast they grow depends on temperature, but in a few weeks they should be standard pet shop "small" size.

Conclusion
Breeding Crickets can be a fun and rewarding experience. It is not all that difficult either. It is so easy. I did it by accident many yrs ago. I was feeding my toad Ben large crickets (the pet shop was out of small). As usual I poured the crickets directly into the cage. Ben ate greedily but missed a few. "He'll get those later" I said. Sure enough he got them. well two weeks went by. I look into his cage and what do i see?. An area of soil covered with little white dots. My first thought was "springtails! why are they swarming?" But upon closer examination I notice they were baby crickets. I wasn't even trying!

Feeder Insect Nutrition Facts

2011-01-02T11:39:00.003-05:00

Nearly all amphibians and many reptiles kept as pets are insectivorous. While larger species can eat mice for health reasons the bulk of your non-herbivorous herps diet should be insects. Their are well over a million species of insects in the world so their is no end to your options for feeding your pets. Indeed if you live in a relatively rural area you can get away with turning on the porch light at night to attract all the insects you need. Alas most of us have to buy our feeders. Nearly all pet shops sell four main feeder insects: crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and superworms (all of which you can breed on your own but that's another post). I call these the "Big Four". If you can't find them you're looking in the wrong place. Their are many other feeder that you usually have to order. These include fruit flies, springtails, phoenix worms, cockroaches, butterworms, and flies. I will be dealing with the "Big Four" here.

There are many charts online outlining the basic nutrition facts for various feeder insects. You may find that their numbers differ. This is due to the fact that no to feeder population sill be the same. One company may have more fat in in their gutload. Another may have more calcium. These charts are simply guides and they are usually not far off. Below I will compare the fat, protein, fiber, phosphorous, and calcium for the "Big Four". No exact numbers will be given since they are not useful here.

Fat
Crickets are the lowest in fat. Wax worms are the highest.

Protein
Crickets and mealworms have nearly the same amount of protein with waxworms and superworms not too far behind.

Fiber
Waxworms and superworms have the most fiber with crickets a far second.

Phosphorous
Crickets have the most phosphorous with mealworms close behind. Waxworms and superworms are almost the same with the least.

Calcium
Crickets have the most Calcium, followed by waxworms, superworms and mealworms have the least.

What Should I feed my Pets?
Short answer: crickets. Of the "Big Four" they can't be beat. Long answer: use your better judgement. You obviously wouldn't want to feed them waxworms regularly because of their high fat content. Also keep in mind that in the wild these creatures have a wide selection of insects to satisfy their nutritional needs. so it is good to give them a selection. Gut loaded crickets dusted with a vitamin/calcium powder can make up the majority of the diet but supplement it with other insects to. Even venture into more exotic feeders (cockroaches are great).

Book Review: The New Encyclopedia of Snakes

2010-12-21T21:03:00.003-05:00

Snakes often get a bad rap from the mainstream public, but we herpers know the truth. They are fascinating and fun creatures. So what if Voldemort has one as a pet. It doesn't make them evil! If you want to learn more about snakes then i recommend you buy "The New Encyclopedia of Snakes" by Chris Mattison. It has plenty of good information but it is not overwhelming- an easy read for anyone. It has beautiful photographs, and every few pages there are colored boxes filled with interesting facts. You Will be an expert on snakes after reading this must have reference book for the novice herpetologist.

Price Comparison: Pet Shop vs. Reptile Expo

2010-12-08T15:26:00.003-05:00

If you need a reason to by your animals at a reptile expo, or exotic pets expo look at these numbers.

Green treefrog: petshop- $12.99
reptile expo- 2 for $7

Ball Python: petshop- $89.99
reptile expo- $25

Bearded Dragon: petshop- $89.99
reptile expo- $75

Green Anole: petshop- $12.99
reptile expo- 2 for $7

Leopard Gecko: petshop- $45.99
reptile expo- $25

Firebelly Toad: petshop- $9.99
reptile expo- $5

Sulcatta Tortoise: petshop- $199.99
reptile fair- $125

Red Eared Slider: petshop- $14.99
reptile expo- up for adoption with a $5 donation

These are actual numbers from a local petshop and the New York Metro Reptile Expo. I believe they speak for themselves.

Species Profile: American Alligator

2010-11-04T12:30:00.005-04:00

The American Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis)is a spectacular reptile. They are very well adapted to their environment and belong to group of reptiles (crocodilians) that have lived nearly unchanged for 150 million yrs, surviving the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous. Males can reach lengths anywhere from 10-15ft while females are a still impressive 9ft. They can weigh upwards of 1000lbs and live 35 to 50 yrs. This mighty animal was once near extinction but thanks to human help it is thriving in its native habitat (the wetlands of the American Southeast, mainly Florida and Louisiana) with a wild population of over 1 million. Alligator farms help protect the wild population from hunting by growing "gators" their skins and meat (which is quite tasty if I do say so myself- just like chicken!). They are opportunistic feeders eating anything they can catch, and can stay submerged for quite a while looking like a log so I wouldn't advise swimming in just any deep south waterway you come across. As adults they may be top predators but as hatchlings they can be food for birds, raccoons and other animals. They have a very interesting method of sex determination. Mothers lay eggs in mounds of basically compost. If the temperature is 86 degrees F or less you get females, and if it is 93 degrees f or more you get males. This leads to a sex ratio of 5 females to 1 male (not to bad!). You might believe American Alligators will abandon their young, but this is not true. The mother guards the nest ferociously, and when they hatch she carries the young to the water where she usually protects them for about 1 yr. The pictures above are some I took in florida. One shows an alligator in the water. Ther other shows a mother gaurding her nest.

New York Metro Reptile Expo

2010-11-02T22:33:00.002-04:00

The next New York Metro Reptile Expo will be on november 28, 2010 from 10am to 4pm at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. Admission is $10 for adults, $4for kids 7-12, and free for kids under 7.

Interesting Story

2010-10-22T20:34:00.002-04:00

It's no secret that I an disgusted by how petshops usually treat their reptiles and amphibians. This story made me smile.

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Pet-store-boss-gets-life.6594453.jp

Red Efts!

2010-09-01T19:12:00.003-04:00

September: The month of the Red Efts! It seems these little critters are everywhere in the forests of the northeastern US this time of year. They are the immature form of the Eastern newt which you may remember from an earlier post. I just recently took a hike in my campus nature preserve and saw so many I stopped counting after 30. You see, this time of year they are making there way down to bodies of water too live as semi-aquatic adult newts (as efts they are terrestrial). these guys range in color from brownish to bright red (their color marks them as toxic to predators). They can be kept as pets as you would any other salamander for 2 to 3 yrs and then must be cared for like newts. Go out nd explore your local woods and see if you find any.

Reptile Expo

2010-07-09T16:44:00.001-04:00

The New York Metro Reptile Expo will be held Sunday, July 11, at the Westchester County Center. Vendors from all over will be selling exotic pets and supplies.

Newt Larvae

2010-07-01T13:10:00.003-04:00

One summer I had 3 eastern newts in a ten gallon tank. I came in one morning to make my usual observation. To my surprise I see the leaves of a plant curled up and in them little newt eggs. Caring for the eggs and larvae that summer was a fun and interesting experience. Here is some info on how to care for newt larvae.

Housing: use clean, dechlorinated water. With larvae keep the tank as bare as possible. A few plants wont hurt. No heat or filters are necessary. As with anything, don't crowd them.

Feeding: They wont eat as soon as they hatch. They will feed off their yolk sacks for a little while. Feed them daphnia and/or brine shrimp after this for a few weeks. Then when they are larger move on to blood worms and black worms.

Metamorphosis: When they are larger and their gills begin to shrink lower the water level and add rocks or sticks for them to crawl out on

Beginner Reptiles and Amphibians

2010-06-17T12:15:00.004-04:00

I will often go into a pet shop and see a wide range of herps- mixed together, in poor shape, and advertised as easy to take care for, or good for beginners- This is often far from the truth. There are many great beginner herps, but don't use size and price as a guide. Pet shops often sell babies of animals that will get much larger and are not good for beginners. They will also have some animals very cheap simply because they are easy and cheap to acquire, but not necessarily easy and cheap to take care of. Always do your research before getting an exotic pet, and if you are a beginner (i.e.-first ever herp) please pick from the list of beginner species bellow.

Amphibians:
-green tree frog
-barking tree frog
-fire salamander
-tiger salamander
-Marble salamander
-fire belly toad
-American toad
-eastern newt
-Fire belly newt
-African clawed frog
-African dwarf frog

Reptiles:
-leopard gecko
-corn snake
-ball python (captive breed)
-bearded dragon (not cheap, but if you get all you need easy to take care of)
-Tokay gecko (can be quite agressive)
-anole
-kingsnake
-milk snake
-rat snake
-horsfields tortoise

Beginners please avoid anything which name ends in monitor, poison dart frogs and mantellas, large tortoises (unless you absolutely have the space), iguanas, chameleons (green anoles are sometimes called chameleons-don't be confused- they aren't), Common boas, and reticulated pythons.

Hike

2010-06-07T16:00:00.002-04:00

I went for a short hike this past Sunday at my local nature center. It was pretty dry, and cloudy so I didn't see much. I did see a couple turtles sitting on some logs in the pond. I also went inside the manor house to see how the animals I used to take care of were doing. Glad to say they are doing great. Most are twice the size I remember them being. Above are some pictures of the turtles I saw.

Vivarium Construction

2010-05-29T21:15:00.004-04:00

1) Attach cork background to tank wall with aquarium sealant.
2) Add drainage medium. I used featherlite (a glass composite). you may also use clay pellets or gravel.
3) Cover the drainage medium with a barrier that will keep the substrate out of it. I use sphagnum moss (lightly moistened and pressed down).
4) Add the substrate of your choice. (you may add a little activated charcoal beneath it to absorb smells)
5) Add wood and/or rocks and other stable things
6) Add plants
7) Add accents like moss, leaves, water dishes, etc.

Interesting Ancient Reptile Find

2010-05-26T20:29:00.000-04:00

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5ixmvtZXsJSrKzKpKlb7mTl-uBUxw

Vivarium Supplies

2010-05-24T18:53:00.003-04:00

This is a list of supplies one would need for a basic 10 gallon tropical vivarium. This is by no means the definitive list. Some things can be removed like the the cork background, and other things added like a thermometer, humidity gauge, or water fall. Also the price I listed is a rough estimate that will be different depending on where you buy the supplies or how much of each you buy. This is still a good guide for the beginning hobbyist.

Ten gallon tank
screen top
Tank hood with light
wood for wet habitats (cypress, cork, ghostwood)
Cork background
water dish
Substrate (like the mix I give in an earlier post)
sphagnum moss
A drainage medium (featherlite or clay pellets)
plants
live moss
under tank heater
silicone sealant
activated charcoal (some don't use it, but it removes off smell:it doesn't last long though)

Cost: $184

Reptile No Nos: Plants to Avoid Feeding Reptiles

2010-05-14T13:27:00.003-04:00

The following list of plants will not kill you reptiles if you give it to them once in a while, but they will significantly harm their health if they make up a large part of the diet.

The Oxalates (cause calcium deficiency)
-chard
-spinach
-rhubarb
-dock
-sorrel
-beets
-beet green

The Goitrogens (Cause iodine deficiency=thyroid problems)
-cabbage
-broccoli
-kale
-cauliflower
-brussel sprouts
-bok choy

Summer Vivarium Project

2010-05-05T19:07:00.004-04:00

This summer I plan on constructing a few different vivariums just for fun. Perhaps a few tropical ones, a desert one, a paludarium, etc. I'll keep you posted on the construction and what-not. The above pictures are not mine, but a little inspiration from the web.

Naturalistic Vivariums

2010-04-18T20:19:00.003-04:00

There are few things nicer to look at than a naturalistic animal setup- whether its a saltwater reef tank, a riverside paludarium, a dense jungle scene, or an arid dessert-scape complete with succulents. There are also few things better for the well being of your pet besides a balanced and varied diet. Naturalistic vivariums reduce stress on the animal and you since they don't have to be cleaned as often (though the initial cost may put a little stress on your wallet). A properly planned naturalistic vivarium can last for years with minimal maintenance. They can be as simple as some pothos and cork bark to as complex as false bottoms and waterfalls. don't get me wrong "sterile" setups (those with newspaper or paper towels) have there place in the hobby too: for raising juveniles and people who have large amounts of herps with little room. One must always make he effort, though to provide his/her pets with a setup that reflects its natural environment whenever possible.

Reptile Smugglers

2010-04-11T23:19:00.000-04:00

I hope they catch them. http://berwick-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/reptile-smugglers-flee-country/

The Pepple Toad: Greatest Getaway

2010-04-01T20:40:00.002-04:00

Reptile Expo

2010-03-25T08:43:00.002-04:00

The next New York Metro Reptile Expo will be Sunday, April 18th. It will be held from 10am-4pm at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. More than 200 vendors will be there. Adult admission is $10.

Big Ben

2010-03-22T23:18:00.003-04:00

This is the story of How I caught Big Ben. He is my Southern toad, that I haave had for nearly 13 years. No names will be used.

Every summer when I was little (below the age of 11) my family would take a vacation to Virginia Beach. It's not that nice of a beach but when you are cheap it will do. We would often go around the 4th of july so we could sit on the balcony and watch the fireworks over the ocean. It was always a beautiful time. The summer of my 8th year we visited my second cousin and her family. They lived near the beach. It was fun to be with my cousins for a time, but it soon got boring. To pass the time I went outside to see what creatures I could find. My cousin followed (to my dismay).

When we came to the front yard we saw another kid across the street. My cousin introduced me to him, and he wondered what I was doing. I proceeded to explain my interest in nature and that I was just looking around for something interesting. He offered to take me to a pond near his house, so we went. As I looked around the water I saw no movement. The pond looked dead. Then to my surprise I saw him jump. He caught a small frog and placed it in a jar. I looked at it and jealosy overcame me. I wanted to catch something, but there was nothing else, so we walked back to my cousin's house where the subject of bicycles came up.

I couldn't ride a bicycle and so he offered to teach me, but I would have no part of it. I would not let the one who out-frogged me show his superiority once more by teaching me, no I wouldn't. Besides it was getting dark and I wasn't going to learn to ride a bike in the dark. I left and went inside for dinner- mmmm ribs, if my memory serves me correctly. After dinner, still unsatisfied that I had caught nothing that day, I went outside and started looking around for some nocturnal specimens. I started rummaging around some old wooden boards when I saw something move. I jumped back. At first I thought it was a rat. I don't know why, but then I noticed that the shadowy creature hopped. I grapped at the dark figure and felt bumps- A toad! I had caught one other toad in my life at this point, and it was nowhere near as big as this one.

I ran inside hands covered with toad pee. My mother screamed, my father said "what the hell is that", My cousin said "oooo your gonna get warts". I placed the toad into my critter keeper and looked at him with pride. I had caugh something! I went outside and saw the kid across the street. I showed him my find and smuggly remarked "Mine's bigger than yours". He said he didn't care, and he probably didn't, and neither did I really. I was just glad I caught something. When we left my cousins I bought the toad with me. I hid his cage under my coat since I was worried about the hotel we were staying at's "no pet policy". On the trip back home to NY, the toad that would one day be called Big Ben road in the back seat with me. If you had told me then that 12 1/2 yrs later I would still have this toad I would have called you crazy and said "silly you, toads don't live that long!" Well they can.

When I left for college I gave all my pets away. all except Ben. For this reason I call him the Alpha and Omega. Of my initial group of pets he was the first, and the last.

Late but Interesting!

2010-03-17T22:31:00.000-04:00

Biologists find proof of first confirmed species of monogamous frog

ScienceDaily (2010-03-12) -- Amphibians may be a love 'em and leave 'em class, but one frog species defies the norm, scientists have found. Biologists have discovered in Peru the first confirmed species of monogamous amphibian, Ranitomeya imitator, better known as the mimic poison frog -- a finding that provides groundbreaking insight into the ecological factors that influence mating behavior. ... > read full article

Tadpoles!

2010-03-13T18:53:00.004-05:00

We all remember as little kids the awe we felt at the power of nature, when we first learned that frogs came from fish-like tadpoles. My grandfather recalls not believing it until he was a grown man and actully saw the mtamorphosis with his own eyes over the course of a few months. I've raised many tadpoles in my day. I consider it a right of passage for an kid who claims to be interested in science. Upon raising my first tadpole my mother was so proud that her son had given her "a grandbaby" even if it was a frog. I almost raise at least two every summer and promptly release them where they were caught.

Raising tadpoles is a fun and rewarding experience, that's not just for kids. And since Spring is just around the corner and soon the ponds will be full of these little critters I thought it appropriate to write a little on thier care. Firstly use clean dechloriated water in thier tank. pond water is good if you can get it regularly, bottle water is fine, and tap water will do as long as you use the dechlorinator drops from the petshop. Secondly, please do not crowd them: it is stressful, they'll nibble each othes tails, and it will make clean up to hard. 2 two or 3 tadpoles in a medium sized critter keeper. Third, keep the water clean. Take out half the water and replace it every other day. Do a full change once every week or week and a half. You dont have to remove the tads when doing a partial change, only on a full change- think aquariums. Fourth, lets talk food. Most tadpoles you will have will be herbivorous or omnivorous. Some species are carnivorous (ie:Mexican spadefoot toad, or pacman frog), but I doubt you have then in your local pond. Feed you tadpoles frozen thawed spinach (no butter please), algae, algae pellets (like spirulina), fishfood, and you may try prepared tadpole food. Variety is the key to health in all diets. Lastly, remember when your tads front and back legs are in (back is always first) lower the water level, stop feeding them, and give them something they can climb onto when the start breathing air (this will occur before the tail is fully gone.

This is simply an overview that does not guarantee success. It is important to research your species. If you do not know the species then following this guide will at least put you on the right track to proper care. (and as far as temperature goes a rule of thumb is: the warmer the water, the faster the tadpole will change but room temperature is fine for most species, as overheating is possible).

Global Warming Didn't Do It?

2010-03-04T18:25:00.002-05:00

This is an interesting article on the causes of the extinction of a tropical toad species from Science Daily. It shows that understanding the current extinction crisis is not going to be cut and dry. There are many variables as with anything in science.: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301151925.htm

Eastern Newts

2010-02-25T14:59:00.004-05:00

Eastern Newts make wonderful and interesting pets. Many people are probably familiar with their juvenile form, the red eft, but don't realize that they are the same animal. They are native to the Eastern US, and I often see them and their efts on my summer hikes. They like water and so the tank should have 2 or more inches for then. A filter is also necassary unless you wan't to do frequent water changes. They are docile and agree in groups so 3 or 4 individuals can live in a 10 gal tank. For mine I used gravel as a substrate, with drift wood, and live aquatic plants for decoration. They eat worms (chop them if big) and other invertebrates. Some individuals will accept pelletized food but I'm not a fan of it for more than supplementation. They do not require external heating. As they do breed in captivity, I will be discussing how to raise newt larvae later, maybe closer to Spring.

Book Review: Turtles: The Animal Answer Guide

2010-02-20T16:21:00.005-05:00

I grew up loving turtles. The 1st pet I ever had was a box turtle my parents got me. I kept him in a cage next to my bed. I was young and didn't know a quarter of what I know about reptiles and amphibians now. The turtle died after 6 months. Boy was I surprised years later when I learned they could live 100 years! I really don't think children under the age of ten should be given the responsibility of caring for herps (this new found wisdom is too late to save that first turtle of mine,though). Years later in high school I took A job working as a volunteer at a nature center. There I worked with many turtles and tortoise (over 10 different species, and more than 2 of each species). I learned a lot of valuable knowledge there. The other day I was walking through Barnes and Noble and I saw a book called Turtles: The Animal Answer Guide, by Whit Gibbons and Judy Greene. Usually I stay away from books that are so general and that seem to be playing the part of the "complete difinitive book" on a subject if I want real information, bu this book impressed me. It consists of many different questions people may have about turtles organized in to categories, and then provides answers to these questions. Not a very original setup but it is an essential book if you want to learn abot turtles. Gibbons and Greene blend natural history with captive care (though the book is definitely not a caresheet. They answer hundreds of questions. It is not for the seasoned herper, but definitely the type of book you should buy when you first enter the hobby. Now for a funny Story. There isa sction in the book on what to do if you see a turtle in the road. They say it is perfectly fine to move it off the road. This made me laugh, not because I'm some weirdo who finds turtles in the road funny, but because of what happended to me on a past trip to Virginia. I was a warm morning in Louisa County. Me, in the backseat, my mother dozing off in the passenger seat and my father driving. We were making our way to visit grandma, when all at once I spotted something in the road ahead. From my previous experience, as mentioned earlier, I immediately was able to identify the object as a box turtle. I had never seen on in the wild before and was a little to exited. I screamed "stop! we gott get him of te road". My day begrudgingly said alright. I opened the door and place my left foot on the pavement. just as I did my father got the bright idea to pull up closer to the waiting reptile. He proceeding to run the back tire onto my foot. I screamed in pain, my mother turned around and I thought oh Sh*t it's broken! He quickly backed up and I pulled my foot in to the car. My mother in rage hit my dad on the shoulder, as he ran around to check on me. He asked me how I felt and I said "go get the turtle off the road". He said "how" and I said "just throw it in the woods", big mistake because my genius father picked up the turtle and literally threw it through the air in to the woods. To make a long story short i got an x-ray and it wasn't broken, I limped the rest of the trip, My mom remained angry at my father told me "next time we drive by the turtle". For my sake and the turtles sake he's right.

Info

2010-02-17T23:22:00.000-05:00

Just so everyone knows there will be a book review coming soon.

Speak up

2010-02-10T20:59:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone. If you like what you see please become a follower and don't forget to leave comments. I'd love to hear from you. Also if you don't like what you see please leave suggestions. Your comments and critiques are welcome.

Crickets

2010-02-06T22:06:00.003-05:00

Crickets are the number one food we herpers feed our pets. They are nutritious, easy to handle, and readily available. They are even considered good luck by the chinese and well 1.3 billion people can't be wrong! Now how many of you buy your crickets everytime its your animal's feeding day? This is time consuming, buying 10 crickets here and there. Instead I recommend you buy 60 or more and keep them in a tank for when you need them. They are not hard to keep alive, and by caring for them you are "gut-loading" them with nutritious food, thus making them better for your animals. Simply select a suitable glass or plastic tank like a spare 10 gal or a critter keeper. You may add paper towel tubes or egg cartons for them to crawl on. For protein you can provide them with store bought cricket food like flukers or oatmeal. Give them grated carrot and peices of green leaf lettuce for moisture, in addittion to some other vegetables and fruits. I also like to give mine moistened paper towels. Change the food every other day. Crickets like warmth but if you keep them too warm they might grow too fast. Use the crickets as necassary. The paper towel tubes are great for moving them.

And please don't forget to dust them once a week with calcium powder. If your animals are juveniles dust their crickets more often.

Green Iguanas

2010-01-27T13:27:00.003-05:00

Warning: If you are thinking about buying a baby iguana in the petshop please ask yourself this: Will I be able to take care of it when it is 5ft or more long?. A freind of mine gave me his juvenile iguana because he was getting too big for his cage. I kept it for a summer and it began getting to big for the cage I had! I promptly gave him to a gentleman who had been keeping large reptile for many years. Iguanas are nice pets, and I truly enjoyed iggy (not the most creative name, I know, but they are not for everyone. If you want a lizard try a leopard gecko or if you wan something larger, a bearded dragon. Both are easy to care for.

Vivarium Substrate

2010-01-20T15:35:00.003-05:00

Today I was looking at the terrarium I keep in my room. I've been caring for it for 5years, and I thought "wow the plants are growing beautifully". Then I thought that I should share my substrate ratio so here it is:

3 parts coco-fiber (those bricks they sell)
2 parts tree fern fiber
1 part crushed leafs like oak
1 part compost
1 part peat moss

I sprinkle some top soil from out of the wood ontop of this once its in the tank to "seed" it with beneficial organisms like springtails.

Green Tree Frogs

2010-01-18T15:19:00.003-05:00

Green Tree Frogs make great beginner pets. They are enjoyable to watch and easy to take care of. Green tree frog come from the southern united states and grow to about 2 in in length. They can change there color and are usually brown or green. Like all amphibians they love crickets, and tree frogs in general relish moths. Mine would grab moths out of mid-air. you can catch moths from a porch ligh or grow your own by letting wax worms mature. Green tree fogs ae fully nocturnal. The ideal daytime temp. for them is in the low to mid 70s, dropping slighly lower at night. They are aboreal and like alot of plants and sticks to climb on. Pothos works perfectly. It was a plant I used in most of my tanks. I got two green tree frogs at the same time. The smaller one died of a cloacal prolapse, and the other one I had 5 yrs, before giving him away.

Fire Salamanders

2010-01-15T15:59:00.003-05:00

Fire Salamanders are native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They may be striped or spotted. Like most colorful amphibians their markings serve as a warning to predators that they are poisonous. They are terrestrial and like moist substrate with plenty of places to hide, and a shallow water bowl . For mine i used eco-earth and cork bark. They love worms and insects and can become quite tame. Mine wuld often eat out of my hand. They do not need added heat, and are mostly nocturnal so no added light either. The above pic is of my fire salamander. I had him 5 years before giving him away. If you have any questions, ask away.

Reptile Expo

2010-01-15T15:26:00.003-05:00

Just so everyone knows the New York Metro Reptile Expo is Sunday, Jan 25th at the Westchester county center. I usually try to go bu can't mak this one. They have them numerous times during the year and they are always alot of fun.

Pet Shops!

2010-01-13T21:00:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: This will be somewhat of a rant. Everytime i go into a petshop I make sure to see how their reptile section looks, and honestly I'm usually dissappointed. Numerous species crammed into he same cage, improper substrate, to dry, too wet, wrong food, sick and dying specimens next to healthy ones, etc. I could write volumes on the list of grievances. Perhaps there logic is that the anmals wont be their long so why bother caring for them properly, or maybe its money, or just plain stupidity! Whatever the reason it's sick. Many of these animals can live decades, but aren't likely to survive 6 month from the petshop. I ask everyone who is searching for one of these exotic pets to either get he shipment when it first comes into the petshop, or better yet buy them at a reptile expo!. The private and small time breeders at these shows are knowledgeable and their animals are likely to be healthy (and getting a healthy animal is half the battle).

What's coming

2010-01-13T15:21:00.000-05:00

I know your dying to see my former collection. Ok maybe not, but in case you are pics and species descriptions are coming soon. Keep checking in and happy herping.

Introductions

2010-01-12T21:34:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. You can call me BAM. I'm a 20 yo college student at Binghamton University. For yrs I have been interested in vivarium design and the care of reptiles and amphibians. They are truly wonderful creatures. My collection included newts, salamanders, lizard, toads, tree frogs, and many other creatures over the yrs. Now I only have Big Ben, my southern toad, whom i've had for 13 yr! (unbelieveble I know). I take care of him good, but even I didn,t expect him to live this long. This blog will be about anything and everything in the herpetological hobby. Enjoy!