February 2014

KEEP THE SNAKE WITH THE KING-SIZED CHARM PG 32
HEY, KIDS! We’re Having an Art Contest Just for You! PG 15
FEBRUARY 2014 THE WORLD’S LEADING REPTILE MAGAZINE
IS MIXING
SPECIES
EVER A
GOOD IDEA?
PG 38
CRESTED Clown
GECKOS:
Tree Frog
Why People Love These

Tips
Colorful Eyeball
Lickers! PG 24 Care Secrets
for the
INDIAN
STAR
TORTOISE
ALSO INSIDE
THE VET YOUR QUESTIONS FIND A BREEDER
REPORT ANSWERED NEAR YOU
PG 12 PG 16 PG 60
NEW!
complete setups
for the hobbyist
ZOO MED LABORATORIES, INC.

3650 Sacramento Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: 805-542-9988
email: zoomed@zoomed.com
www.zoomed.com
c a n im a ls fr o m a round the world
d exoti
Thousa nds of reptiles an www.repticon.com (863)268-4
273
online - Just $12
2-day VIP Tickets
PHOENIX , A Z
iMORE
BALTIM FEBRUARY 8 & 9
FEBRUARY 1 & 2
AZ.State Fairgrounds
AZ
s
Timonium Fairground
CHARLO4T&TE5
JANUARY
Cabarrus Arena 12
JANUARY 11 & ter
d e n a C o n v e ntion Cen
- Pasa
HOUSTON, TX u n t y F a ir g r ounds
L A N TA , GA - G winnett Co
AT
19
JANUARY 18 & N F U nivers ity Center
L L E , F L - U
JACKSONVI
VOLUME 22
NUMBER 2
FEBRUARY 2014
EDITORIAL
Group Editor/Editor: Russ Case
Managing Editor: Stephanie Starr
BY RUSS CASE Managing Web Editor: John Virata
Senior Graphic Designer: Edred Rivera
Editorial/Corporate/Production/Sales Offices
3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618
949-855-8822; Fax 949-855-3045
A NEW WEBSITE PRODUCTION

Multimedia Production Coordinator: Heather Kane
worthy of REPTILES! Multimedia Production Manager: Jessica Jaensch

ADVERTISING
Publisher: Desireé Lynch
I
Advertising Director: Sandy Quinn
MIDWEST SALES OFFICE LOS ANGELES SALES
and many other people have been living 477 Butterfield, Ste. 200, 500 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 600
Lombard, IL 60148 Glendale, CA 91203
and breathing the new REPTILES magazine 630-515-9493 213-385-2222
Fax 630-515-9784 Fax 213-385-0335
website for the past several months, and Advertising Director: Sandy Quinn
hopefully by the time you’re reading this, it’s up squinn@i5publishing.com
and running. If there’s an unforeseen delay—let’s face it, such things can DIRECT SALES
happen—rest assured it’s heading your way soon enough, and it will be well Director of Sales: Susan Roark
worth the wait, with plenty of new bells and whistles! Direct Sales Operations Manager: Michael Pavia
Senior Advertising Sales Manager: Bo Ros
Classified Advertising Consultant: Tony McIntosh
As the editor of the magazine’s previous companion website, Classified Sales Support Coordinator: Bill Partnoff
Classified Designer: Terri Wazny
ReptileChannel.com, I admit that even I sometimes had trouble wading
through it. The bulk of the information found on the site, written by many PUBLISHING
Chief Executive Officer: Mark Harris
of the same reptile experts that write articles for REPTILES magazine, is Chief Financial Officer: Nicole Fabian
second to none, quality-wise, of course, but the site design and navigation Chief Sales Officer: Jeff Scharf
Chief Content Officer: June Kikuchi
occasionally left something to be desired. I’m happy to report, though, that Vice President of Consumer Marketing:
the new REPTILES website is a vast improvement. That’s a promise! Beth Freeman Reynolds
Consumer Marketing Director: George Agoglia
Digital General Manager: Melissa Kauffman
As I write this, we’re hip-deep into the finishing touches of the completely Marketing Director: Lisa MacDonald
redesigned website—now titled ReptilesMagazine.com. In addition to a ton Marketing Coordinator: Christina Froehlich
Multimedia Production Director: Laurie Panaggio
of brand-new content, you’ll find the new site much more pleasing to the Book Division General Manager: Christopher Reggio
eye, a cinch to navigate and, quite simply, a much more satisfying online Controller: Craig Wisda
IT Director: Charles Lee
experience, one we hope reptile hobbyists both young and old find both Human Resources Director: Cherri Buchanan
educational and entertaining. Administration & Facility Director: Pam Thomas
ReptilesMagazine.com—visit
often for the best care sheets,
health articles, reptile news,
contests and so much more! REPTILES magazine (ISSN 1068-1965) is published monthly by I-5 Publishing,
3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618-2804. Corporate headquarters is located at
3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618-2804. Periodicals Postage Paid at Irvine, CA
92619-9998 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send
address changes to REPTILES, P.O. Box 37185, Boone, IA 50037-0185. © 2013
REPTILES Magazine
by I-5 Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this
issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
Subscription rate is $24.00 for 12 issues,
$40 for 24 issues. Canadian and foreign For subscription inquiries
surface, add $12 extra per year payable or change of address:
in U.S. funds. Single issue price is $4.99. REPTILES magazine, P.O. Box 37185,
Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for new Boone, IA 50037-0185
subscriptions to begin. When changing 800-876-9112 Fax: 515-433-1013
address, give six weeks’ notice and Visit us online: www.custmag.com/REP
Contest Winner address label from latest copy as well

as new address with zip code. Occasionally, we make our subscriber list available to
carefully screened companies that offer products and services that we believe would
interest our readers. If you do not want to receive these offers and/or information,
please write us at Privacy Policy, 3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 or send us an e-mail
Congratulations to Marisa Bejarano at privacy@i5publishing.com. Please view our Privacy Policy at i5publishing.com.
Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs are welcome on an exclusive basis, but
of Summerville, S.C., who won a none can be acknowledged or returned unless accompanied by self-addressed,
free REPTILES subscription. Each stamped envelopes.
Reasonable care will be taken in handling manuscripts and photographs, but
month, Editor Russ Case gives a free REPTILES magazine cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged materials.
subscription to a REPTILES Facebook Views and opinions authors express are their own and do not necessarily
represent the views and opinions of REPTILES magazine or I-5 Publishing.
fan. Become a fan at Facebook.com/ Publications Mail Agreement No. 40612608 Registration No. R126851765
ReptilesMagazine
ReptilesMagazine, and maybe you’ll be Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: IMEX Global Solutions,
chosen next! P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2, CANADA
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
4 REPTILES | February 2014 | ReptilesMagazine.com

Step Up
To Quality, Value and Convenience!
Discover what tens of thousands of
customers — including commercial
reptile breeding facilities, veterinar-
ians, and some of our country’s most
respected zoos and aquariums — have
already learned: with Rodentpro.com®,
you get quality AND value! Guaranteed.
RodentPro.com® offers only the

highest quality frozen mice, rats,
rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and
quail at prices that are MORE than Order online!
competitive. We set the industry www.RodentPro.com
standards by offering unsurpassed It’s quick, convenient
quality, breeder direct pricing and year- and guaranteed!
round availability.
P.O. Box 118
With RodentPro.com , you’ll know
® Inglefield, IN 47618-9998
you’re getting exactly what you order: Tel: 812.867.7598
clean nutritious feeders with exact Fax: 812.867.6058
sizing and superior quality. And with
E-mail: info@rodentpro.com
our exclusive shipping methods, your
order arrives frozen, not thawed.
We guarantee it.
Feeding Your Reptile Is Our Passion! ™
©2013 Rodentpro.com,llc.
February 2014 | REPTILES 5
FEATURES
FEBRUARY 14 VOLUME 22 NUMBER 2
15 KID HERPER ART CONTEST

Eight young art contest winners will
each receive prizes worth $100!
24 CRESTED
18 A TRUE STAR ON THE COVER GECKO
Tips for keeping one of the world’s most CRESTED GECKO MORPHS
attractive tortoises—the Indian star tortoise. (Correlelophus ciliatus)
>By Kimberly Kay Lucas
>By Jerry D. Fife
CALIFORNIA KINGSNAKE
24 A STUNNER OF A GECKO (Lampropeltis getula californiae)
>By Cioli/I-5 Studio
Find out why some people consider the
crested gecko a living work of art.
>By Kimberly Kay Lucas
32 CALIFORNIA KINGSNAKES
Captive breeding and new morphs keep this
favorite pet snake fresh and exciting.
>By Kerby Ross
38 MIXED-SPECIES VIVARIA
Can it be done? And if so, how?
>By Ashley Troy Quick
48 THE MAGIC OF MADIDI

Bolivia’s Madidi National Park is a treasure
trove of wildlife.
>By Paul Freed 18 INDIAN STAR TORTOISE
DEPARTMENTS 60 REPTILE BREEDER

48 HERPING DIRECTORY
BOLIVIA 4 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK 62 CLASSIFIEDS
8 MAILBAG 64 HERPERS’
MOST
12 THE VET REPORT WANTED
14 REPTILECHANNEL.COM
16 HERP QUERIES
26 BREEDER’S CHOICE:
MEXICAN RED-KNEE TARANTULA
56 HERP HAPPENINGS
26 BREEDER’S
58 ADVERTISER INDEX CHOICE

uNew Herper Survey
Where in the world is I am writing on behalf of the Southwestern
REPTILES ? Center for Herpetological Research (SWCHR),

a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated
to promoting education relating to the natural
SPONSORED BY
history, biology, taxonomy, conservation and
preservation needs, field studies, and captive
propagation of the herpetofauna indigenous to
the American Southwest. SWCHR has funded
an online survey titled “2013 Herpers Survey,” a
comprehensive assessment of opinions.
The survey can be accessed at surveymonkey.
com/s/herpersurvey2013 and will be available
through February 28, 2014. At that time I will
begin analysis of the results, and once complete,
these findings will be made available in a formal
report which will be made publicly available.
I think the resulting data will prove useful,
and thank everyone in advance who cares to
participate by taking the survey. Thank you.
Chris McMartin, SWCHR
Great
Prize! uBobbing Beardie
My male bearded dragon chases my female
bearded dragon and bobs his head. I don’t know
Are you reading REPTILES on the go? Send us a photo if he is trying to mate or something else.
of you and REPTILES in an interesting locale. If we publish it, Cody King, Pendleton, N.Y.
YOU’LL GET A $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM ZOO
MED LABORATORIES! Yes, he is likely courting her. Keep an eye on
Visit ReptilesMagazine.com/Contact for instructions. Photos sent your beardies just to make sure there isn’t any
become the property of REPTILES magazine and cannot be returned. aggression between them. If you’re interested
in breeding them and hatching eggs, there’s
JOSHUA HIGGINS of St. Louis, Mo., reads his a good article about how to go about it at
REPTILES magazines while visiting the Zoological ReptilesMagazine.com. —Eds.
Society of London’s Reptile House. Built in 1926, the
building was actually featured in the beginning of
the first Harry Potter movie
SHARE YOUR thoughts
We know reptile Are there specific
people have strong animals you would
opinions about their like to see featured
hobby, and they often in REPTILES? Can you
have great stories, offer any useful tips or
uWants a Savannah Monitor suggestions and suggestions to other
I am trying to convince my parents to get me a savannah monitor for creative ideas to boot. reptile fans/keepers?
Maybe you’ve got some
Christmas. Every website says something different regarding their care. Can stories, fond memories
REPTILES publish an article on the care for savannah monitors? or jokes involving herps
Aaron Chimelis, Port Saint Lucie, Fla. to share.
It’s easy to share. Send an email to reptiles@
i5publishing.com, or write to REPTILES,
Definitely do your research to ensure you should even own one, Aaron; they “Mailbag,” 3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618.
can be a handful. A monitor article in last month’s issue featured the savannah, We want to hear from you!
Letters subject to editing by REPTILES staff.
and there is a species profile available at ReptilesMagazine.com. —Eds.
uWater Dragon Digs
I have two Chinese water dragons.
READER What size enclosure should I have when
reward
they reach maturity?
Robert Astemborski,
via ReptilesMagazine.com
A Exo Terra light bracket and dome (exo-terra.com) will go to one
Great
winner who correctly answers this question: What did Paul Freed find Prizes! Due to their arboreal habits, Chinese
in his toilet during his stay in Bolivia? The answer appears elsewhere water dragons do well in a vertically orient-
in this issue. The deadline to enter is February15, 2014 Good luck! ed enclosure taller than it is long. One that
measures 4 to 6 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet deep
HOW TO ENTER: and 3 to 4 feet long, with plenty of perches
and foliage, would work well. —Eds.
E-mail reptiles@i5publishing.com. With “Reader Reward February 2014” in the subject line.
E-mails must include the correct answer written as it appears in the magazine; the page on which
it’s found; and your full name, mailing address and phone number. Winners will be randomly uInfertile Leopards?
chosen soon after the deadline and then notified. I own a male and female leopard
gecko. Both are about 1½ years old and
Male fat-tailed geckos have hemipenes, live in the same tank. I have been trying
uCroc Monitor which cause a bulge right above the to breed them. Every other month the
I was wondering if you could publish cloacal opening. Look for the lump, as female lays a clutch of eggs, but they are
a care sheet on the crocodile monitor. females will not have these. —Eds. always infertile. Is the male not fertilizing
Shirley Reep, Danielson, Conn. them, or is there something wrong with
uThanks for the Great Zoo my female?
You can find a care sheet for the Med Prizes Tom Cassidy, via ReptilesMagazine.com
crocodile monitor at ReptilesMagazine. I got a big box of great prizes from
com/CrocMonitorCare —Eds. Zoo Med! Awesome stuff. I was able to Leopard gecko size, in addition to age,
get much more for $50 than I thought. plays a role in breeding. Your female’s
uSwollen Garter Snake It’s all going to be very helpful. I just weight, in particular, is important. Females
We have had a garter snake in my wanted to drop you a line and thank should weigh between 50 to 75 grams
Life Science classroom for five years. Zoo Med and REPTILES magazine. I’m a before breeding. They will need to have a
Last year, it began to develop a swelling subscriber for life! Thanks again! diet with adequate calcium to support egg
about 3 inches below the head. It Vinny Buccigrossi, Middletown, N.J. production. Sometimes it just takes a few
looks as though one of his meals got tries before your geckos will produce viable
stuck going down. He is still a good Zoo Med and our other various eggs. —Eds.
eater, good attitude, sheds regularly, contest sponsors have always been
but the bulge remains. Do you have generous with our contest winners. We’re uErratum
any suggestions as to what might be pleased people are enjoying all the great The blood python pictured on the
causing this? stuff they send their way. —Eds. bottom half of page 32 in our January
Evelyn Gaffney, Eagle River, Wis. issue was identified as an albino. It was a
T-positive albino.
Please take your garter snake to a
herp veterinarian so that he or she may
examine it to try to determine what may
be causing the lump. A state-by-state list
of herp veterinarians can be found at
ReptilesMagazine.com. —Eds.
uSexing Fat-Tails
GINA CIOLI/I5 STUDIO
How do you tell male and female fat-

tailed geckos apart?
David Dharma,
via ReptilesMagazine.com

arcticmice.com Ý info@arcticmice.com
FROZEN PINKIES,
FUZZIES, SMALL MICE, MEDIUM
MICE, LARGE MICE, SMALL RATS,
and MEDIUM RATS
Available at a
near you petsmart.com

at the Holiday Inn in Key West. How do
you lose a 130-pound tortoise? And who
takes one on vacation with them?
Irwin, one of the farm’s alligators, was
donated by Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald of Animal
Planet fame. He rescued the reptile from
a crack house where several others had
already been made into hat bands and
belts. Dr. Fitzgerald personally flew the
by douglas mader, crocodilian to the farm, where it now
m.s., d.v.m., dabvp lives in a beautiful outdoor enclosure
with a pond in the Florida sunshine.
Reptile case histories, medical
douglas mader, DVM

Ghost, a 12-foot-long albino
news and health advice Burmese python was rescued from the
Reptile back of a station wagon, where it lived

with two dogs, a raccoon, a macaw, a
Medicine Farm supervisor Jeanne Selander helps

chicken, several iguanas and another
large constrictor. The owner of the
Behind Bars Dr. Mader get a blood sample from Fat

Albert as part of his annual exam.
menagerie had visions of taking his
charges down to the famous Sunset
N
Pier at Mallory Square to have photos
estled under a Spartan taken with willing tourists.
concrete building at the elevated jail. Thus, the Muscovy ducks When animal control discovered
end of Hemmingway’s and assorted chickens were the first the terrestrial ark, all the animals were
Islands in the Stream, you’ll find a most “inmates” of the nascent zoo. Shortly confiscated, taken to the farm and
unusual collection of critters, all within afterwards, the SPCA from Miami, about the owner arrested on animal cruelty
the confines of the county’s foremost three hours away, called and asked if the charges. Sadly, Ghost and the other
correctional facility: Monroe County Jail. facility would take in a blind horse they constrictor died from a paramyxovirus
Surrounded by 20-foot-tall fences, had found abandoned. Using inmate infection shortly after they were
adorned with coiled razor wire, are labor, a stall and pen were built, and the confiscated. Years later, a new star herp,
Patagonian cavies, horses, pigs, sheep, first mammal called the jail “home.” Pink, a 13-foot-long albino Burmerse,
goats, many species of birds, various small Over the years, the reputation of was donated when she grew too large
mammals, an emu named Kramer and a the farm grew, not for being a tourist for the owner to keep.
dozen poikilotherms—frogs, toads, turtles, attraction like the San Diego Zoo or The farm is only open to the public on
tortoises, gators, lizards and snakes. Disney, but for its willingness to take in the second and fourth Sunday of each
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Animal and care for any wayward critter. With the month, but it is available for private group
Farm, the only one of its kind in North exception of the cavies, all the animals tours. It’s funded largely by donations.
America, is wholly confined within residing on the farm were abandoned, Regardless of the tight budget, all the
the grounds of the jail, and with the abused, confiscated or donated. animals get regular veterinary care.
exception of the farm supervisor, fully A former Sheriff’s office employee I make monthly veterinary rounds
staffed by inmates wearing bright- went to a livestock auction several to the farm with my senior veterinary
orange jumpsuits. years back. While there, she found a students and discuss the biology,
Started in 1994, this licensed USDA pair of Patagonian cavies, large rodents husbandry and veterinary care of the
zoo was initially a refuge for wayward from South America, on the auction animal inhabitants. When I do, the
ducks that had plagued a nearby block—to be sold either as food or “bait” caretaker inmates join in the lessons
golf course and hit by cars. The fowl animals used to train hunting dogs. She and also participate with any animal
were rounded up by a contingency of felt sorry for them, bought them with interventions that I am involved with. This
inmates and temporarily housed in an her own money and brought them back opportunity gives not only my students
enclosed area under the shelter of the to the farm. The big rodents loved living excellent exposure to exotic animals,
Need a Herp Vet?

in the jail and made romance a big part but also teaches the inmates new skills
of their life—eventually propagating and helps guide them in directions that
into a “herd” of cavies. may just one day help keep them from
If you’re looking for a herp-
knowledgeable veterinarian in your area, While the animal park hosts between coming back. After all, not many people
visit ReptileChannel.com/VetList or the 250 to 300 animals at any time, some look good in orange. REPTILES
Association of Reptilian and Amphibian of the more unique stories evolved
Veterinarians website at arav.com. Look around the reptile collection. Fat Albert, Douglas R. MADER, MS, DVM, DABVP (REPTILE/AMPHIBIAN), is a
graduate of the University of California, Davis. He owns the Marathon
for DVMs who maintain actual veterinary Veterinary Hospital in the Conch Republic, and is a world-renowned
offices that you could contact. a 130-pound African spur tortoise, was
lecturer, author and editor. He sits on the review boards of several
found wandering around the parking lot scientific and veterinary journals.

stock item #52013*
STOCK ITEM #52013*

M AY C A U S E E X C E S S I V E S I B L I N G R I VA L R I E S .
Y O U H AV E O U R S I N C E R E A P O L O G I E S .
*Item#52013 Fluker’s Driftwood.

To view our entire line of UNFLUKENBELIEVEABLE products,
visit us at flukerfarms.com | toll free 1.800.735.8537
E S TA B L I S H E D 1 9 5 3
Look for REPTILES
magazine on
BY JOHN VIRATA
Online Poll Panther

Do you have a desert vivarium
setup?
Chameleon
Care
YES I DO

(43.08%)
NO I DON’T
47.69%
NEXT ON
MY LIST
(9.23%) Panther chameleons are one of the most colorful chameleons in the hobby.
They can turn a variety of colors and can live 5 to 7 years with proper care.
Read how to care for them at ReptilesMagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/
Panther-Chameleon/.
“You have bins of crickets

CORN SNAKE. GINA CIOLI/I5 STUDIO
and mice in your house.”

You Know
You’re Really
Into Reptiles To read more and submit your own, go SPONSORED BY
When... to ReptilesMagazine.com/OneLiners.
If yours appears in this column, you’ll
win $50 worth of Rep-Cal products!
Red-eared Slider Care

The red-eared slider is by far the most
popular pet turtle that for years was
sold in discount stores with no available
information on how to care for it. This is
a large turtle that should be kept by those
who can properly care for it. Read the
care sheet to see if the red-eared slider is
right for you at ReptilesMagazine.com/

Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/.
Subscribe to REPTILES
Go online to order a one-year REPTILES
subscription and save 75 percent off
the cover price! Order Colombian Boa Constrictor
online right now by The Colombian boa constrictor makes a great pet snake, and is
using your smart phone available in a vast array of appealing color and pattern morphs.
to scan this QR code. If Check out the care sheet to learn how to properly care for this
needed, download the amazing constrictor from Central America at ReptilesMagazine.
i-Nigma code reader at com/Care-Sheets/Snakes/Colombian-Boa-Constrictor/.
www.i-nigma.com.

Hey kids—enter REPTILES’
W hile REPTILES was accepting submissions for

the 2013 Drawn to Reptiles art contest*, we
MARYNA PLESHKUN/
SHUTTERSTOCK
were often asked why kids weren’t allowed to enter.
Now you know the reason—it’s because an art contest just for kids
was already in the works: Announcing the Kid Herper Art Contest!
Are you or do you know a child who loves to
draw reptiles? Then this is the contest for you!
We’re now accepting artwork submissions created
by children between the ages of 5 and 15.
Eight kid contestants will win, and their artwork

will be published in the May 2013 issue of REPTILES.
And as if that weren’t exciting enough to send
contestants rushing for their crayons and colored
IN GREEN/SHUTTERSTOCK
pencils, each winner will also receive a prize

package of herp-keeping products from Zilla, with
an estimated retail value of $100 each!
Don’t waste a minute! If you want to get in on the fun, visit

www.ReptilesMagazine.com/KidHerper for all the
ELENA ROSTUNOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
details, including the contest rules and deadline.

Good luck, and we’re looking forward to seeing your
artistic creations! —Russ Case, Editor, REPTILES magazine
SPONSORED BY
*To see the winners of the 2013 “Drawn to Reptiles” art

contest, along with a bunch of runner-ups, be sure to visit
www.ReptilesMagazine.com/2013drawn.

Question?
Please send it, along with your name and address, to
“Herp Queries,” c/o REPTILES, P.O. Box 6050, Mission
Viejo, CA 92690; or visit ReptileChannel.com/Contact. Bill
also welcomes comments and suggestions. Not all letters
BILL LOVE can be answered personally or will appear in this column.
Exercise My 6-year-old
granddaughter
Caution wisely kept an
eye on what
and Good
she was doing
while feeding
an adult sulcata
Judgment tortoise a pad of

spineless cactus.
I supervised her
closely while
lQl Why do I never see warnings

about big turtles (except as
possible carriers of Salmonella)? They
snapping this
photo, of course.
can bite or injure by stepping on you

with their huge feet. Big land turtles
can be especially dangerous when
BILL LOVE
they try to bite the feet and toes of
children. The biggest ones might also
crush a child’s foot if stepped on. You
should warn everyone of this potential the worst that can happen if one does most new lizard keepers crave.
danger, along with the hazards of giant bite is a row of tiny pinpricks that merely Some skinks will also readily bite
constricting snakes and alligators as break the skin in a very minor way. Such when held. This can be shocking to
pets. It’s our job to protect children a mini trauma will pass harmlessly in children, but their bites are generally too
from these kinds of things. the scheme of life and impart a valuable inconsequential to matter to an adult.
Jacqueline Podolsky, Syracuse, NY life lesson. It’s necessary for kids to learn Rarely can most kinds muster enough
such things “gently” in order to dodge power to even break the skin. But just
lAl I will agree with the possibility

of injury via all the things you
listed. Nearly every animal on the planet
more serious ones that will surely come
along later in life.
the fact that they try to bite when held
doesn’t endear them to many as pets.
Skinks tend to be secretive and
Something
is capable of causing injury if a young spend much of the daylight hours
child isn’t monitored closely in their rummaging through the detritus
About Skinks
presence. But I draw the line at making on the ground for insects. When not
it an issue of major concern like it’s yet actively foraging, they typically hide
another looming threat over which to from sight. This makes them less
live in constant dread.
Kids are going to accumulate their
share of nicks and bruises growing
lQl Some of the cute, little skink
lizards are colorful and seem
like they’d be great pets. Why are
interesting vivarium inhabitants than
many other fully diurnal lizards like
bearded dragons.
up, and some are going to come via skinks so under-represented in the Lastly, most skinks autotomize their
domestic animals and pets that live world of reptile pets? tails rather easily as a natural escape
around us. Goats tug at hair in petting Francine D’Ambrosia, Edison, N.J. mechanism. Handling by children can
zoos, calves and hogs step on feet at trigger this as the animal squirms to run
state fairs, rabbits nip fingers stuck into
cages. Small injuries and scares are part
of life, and they are actually important in
lAl Most skinks native to the
United States are small (under
6 inches in total length) and tend to be
away and is grabbed by the tail. Although
they can re-grow their tails, it takes a
while and looks ugly—not a pretty sight
imparting life’s lessons. of the long, slender body conformation. most petkeepers wants to show off.
As herp keepers, we usually recognize They are nervous and fast-moving. By the way, I assumed you were
the special ways our favorite animals can They scurry from hiding place to hiding not referring to the popular larger
misbehave. We know that even a corn place in nature, and they run as soon skinks, like blue-tongued (Tiliqua sp.)
snake or ball python rarely bites. But we as their feet touch the ground, even in and prehensile-tailed skinks (Corucia
also calculate the risk of handing one to captivity. That kind of behavior is not zebrata). They buck the stereotypical
a small child with the knowledge that conducive to the hands-on pet that skink descriptions outlined above.
Photo Critique
Concerns
lQl Is there a way to avoid
having everyone criticize
your photos of herps and herping,
besides only showing professional-
quality images like you print in
REPTILES? I’m talking about on
Internet forums. No matter what I
post, someone always complains
about something. It’s hard to keep
defending myself when all I want to
do is share and learn. I’d like to just
share and see helpful replies.
J. Catesby, Long Island, NY
lAl You’ll never make everyone

happy. If you post pictures in
a public forum, I’m afraid you’re stuck
accepting (not necessarily cheerfully)
whatever comments accrue. That’s
the trade-off between showing your
imagery versus squirreling it away
for private viewing among friends
only. Putting them out there is the
modern equivalent of a public showing
of paintings in an art gallery or at a
museum. The artist better be prepared
for the reactions, good and bad.
The advent of the Internet has
spawned a grumpy, whiney, annoying
new class of our fellow Homo sapiens,
who view from afar, often while hiding
behind fake names and avatars. They
exist vicariously through what others
offer up for thought and viewing,
taking delight in commenting with
the sole intent of arousing emotions
and starting arguments. They fall into
a subspecies called trolls. Those kinds
of people seldom offer anything of
merit themselves.
To those whose only source of
entertainment is belittling others to
get a rise out of you—deny them.
Don’t feed the trolls. Completely ignore
them. By failing to goad you to react
to their negativity, you deny them the
satisfaction they crave. That usually
sends them drifting off to seek more
responsive prey. REPTILES
BILL LOVE photographs herps in nature, writes and lectures. He

assists his wife, Kathy, with her business, CornUtopia, and via his
company, Blue Chameleon Ventures, leads nature tours to view herps
in Madagascar.

Indian star tortoises are
protected throughout their
natural range in India, Sri
Lanka and Pakistan.
A True Star
Tips for keeping
one of the world’s
B eauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but most will agree that
the Indian star tortoise is one of the world’s most attractive tortoises.
Geochelone elegans is one of several tortoise species that have
radiating yellow markings on the scutes of their carapace. Other species with
most attractive radiating yellow markings include radiated, tent, Burmese star and geometric
tortoises, each of which is less common than the Indian star tortoise.
tortoises— Indian star tortoises are protected throughout their natural range in India, Sri
Lanka and Pakistan. In spite of this protection, large groups are often smuggled
the Indian star out of India and Sri Lanka, often ending up in Malaysia. It is not uncommon to see
reports of large groups of star tortoises seized by customs officials at the airport
tortoise. in India. In spite of their protection, imports of “farmed” specimens show up in the
United States periodically. Wild-caught star tortoises have generally not fared well,
creating a long-standing negative reputation that Indian star tortoises don’t do
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY JERRY D. FIFE
well to captivity. Fortunately, enough people are now breeding them in the U.S.
that captive-born specimens are generally available.
Separate Variants
There are no recognized subspecies
of G. elegans, but there are at least
three geographically separate variants.
Specimens from northern India and
lllreptile.coM
we ship All our AniMAls & 4000+ supplies nAtionwiDe
Pakistan are larger and darker than
the smaller specimens, with more
contrasting patterns from southern
lowest online prices!
India. Sri Lankan specimens grow larger
than the southern Indian specimens
and may have more yellow in the
radiating lines of their carapaces. In the
pet trade, we generally see G. elegans
listed as either the Indian or Sri Lankan
star tortoise, though technically these
are the same species. Sri Lankan stars
are less common in the pet trade and
often demand higher prices than
Indian stars, but there is really no
guaranteed method to distinguish the
two variations as hatchlings, and even as
adults, it may be difficult.
Generally, Sri Lankan star tortoise
females grow to about 10 inches and
males 7 inches. Indian star tortoises from
the mainland in southern India grow
about 2 inches shorter, with females
averaging about 8 inches and males
only about 5 inches. Interesting is that
the record size for a mainland Indian
star from the northern part of its range
is 15 inches, the same as the largest Sri
Lankan star tortoise on record. Both
specimens were female.
Captive Care
Star tortoises come from a wide
distribution in India, where they may BEARDED DRAGONS
live in semi-desert grasslands and moist
CHAMELEONS MONITORS
GECKOS PYTHONS BOAS
deciduous forest. They may be found ANACONDAS CORNSNAKES
on sand dunes, in scrub forests, humid KINGSNAKES TURTLES
jungles and in human-altered habitats. TORTOISES ARROW FROGS
The one common factor is that in each TREE FROGS SPIDERS
area they experience a very dry season SCORPIONS CENTIPEDES
and a wet season. The dry season is AND MILLIPEDES
during winter or cool periods, and cAll the experts toDAy
the wet season happens during the
warmest part of the year. These wet and FAcebook.coM/lllreptile
888-54-reptile
(888.547.3784)
dry seasons can easily be recreated in

captive environments.
In Phoenix, Ariz., I maintain a group
of star tortoises outdoors year-round by
providing a heated hide box during the
winter. Phoenix has a natural monsoon
All stores open 7 DAys A week
Proud WorldWide distributor oceAnsiDe, 700 Seagaze Drive, OceanSiDe, ca. 92054
season in August, but a sprinkler in the of Zoo-Med Products esconDiDo, 214 eaSt granD, eScOnDiDO, ca 92025
pen is used to artificially replicate a sAn Diego, 6628 MiSSiOn gOrge rD #a1, MiSSiOn vaLLeY, ca 92120
monsoon season or supplement rainfall MeniFee, 30145 anteLOpe rD. Ste.101, Menifee, ca. 92584
if the actual level is low. I generally allow
heated by a red 250-watt infrared
bulb, which can be purchased from
stores that sell reptile products. The
infrared bulb provides a heat gradient
depending on the distance a tortoise
is from the bulb. While the entire heat
box should maintain a temperature of
at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit, warmer
temperatures above 70 degrees may be
achieved when the tortoise is directly
beneath the bulb. Tortoises will still
come out to bask on sunny days, even
when outdoor temperatures are only in
the 60s or low 70s.
Indoor Enclosures
Due to their relatively small size,
Indian star tortoises can do well in
indoor enclosures. Indoor enclosures
should have hide areas where a
tortoise can feel secure, as well
as adequate heat and UVB lights.
The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is one of several tortoise species that have Secure areas may be hide boxes or
radiating yellow markings on the scutes of their carapace. even live fountain grass planted in
the enclosure. A hide box only needs
to be slightly bigger than the size of
the tortoise, and it may be stuffed
with grass or hay to help the tortoise
feel secure.
I generally don’t provide a water
dish indoors. Instead, I soak the
tortoise in slightly warm water about
once a week, where it will drink and
often defecate. If you do provide a
shallow water dish, be sure to keep it
clean and change the water as often
as necessary.
The substrate in an indoor Indian
star tortoise enclosure may be slightly
moist dirt or peat moss covered
with grass clippings. The tortoise
may burrow into the dirt under the
grass clippings. Place food on top of
the grass clippings so the tortoise
doesn’t ingest dirt while eating. The
dirt substrate should be at least 6
Females (right) grow larger than males (left). Males have a shorter tail and a to 8 inches deep to allow a female
concave plastron.
tortoise to dig and lay eggs. The
sprinklers to come on for about five to which will minimize pacing along the substrate should be replaced as
ten minutes twice per day during the wall. My typical enclosure includes a needed; depending on the size of the
months of July and August. hide box (heated when temperatures enclosure, this may only be needed
An adult group of two males and outside drop into the 50s), Bermuda once or twice a year. Moisture should
three females could easily be kept in an grass, fountain grass and a water dish. regularly be added to the substrate,
outdoor enclosure of approximately 8 Adult tortoises will eat low-cut grass and it should be moist but not wet.
feet by 8 feet. Star tortoises don’t climb and hide in tall Bermuda grass or under Due to heat lights, UV lights and warm
or dig, so walls don’t need to be buried, fountain grass. There are also areas of temperatures required, the substrate
but they should be at least 8 inches tall bare ground for basking and digging may dry out quickly. Light spraying
to provide a visual barrier to the outside, in order to lay eggs. The hide box is each day will help maintain the
One advantage of star tortoises is that even when they grow beyond the hatchlings you
see here, they can be kept in groups with multiple males and females.
Hatchlings are small and vulnerable. If kept outside, they need to have adequate
protection from the elements and predators.
Health Watch
Indian star tortoises may be prone to respiratory problems. Respiratory
problems occur when a tortoise gets chilled or is kept in suboptimal conditions.
Indian star tortoises should not be exposed to both cold and wet conditions
simultaneously. During cold-weather conditions, they must be kept dry. A
heated hide provides both warmth and protection from rain or wet conditions.
While an Indian star tortoise can handle brief temperature drops into the upper
30s, freezing temperatures will kill this species.
To correct minor respiratory problems, increase the warmth of the tortoise
enclosure with an additional heat source, either a heat light or heat pad.

A high-fiber diet that is rich moisture in the substrate. Adequate
in calcium is required. moisture is critical for a female to dig
and form her nest, and if the substrate
is too dry, the nest hole will not hold
its shape.
Lighting and Temperatures

An ambient temperature in the
mid-80s Fahrenheit with a warm area
of 90 to 95 degrees under a spotlight
is optimal for indoor enclosures. A
drop of 5 to 10 degrees at night is
not a problem. Temperatures must
be maintained at optimal levels for
tortoises to digest their food properly. If
they’re too cool, a tortoise will become
inactive, reduce its food intake, and
it may not be able to fully digest its
food. If it’s too hot, a tortoise will seek
shelter and become inactive. The
enclosure should be maintained to
allow the tortoise to thermoregulate its
body temperature and have adequate
exposure to UVB light.
Exposure to natural sunlight or
UVB light plays an important role in
how the tortoise’s body absorbs and
uses calcium. Calcium is a critical
nutrient, especially for growing
hatchlings and egg-producing
females. Calcium is used to build
strong bones and plays a role in
muscle and nerve functioning. UVB
light or natural sunlight allows
Outside enclosures should feature the body to produce vitamin D3,
planted areas where Indian star tortoises which is critical to the body’s ability
can access shade and graze.
to absorb and use the available
calcium. Calcium interacts with other
nutrients, such as vitamin D 3 and
Females excavate a nest using their hind phosphorus, and is regulated by the
legs and will lay between two and 10 eggs. body. Too much or too little calcium
will create an imbalance. If calcium
is lacking in the diet, the body will
pull it from another source, such as
the bones. If you provide a varied
diet high in calcium and provide
your tortoise with access to natural
sunlight or UVB light, additional
supplements of calcium or vitamin D 3
should not be required.
Indian Star Tortoise Diet

Indian star tortoises will graze
and feed on a variety of grasses and
vegetation. A high-fiber diet rich in
Eggs are incubated on a substrate of per-
Exposure to natural sunlight or UVB light lite, peat moss or a similar medium at a calcium is required. Their captive diet
plays an important role in how Indian star temperature between 80 and 89 degrees may include grass (Bermuda, rye,
tortoises absorb and utilize calcium. for between 100 to 180 days. alfalfa, etc.), Opuntia cactus (spineless
prickly pear cactus is high in fiber and
a good source of calcium), carrots, bell
peppers, tomatoes, various greens
(mustard greens, romaine lettuce,
red leaf lettuce, dandelion greens,
etc.) squash (zucchini, pumpkin, etc.)
and various prepared tortoise diets
available online and in pet stores.
The tortoises in my outdoor pens
have grass to graze on, which is
supplemented with carrots, Opuntia
cactus and greens. Vegetables high in
oxalates, such as kale or spinach, can
prevent calcium from being utilized
properly, and fruit can cause diarrhea
and dehydration. Both of these foods
should be avoided.
Weighing hatchlings and keeping careful
records will help you track growth.
Breeding Stars
Indian star tortoises will readily breed
in captivity in either indoor or outdoor the sex of the hatchlings. Temperatures
enclosures. During the warm wet season, of 88 to 89 degrees will produce
breeding activity will increase and eggs females and will develop quicker than
are laid in the fall or during the winter. In eggs incubated at 84 to 85, which will
my outdoor enclosures, eggs are typically produce males.
laid between the months of October Hatchlings are maintained indoors
and February. If maintained indoors, the to protect them from potential
breeding season may vary and eggs predators and to better monitor food
may be laid almost any month of the intake until they are about 4 inches
year. Generally, one to four clutches of long. Diet, housing and care are similar
between two to six eggs will be laid to adults, and hatchlings can reach
annually. I had a clutch of 10 eggs, but sexual maturity in three to five years.
about four eggs per clutch is typical.
I incubate my Indian star tortoise In Summary
eggs on a substrate of perlite, peat The Indian star tortoise is an
moss or a similar medium at a attractive species that was once
temperature between 80 and 89 considered difficult to maintain in
degrees for 100 to 180 days. Indian captivity. Currently, due to captive
star tortoises are TSD (temperature breeding, Indian star tortoises are not
sex determinant), meaning that the only regularly available, but they have
incubation temperature will determine proven to do well in captivity.
As mentioned, the Indian star
Advantages tortoise can be successfully kept in

both indoor and outdoor enclosures.
It doesn’t hibernate and is active
Indian star tortoises can be year-round. It is a popular species due
kept in groups with multiple to these thing, as well as its attractive
males and females. Males don’t appearance, size, lack of aggression
constantly bite and ram females during breeding or between males,
the way Greek, Hermann’s, Russian and the fact that it doesn’t dig
or marginated tortoises will burrows or climb. If it could handle
often do. Geochelone elegans also freezing temperatures, the Indian star
doesn’t dig burrows or fight like might be the perfect tortoise! REPTILES
African spurred tortoises, and isn’t
JERRY FIFE lives in Phoenix, Ariz., where he breeds a variety of
a climber or escape artist such as reptiles. He is one of the few private breeders of Galapagos tortoises.
the pancake tortoise and many of He also works with a number of other common and rare tortoise and
lizard species. Jerry is a frequent speaker and has authored a number
the Mediterranean tortoises. of articles and books. To contact him or see a list of some of his books,
visit his website at fifereptiles.com

Gecko
A Stunner of a
Find out why some people

consider the crested gecko
a living work of art.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY
KIMBERLY KAY LUCAS
I
n recent years the crested gecko (Correlelophus
[formerly Rhacodactylus] ciliatus), has been
taking the pet industry by storm. This
endearing gecko may even now rival the
leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius)
as the most sought-after pet by gecko
enthusiasts. Also known as the eyelash
gecko, the crested gecko is native to
a cluster of islands east of Australia
known collectively as New
Caledonia. It was once thought to
be extinct, but a 1994 expedition
led by Wilhem Henkel and Robert
Seipp led to the rediscovery of
this elusive creature. Soon after,
Allen Repashy, Philippe de Vosjoli
and Frank Fast followed in
order to collect specimens,
and the legal export and
introduction of the
crested gecko
into the pet trade
soon followed.
Ever since then, the
popularity of this
hardy and visually
astounding gecko has
grown exponentially.
Red Cream Solid Harlequin

Handle Gently to
Avoid Tail Drop
Allowing your crested gecko to walk from hand to hand is a safe way to get
your pet used to being handled. They love to jump, so I recommend sitting low
to the ground-on the floor, even-when doing so. The hand-to-hand technique
will allow your gecko to expend energy without feeling threatened. This will
calm your gecko naturally.
Crested geckos will not grow back their tails if dropped. In fact, most wild
crested geckos do not have tails. A crested gecko will detach its tail in defense,
leaving it behind to flop around and distract a would-be predator while the
gecko flees to safety. In captivity, simply being startled or held too tightly
can cause pet crested geckos to feel threatened and
drop their tails. Those without their tails should
not be considered any less beautiful,
however. I have several tailless
cresteds, and consider them
just as beautiful as the
ones with tails.

In the wild, this small, nocturnal
gecko thrives among the lower-level
trees and foliage in the temperate
forest climate of New Caledonia, hiding
tucked into plants during the day and
feeding on rotting fruit and insects at
night. An adult weight for both males
and females can be anywhere from
38 to 70 grams, with a length of 8 to
10 inches, half of which includes the
prehensile tail.
Although its coloration in the wild
tends to be earth tones of brown,
green and red, years of selective
captive breeding have resulted in
crested geckos now being available
in an array of colors and patterns. It is
this gecko’s polymorphic trait that has
sparked the interest of so many. One of
the most hardy and low-maintenance
geckos available today, it can make a
wonderful pet the entire family can
enjoy. “Cresteds,” or “cresties,” as they are
commonly called, are docile in nature
and relatively calm and easy to handle as
pets. The gecko gets its common name
from the crests that run along both sides
of its diamond-shaped head. Although
it may look prickly, a crested gecko’s skin
actually has a soft, suede feel to it. It has
no eyelids, but a large scale called a brille
protects each of its eyes.
One of the crested gecko’s most
fascinating and entertaining abilities
Ghost is being able to clean its eyes with its
tongue. You will often see them licking
their eyeballs after a good misting.
Breeder’s Choice
Look closely, too, to see the crested
gecko’s trademark hint of a smile. And
as if these physical attributes were not
endearing or interesting enough, the
crested gecko also has sticky toe pads
PICTURED: Mexican equipped with lamellae (microscopic
Red-Knee Tarantula cilia hairs) that allows it to climb vertical
(Brachypelma smithi) surfaces with ease.
SUBMITTED BY: Reptile
Outpost, 818-779-0770; Pick a Healthy Crested
reptileoutpost@gmail. Gecko
com; reptileoutpost.com A healthy crested gecko will be lively
and alert when handled. It should have
If you breed reptiles a clear ear vent and nose, smooth skin,
and want any featured and adults should have a little heft to
in “Breeder’s Choice,” them. Sunken eyes and wrinkly skin
send us a photo! Visit could be a sign of dehydration, and an
ReptilesMagazine. extremely lethargic gecko might be sick.
com/Contact for The most common health concern
instructions. in regard to crested geckos is metabolic
bone disease, which is caused by a
severe calcium deficiency. It will present
itself as tremors, a jutting lower jaw, or
kinks and bowing in the gecko’s spine or
tail. Avoid any geckos exhibiting these
characteristics by choosing a reputable
breeder or pet store from which to
purchase your crested gecko. Not
everyone who has bred and produced
crested geckos should be considered a
reputable breeder. Pictures of the facility,
care sheets, veterinarian and or animal
health facility inspection records should
be available for you to view. Whether
Sorbet Partial
you are purchasing your crested gecko Pinstripe
from a store, a professional breeder
or a hobbyist breeder, be sure you
will be able to speak with someone Patternless Red
directly about the gecko(s) you are
considering purchasing.
When adding a new gecko to an
existing colony, a minimum 60-day
quarantine period is required. I always
recommend taking a fecal sample to
your vet right away to check for pin
worms, hookworms or other parasites.
These can piggyback on some feeder The fracture point immediately after
insects and be ingested in small doses, a gecko has dropped its tail. Within
and it is common for reptiles to harbor minutes, the end will close up and seal.

a small parasite load without showing room temperature for most households.
signs of ill health. Then all it may take If your home is regularly warmer than
is a stressful situation, such as moving 82 degrees, a crested gecko is not the
your gecko’s habitat or a change in gecko for you. Hardy as these geckos are,
enclosure temperature, to create a overheating is their weakness, and they
window of opportunity for a parasite to will die rather quickly if overheated.
thrive and make your gecko sick. If you want to have a naturalistic
Although not common, more serious look in your crested gecko enclosure
invaders such as Cryptosporidium, by including live, pesticide-free plants,
Entamoeba and bacterial infections then UV bulbs will be needed. If you
can also be detected by a fecal test and go this route, suspend the light fixture
examination by a veterinarian. above the enclosure rather than resting
it directly on top of the screen top. Even
The Best Crested Gecko a low-watt bulb (I wouldn’t recommend
Habitat anything more than 15 watts) can
Because of this gecko’s arboreal quickly heat up a metal screen top.
nature, the height of a crested gecko Nighttime bulbs can also produce
enclosure is more important than its considerable heat, so be sure to monitor
Calico High-Contrast length. A Plexiglas or glass enclosure those, as well. What I have found to be
Full Pinstripe measuring 23 inches tall by 16 inches an effective and cool-looking night light
wide by 15 inches deep can comfortably is a small string of red holiday lights
house a couple of adult crested geckos. bunched up on top of the enclosure.
Do not house more than one adult male It doesn’t make the screen too hot,
together because they will most likely looks beautiful, and it allows nighttime
fight. Younger geckos can be housed viewing of your crested geckos.
in groups in smaller enclosures and Proper humidity is important to
thinned out to smaller groups when ensure proper hydration and to help
moved to larger enclosures as they grow. your crested gecko shed properly. Low
Baby crested geckos can thrive in a humidity can lead to health issues
5- or 10-gallon aquarium fitted with a such as loss of toes and limbs due to
screen lid for several months. Eventually, a constricted shed. A healthy crested
they should be moved to a 12-by-12- gecko will shed on a regular basis
by-18-inch-tall enclosure, and larger as it grows, and proper shedding is
as required. A smaller enclosure allows important to maintain optimal health.
younger geckos to easily find food and The ideal humidity range for a crested
water, without being overwhelmed by gecko enclosure is between 55 and 80
an overly large space. percent. A combination thermometer/
Choose an enclosure that is solid on hygrometer, often available at pet stores
at least three of its four sides in order to that sell reptile supplies, should be
retain proper humidity inside it. A screen kept inside the enclosure to monitor
top and front panel will provide plenty temperature and humidity. Use a spray
of ventilation while still being able to bottle to mist the enclosure with water;
retain humidity better than an all-screen once in the morning and once in the
enclosure. To create more humidity in evening will usually maintain a healthy
an all-screen enclosure, fasten a sheet of humidity level while allowing a short dry-
A community of baby geckos in a typical
arboreal crested gecko enclosure. durable plastic or Plexiglas to the outside out period during the day, which helps to
walls using a thick, double-sided tape, reduce bacteria overgrowth resulting from
leaving one side open for ventilation. excessive moisture. Your crested geckos
Crested geckos are nocturnal and will look forward to the nightly spray
do not require a UVA/UVB bulb if a down, and they will lap up water droplets
proper diet is fed that contains dietary from the plants and sides of the enclosure.
vitamin D3 (see feeding section). They During the winter months it can be
will most likely hide during the day difficult to maintain higher humidity
and will not need any basking lights or levels. Adding a moist hide can help,
heating elements. especially if you’ve got young geckos
The ideal temperature range for that are more prone to stuck sheds. Fill
their enclosure is between 68 and 80 a plastic container with a moistened
A clutch of two crested eggs in orchid moss.
degrees Fahrenheit, which is generally substrate such as sphagnum moss with
a hole cut into the lid. The container a properly balanced diet for Red Dalmatian with
Multicolored Spots
and the hole should be large enough to the crested gecko and in no
allow your geckos to enter and burrow way does baby food come
into the moss. For adults, I use a 7 by 4 by close to fitting the bill. The
4-inch plastic food container; a smaller biggest misconception about
container can be used for smaller geckos. this is that you can add a little of
Crested geckos love to jump and the good diet to the bad, and doing
climb. Their arboreal nature makes them so will make it nutritious. A properly
the perfect candidates for an enclosure formulated diet contains a balance of
with lots of vines, branches and other all the required nutrients so that they
climbing surfaces. I highly recommend can be absorbed optimally. Complete Doing so may greatly affect how your
anything that extends from the top of diets should not be added to or blended gecko absorbs the essential nutrients it
the enclosure to the bottom. Attach a with anything else other than water. needs to stay healthy.
twistable artificial vine to the underside
of the screen top and let it spiral down
to the floor of the cage. I entwine a long,
plastic plant along the length of the vine,
as well. A sturdy floral wire threaded
through the screen can be used to
attach plants and vines to the top.
Long branches of sterilized wood,
bamboo or tubes of cork bark and even
PVC tubing can be included as climbing
sites. There is an array of arboreal hides
and feeding ledges available that attach
to the side of the cage using magnets;
these are perfect for crested geckos.
Ground shelters such as coco huts and
caves can also be placed on the bottom
of the cage for geckos to retreat to
during daylight hours.
Choose a substrate that your gecko 36ʺ Stackable Hide Boxes
will not be able to ingest. For a natural
look, go with a cypress or orchid bark
Easy to heat
mulch or large, artificial, wide-leafed
plants arranged on the bottom to look Optional lighting
like leaf litter. Do not use cedar products Durable ABS plastic
(they are toxic), sand or anything that
may be easily ingested by accident. Easily bleached & sanitized
If a natural look is not important to Arboreal
you, for ease of use I highly recommend
using paper towels, especially for baby
geckos. Paper towels are very simple to
replace, and they make it easy for the
geckos to locate their food and water
dishes on the bottom of the cage.
Food for Healthy Cresties 24ʺ Standard 48ʺ Standard

Wild crested geckos eat nectar
as well as insects, and some people
recommend fruit-flavored baby food Safe. Secure. Sanitary. - For More Than 40 Years!
for pet geckos. I do not! In recent years,
powered diets created especially for
crested geckos have become available
that, when mixed with water, make it
easy for gecko keepers to provide their
pets with the proper nutrition. Years of
research have gone into formulating
The Repashy Superfoods Crested
Gecko Diet and the Gorgeous Gecko
Gourmet Crested Gecko Diet are both
excellent balanced diets. Mixed with
water, they create a soupy mixture
geckos will lap up from a shallow dish.
When offered, these foods need to be
replaced within 24 hours because by the
Lavender Super Harlequin second night, all of their vitamins and Yellow Dalmatian
many nutrients will have oxidized and
fermentation will have begun. The food
might look okay, but it will no longer
possess the optimal nutritional values.
These powdered diets are formulated
to be complete diets without the need
to supplement with feeder insects. That
said, insects can still be an enjoyable
part of your gecko’s feeding routine.
Ghost Dalmatian They should not be any larger than the High-Contrast Full Pinstripe
width of your crested gecko’s head.
On occasion, I have offered my geckos
Vita-Bugs, crickets, Dubia roaches and
Phoenix worms. Crested geckos seem
to respond best to the quick movement
of crickets, and watching them hunt
crickets can be quite entertaining.
Slower-moving feeders such as roaches
and worms should be offered from a
bowl. Never take insects from the wild
Dark “Normal” Patternless Crimson Cream Flame
and feed them to your geckos, as they
may have been exposed to potentially
harmful toxins and pesticides.
All Water is Not Created

Equal
After much research and based on
my own experiences providing water
to my gecko colony, I have found
that ionized micro-clustered water
Cream on Cream Solid Flame High-Contrast Pinstripe
is the best water for optimal crested
gecko health. It is full of antioxidants,
natural minerals and provides superior
hydration. It is the only water used
at my Gorgeous Gecko facility. Visit
healthywaterwise.com for more
information about ionized water, and to
find out where to get a water ionizer.
You can use tap water after filtering
the chlorine out; a water pitcher Red Super Dalmatian
Red Mistletoe Super Dalmatian
equipped with a simple charcoal
filter will do so. Water that has had
its natural minerals removed, such as
reverse osmosis and distilled water, is
not suitable for any reptile, including
the crested gecko. Offering this type of
water can be potentially harmful over
the long term because water depleted
Candy Cane Super Harlequin Dark Fire Harlequin
of its minerals will require minerals to be
leached from the gecko’s body in order
to be properly absorbed.
Always provide a shallow water
dish with fresh water daily, along with
the mistings previously described, for
optimal hydration.
Mysteries of the Morph

Crested geckos are polymorphic, Halloween Super Harlequin
meaning they are able to produce Desert Terrarium
an infinite range of color and pattern
combinations. Through selective breeding,
Substrate
many unique color combinations have
been produced and can be identifiable
to even the novice breeder. Some of the
most common morphs found in crested
geckos are Pinstriped, Tiger, Harlequin,
Dalmatian and Flame.
There are also designer, and typically Orange Tiger
more expensive, crested morphs, such as
Calico or Tri-color, Sorbet Swirl, Reverse
or Phantom Pinstripe, Super Harlequin
and Super Dalmatian.
New names identifying trait
combinations are created every year.
Typically a morph’s name will represent
a selective genetic line that was bred
to produce a particular pattern or color Red Dalmatian
combination. Although the genetics
of crested geckos are not 100-percent
predictable as they are with other
species of reptiles, an experienced
gecko breeder can breed for the desired
results. Now and then, though, even
a seasoned breeder gets a surprise
when a hatchling emerges from an egg
displaying a new and unique beautiful Phantom Pinstripe
and unexpected morph combination. It
is no wonder so many people are drawn
to the alluring beauty and charm of
the crested gecko-it just keeps getting
more visually stunning every year. This
remarkable little gecko, now thriving in
captivity, is winning the hearts of reptile
enthusiasts of all ages. It’s ready to take
over as the king of gecko world. Heck, it’s
even born with a crown! REPTILES
A Yellow Lavender Pinstripe (left) and
a High-Contrast White Fringe Partial
KIMBERLY KAY LUCAS owns Gorgeous Gecko and has been
breeding crested geckos for more than 10 years. She has developed
Pinstripe
an international reputation for consistently producing quality, healthy
crested geckos, and her growing love for reptiles has led to an expan-
Want to
sion of her brand to include gecko supplies, clothing and art. Visit her
at gorgeousgecko.com and everythinggecko.com.
Breed For more information on these or
Cresties?
other Exo Terra products
please call 1.800.724.2436 (US)
1.800.554.2436 (CA)
Learn how to breed crested geckos #1 in Natural

by visiting ReptilesMagazine.com/ Terrariums !
Sunburst Calico
BreedCresties
SHUTTERSTOCK/ERIC ISSELEE
2-HEADED CALIF. KINGSNAKE/
BY KERBY ROSS
Captive breeding and new morphs keep this

favorite pet snake fresh and exciting.
C
alifornia kingsnakes on various factors, including location. In
(Lampropeltis getula californiae
californiae) Arizona, for instance, the basic pattern
are popular and attractive is black or brown with yellow, cream
colubrids that, despite their or white bands. In parts of California,
common name, are found not just in there are striped and aberrant patterns.
California, but also in Arizona, Nevada, In southern Arizona, the California
Utah, Oregon, Baja and Mexico. kingsnake naturally intergrades with
They can be found anywhere the desert kingsnake (L. g. splendida)
from near sea level to more and the Mexican black kingsnake (L. g.
than 6,000 feet in elevation, where they nigrita), and numerous specimens have
occupy diverse habitats ranging from been found that display these intergrade
low desert to coastal and high desert colors and patterns.
mountains. They are great stalkers and California kingsnakes have been in
can find food just about anywhere, the reptile trade for years because they
eating basically any rodent, bird, other make great pet snakes. They are easy to
reptiles, including other snakes, and take care of, and they usually adapt to
CIOLI/I-5 STUDIO
eggs that occur within their home range. being handled very well. Because adult
They have a strong sense of smell and Cal kings usually max out at around
can detect prey from quite a distance, 3 to 4 feet in length (though they can
and depending on the time of year and sometimes exceed 6 feet), they require
Although California kingsnakes are temperatures, California kingsnakes may less space than many other pet snakes,
capable of climbing trees to go after
birds’ eggs, branches don’t need to be diurnal or nocturnal. including most boas and pythons. They
be inside the enclosure for anything The appearance of the California can be long-lived pets, too, living for 20
other than decorative purposes. kingsnake is very variable, depending or more years in captivity. As with many
of the most popular pet reptiles these will seek out optimal temperatures,
days, California kingsnakes are bred whether they want to cool off or
regularly in captivity, and captive-bred warm up. It is our responsibility to
snakes usually make the best pets. offer pet snakes the same choice of
Metal Halide Fixture with
temperature ranges. I use the ambient
Ballast & Bulb
Royal Accommodations room temperature to control my snake
If you want to build a huge, naturalistic enclosure temperatures during the
cage with a forest in it for your kingsnake,
then go for it. Just remember, though,
that kingsnakes are cannibalistic and you
won’t be able to keep more than one HIGHLY
snake in the enclosure. Such enclosures EFFICIENT
UV, LIGHT
can be more work to maintain, too. & HEAT
Most hobbyists opt for simpler, less
elaborate setups for their California
kingsnakes. Hatchlings and juveniles
will do fine in a 10-gallon aquarium or
A 20-gallon long tank measuring 30 inches
similarly sized enclosure measuring long, 12 inches deep and 12 inches tall
about 20 inches long, 10 inches deep works well for an adult California king.
and 12 inches tall. A 20-gallon long tank
measuring 30 inches long, 12 inches
deep and 12 inches tall works well for
an adult. Although California kingsnakes
are capable of climbing trees to go after
birds’ eggs, branches don’t need to be
inside the enclosure for anything other
than decorative purposes.
I recommend a hide box so your
kingsnake will feel secure in its
environment. Hide boxes come in many Hatchlings and juveniles will do fine in
a 10-gallon aquarium or similarly sized
forms, from artificial rocks/caves you enclosure measuring about 20 inches
can purchase in pet stores, to a simple long, 10 inches deep and 12 inches tall.
cardboard box. The snake won’t care as
S:
long as it provides a hiding place. GTH
REN
3 ST
A water dish is necessary, and the
ILA BLE
IN
/ 70W
50W
water should be replaced and the dish
AVA
cleaned frequently to ensure clean, /
fresh, drinking water. 35W
I use both aspen and pine shavings
for my kingsnakes’ bedding. I know some
people prefer to avoid pine shavings
because they’re dusty, but none of my
snakes have ever been affected by them. The author uses moist vermiculite for
If you’re worried, stick with aspen. Cedar the incubation medium, placed inside a
Tupperware container.
bedding is definitely not recommended
due to its toxic properties. That’s one
reason why people have cedar chests
and closets, after all-because cedar
PHOTOS: KERBY ROSS
functions as a bug repellent-and those

same properties can endanger reptiles.
Newspaper works, too. Whatever you
choose to use, observe your snake to
ensure it does not have a negative For more information on these or
reaction to whatever bedding material Baby California kingsnakes have a small please call 1.800.724.2436 (US)
you choose to use. egg tooth used to slit the egg open (the 1.800.554.2436 (CA)
egg tooth disappears soon after hatching).
Snakes are cold-blooded and After the baby snakes have pipped, they #1 in Natural
their body temperature is near air will remain in their eggs for a day or so Terrariums !
temperature. Snakes in the wild while they absorb their yolk sacs.
summer—it’s as easy as opening and
closing the window. During the spring
and fall I keep a space heater in the
room to keep the room temperature
comfortable for the snakes. This warms
the front of the cages, and they remain
cooler toward the back.
I try to maintain ambient temperatures
in the 80s Fahrenheit during the day, and
Hypermelanistic Hypomelanistic allow them to drop to the 70s at night.
In addition to manipulating the
ambient air temperature, a supplemental
heat source, such as an undertank
heating pad, can help maintain a warm
end and a cooler end in your snake’s
enclosure. Heating devices that heat
from below are better for snakes than
overhead heat sources such as heat
lamps. I don’t recommend hot rocks,
and UV lighting is also not necessary for
kingsnakes (although I don’t use them,
Striped Hypomelanistic Coral Ghost (displaying both other people do because they believe
Hypomelanistic and Ghost) exposure to UV light may provide
“psychological” benefits to the snake).
Equally important is for your snake
to be exposed to a normal day/night
light cycle. Aside from any home
lighting that may be used in the room
where you keep your snake, natural
sunlight should be permitted into
the room. Snakes do not need to be
kept in direct sunlight—placing the
enclosure in direct sunlight can actually
Casper Ghost (displaying both Albino Purple Passion (displaying both be dangerous—but I believe indirect
and Ghost) Hypermelanistic and Ghost) sunlight is important, as is exposure
to a normal 24-hour day/night cycle.
Throughout the year your snake should
be able to experience the natural
day/night cycle with the longer days
occurring during the summer.
Food Fit for a King

I feed my California kingsnakes pre-
killed mice. I start with live mice, but I
thump them before offering them to
Coral Ghost (displaying Hypomelanistic Striped Hypomelanistic my snakes. I never leave a live mouse
and Ghost) with a snake, unless it’s a pinky mouse. I
breed my own mice and feed pinkies to
new hatchling snakes. I believe feeding
pre-killed mice is more natural and, at
least in the case of my snakes, it prompts
a better feeding response.
PHOTOS: KERBY ROSS
I do not power feed my snakes.

Males get one mouse a week. Females,
too, though sometimes I will feed two
mice a week to females I plan to breed.
Gravid females and those that have laid
Ghost Striped Hypomelanistic eggs are offered two mice twice a week.
IN NATURAL
#1
TERRARIUMS
SHUTTERSTOCK/ERIC ISSELEE
RE
A I L A B L E IN MO
AV
N 1 5 S I Z ES!
TH A
I do not recommend handling a snake Avoid handling snakes until a couple days
until a couple of days after feeding, to after a feeding.
allow for proper digestion. Washing for a couple weeks during the breeding
your hands prior to handling will ensure season, which is nothing to worry about.
that you do not have any rodent smell I will reintroduce the male into the
on your hands, which could otherwise female’s enclosure every couple of days
trigger a feeding response and result until I am sure the female is gravid. Once
in a bite. Besides, washing your hands she ovulates, six to 15 eggs are usually
before and after handling your snakes laid about six weeks later. Some breeders
is just good hygiene. will double clutch (breed their snakes
twice in one year), but I do not. I bring
Breeding California my snakes out of brumation in March,
Kingsnakes with most of them laying eggs in late
I begin breeding my California June, July and into August. Because I am
kingsnakes right after the females finish brumating them in October, there really
their first shed after coming out of isn’t much time to double clutch the
brumation (see sidebar, page 36). In the females and allow them time to recover.
wild, male California kingsnakes track
females by following their pheromone Eggs and Babies
trails. Once a male smells a female’s I provide gravid females with an
pheromones, breeding is all he wants to egg-laying box containing moist
do. I always leave a female’s shed skin in vermiculite. Most, but not all, female
her cage so the male can smell it when I California kingsnakes will go through a
introduce him. I always introduce males shed before laying their eggs. I remove
into females’ enclosures for breeding them as the female is laying them,
rather than the other way around. to place the eggs in the incubation
Because California kingsnakes can be container. If they are stuck together and
cannibalistic, I always watch them when have been recently laid, I will gently
I introduce the pair and periodically peel them apart. If they have been
check on them while they are breeding. stuck together long enough to be more
Breeding takes place if the female is strongly adhered to each other, I’ll leave
receptive. It is common for the male to them that way. The female will be tired
use his mouth to hold the female down after laying her eggs and will usually
while breeding; this is nothing to be just lay there with her eggs until she
alarmed about. When they are done, I recuperates enough to go look for food. For more information on these or
return the male to his cage. I never leave Do not confuse this with maternal care. please call 1.800.724.2436 (US)
California kingsnakes together except My incubation set up is simple. I use 1.800.554.2436 (CA)
when they are actually copulating. moist vermiculite for the incubation #1 in Natural
I feed the snakes only when they are medium, placed inside a Tupperware Terrariums !
separated. Males sometimes stop eating container. I get my vermiculite in large
Brumation for Cal Kings New Morphs
Although I have been breeding
snakes since the early 1990s, it wasn’t
I live in the Arizona high desert, at an elevation of 5,000 feet. This is within the until 2000 that I decided to specialize in
natural range of the California kingsnake, and I find them on my property all the California kingsnakes. At that time I was
time. We do experience four seasons, including a cold winter with snow, which also breeding a lot of corn snakes, and I
means the wild snakes near my home do brumate. witnessed the diversity that corn snake
My snake room matches nature pretty close, in that it experiences a four- breeders were producing. But nobody
month brumation period. I brumate all my snakes, babies included. After all, was doing it with California kingsnakes,
that’s what happens in the wild. so that became my mission.
Depending on the weather outside, I will usually feed my snakes for the last It takes awhile to develop something
time around mid October. Two weeks later, after they’ve digested that last meal, new in the reptile industry. Nobody was
I turn the heat off. For the next four months they are not fed, although they are going to hand me a rare wild-caught
given fresh water. specimen and I was not going to wait
The blinds on my snake room window are kept halfway turned so that it is until something rare just happened
dim in the room, but with some sunlight shining through. This allows the snakes to pop out of a clutch by chance. I
to experience the natural shorter days during the fall and winter, and then the was very specific about what I was
longer days that come in the spring. after. Besides the common California
Around the first week of March I turn the heat back on, gradually raising it to kingsnake recessive genes of albinism
normal levels. A couple days after that, I begin feeding as usual. —Kerby Ross and lavender, I embarked on a quest to
obtain the others that existed.
I acquired the Mendota
bags from the garden center at Home their eggs for a day or so while they hypermelanistic California kingsnake
Depot. The vermiculite should not be absorb their yolk sacs. Most will emerge from Bill Cobb, and the Davis
too wet—it should be moist, but not from their eggs looking as if they have hypermelanistic California kingsnakes
wet enough to wring water out of it— swallowed a large pinky. from Rick Staub. I picked up the Ghost/
and do not bury the eggs in it. I drill two Once the hatchlings have left their Palomar California kingsnakes from BHB
small ventilation holes into the lid of eggs I probe them to determine their sex Enterprises. My High Whites came from
each incubation container, and I keep before placing them into small, individual Steve Osborne. My Carlsbad stripers
the containers on a shelving unit in my containers. After their first shed I offer were wild caught. I got my Blue-Eyed
snake room, where the temperature them their first live pinkie mouse. Not all Blondes directly from VIVID Reptiles and
fluctuates from the mid 80s during the snakes will feed right after their first shed, my Blizzard (albino and hypermelanistic)
day to the high 70s at night. I rarely but I offer each one a live pinky mouse California kingsnakes from Shannon
have to add water to the containers, every week. Because most of my snakes Brown. I picked up my hypomelanistic
even though it is arid out here in hatch during August and September, it California kingsnake at the Tucson Reptile
Arizona. As long as I can see some will not be long before I brumate them. Show from a dealer who got it from
water condensation on the inside of the For those few finicky non-feeders, I will Great Valley Serpentarium. I was pretty
containers, then all is good. try either lizard scenting the pinkies happy with the genetic ingredients these
It takes about 60 to 70 days for my or braining them (exposing the brain). snakes would bring, and I could not wait
California kingsnake eggs to hatch. I That works for most of the non-feeders. until they reached breeding age, when I
normally do not assist in the hatching Any that still have not eaten by the could begin deciding which to breed to
process. Baby California kingsnakes time brumation comes around will be achieve a desired result.
have a small egg tooth used to slit the brumated with the rest of the snakes. One of the frustrations with breeding
egg open (the egg tooth disappears They will feed in March when I bring California kingsnakes is the small clutch
soon after hatching). After the baby them out of brumation. size (six to 15 eggs) as compared to corn
snakes have pipped, they will remain in snakes (eight to 30). Producing double
hets is easy—just breed two snakes that
CIOLI/I-5 STUDIO
are displaying two different recessive

genes. The babies will be normal
looking, but are double hets. When
breeding any double hets together the
odds of getting a snake to display both
Adult recessive genes is one in 16. With corn
Cal kings
usually max snakes that lay large clutches of more
out at around 3 than 16 eggs, it’s easy to get that snake.
to 4 feet in length With California kingsnakes, though, it
(though they
can sometimes can take a couple of years.
exceed 6 feet). Through my breeding projects, I was
able to confirm that the Davis
and Mendota hypermelanistic
locales were the same
recessive gene, and that it
was the same hypermelanistic
gene in the Blizzard California
kingsnake. I know some people used the
Baja (nitida) hypermelanistic California
kingsnake to create their Blizzards—it is
all the same recessive gene.
CIOLI/I-5 STUDIO
I combined the Ghost/Palomar The appearance of the California kingsnake is very
gene with the hypomelanistic gene variable, depending on various factors, including
location. In Arizona, the basic pattern is black or brown
to produce the first-ever Coral Ghost with yellow, cream or white bands.
California kingsnakes. Combining
the Ghost/Palomar gene with the
lavender gene resulted in the first Pink
Pearl Ghost California kingsnake, and
combining the Ghost/Palomar gene
with the albino gene produced Casper
Ghost California kingsnakes (also known
as Iridescent California kingsnakes). I
also have produced the light-phase
Ghost/Palomar and the dark-phase
Ghost/Palomar California kingsnakes. At
the time of this writing, I am still working
on combining the Blue-Eyed Blonde
and the hypermelanistic (Mendota and
Davis) into the Ghost/Palomar gene.
Besides the normal recessive gene
combinations, there are also dominant
genes. Striping in California kingsnakes
is a dominant gene and is not recessive.
So is high white, which resulted in the
Aztec California kingsnake. Combining “ ter just coming home from serving my country,
the dominant striped gene with I’ve learned to value the things that come from home.
recessive genes have produced striped
lavender, striped hypermelanistic,
That’s why I only buy from Midwest Tongs.”
striped hypomelanistic, striped lavender
and striped albino California kingsnakes. Made by snake handlers for
And I believe there are striped Blue- snake handlers.
Eyed Blondes, too. Soon we will see
striped Ghost/Palomar and striped • Used by professionals all over the world.
Coral Ghost California kingsnakes and • Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations.
others. Future California kingsnakes will
be displaying three and four different • Made from aircraft materials.
recessive genes at the same time! n g
Midwest Tongs = To
rd
California kingsnakes make great pets, Safety, Security and nd
a ok
Sta a Ho
are easy to care for and fun to breed. Durability S he
O’
Although I have produced some firsts in rk
Ma
regard to California kingsnake morphs,
I am not done. Others, too, are working
on producing some cool California
kingsnake morphs for the future. Exciting
times are ahead! REPTILES World’s Leader
in Snake Handling Equipment
KERBY ROSS has bred snakes since 1991. In 2000, he decided to

specialize in California kingsnakes, and he has since produced some 1-877-US-TONGS • TONGS.com
new morphs with more in the works. Visit him at Lonesome Valley
Reptiles (lonesomevalleyreptiles.com).

M ixed-
CIOLI/I-5 STUDIO
The red-footed tortoise could be kept in

a large enclosure with a green iguana.

Species
VIVARIA
Can it be done?
And if so, how?
BY ASHLEY TROY QUICK
M
y obsession with herpetoculture
began in the early 1990s, when I was
about 8 years old. I was concurrently
obsessed with aquaculture, and I often
found myself asking, “Could I make a
community herp tank, just like I do with my fish?” So,
I started looking into it, and the results I got were
pretty mixed from the literature available at the time.
The majority of the literature said it was doable, but
provided little guidance as to who could live with
whom without issue, so I began to experiment. Like
the literature, my results were mixed. By the dawn of
the Internet age I was horrified to discover that, in
the opinions of many, mixing species was absolutely
taboo. I abandoned my mixed tanks immediately. Fast
forward 14 years, when I became an animal keeper at
the local zoo. It was with this job that I got schooled
in the proper way to have successful mixed-species
vivaria, finding that it is possible, but it takes a lot of
planning and a little bit of luck.

Why Do I Want a Mixed- consider mixing species to be taboo; a Herp fights can be violent, even deadly.
Species Vivarium? fool’s undertaking, if you will. As such, Again, the vet and a quarantine space
you must be prepared to tackle any will come in handy here. It is good to
This is the first question you should problems should they arise. First, a proper also keep in mind that intimidation
ask yourself. Honest answers to this environment for multiple species can be from one specimen to another can
seemingly rudimentary question will hard to achieve—what is good for one be just as bad as physical altercations.
let you know if you are ready for the species may be detrimental to another. Some animals do not need to physically
undertaking. If you are new to the You need to be able to provide an idyllic attack one another for one animal to
hobby, I recommend against mixing environment for all species, which can start showing signs of chronic stress.
until you become a master of the basic require some creativity on your part. Lastly, remember that animals
husbandry techniques to successfully Next, animals can spread disease to are individuals. Just because a friend
maintain a single species. Do you want each other. You need to have a good of yours was successful keeping two
to mix species to show how different quarantine system to ensure only healthy different species together will not
species occupy different niches specimens make it into the community automatically ensure you can replicate
within the same habitat, each etching setup, and you need to be vigilant about those results. Just like in fish keeping,
out their own living in a complex monitoring your animals for signs of there are guidelines as to who can
environment? Do you want to mix disease. A good working relationship live with whom, but you need to be
species to highlight the diversity of a with a qualified herp veterinarian is prepared for the possibility of a peaceful
habitat? What is your reason to want to vital, as the veterinarian can help ensure animal being not so peaceful.
take on this challenge? you are only placing healthy, parasite-
and disease-free animals into the Some General Guidelines
A Lot Can Go Wrong environment together.
Also, animals can fight. It would amaze Now that I’ve covered some of the
It may seem obvious, but mixing you how quickly two animals that co- possible problems you may run in to, I
species can have a lot of pitfalls. There existed peacefully for years can turn on can give you what I consider to be sound
is a very good reason many herpers one another under certain circumstances. guidelines on how you can be successful
SHUTTERSTOCK/APIGUIDE
Green iguanas can be kept with Certain poison frogs, such as those
ground-dwelling species, such as from the genera Phyllobates, Dendro-
some tortoises. bates, Adelphobates and Oophaga, can
make suitable tank mates.

building mixed species vivaria. 2. Choose species carefully. This
1. Quarantine is a must. All animals seems obvious, but I would be remiss
you wish to house together should be to not mention it. Clearly, predator-prey
quarantined. Quarantine is the process dynamics should be avoided, as should
of keeping an animal in a simplistic, mixing animals from vastly different
species-appropriate enclosure, habitats. Hognose snakes would make
separate from all other animals, for poor cagemates for American toads,
the purpose of determining good and rain forest frogs should not be kept
health. Ideally, quarantined animals with desert geckos for these respective
would be in a separate room from reasons. A less apparent aspect of
your existing animal collection, and species selection is competitive
any maintenance of those animals dynamics—that’s to say, will animal
would be performed after you have A directly compete with animal B for
tended to your existing collection and food, basking areas, sleeping areas,
washed up thoroughly. I recommend etc. Well-thought-out mixed-species
a minimum quarantine period of 60 setups aim to minimize competition. For
days, with at least two fecal parasite example, mixing terrestrial poison frogs
exams being performed two weeks with small arboreal tree frogs would
apart. Obviously, this is an instance minimize competition for territory, as
where a veterinarian’s services are the tree frogs have no interest in being
needed. Any positive fecal exam results on the ground and the poison frogs
or signs of ill health will lengthen the would not inhabit high foliage.
quarantine period. I cannot overstress 3. The habitat must be appropriate
the importance of quarantine. To ignore for all. Here is another seemingly
quarantine is tempting fate, especially obvious point that cannot be
when mixing species. overlooked. It is for this reason that I
SHUTTERSTOCK/DIRK ERCKEN

SHUTTERSTOCK/KOBCHAIMA
The African spur-thigh tortoise could
be kept with leopard tortoises.
prefer to only house animals together such as two species of aquatic turtle. 5. Keep it clean. Serious attention
that inhabit the same ranges and As a rule of thumb, when mixing must be paid to hygiene in any setup,
habitats, as their requirements are likely species, I recommend doubling the but when housing multiple species
to be similar. Even here, things can get recommended enclosure size for each together the importance of doing so
tricky; keep in mind that while green species you plan on housing together grows exponentially. A good analogy
anoles and green tree frogs inhabit and adding those spaces together. For is a human one: Would you want to
similar ranges and habitats, the basking example, many people recommend eat off a dish that another animal has
lights that the anoles require would that a single red-eared slider be given crawled on, or would the disease risk
have a desiccating effect on the frogs, so a 125-gallon aquarium or similar- bother you? While animals have no
the enclosure should be big enough to sized space at a minimum, while concept of disease transmission, you
allow for a basking spot for the anoles recommending a 75-gallon aquarium do. So, it is up to you to reduce the risk.
while not drying out the enclosure and for a Mississippi map turtle. If I were Spot-clean feces as soon as you notice
harming the frogs. Again, you must to house a red-eared slider with a them, regularly disinfect food and water
minimize competition by providing Mississippi map turtle, I would do so in bowls, cage furniture, the cage itself (if
multiple basking sites if you’re housing a space equal to a 400-gallon aquarium practical), etc. Failing to maintain regular,
two basking species together, and (125 gallons x 2 + 75 gallons x 2 =400 hygienic husbandry is another way you
multiple water bowls, hiding areas and gallons), with at least two basking sites, could invite disaster into your mixed-
feeding sites, etc. The less the animals two UVB bulbs, two feeding stations and species vivarium.
have to compete, the more likely you are adequate filtration for the whole setup. 6. Keep an eye on things. My final,
to be successful! The larger the space, the less likely the seemingly obvious guideline is to keep
4. Cages for multiple species two species will compete with each a close eye on all the animals in your
need to be bigger. This is plain and other for resources, and in the event of a setup. Any animal that seems to be
simple. Say you have two species that fight, there is more room for the victim weak, malnourished, sick, stressed, etc.,
can each reside happily in a 10-gallon to get away from the aggressor. should be removed into quarantine for
aquarium. This does not mean both While providing such copious evaluation immediately, and a vet visit
species can share a 10-gallon aquarium. amounts of space may seem exorbitant, may be in order. This ties in to what was
When housing multiple species, you you and your animals will both be better mentioned earlier about differences in
need to afford as much space to the off in the long run if the space afforded individual animals. Let’s say you have a
vivarium as possible, especially if two to them reduces stress and chances of vivarium housing two different poison
species inhabit the same micro-habitat, conflict between species. frog species, and you have three frogs
SHUTTERSTOCK/MATT JEPPSON
NARBC
Worlds Largest and Most
Chuckwallas could be kept Respected Sale of Captive Bred
with desert iguanas. Reptiles and Amphibians
of each species. You notice one doesn’t people will overlook possible predator-
seem to be coming out for food, always prey relationships. Big herps will often
avoids the other frogs and seems to eat smaller herps; this is especially true
be losing weight. You place the frog
into quarantine and it recovers, but
of turtles, lizards and frogs. Some snake
species will eat other snake species,
Anaheim, CA
when you return it to the tank, the cycle too, including kingsnakes, milk snakes, Sept 6 & 7, 2014
repeats itself. That animal should be indigo snakes, cribos and mussurana.
kept alone, even though its comrades
of the same species are doing fine in a
Even snakes that feed primarily on
insects, such as rough green snakes, are
Arlington, TX
mixed situation. It is for this reason that known to occasionally prey on small Feb 15 & 16 , 2014
I recommend weighing your animals at frogs and lizards. So know the dietary Sept 27 & 28, 2014
least once a month and keeping that preference of all species, and avoid any
information written down in a notebook possible conflicts.
for comparative purposes. A decent 2. Do not house aggressive Tinley Park, IL
gram scale is an indispensable tool to species with passive ones. Even
the herpkeeper, too, especially one who though an eastern mud turtle would
March 15 & 16, 2014
wishes to mix species. not prey upon a similarly sized map Oct 11 & 12, 2014
turtle, mud turtles are notoriously
How to Select Compatible territorial and will aggressively pursue
Species a passive species, such as a map turtle,
and bite at the animal, causing stress
Now that we’ve reviewed guidelines and injury. Know the personality type Check out the new
for a successful mixed-species enclosure, of all species involved, and try to house FREE CLASSIFIEDS
let’s go over a few guidelines for like with like. Aggressive species are
compatibility, because species selection best housed alone, of course. @ www.narbc.com
can be the hardest aspect of setting up 3. Minimize conflict. The best
a mixed-species tank. candidates for a mixed species setup
1. Keep predators and prey are species that will interact, and
separate. I mentioned this earlier, and it therefore compete, in a minimal way.
seems pretty elementary, but sometimes If one species is terrestrial, and the
An arboreal snake, such day, high humidity and lush, plentiful
as this green tree python
could be kept with an foliage. This is the biome from which
aquatic animal that won’t many herp species commonly found
compete for the branches in the trade are naturally found. The
in its large vivarium.
following are types of mixed species
situations that could work well with
animals from this biome.
1. Poison frogs with poison frogs.
Many people have found that certain
poison frogs, such as those from the
genera Phyllobates, Dendrobates,
Adelphobates and Oophaga, can make
suitable cagemates. I recommend
CIOLI/I-5 STUDIO
allowing a minimum of 10 gallons of
space per frog kept in such a situation,
and I have personally found that D.
other fully tinctorious, D. auratus and D. leucomelas
aquatic or arboreal, do well living together, provided plenty
they won’t compete for of cover and food is available.
territory as much as two terrestrial 2. Poison frogs with emerald
species. If one species is diurnal and tree boas. OK, this may sound a bit
the other nocturnal, they will have instances, non-herps are the best controversial, but poison frogs (namely
opposing sleeping schedules, and as species to mix with herps because they Dendrobates spp.) and emerald tree
such, will stay out of each other’s way. are less likely to bother each other or boas (Corallus caninus) work out pretty
If one is an insectivore and the other to transmit disease to one another. If well together, provided that the boa is
an herbivore, they won’t compete you are not confident in your ability an adult when introduced to the frogs
for food. The list goes on and on, and to successfully maintain non-herps, (juvenile emerald tree boas may try to
this is perhaps the most “gray” area of however, avoid adding them to your prey on the frogs). Use a radiant heat
mixing species, as a lot of exceptions mixed-species setups. panel to provide warmth to the boa in
and contingencies can be in place this situation, and use an enclosure that
here. As a general rule, the more you Examples of Mixed- is at least 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3
strive to reduce competition, the Species Vivaria feet tall, with plenty of sturdy, horizontal
better off everyone will be. branches for the boa to use. Such an
4. Similar habitat is a must. You It is possible to mix species within enclosure can house a single boa with
cannot expect two species to be a single vivarium, provided a lot of about six poison frogs.
compatible if they are from drastically planning takes place when selecting 3. Arboreal snake with aquatic
different biomes. Woodland species species that could live together and animal. I have seen multiple variations
will not do well in tropical rain forest a lot of attention is paid to creating on this theme, with Amazon tree boas
setups, nor will rain forest species in a proper environment for all species (Corallus hortulanus), emerald tree boas
woodland setups. Desert species would involved, especially in regard to (C. caninus), eyelash vipers (Bothriechis
quickly perish in a riparian setup, while habitat type and enclosure size. The schlegelii) or green tree pythons (Morelia
a riparian species would certainly die following are some examples of viridis) being used for the snake species, in
in a desert setup. As mentioned earlier, species that could potentially make an enclosure where the arboreal perches
species that inhabit the same habitat in good cagemates for one another. overhang and protrude from a body of
the wild are your best bets for possible These are species that I have either water that is inhabited by various species
compatibility in captivity, assuming mixed personally or have seen others of fish (such as tetras and angelfish for
they won’t eat one another or out- do so successfully. I’ve broken them the South American snakes or rainbow
compete one another. down by how they could be housed fish and gouramis for the tree python),
5. “Mixed species” doesn’t together, based upon the habitat they or the pipa toad (Pipa pipa) in the case
necessarily mean herps with herps. commonly inhabit: tropical rain forest, of the South American snakes. A land
The final point I would like to make temperate woodland, desert, riparian/ area should be provided in case the
regarding selecting compatible semi-aquatic and tropical savanna. snakes want to come down, and heat
species is that you shouldn’t limit should be provided by a radiant heat
yourself to just herps. Many interesting Tropical Rain Forest panel. Obviously, the water will need
mixed species setups have been made Vivarium filtration and to be occasionally changed
by mixing taxa, such as herps and fish, in such a setup. Minimum dimensions of
herps and insects, herps and birds, or Characterized by warm temperatures 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3 feet tall are
even herps and mammals. In many (80-plus degrees Fahrenheit) during the recommended, and proper safety protocol
hunger_games.pdf 1 7/19/13 3:34 PM
should be observed if the venomous

eyelash viper is to be included.
4. Red-footed tortoises and green
iguanas. Both of these herbivorous
reptiles can exist together harmoniously,
given enough room to roam (tortoises)
or climb (iguanas). I recommend an
enclosure at least 10 feet square with
a height of at least 6 feet, with plenty
of sturdy branches, logs and multiple
C
basking sites at both low and high M
levels, each also providing UVB radiation. Y
Outdoor enclosures in suitable climates CM
would be best.
MY
Temperate Woodland CY
Vivarium CMY
These are characterized as any sort of

forested to semi-forested area located
in a temperate zone. They frequently
undergo extreme seasonal variations,
and are the habitats of many commonly
available herps.
1. Eastern box turtles and corn/rat/
pine snakes. The eastern box turtle and
rat and pine snakes can be found over
much of the same range throughout the
southeastern United States, often in the
same habitat. For this mix, I recommend
Want to connect
with other
an enclosure that is at least 8 feet long,
4 feet wide and 3 feet tall, with plenty of
climbing options, hiding spaces, at least
one large shallow water bowl and at least
herpers?
two basking sites. Such an enclosure
could house two to three turtles and a
ATTEND AN EXPO!
pair of rat snakes or a single pine snake.
The snakes should be adults to avoid
possible injury by a raucous box turtle.
2. North American rat snakes and
pine/bullsnakes. The North American
rat snakes of the genus Pantherophis,
which includes corn snakes, black
rat snakes, yellow rat snakes, Baird’s
rat snakes, etc., can successfully be
maintained with snakes of the genus
Pituophis, namely the bullsnake (P.
cantenifer sayi) and the pine snake (P.
melanoleucus). All snakes should be
adults when introduced, and the cage
should be at least 6 feet long, 3 feet
wide and 4 feet tall, with plenty of
climbing/hiding opportunities. Offer
at least one heat source per snake. Up
to three rat snakes and a single pine or
bullsnake or two pine/bullsnakes and
a single rat snake can live together in
such an enclosure.
CIOLI/I-5 STUDIO
Riparian/Semi-Aquatic
Vivarium
Ah, the water’s edge. Typically a

cornucopia of life, these habitats also
provide many decent opportunities
to safely mix species. Turtles certainly
Rat snakes, like
this Everglades rat dominate this category. For all these
snake, could be kept recommendations, I suggest at least 4
with pine snakes or square feet of space per animal, with
bullsnakes.
a water depth of 1 foot.
1. Different slider turtle
3. Different North American rat species. There are plenty of
snake species. In an enclosure that is sliders that make good
at least 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3 roommates for each
feet tall, you could successfully maintain other—red-eared
two individual rat snakes of different sliders with yellow
species—black rats with yellow rats, belly sliders, red-eared
yellow with red rat snakes (aka corn 1. Desert iguanas and sliders with Cumberland sliders,
snakes), black with red, Baird’s with chuckwallas. These two North Cumberland sliders with yellow belly
yellow, etc. Add a foot in all directions American desert dwellers can live sliders, etc. Provide plenty of room,
for each additional specimen, and together quite comfortably, provided multiple basking sites and avoid
keep in mind they can hybridize. I plenty of terrestrial space is given extreme size differences, and the
recommend against incubating any and all animals are similar in size sliders do well together.
eggs from such a setup. to prevent bullying. Offer multiple 2. Slider turtles with map turtles.
basking/UVB sources, as well as plenty Generally speaking, any of the slider
Desert Vivarium of hide spots for these animals in an and map species should get along
enclosure measuring at least 6 feet fine, provided they are of similar size,
Hot during the day, cool at night long, 4 feet wide and 2 feet tall for a have plenty of room and are not
with little annual rainfall, deserts are single specimen of each species. Add competing for basking sites.
undoubtedly a rough place to carve out a an additional 3 square feet of floor 3. Painted turtles and map
living. Many herps do so in style, though. space per specimen. turtles. Again, make sure the turtles
are of similar size and have their own
basking areas.
4. Wood turtles and spotted
Wood turtles could be kept with
turtles. In the case of these two
spotted turtles. species, make sure there is plenty of
land area, and make the water a bit
shallower—about 8 inches should be
a sufficient depth.
Tropical Woodland
Vivarium
There are quite a few herp species

that inhabit tropical savanna—habitat
that is too dry to be rain forest, but
too wet and vegetated to be desert.
1. Sulcata and leopard tortoises.
This is a mix I have observed several
SHUTTERSTOCK/JAYONDREICKA
times, and it tends to work, but it

must be noted that both species are
prone to territorial bouts, so extra
careful attention must be paid. I
recommend an enclosure measuring
at least 20 feet long, 10 feet wide and
4 feet tall, obviously outdoors, for a
single adult of each species. Add 10
NEW WEBSITE!
square feet of floor space per animal
added to the pen.
Obviously, these examples are

nowhere near all inclusive of the
possibilities out there. They are HIGH QUALITY
examples of mixed-species vivaria that REPTILES FOR SALE!
I have either maintained personally
in the past, currently, or successfully SHIPPING ONLY
maintained by my colleagues at other
zoological parks. They are also not
lists of guaranteed success either;
mixed-species vivaria always carry a
certain degree of risk and should only
$39
on any size order!
be attempted after much thought
and preparation is done on the part
of the keeper to ensure a harmonious
existence for all species involved.
Are you ready for the

challenge?
Mixing species can be loaded with

potential—potential for a rewarding Use coupon code
REPTILES for 10% of
vivarium or for disaster. How well EASY ORDERING, HUGE SELECTION frst order
your mixed-species enclosure turns
out depends on how much time and
effort you put into planning and
setting it up, and how well you plan
for unexpected outcomes, such as
incompatible individuals.
Many hobbyists write off setting Always research an
up such a vivarium based upon the animal first before
potential for failure alone, which is
perfectly reasonable. However, telling bringing it home.
people to not mix species because it
is “impossible” or “foolish” is simply
inaccurate. Mixing species is by
no means easy, and it is probably
best left to the most experienced
herpkeepers, as they will be more
experienced in detecting abnormal
Sunday The Northeast’s
behavior or correcting environmental
February 9, 2014 Largest Reptile
problems such as low humidity Expo - 250+ Vendor
or improper temperatures. That’s Tables!!!!!
not to say novices can’t set up a
successful mixed-species vivarium;
I just recommend they get some
198 Central Ave,
experience under their belts first. Sponsored by
White Plains, NY
I have found mixing species, and
watching them interact as they would
in nature, to be a reward as great as
any in the hobby. Good luck! REPTILES
ASHLEY TROY QUICK is a 2006 graduate of West Virginia University

with a B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Sciences. Since first breeding
fire-bellied toads in 1992, he has kept and bred 76 species of herps,
including tentacled snakes, Panamanian golden frogs, hellbenders $10
and Uroplatus geckos. He lives in Wheeling, WV where he works as an $5
animal keeper at Oglebay’s Good Zoo.

The Magic of
Madidi
Bolivia’s Madidi
National Park offers a
treasure trove of wildlife.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS
N estled in Bolivia’s northwestern region,
Madidi National Park boasts a staggering
diversity of flora and fauna, occurring in
nearly 2 million hectares of primary forests.
It is touted by renowned organizations, such as Conservation
International, Wildlife Conservation Society and National Geographic,
as the most bio-diverse place on the planet. A quick Internet search
reveals that Madidi is highly regarded as the place to explore pristine
BY PAUL FREED
jungle habitat.
Getting to Madidi, however, is not exactly easy. After landing in
Bolivia’s capitol of La Paz, which at nearly 13,000 feet above sea level
can literally take your breath away, one must hop on a small prop
plane and fly into the remote town of Rurrenabaque. From here the
only access to the national park is by a five-hour boat ride along
the Tuichi and Beni Rivers. The boat ride was quite pleasant, and en
route, numerous colorful birds were seen, including various parrots,
macaws, herons and even one of the largest
birds in the Western Hemisphere: king
vultures. Careful observation also revealed
basking river turtles (Podocnemis
( spp.) near
the shoreline, as well as scores of colorful
tropidurid lizards (Tropidurus
( melanopleurus)
scampering around on cliff walls.
Small rowboats are

available to guests
visiting Lake Chalalan.

Hypsiboas fasciatus
aratus
Hypsiboas calc
The mile-long walk from the boat before reaching our final destination. took place in the
landing to our home in the jungle, The accommodations at Chalalan trees overhead. A large troop of more
the Chalalan Ecolodge, was a great were somewhat modest. Our travel than 100 squirrel monkeys and dozens of
opportunity to finally see some of the companions, Jonathan Perez and Mike white-fronted capuchin monkeys raced
herpetofauna of the region. Walking Davis, shared a room, which consisted through our campsite, shattering the
along the well-marked path, several solely of two beds, each covered by silence. It was quite a sight.
lizards scurried up tree trunks and dove mosquito netting. The bathroom was
for cover under the leaf litter at our a communal one and was shared by On the Water
approach. Whorltail lizards (Stenocercus other visitors in their dorm-style cabin. In the center of the vast compound
prionotus) were the most commonly My wife, Barbara, and I had booked the lies Chalalan Lake, spanning nearly a mile
encountered species, as well the anole matrimonial suite well in advance, which in length it is surrounded by lush forest.
lizard (Anolis fuscoauratus). Skinks are had two spacious rooms and a private Small rowboats were available to guests,
uncommon here, but we did come across bathroom, complete with a pair of allowing leisurely trips on the waterway,
one Copeoglossum nigropunctatum. bony-headed tree frogs (Osteocephalus mostly as a venue for bird watching.
Before reaching the lodge, an adult taurinus) that had taken up residence in Before sunset, we commandeered one of
Esmarald racer (Drymobius rhombifer) was our toilet. Also sharing our room, above the vessels and slowly circumnavigated
found basking in the middle of the trail. our bed, was an incredibly ornate-looking the lake in search of wildlife. As we drifted
Our entire group of four hikers, however, jumping spider (of the Salticidae family). into a bush by the north end of the lake,
walked right over it nearly stepping on it With a bright-red head and abdomen, this we observed several squirrel monkeys
before our guide finally pointed it out. fingernail-sized arachnid was by far the feeding on berries that were overhanging
One of the more notable residents most attractive spider I had ever seen. the water. A few feet below them, we
here in the park isn’t a herp but actually While settling into our rooms a caught a
a colorful species of primate. In 2005, raucous disturbance
a new species of titi monkey was
discovered living in this vast jungle,
and researchers decided that its
common name would be awarded to
whoever would provide the largest
financial contribution to the group of
scientists who originally discovered it.
Interestingly, a Canadian online casino
won the right to name the animal,
which is now known as the golden
palace monkey (Callicebus aureipalatii).
It was a special treat to encounter this
new member of the primate family even
A golden palace monkey

(Callicebus aureipalatii))
gets comfortable.

Green vine snake (Oxybelis fulgidus)
glimpse of an elongate, slender green hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin). Adults

shape gliding slowly through the have long, orange spiky feather shafts,
foliage. Lunging forward, I managed to rising straight up from their heads. Their
grab the 4-foot-long green vine snake eyes are a vivid crimson red surrounded
(Oxybelis fulgidus
fulgidus) before it escaped by sky-blue “eye shadow.” Juveniles
into the thick underbrush. It was a have a specialized claw at the end of
handsome specimen, lime green with their naked wings, and if threatened or
an absurdly pointed snout. I was attacked, will fall from their nest into
glad it made no attempt to defend the water below. When the danger has
itself, as this rear-fanged snake will passed, they will use their sharp claws as
oftentimes bite savagely, which can grappling hooks to ascend back up into
result in a nasty, painful wound. their home. It was a thrill to be able to
Along the shore, adjacent to the approach these odd-looking birds and
boat dock, nested a sizable colony capture their unique beauty on film.
ded
Bony-hega of one of the world’s strangest As the sun began to set, we heard
tre e fro
halus and most primitive birds—the several different frog species calling by
(Osteoce)p
taurin u s the shores’ edge. We paddled our boat
toward their calls and saw spotted tree
frogs (Hypsiboas punctatus) and narrow-
headed tree frogs (Scinax cruentomma)
amidst the vegetation. Shining our
flashlights higher in the trees revealed a
pale-colored Amazon tree boa (Corallus
hortulanus) on the move. Tree boas have
extremely reflective eye-shine and can be
easily spotted, even from great heights in
the forest canopy.
Copeoglossum nigropunctatum Equally reflective is the eye-shine from
crocodilians, and as our flashlight beams
skimmed the surface of the water, an
orange glow became visible from across
Spotted tree frog
the lake. Steering our boat toward the (Hypsiboas punctatus)
glowing spheres, we came upon a half-
submerged black caiman (Melanosuchus
niger). This member of the alligator
family is perhaps the largest reptile in
the New World, and specimens of nearly
20 feet in length have been reported.
Our specimen was a mere youngster
at just over 6 feet long. The staff at
Chalalan talks about seeing really large
individuals, some occasionally exceeding
10 feet from tip to tip.
On the Trail
Back on land, we began walking the
extensive system of trails that crisscross
throughout the park. More than 20 miles
of trails were created just around the major, formerly Bufo granulosus), the into the darkness. The digital image I took
lodge to ensure that visitors have ample Strabomantid frog (Pristimantis reichlei), appears to be that of a 6-foot-long “sipo,”
access to all the natural wonders that and the narrow-mouth Amazon most likely Chironius exoletus.
Madidi has to offer. We hadn’t walked sheepfrog (Hamptophryne boliviana) A small ephemeral pond near one
more than two minutes when we revealed themselves as they hopped of the trails proved very rewarding, and
encountered another Amazon tree boa away from our bright lights. Of special while walking around its edge, several
hanging from a bush less than 3 feet off significance was encountering an frogs dove into the water. We waited
the ground. This species normally prefers endemic species named for the national patiently, and when they finally rose to
a much higher perch, and we were rather park, Oreobates madidi. the surface to breathe, we were able to
surprised to see it so close to the ground. Walking slowly and quietly through photograph them. One was a Gunther’s
The nighttime sounds of calling the nighttime jungle I aimed my light banded tree frog (Hypsiboas fasciatus),
insects and frogs were at times deafening. high in hopes of finding additional tree another was a closely related frog, the
A recent rain was undoubtedly the reason boas. Although no boas were seen, my convict tree frog (H. calcaratus), so called
for so much anuran activity, and we patience was eventually rewarded with because of the black stripes present on
were delighted to encounter so many a colubrid snake coiled some 15 feet off the inner thighs and abdomen. While
species in a single night. Large marine the ground amidst the thin branches at meticulously searching the pond for
toads (Rhinella marina) and equally the end of a tree. It was well out of reach, additional signs of life, our flashlights
sized smokey jungle frogs (Leptodactylus and before attempting to capture it, I took revealed two more welcome finds.
pentadactylus) fled the pathways at our a few photographs in case it was able to A hatchling black caiman less than a
approach. Smaller toads, such as the escape. While everyone else trained their foot long was floating in the center of
South American common toad (Rhinella lights on the snake, I carefully began to the pond, seemingly oblivious to our
margaritifera, formerly Bufo typhonius), climb up the tree. No sooner than I began presence. After bombarding the young
granular toads (Rhinella my accent, the snake woke up and shot
Strabom
antid fr
og (Pris
timantis
reichlei) Oreobates madidi

river. The man hesitated briefly and then
nodded his approval. Close to where the
men were fishing, I kicked over a piece
of bark and a rugose gray toad (Rhinella
poeppigii) scurried out from beneath
looking for new cover. As I pounced on
the toad the men once again reacted in
amusement to my antics.
Meanwhile, Mike had the great fortune
to find a yellow-foot tortoise (Chelonoidis
denticulata). “It was like finding a needle
in a haystack,” he said after a guide tried
to describe the area where they are
sometimes found. All in all the outing
proved very successful.
Not too Crappy

As darkness began to fall we made
our way back to camp where one of
the guides, a self-proclaimed amateur
herpetologist, promised to take us to
Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) a special haunt: Lake Caca. “You mean
Lake Titicaca,” I asked, “that’s quite a
reptile with numerous camera flashes, it At the river, we split up to cover more distance from here.” He was actually
finally submerged and disappeared on ground, Barbara and I went one way and referring to the septic system on the
the soft, muddy bottom. Resting inches Jonathan and Mike went the opposite outskirts of the lodge, which they
from the caiman, was a Suriname toad way. At the shoreline, we saw a few men jokingly dubbed Lake Caca.
(Pipa pipa), which for us was another fishing, and as we got closer one of them He promised an interesting
exciting discovery. began pulling in what appeared to be assortment of frogs and snakes, and we
a substantial-sized fish. To our surprise, weren’t about to question his knowledge
The Main Trail and I imagine theirs as well, he landed a of the area. About three quarters of a
The following morning, we were rather large Geoffrey’s side-necked turtle mile from our camp was a large cement
anxious to check out the main trail that (Phrynops geoffroanus)! The men laughed pool encircled by a chain-link fence. Even
originally brought us to the lodge. We at our reaction and were quite amused from a distance we could see numerous
knew it would lead us back to the river, when we asked if we could photograph frog silhouettes perched throughout the
and we hoped to find a greater diversity their haul. Fearful that they would want enclosure. The majority were black-eyed
of herps along the way. With the warming to keep the turtle for the dinner pot, I monkey tree frogs
rays of the morning sun, we came across meekly asked if I could turn the animal
several giant ameivas (Ameiva ameiva) loose back into the
basking in small clearings. These were
lightning-fast and extremely wary of
our approach. As we got deeper into
the forest, we could hear the faint
buzzing sounds of what appeared
to be insects. Barbara, however, was
not convinced that they were coming
from invertebrates and broke away to
find its source. She was right. Although
she did not capture the animal by hand,
she did capture it on film. A male poison
frog (Ameerega hahneli) was belting
out its mating call, hoping to attract a
female into its territory. This otherwise
drab-colored frog had bright-orange
flash markings in its thighs and armpits
and a pale blue underside. Not the most s)
rallus h ortulanu
colorful of the poison frog family, but a
zo n t re e boa (Co
handsome animal nonetheless. Ama
Now Available
O N Y O U R P H O N E A N D TA B L E T
GO TO WWW.REPTILESMAGAZINE.COM/DIGITAL-ACCESS.ASPX
FREE FOR PRINT

SUBSCRIBERS
A colorful jumping spider
of the Salticidae family.
(Phyllomedusa camba), a few were the

giant monkey tree frogs (P. bicolor), one
was a white-lined leaf frog (P. vaillantii)
and there were several bony-headed tree
frogs, as well. It was amazing to see so
many related hylids concentrated in one
place. Of course, under the circumstance,
it was quite obvious why the insect
population was in such abundance here,
which consequently attracted large Giant monkey tree frog (Phyllomedusa
numbers of frogs. bicolor)
With so many frogs it was not
surprising that the area was also home
to a healthy population of snakes.
Most commonly encountered was the
arboreal brown sipo (Chironius fuscus).
Also found in the region are slug-eating
snakes (Dipsas spp.), cat-eyed snakes
(Leptodeira spp.) and blunt-headed tree
snakes (Imantodes spp.). Interestingly,
despite our guides’ insistence that
numerous species of vipers (Bothrops)
and even bushmasters (Lachesis muta)
are often seen in Madidi, we did not
encounter a single venomous snake False coral snake
during our week-long stay. (Oxyrhopus
Late into the night we decided melanogenys)
to call it quits, and as we headed
RatsTHE
& Mice
GOURMET
RODENT,
I NC.™
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
Bill & Marcia Brant

P O Box 430
Newberry, FL 32669-0430
phone: (352) 472-9189
fax: (352) 472-9192
e-mail: GrmtRodent@aol.com
© All rights reserved
Whorltail lizards (Stenocercus prionotus)
Tropidurid lizard (Tropidurus melanopleurus)
back to the lodge, one last scan of farewell to the staff, I was given a
my flashlight revealed yet another gift by my herping buddies—a small
treasure: an Amazon emerald tree boa cloth sack tied carefully at the top. I
(Corallus batesi) coiled 8 feet above cautiously opened the bag and poured with Jonathan and Mike, and they
us. It was a magnificent, 4-foot-long its contents out on the ground in front wanted to surprise me with the photo
specimen that must have recently of our group. There lay an exquisitely opportunity just prior to our departure.
fed, as it had a very distinct bulge at colored juvenile false coral snake It was a most fitting gift for such an
mid body. Once again, our incessant (Oxyrhopus melanogenys). The 15-inch- amazing place. REPTILES
camera flashes drove the snake to long colubrid was a brilliant-red color
retreat high into the canopy, but the with four triad-colored bands ending
PAUL FREED was supervisor of herpetology for the Houston Zoo for
excitement of the find lasted well a third the length of its body. Our 25 years. Fieldwork for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and
Conservation International has taken him to Paraguay, Namibia and
beyond the night. guide had apparently found the snake other countries. He has authored many works, including the book Of
The following morning, as we bid the previous night while in cahoots Golden Toads and Serpents’ Roads.

herp
Dec. 14-15, Winston-Salem, NC: Repticon Piedmont Triad Feb. 1-2, Ennis, TX: Repticon Ennis, Texas Reptile and Exotic
at Winston-Salem, Dixie Classic Fairgrounds, Bolton Home Animal Show, Texas MotorPlex, 7500 US Highway 287. Info:
& Garden Building, Gate 9, 421 W. 27th St. Info: Billy Healy, Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/ennis
863-268-4273; info@repticon.com; repticon.com
Feb. 1-2, Timonium, MD: Repticon Baltimore Reptile and
Dec. 20, Columbus, OH: All Ohio Reptile Sale and Show, Moose Exotic Animal Show, Timonium Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd.
Lodge 11, 1500 Demorest Rd. Info: Robbie Hamper, 614-457- Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/baltimore
4433; rhgecko@aol.com; allohioreptileshows.webs.com
happenings Dec. 21, Kalamazoo, MI: Reptile & Exotic Animal Expo,
Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St. Info: 269-779-9851;
Feb. 1-2, Orlando, FL: Repticon Orlando Reptile & Exotic
Animal Show, Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial
Dr. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/Orlando
To list a show, please mail your information to info@kalamazooreptileshow.com; kalamazooreptileshow.com
Reptile Events, REPTILES, 3 Burroughs, Irvine, Feb 5, Manassas, VA: NVRE, Prince William Country
CA 92618. Phone calls, faxes and e-mails Dec. 21, Harve de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Rd. Info: 717-432-5807;
won’t be accepted. Listings must include Community Center; 100 Largaret Lane; Info: 717-432-5807; mdreptilefarm.com
mdreptilefarm.com
show dates, name and street address of show
Feb. 8, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show,
venue, and contact phone number. Inclusion Dec. 22, Cheswick, PA: Pittsburgh Reptile Show and Sale, Community Center, 100 Lagaret Ln. Info: 717-432-5807;
in this column is based on a first-come, The Harmar House, 1321 Freeport Rd. Info: 724-516-0441;
mdreptilefarm.com
first-served, space-available basis and is not Pghreptileshow@gmail.com; PghReptileShow.com
guaranteed. Materials must be received at Feb. 8-9, Phoenix, AZ: Repticon Phoenix Reptile and Exotic
Dec. 29, St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Reptile Show, Holiday Animal Show, Arizona State Fairground Wesley Bolin Building,
least four months in advance of the event. Inn Southwest, Viking Conference Center, 10709 Watson
REPTILES magazine is not responsible for 1826 West McDowell Rd. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273;
Road. Info: Patrick 913-400-2876; info@stlreptileshow.com; repticon.com/phoenix
event changes or the number of reptile stlreptileshow.com
vendors present at any show. Call ahead to Feb. 8-9, Greenville, SC: Repticon Greenville, SC Reptile and
January 2014
verify information before attending. Exotic Animal Show, Greenville Shrine Club, 119 Beverly Rd.
list your event Jan. 4, Columbus, OH: All Ohio Reptile Sale and Show,
Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/greenville
Feb. 9, White Plains, NY: Reptile Expo, 198 Central Ave. Info:
Moose Lodge 11, 1500 Demorest Rd. Info: 614-457-4433; Bruce Lowder, 845-526-4845; reptileexpo.com
REPTILES magazine is not responsible allohioreptileshows.webs.com
for event changes, event cancellations Feb. 15-16, Arlington, TX: NARBC, Arlington Convention
or the number of reptile vendors Jan. 4-5, Concord, NC: Repticon Charlotte Reptile and Exotic Center, 1200 Ballpark Way. Info: Brian Potter, 708-932-8044;
present at any show. Call ahead to verify Animal Show, Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4751 Highway info@narbc.com; narbc.com
information before attending. 49 North. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/
charlotte Feb. 16, Poughkeepsie, NY: Hudson Valley Reptile Expo, Mid-
Hudson Civic Center. 14, Civic Center Plaza. Info: Jen, 845-
December
Jan. 4-5, Pomona, CA: Reptile Super Show, Pomona Fairplex, 616-5838; Mark, 845-902-8952; herpnderds.com
Los Angeles County Fairgrounds 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Info:
Dec. 7, Hamburg, PA: Northwestern Berks Reptile Show,

Hamburg Field House, 127 S. 4th St. Info: Denise Readinger
Ramy, 619-281-PETS (7387); ReptileSuperShow@gmail.com;
ReptileSuperShow.com March
484-651-2689; captivetr1@aol.com; hamburgreptileshow.com Jan. 5, White Plains, NY: Reptile Expo, 198 Central Ave. Info: March 1, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show,
Bruce Lowder, 845-526-4845; reptileexpo.com Community Center, 100 Lagaret Ln. Info: 717-432-5807;
Dec. 7, Bowling Green, KY: Kentucky Reptile Expo mdreptilefarm.com
Christmas, Knicely Conference Center. Info: 606-547-6643; Jan. 11, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show,
kentuckyreptileexpo.com Community Center, 100 Lagaret Ln. Info: 717-432-5807; March 1, Columbus, OH: All Ohio Reptile Sale and Show,
mdreptilefarm.com Moose Lodge 11, 1500 Demorest Rd. Info: 614-457-4433;
Dec. 7-8, Orlando, FL: Repticon Orlando, Central Florida
allohioreptileshows.webs.com
Faigrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Dr. Info: Billy Healy, 863-268-
4273; info@repticon.com; repticon.com Jan. 11-12, Lawrenceville, GA: Repticon Atlanta Reptile and
Exotic Animal Show, Gwinnett County Fairground, 2405 Sugarloaf March 8, Fredericksburg, VA: Fredericksburg Reptile Expo,
Dec. 7-8, Lubbock, TX: Repticon Lubbock, Knights of Prkwy. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/atlanta Fredericksburg Fairgrounds, 2400 Airport Rd. Info: 717-432-
Columbus Hall, 4702 130th Str., Info: 863-268-4273; 5807; mdreptilefarm.com
info@repticon.com; repticon.com Jan. 11-12, Pasadena, TX: Repticon Houston Reptile and
Exotic Animal Show, Pasadena Convention Center and March 8-9: Gonzales, LA: Repticon Baton Rouge Reptile and
Dec. 8, Mason, OH: Cin City Reptile Show, Kings Island Resort Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont Prkwy. Info: Repticon Staff, 863- Exotic Animal Show, Lamar Dixon Exposition Center, 9039 S
and Conference Center, 5691 Kings Island Dr. Info: 513-910- Saint Landry Ave. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.
268-4273; repticon.com/houston
0900; cincityreptileshow@yahoo.com; cincityreptileshow.com com/batonrouge
Dec. 8, Indianapolis, IN: Midwest Reptile Shows, Indiana Jan. 18, Portland, OR: Portland Metro Reptile Expo, Airport
March 8-9, Columbia, SC: Repticon Columbia Reptile and
State Fairgrounds, Southwest Pavilion, 1202 E. 38th St. Info: Holiday Inn, 8439 NE Columbia Blvd. Info: Joel Ebarb, 503-
Exotic Animal Show, Jamil Temple, 206 Jamil Rd. Info:
317-899-1599; midwestreptileshows.com 412-8181; NWReptileExpos.com Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/columbia
Dec. 8, Rexdale, Ontario, CA: Woodbine Reptile Expo, Jan. 18-19, Jacksonville, FL: Repticon Jacksonville Reptile and March 15-16, Tampa, FL: Repticon Tampa Reptile and Exotic
Woodbine Banquet & Convention Ctr., 30 Vic Regent Rd. Info: Exotic Animal Show, UNF University Center, 12000 Alumni Dr. Animal Show, Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 N US Highway
Grant Grossman, 905-279-5550; reptileexpo@rogers.com; Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/Jacksonville 301. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/tampa
reptileexpo.ca
Jan. 24-26, 2014, Timonium, MD: 13th Annual World of Pets March 15-16, Tinley Park, IL: NARBC, Holiday Inn Select,
Dec. 14, Columbus, OH: All-Ohio Reptile Shows, Moose Lodge Expo, Maryland State Fairgrounds. Info: 800-882-9894; info@
11, 1500 Demorest Rd. Info: 614-457-4433; allohioshows.com 18501 S. Harlem. Info: Brian Potter, 708-932-8044; info@
worldofpets.org; worldofpets.org narbc.com; narbc.com
Dec. 14, Taylor, MI: Michigan Reptile Show, 22525 Ecorse
Rd. Info: Mike, 248-629-4304; michiganreptileshow.com Jan. 25-26, Mount Pleasant, SC: Repticon Charleston Reptile and March 15-16, San Antonio, TX: Texas Reptile Expo, Norris
Exotic Animal Show, Omar Shrine Auditorium, 176 Patriots Point Conference Center at Wonderland of the Americas, 4522
Dec. 14, Manassas, VA: NVRE, Prince William County Rd. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/charleston Fredericksburg Rd., Info: Randal Berry, 501-562-7311; info@
Fairgrounds. 10624 Dumfries Rd. Info: 717-432-5807; texasreptiles.com; texasreptileexpos.com
mdreptilefarm.com Jan. 26, Manchester, NH: Radisson Hotel, Armory Room. Info:
Bruce Lowder, 845-526-4845; reptileexpo.com March 22-23, Savannah: Repticon Savannah Reptile and
Dec. 14, Birmingham, AL: Dixie Reptile Show, BJCC, 2100
Exotic Animal Show, Georgia Army National Guard Armory,
February
Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. Info: Terry Heuring, 256-776-2125;
dixiereptiles@hotmail.com 1248 Eisenhower Dr. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273;
repticon.com/savannah
Dec. 14-15, Gonzales, LA: Repticon Greater Baton Rouge
in Gonzales, Lamar Dixon Exposition Center, 9039 S. Feb. 1, Columbus, OH: All Ohio Reptile Sale and Show, March 23, Melville, NY: Long Island Reptile Show,
Saint Landry Ave. Info: Billy Healy, 863-268-4273; info@ Moose Lodge 11, 1500 Demorest Rd. Info: 614-457-4433; Huntington Hilton, 598 Broad Hollow Rd. (Rte. 110). Info:
repticon.com; repticon.com allohioreptileshows.webs.com Bruce Lowder, 845-526-4845 reptileexpo.com

March 29-30, East Ridge, TN: Repticon Chattanooga Reptile
and Exotic Animal Show, Camp Jordan Arena, 323 Camp
Jordan Pkwy. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.
com/chattanooga
April
April 5, Columbus, OH: All Ohio Reptile Sale and Show,
Moose Lodge 11, 1500 Demorest Rd. Info: 614-457-4433; The Only Monthly Reptile
allohioreptileshows.webs.com Show on the East Coast 2014 Show Dates:
Mar 8
April 5-6, Fort Lauderdale, FL: Repticon Ft Lauderdale
Reptile & Exotic Animal Show, War Memorial Auditorium,
800 NE 8th St. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.
com/ftlauderdale
April 5-6, Concord, NC: Repticon Charlotte Reptile and

Fredericksburg
Exotic Animal Show, Cabarrus Arena and Events Center,
4751 Highway 49 North. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; 2013 Show Dates: Fairgrounds
repticon.com/charlotte
Dec 21 2400 Airport Rd
Fredericksburg, VA
April 5-6, Aurora, CO: Repticon Denver Reptile and Exotic
Animal Show, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 East 2014 Show Dates:
Quincy Ave. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.
com/denver Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 1, 2013 NVRE Show Dates:
Apr 12, May 10, Jun 7 Dec 14
April 6, White Plains, NY: Reptile Expo, 198 Central Ave.
Info: Bruce Lowder, 845-526-4845; reptileexpo.com Jul 12, Aug 9, Sep 6,
Oct 4, Nov 8, Dec 20 2014 NVRE Show Dates:
April 12, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show,
Community Center, 100 Lagaret Ln. Info: 717-432-5807;
9am to 3pm • Admission $7.00
Feb 15, May 3, Aug 10
mdreptilefarm.com
Table Reservations & Other Information
Oct 11, Dec 13
April 12-13, Lawrenceville, GA: Repticon Atlanta Reptile Phone: (717) 432-5807
and Exotic Animal Show, Gwinnett County Fairground, Prince William
2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; www.mdreptilefarm.com County Fairgrounds
repticon.com/atlanta I-95 Manassas, Virginia 30108
Community Center New York
Philadelphia
April 19, Manchester, NH: Radisson Hotel, Armory Room. Havre de Grace, MD 9am to 3pm /Admission $7.00
Community
Info: Bruce Lowder, 845-526-4845; reptileexpo.com Take I-95 to Exit 89, Center
Travel East on MD Rt. 155 Exit

89 Info: 717-432-5807
Turn left at Graceview Drive Baltimore
www.mdreptilefarm.com
May
Washington DC Rt 155
May 3, Manassas, VA: NVRE, Prince William Country

Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Rd. Info: 717-432-5807;
mdreptilefarm.com
May 3, Columbus, OH: All Ohio Reptile Sale and Show,

Moose Lodge 11, 1500 Demorest Rd. Info: 614-457-4433;
allohioreptileshows.webs.com Tenebrio Obscurus
Very Mini Size!
May 10, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show,
mdreptilefarm.com
May 10-11, Orlando, FL: Repticon Orlando Reptile and WORLD’S LARGEST REPTILE SHOW & BREEDERS EXPO
Exotic Animal Show, Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W.
Colonial Dr. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.
com/Orlando
May 10-11, Nampa, ID: Repticon Boise Reptile and Exotic

Animal Show, Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. S. Info:
Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/boise
May 24-25, Timonium, MD: Repticon Baltimore Reptile and

Exotic Animal Show, Timonium Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd. WWW. .COM
Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/baltimore
LOS ANGELES COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS/ POMONA FAIRPLEX
G
INR
ILGG W
D E
1101 W. McKinley Ave. Pomona, Ca. 91768

U I E
May 24-25, Pasadena, TX: Repticon Houston Reptile and

B B N
Exotic Animal Show, Pasadena Convention Center and

Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont Pkwy. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-
268-4273; repticon.com/houston
May 31, Columbus, OH: All Ohio Reptile Sale and Show,
Moose Lodge 11, 1500 Demorest Rd. Info: 614-457-4433;
!
allohioreptileshows.webs.com
IT
SS
May 31-June 1, Gonzales, LA: Repticon Baton Rouge

MI
Reptile and Exotic Animal Show, Lamar Dixon Exposition

Center, 9039 S Saint Landry Ave. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-
N’T
268-4273; repticon.com/batonrouge
DO
NEXT SHOWS: JANUARY 4-5, 2014 Los Angeles, Ca.

May 31-June 1, Winston-Salem, NC: Repticon Winston-
Salem Reptile and Exotic Animal Show, Dixie Classic OVER 700
Fairgrounds Bolton Home and Garden Building, Gate #9, 421
West 27th St. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.
JULY 12-13, 2014 San Diego, Ca. TABLES
com/winstonsalem >gjaf^ggjZggl`j]k]jnYlagfk2 .)1!*0)%/+0/gjnakalmkgfdaf] www.ReptileSuperShow.com
June July
ADVERTISER June 7, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show, July. 6, White Plains, NY: Reptile Expo, 198 Central Ave. Info:
INDEX
Community Center, 100 Lagaret Ln. Info: 717-432-5807; Bruce Lowder, 845-526-4845; reptileexpo.com
mdreptilefarm.com
July 12, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show,
June 7-8, San Antonio, TX: Texas Reptile Expo, Norris
All Maryland Reptile Show.................. 57 Conference Center at Wonderland of the Americas, 4522
Fredericksburg Rd., Info: Randal Berry, 501-562-7311; mdreptilefarm.com
info@texasreptiles.com; texasreptileexpos.com
Armstrong’s Cricket Farm (LA)............ 27 July 12-13, San Diego, CA: Reptile Super Show, San
June 7-8, Tampa, FL: Repticon Tampa Reptile and Exotic Diego Concourse/ Civic Center 202 C St., Info: Ramy,
Arctic Mice........................................... 11 Animal Show, Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 N US Highway 619-281-PETS (7387); ReptileSuperShow@gmail.com;
301. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/tampa ReptileSuperShow.com
Backwoods Farm Inc........................... 57
June 21, Columbus, OH: All Ohio Reptile Sale and Show, July 12-13, Columbia, SC: Repticon Columbia Reptile and
Moose Lodge 11, 1500 Demorest Rd. Info: 614-457-4433; Exotic Animal Show, Jamil Temple, 206 Jamil Rd. Info:
Captive Reptile Specialties................. 61 allohioreptileshows.webs.com
Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; repticon.com/columbia
Dixie Reptile Shows............................ 55 June 28-29, Fort Lauderdale, FL: Repticon Ft. Lauderdale
Reptile and Exotic Animal Show, War Memorial Auditorium, July 19, Columbus, OH: All Ohio Reptile Sale and Show,
800 NE 8th St. Info: Repticon Staff, 863-268-4273; Moose Lodge 11, 1500 Demorest Rd. Info: 614-457-4433;
Dubi Deli.............................................. 55
repticon.com/ftlauderdale allohioreptileshows.webs.com
Fluker Farms....................................... 13
Ghann.com.......................................... 45 SHOW BITZ

Gourmet Rodent Inc, The.................... 55
JurassiPet.com...................................... 9
LLL Reptile and Supply Co Inc........... 19
MiceDirect.com.................................... 45
COURTESY NARBC/KYLE VAN DER MEER

Midwesttongs.com............................... 37
Millbrook Cricket Farm........................ 41
N Virginia Reptile Expo....................... 57
Nature Zone........................................C2
NARBC.com........................................ 43
Neodesha Plastics Inc......................... 29
Northwest Zoological........................... 61 Expanding Enthusiasm

The North American Reptile Breeders Conference and Trade Show at Tinley
NY Metro Reptile Expo........................ 47
Park was not only a blast, but a record breaker on all accounts. NARBC announced
Rep-Cal Research Labs........................ 3 that it raised a lot of money for PIJAC/USARK, including $28,345 at its March show
in Tinley Park and $41,474 at the fall show for a total of $69,819, with some of the
Repticon................................................ 2
money raised going to the Rico Walder Relief fund. It also announced that $27,237
ReptiWorms......................................... 61 was raised at the Spring and Fall 2013 Arlington shows and $14,110 at the 2013
Anaheim show. In total, NARBC raised $111,166 for PIJAC/USARK in 2013.
Reptile Super Show............................ 57 “This year at the fall Tinley Park show we had a record attendance and record
Reptilefood.com.................................. 17 size show with a new expanded floor plan,” said Bob Ashley, organizer for the
NARBC.“No other reptile show or event in the world has even raised even half of
Reptmart.............................................. 60 what NARBC did in 2013.”
Richmond Reptile Expo....................... 57 Ashley said that NARBC has been helping to raise money at its Saturday show
auctions since the inception of the show in 2001. Ashley announced the person of
RodentPro.com LLC.............................. 5 the year award went to Todd Goodman of Timberline Fisheries. Goodman, Ashley
Rolf C Hagen USA Corp.. C3, 31, 33, 35 said, has been instrumental to help raise awareness and funds for USARK, PIJAC
and other organizations that have been needed by the reptile industry. Goodman
Snakes at Sunset................................ 47 received his $1,000 award at the Fall Tinley Park show, which he proceeded to
Timberline Live Pet Food...................... 7
donate back to USARK.
NARBC counts sponsors ZooMed, Timberline Fisheries, Gourmet Rodent,
Zoo Med REPTILES magazine, Kingsnake.com, Constrictors Unlimited, Reptiles by Mack, and
Marc Bailey Reptiles as crucial in helping to further the reptile industry, Ashley said.
Laboratories Inc........ C4, 1, 21, 23, 25
For more information about future shows and auctions, visit narbc.com.

A WHOLE NEW ONLINE
REPTILES EXPERIENCE!
REPTILESMAGAZINE.COM
BETTER THAN EVER, NOW WITH:

» Fresh New Look » Easy Navigation » Must-Have Content
» Mobile Optimization » Fast Search Speeds » And Much More!
REPTILES
MAGAZINE.COM LOG ON NOW! February 2014 | REPTILES 59
60 REPTILES | February 2014 | ReptilesMagazine.com reptile breeder directory
Leaping Lizards
Know a young
herp fan?
ISBN: 1-882770-91-9 INCLUDES

Paperback · 112 pages · $9.95 FUN STICKERS!
Lizards is a great way to introduce young

pet owners to the joys of reptiles!
From the publisher of Advanced Vivarium Systems
comes a n3:30 ishew series — Beginning Vivarium Systems.
Lizards includes why lizards make good pets,
what to feed them and how to care for them.
Available wherever fine

books are sold. avsbooks.com
reptile breeder directory February 2014 | REPTILES 61

reptile
breeders’
exchange
BALL PYTHONS — Lots of morphs and combos:
AMPHIBIANS bananas, clowns, bees, blasts, pieds, caramels, hypos
MULTIPLE SPECIES BREEDERS
ARROW FROGS — EcoFauna’s tremendous variety and dozens of others! Call Garrick DeMeyer at 715- A+ SERPENTS — Specializing in top-quality muta-
of mature, captive-bred species ships anywhere in the 845-5545; or visit www.royalconstrictordesigns.com tions of ball pythons, western hognose, Kenyan sand
U.S. Visit www.buypoisonfrogs.com for more info and (See display advertisement in Gallery of Breeds.) boas and Sonoran gopher snakes. We also carry the
to view our animals. full line of Herpstat Thermostats and Flex Watt Heat
WWW.RAINBOWS-R-US-REPTILES.COM —
Passionate breeder specializing in high-end, selectively Tape! All major credit cards accepted. 978-697-1008;
POISON DART FROGS! Complete one-stop shopping
bred Brazilian rainbow boas and boa constrictors. 408- www.aplusserpents.com
for all your needs. Seventeen years experience. Exten-
224-0414; rainbowsrus@sbcglobal.net
sive website with free care sheets, online videos, travel SNAKES
photos from their natural habitat. www.dartfrog.com CHAMELEONS RALPH DAVIS REPTILES — “The King of Ball
Pythons.” Many double het and co-dom designers
BEARDED DRAGONS KAMMERFLAGE KREATIONS — Over three
available! The greatest ball python collection on the
decades of reptile experience. Specialzing in beauti-
FIRE AND ICE DRAGONS — Award-winning citrus planet! 410-984-5194; ralph@ralphdavisreptiles.com;
ful captive bred Panther Chameleons. 951-738-8388;
bearded dragons, high colors, designer morphs. Voted www.ralphdavisreptiles.com; YouTube: youtube.com/
www.chameleonsonly.com
Best of the Best. Call 717-359-8669; or visit www. ralphdavis
fireandicedragons.com and see why. GECKOS
WWW.INLANDBEARDEDDRAGONS.COM has beau- LEOPARD GECKOS, CRESTED GECKOS and fat-tail
TURTLES AND TORTOISES
tiful, quality-dragons at reasonable prices. High color geckos. We provide the highest level of quality, health ALBINO TURTLES WANTED — Turtle breeder is
interested in obtaining albino specimen(s) of U.S.
red, orange, yellow, and hypos available. Check out and beauty. Call Garrick at 715-845-5545; or see our
turtles for potential breeding projects. Also albino
our website for more information. huge selection of color and pattern morphs at www. amphibians. Please call Clive Longden, 850-385-
crestedgecko.com 0684.
BOAS AND PYTHONS
DESIGNER GECKOS — Full-service leopard-gecko ALBINO TURTLES AND TORTOISES WANTED —
BOA BASEMENT — Where quality still matters. store, high-quality morphs at great prices. One- Also interested in two-headed turtles and tortoises.
Captive-produced boas and pythons. Douglas Matu- hundred percent satisfaction guarantee. Visit our Top dollar paid. Call Duane Swaniec, 727-847-5955;
sak, 216-229-8336; bbasement@att.net; pics and gecko store in Colorado. 720-217-1472; www. email at dswaniec@verizon.net
prices at www.boabasement.com designergeckos.com ALLIGATOR SNAPPERS hatchlings through 130
RALPH DAVIS REPTILES — “The King of Ball pounds. Full selection of domestic hatchlings. Quality
LIZARDS exotics. Call John at 417-736-9114, day or night;
Pythons.” Many double het and co-dom designers
GILA MONSTERS BY PROFESSIONAL BREEDERS™ macrojon@ipa.net; www.turtleman.com
available! The greatest ball python collection on the
— The choice for extreme-quality Utah banded Gila TURTLES AND TORTOISES INC. — The foremost
planet! 410-984-5194; ralph@ralphdavisreptiles.com;
monsters and central Arizona reticulated Gila monsters. selection of turtles and tortoises available in the world,
www.ralphdavisreptiles.com; YouTube: youtube.com/ plus a wide selection of crocodilians. Top quality at
Selectively bred over multiple generations for high-
ralphdavis great prices. Worldwide shipping. Contact us at 727-
percentage salmon-pink, chalk-white or orange color-
534-3004; or sales@turtlesandtortoises.com; check
BALL PYTHONS — Over-500 individually pictured at ation: large size and calm behavior. International orders
out our website at www.turtlesandtortoises.com
www.kicksballs.com. Base-morphs and designer- welcome with CITES permits available. Steve Osborne,
phone/fax: 800-487-9658; 406-862-9220; probreeders@ WANTED: ALL SPECIES OF TORTOISES — Top
morphs. If you’re looking for balls, we have it all. Call
prices paid. Call Duane Swaniec at 727-847-5955; or
Fred, 716-310-3272. yahoo.com; www.probreeders.com
email me at dswaniec@verizon.net
products & services

reptile
WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to The WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to Min-
EDUCATION All-Cleveland Reptile Show in Cleveland, OH. Please nesota Reptile Show in St. Paul, MN. Please visit www.
FLORIDA TEACHING ZOO — Real professional visit www.rodentpro.com/events.asp for a complete list rodentpro.com/events.asp for a complete list of show
lectures. Hands-on primates, big cats, crocs, zoo of show dates, times and directions. For more infor- dates, times and directions. For more information or
animals, one-year program. drwilsonvet@gmail.com; mation or to place an order, please call 812-867-7598; to place an order, please call 812-867-7598; fax: 812-
www.facebook.com/thezooschool fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com 867-6058; info@rodentpro.com
THUMB REPTILE SHOWS — All legal exotics wel-
EXPOS WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to The
come. Venomous welcome. Lapeer, MI; 810-417-
Kansas City Reptile Show in Overland Park, KS.
TEXAS REPTILE EXPOS — The “Hottest” shows in 1143; show dates on www.thumbreptile.com
Please visit www.rodentpro.com/events.asp for a com-
Texas. New location: Norris Conference Center @
plete list of show dates, times and directions. For more ALL CLEVELAND REPTILE SALE AND SWAP dates
Wonderland of the Americas, 4522 Fredericksburg
information or to place an order, please call 812-867- 2013: Dec. 15, 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. $4 admission.
Rd., San Antonio, TX 78201. 501-562-7311; www.
7598; fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com UAW Hall, 17250 Hummel Rd., Brookpark, OH 44142;
texasreptileexpos.com for info, call 614-492-8415; reptile4me@aol.com
WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to The
MASSACHUSETTS REPTILE EXPO — Two expos LONE STAR REPTILE EXPOS, ARLINGTON, TX
St. Louis Reptile Show in St. Louis, MO. Please visit
per year, Spring and Fall. The only reptile expos in — March 22-23, 2014. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Knights
www.rodentpro.com/events.asp for a complete list of
Massachusetts. Herpline, 617-789-5800; visit: www. of Columbus Hall, 2625 S. Cooper St., Arlington, TX
show dates, times and directions. For more informa-
massreptileexpo.com for more details or to become a 76015. 214-769-3039; check our website at www.
tion or to place an order, please call 812-867-7598;
vendor. lonestarreptileexpos.com
fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com

WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to The Discover, money orders, checks and PayPal accepted. DELAWARE — Avian and Exotics Veterinary Center at
All-Ohio Reptile Show in Columbus, OH. Please visit 812-867-7598; fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro. Windcrest Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing
www.rodentpro.com/events.asp for a complete list of com state-of-the-art care in avian and exotic animal
show dates, times and directions. For more informa- ORGANIC, FRESH, EDIBLE CACTUS — California- medicine and surgery. 24-hour emergency services
tion or to place an order, please call 812-867-7598; grown, nearly spineless, great for tortoises! Certified and boarding services available. 3705 Lancaster
fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com organic by California Certified Organic-Farmers Pike, Wilmington, DE 19805; 302-998-2995; www.
(CCOF). Serving USA/Canada. www.rivenrock.com windcrestanimal.com
FOOD REPTILE SPECIALIST — Thomas H. Boyer, DVM,
AMERICAN RODENT — Free shipping! See web- DABVP, reptile and amphibian practice. More than
WWW.AARONPAULING.COM — Your source for feeder
site for details. We sell frozen mice, rats and chicks two decades focusing on herpetological medicine and
roaches and more, since 2007. Providing the reptile
of all sizes. Small and large quantities available. We surgery. San Diego, CA; 858-484-3490; www.
industry with high quality feeders: Blaptica dubia, Rusty
can supply your needs year-round while maintaining pethospitalpq.com
Reds, Madagascar Hissers and more. 928-415-0347;
the high quality you expect. Monthly specials and dis-
www.aaronpauling.com; visit our Facebook: www. SOUTH CAROLINA — Birds and Exotics Animal
counts available. We can also be found monthly at the
facebook.com/aaronpaulingakatheroachrancher Care. Medical surgical facility. Jose Biascoechea,
Midwest Reptile Show in Indianapolis, IN. MC, VISA,
MEALWORMS BY THE POUND — Live meal- DVM, DABVP (Avian) 814 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mt.
Discover and PayPal accepted. Call us at 317-899-
worms, dried mealworms, canned mealworms, Pleasant; 843-216-8387; www.birdsandexotics.com
1599; M-F, 7-4 p.m. EST; www.americanrodent.com
superworms, crickets, waxworms. Excellent THE CENTER FOR AVIAN and exotic medicine. The
CHICKENS — Available for sale at wholesale prices.
customer service, order today! Call 888-400- only veterinary hospital in NYC caring exclusively for
Please visit our website at www.rodentpro.com for
9018; www.mealwormsbythepound.com birds and exotic pets. 212-501-8750; www.
huge savings! Secure online ordering available.
A BIGGERS & CALLAHAM COMPANY — Why do so avianandexoticvets.com
Small and large orders welcome. Quantity discounts-
available. One-hundred percent customer satisfac- many continue to switch to MiceDirect? We’re real PENNSYLVANIA — Randon Feinsod, DVM. Ani-Care
tion guaranteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money rodent pros delivering real rodent savings! Always the A. H. York, PA. Reptile/Amphibian medicine, surgery
orders, checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598; best price on mice and rats. Farm-raised rodents and for 15 yrs. Keeping, breeding for 30 yrs. Exp with all
fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com excellent nutrition equal excellent rodents. One- herps incl. venomous, crocodilians, other avian/exotic
hundred percent satisfaction guarantee. VISA, MC, pets. Currently pursuing board cert Rept/Amph Med.
GUINEA PIGS — Available for sale at wholesale
AmEx, Discover, PayPal. 888-747-0736; visit us at 717-741-1320; www.anicareanimalhospital.com
prices. Please visit our website at www.rodentpro.com
www.micedirect.com ADVANCED MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CARE for
for huge savings! Secure online ordering-available.
Small and large orders welcome. Quantity discounts DUBIA ROACHES FOR SALE — Five percent off reptiles at Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics.
available. One-hundred percent customer satisfac- using code word “REPTILE.” High-protein source for Owned by Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP
tion guaranteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money lizards, amphibians, fish, tarantulas. No smell. Don’t (Avian Practice), internship and residency-trained in
orders, checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598; climb. info@abdragons.com; www.abdragons.com exotic pet care with 19 years of experience treating
fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com MICEDIRECT — Who sells mice and rats for less? No exotics. The first and only veterinary hospital caring
one! We breed 135,000 rodents weekly, so no worries exclusively for reptiles, birds and other exotic pets in
MICE — Available for sale at wholesale-prices. Please
if we can meet your demands. We’re real rodent pros Westchester County, NY. Also serving NYC, Connecti-
visit our website at www.rodentpro.com for huge
delivering real rodent savings! Farm raised and excel- cut, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Orange coun-
savings! Secure online ordering available. Small and
lent nutrition equals excellent rodents! One-hundred ties. Comprehensive care, including deworming, fecal
large orders welcome. Quantity discounts available.
percent satisfaction guarantee. 706-348-7634; or visit examination, diagnostic testing, boarding, nutritional
One-hundred percent customer satisfaction guar-
us at www.micedirect.com counseling and after-hours emergency phone con-
anteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money orders,
sultations. Located at: 709 Bedford Rd. (Rte. 117),
checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598; fax: 812- MULBERRY FARMS — Widest variety of feeders. Bedford Hills, NY 10507; 914-864-1414; or visit www.
867-6058; info@rodentpro.com Silkworms, Goliath hornworms, butterworms, Phoenix avianexoticsvet.com
QUAIL — Available for sale at wholesale prices. worms, waxworms, superworms (several sizes), meal-
worms, roaches, crickets, also silkworm food, eggs, LIBERTYVILLE, IL; DR. TIM HARRIS — Experienced
butterflies and more. Go to www.mulberryfarms.com reptile, avian and exotic veterinarian. Complete
medical and surgical needs. 847-362-5954; www.
Small and large orders welcome. Quantity discounts RAINBOW MEALWORMS — Attention vendors and animalcarelibertyville.com
available. One-hundred percent customer satisfac- users of crickets and/or mealworms. Rainbow Meal-
tion guaranteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money worms has a new policy: We will not be undersold by NOVA PETS HEALTH CENTER, Sayed S. Masood,
orders, checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598; our competitors! We have any amount of mealworms, DVM, USDA and AAHA accredited. A leading avian
fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com thousands or millions available. Contact us 800-777- and exotic veterinarian at All Pets Veterinarian Hospital
9676; www.rainbowmealworms.net in Chantilly, VA. 703-378-9790; www.va-pets.com
RABBITS — Available for sale at wholesale prices.
THE BIG CHEESE RODENT FACTORY — Pro- LIGHTING
ducing superior-quality frozen mice and rats at the
Small and large orders welcome. Quantity discounts FULL-SPECTRUM LIGHTING — Vita-Lite, fixtures,
lowest price. Our rodents are vacuum-sealed to
available. One-hundred percent customer satisfac- free replacement warranty. Save: buy factory direct,
preserve nutrients, moisture and freshness. We feed
tion guaranteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money dealers wanted. 888-900-6830; www.naturallighting.
our rodents an advanced rodent chow containing
orders, checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598; com
natural rodent foods. Satisfaction guaranteed.
fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com Quantity discounts available. VISA, MC, AmEx, Dis- ZOO MED — ReptiSun 5.0 or 10.0 UVB, Iguana Light
RATS — Available for sale at wholesale prices. Please cover, money order and checks accepted. Toll-free at 5.0 UVB or PowerSun UV (self-ballasted mercury
visit our website at www.rodentpro.com for huge 800-887-0921; info@bigcheeserodents.com; www. vapor lamp). Buy the #1 UVB reptile lamps available.
savings! Secure online ordering available. Small and bigcheeserodents.com Available at your local pet shop or distributor nearest
large-orders welcome. Quantity discounts available. you. 888-496-6633; zoomed@zoomed.com; www.
THE CRICKET GUY — Crickets, super worms, meal
One-hundred percent customer satisfaction guar- zoomed.com
worms, giant-mealworms and more. Feeders and
anteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money orders, supplies for sale. 727-857-6990; www.thecricketguy.
checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598; fax: 812- com
MISCELLANEOUS
867-6058; info@rodentpro.com WE BUY YOUR BABIES! Bearded-dragons, baby
UNCLE JIM’S WORM FARM — Live red worms and HEATING Columbian-R.T.boas, tarantula, iguanas, veiled
mealworms. Give your pet a healthy treat. 800-373- DURABLE HEATING PADS — Osborne’s ultra-thin chameleons, leopard and crested geckos, kingsnakes/
0555; www.unclejim.com Stanfield® Heat Pads allow your tortoise or reptile to milksnakes, feeder insects. We pay shipping
WWW.RODENTPRO.COM has quality frozen mice, comfortably rest partially on the pad if they get too hot. (minimums may apply). Serious inquiries only. 800-
rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and quail for The durable construction will withstand the toughest 996-1181; www.sunpet.com
sale at wholesale prices. Please visit our website at tortoise abuse. Call 800-255-0316; or order online
www.rodentpro.com for huge savings! Secure online www.osbornepetsupply.com PET STORES
ordering available. Small and large orders welcome. MILWAUKEE/CHICAGO AREA — Stop in and
DON’T LET YOUR REPTILES CATCH a cold this
Quantity discounts available. One-hundred percent visit the central Midwest’s largest display of herps and
customer satisfaction guaranteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, winter. Zoo Med’s Repti Therm UTH heat pads, ceramic
heat emitter or infrared spot lamps are available at your supplies. We are now in our new store (33,000 square-
local pet shop or distributor nearest you. 888-496-6633; feet) across the street from previous location. Hoffer’s
zoomed@zoomed.com; www.zoomed.com Tropic Life, 7323 N. 76th St., Milwaukee, WI 53223;
Reptiles MAGAZINE
414-353-6553; fax: 414-353-2584
FLEX WATT HEAT TAPE AND CONNECTORS —
Five percent off using code word “REPTILE.” Made in
USA. UL-approved. Recommended heat source for
PLANTS/DECOR
your reptiles/amphibians. info@abdragons.com; www. WWW.MANZANITA.COM — Wood perches. X-large
accepts advertisements for the sale of products, abdragons.com to small. Sandblasted or natural. Manufacturer-direct
equipment, services and live animals in good faith. We pricing. Wholesale available. 888-767-4901
assume all distributors provide high-quality products HERP VETERINARIANS
and healthy animals in a timely manner. We cannot be ADVANCED HERP MEDICINE AND SURGERY —
TRAVEL/TOURISM
responsible for advertisers’ claims, distribution, or Scott J. Stahl, DVM, DABVP (avian). Eighteen years HERP WITH US IN COSTA RICA! Seven herp-
inferior products or animals. Buyers are advised to experience with procedures/techniques in herpetolog- filled days. $950 includes hotels, meals, ground
do any necessary research before making a purchase. ical medicine. Phone/fax consultations for fee. North- transportation. Jim Kavney, 305-664-2881; www.
ern Virginia; 703-281-3750; www.seavs.com costaricaherpingadventures.com

KEN FOOSE
Clown Tree Clown tree frogs can be

found throughout Central
Frog
and South America.
(Dendropsophus
leucophyllatus)
Size: 1 to 2 inches.
Life Span: Up to 5 years.
Range: Throughout Central and South

America.
SHUTTERSTOCK/REPTILES4ALL
Natural Habitat: Lowland Rainforests
and humid jungles. Near water.
Captive Housing: Being true tree

frogs, up is good. You can house
two frogs in something as small as a
10-gallon tank, but the taller the tank,
the better. Add 5 gallons of space for
each frog you plan to house together. it. A couple of hides on the ground are
Start with a base of coconut core a
couple inches deep. Spread some
also welcome and might be used every
so often. These frogs are tropical, so a
Verdict
orchid moss over the top. Place a daily misting to maintain a humidity Beautiful, colorful and pretty
nice-sized water bowl in the tank, or of about 75 to 80 percent is needed. easy to keep if kept at the right
get creative and set up a waterfall, You can also use one of the automatic humidity levels, this is an ideal
which can be purchased complete or reptile misters on the market. No light terrarium subject. A great begin-
make your own. There are waterfall is needed, and for the most part, room ner frog for people who want to
kits available at specialty reptile stores. temperatures are fine for them. Try to explore amphibian keeping.
Naturalistic, front-opening enclosures keep the temps between 70 and 80
are great for these frogs. Add branches degrees Fahrenheit.
to the enclosure and lots of plants. Real to human habitation in parts of their
plants are great, but if you don’t have a Diet: These little guys are insectivores. range, making them easy to find
green thumb, just use a lot of natural- They will eat a wide range of insects, and frequently captured for the pet
looking fake plants on the market including crickets, mealworms, roaches trade. Most clown tree frogs are field-
today. The denser the plants and and other small bugs. Either gut-load collected imports. Captive breeding
branches, the more the frogs will like or apply calcium and multivitamin in the United States is starting to pick
supplements to the insects. Presenting up steam, and as always, captive-bred
Love to the feeders in a slick-sided glass bowl

works well to keep the bugs in one
animals are better all the way around.
But until more captive breeding takes
Laugh place, and this way, the frogs know

where to find their food, too.
place, most all of these amazing frogs
are still coming from the wild. REPTILES
Male clown tree frogs have What’s Available: Clown tree frogs
KEN FOOSE produced his first captive-bred snakes at age 11. With a
a laughter-like call that can be come in a variety of colors and patterns. Master’s Degree in zoology, he has been both a zookeeper and curator.
He opened Exotic Pets, which specializes in reptiles and amphibians,
heard over great distances. These beautiful frogs are common in Las Vegas in 1991. He is currently president of the International
throughout their range and live close Herpetological Symposium.

NO CORN
REP1402_DE_cvr3.indd 3 11/27/13 1:20 PM

IN REPTILE
LIGHTING
LAMPS FOR
ALL SETUPS
ZOO MED LABORATORIES, INC.

3650 Sacramento Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: 805-542-9988
email: zoomed@zoomed.com
www.zoomed.com
C2C3C4.indd 4 11/15/13 3:00 PM

February 2014

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

February 2014

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

KEEP THE SNAKE WITH THE KING-SIZED CHARM PG 32

HEY, KIDS! We’re Having an Art Contest Just for You! PG 15

FEBRUARY 2014 THE WORLD’S LEADING REPTILE MAGAZINE

Why People Love These

ZOO MED LABORATORIES, INC.

A NEW WEBSITE PRODUCTION

worthy of REPTILES! Multimedia Production Manager: Jessica Jaensch

Contest Winner address label from latest copy as well

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

4 REPTILES | February 2014 | ReptilesMagazine.com

RodentPro.com® offers only the

Feeding Your Reptile Is Our Passion! ™

15 KID HERPER ART CONTEST

48 THE MAGIC OF MADIDI

DEPARTMENTS 60 REPTILE BREEDER

6 REPTILES | February 2014 | ReptilesMagazine.com

REPTILES ? Center for Herpetological Research (SWCHR),

READER What size enclosure should I have when

How do you tell male and female fat-

10 REPTILES | February 2014 | ReptilesMagazine.com

near you petsmart.com

douglas mader, DVM

Reptile back of a station wagon, where it lived

Medicine Farm supervisor Jeanne Selander helps

Behind Bars Dr. Mader get a blood sample from Fat

Need a Herp Vet?

12 REPTILES | February 2014 | ReptilesMagazine.com

STOCK ITEM #52013*

*Item#52013 Fluker’s Driftwood.

Online Poll Panther

GINA CIOLI/I5 STUDIO

“You have bins of crickets

and mice in your house.”

Red-eared Slider Care

right for you at ReptilesMagazine.com/

14 REPTILES | February 2014 | ReptilesMagazine.com

W hile REPTILES was accepting submissions for

Eight kid contestants will win, and their artwork

pencils, each winner will also receive a prize

Don’t waste a minute! If you want to get in on the fun, visit

details, including the contest rules and deadline.

*To see the winners of the 2013 “Drawn to Reptiles” art

February 2014 | REPTILES 15

Judgment tortoise a pad of

lQl Why do I never see warnings

can bite or injure by stepping on you

lAl I will agree with the possibility

lAl You’ll never make everyone

BILL LOVE photographs herps in nature, writes and lectures. He

February 2014 | REPTILES 17

dry seasons can easily be recreated in

February 2014 | REPTILES 21

Lighting and Temperatures

Indian Star Tortoise Diet

Advantages tortoise can be successfully kept in

February 2014 | REPTILES 23

Find out why some people

24 REPTILES | February 2014 | ReptilesMagazine.com

February 2014 | REPTILES 25

February 2014 | REPTILES 27

Food for Healthy Cresties 24ʺ Standard 48ʺ Standard

All Water is Not Created

Mysteries of the Morph

Breed For more information on these or