Reptiles May June 2017

WHO EATS WHAT?
A Reptile Food Rundown
MAY/JUNE
2017
They're the
Eyelash and
Other Pit Vipers
BETTER HEALTH
THROUGH HERPS:
REPTILES AS
THERAPY
PETS
MAY/JUNE 17
92/80(
180%(5
16
FEATURES
16 FEEDING FRENZY
Dietary options for pet reptil
>By Audrey Pavia
26 INTO THE WILD

A veteran herper reveals
favorite U.S. herping
hotspots from east to
>By Bill Love
36 A VIPER
RETROSPECTIVE:
A look at the pit vipers.
>By Peter Lindsey
44 ASIAS FORGOTTEN TURTLE

The Kwangtung river turtle has
had its ups and downs.
>By Chris Leone 36
50 TRICOLORED UP AND COMER
Is Xenodon pulcher poised to become
the next big thing?
>By Kathy Love and Roy Engeldorf
44
56 REPTILES AS THERAPY PETS
Who says a pet snake or lizard cant
ON THE COVER
provide emotional support?
EYELASH VIPER
>By Alexia P. Bullard
(Bothriechis schlegelii)
>Snowleopard1/iStock
WEB EXCLUSIVES DEPARTMENTS

4 FROM THE EDITORS DESK 60 HERP HAPPENINGS
BREEDING GRAY-BANDED KINGSNAKES
ReptilesMagazine.com/BreedKings 6 MAILBAG 60 ADVERTISER INDEX
TIPS FOR NEW TURTLEKEEPERS 10 HERPERS MOST WANTED

62 REPTILE BREEDER
ReptilesMagazine.com/TurtleCareTips
12 HERP QUERIES DIRECTORY
CORAL SNAKES
ReptilesMagazine.com/CoralSnakes 14 REPTILESMAGAZINE.COM 63 CLASSIFIEDS
2 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

The
Perfect Package. Quality, Value and Convenience!
Order online!
Discover what tens of thousands of customers including commercial reptile www.RodentPro.com
breeding facilities, veterinarians, and some of our countrys most respected zoos Its quick, convenient
and aquariums have already learned: with Rodentpro.com, you get quality and guaranteed!
AND value! Guaranteed.
P.O. Box 118
RodentPro.com offers only the highest quality frozen mice, rats, rabbits, Inglefield, IN 47618-9998
guinea pigs, chickens and quail at prices that are MORE than competitive.
We set the industry standards by offering unsurpassed quality, breeder
Tel: 812.867.7598
direct pricing and year-round availability. Fax: 812.867.6058
E-mail: info@rodentpro.com
With RodentPro.com, youll know youre getting exactly what you order:
clean nutritious feeders with exact sizing and superior quality. And with our
exclusive shipping methods, your order arrives frozen, not thawed.
We guarantee it.
2013 Rodentpro.com,llc. Feeding Your Reptile Is Our Passion!

VOLUME 22 | NUMBER 3 | MAY/JUNE 2017
EDITORIAL
BY RUSS CASE
Vice President, Content: Joyce Bautista Ferrari
Design Director: LiLiana Estep
Group Editor: Russ Case
Associate Art Director: Edred Rivera
FIELD HERPING: PRODUCTION
Multimedia Production Director: Laurie Panaggio
Get the kids out there! Multimedia Production Manager: Jessica Jaensch
Multimedia Production Coordinator: Shawna Luna
Multimedia Photographer, Studio Manager: Gina Cioli
B
CONSUMER MARKETING
ill Loves Into the Wild article that Assistant Consumer Marketing Director: Jennifer Bullington
begins on page 26 offers Bills REPTILESMAGAZINE.COM
Executive Editorial Director, Digital:
favorite field herping locations in
Janine M. Kahn
the U.S., spanning the country from Florida Senior Editor, Trending: John Virata
to California. We hope that it entices people to get out into nature in LUMINA MEDIA
order to observe fascinating reptiles on their home turf. Chairman: David Fry
Chief Executive Officer: Keith Walter
At the beginning of the article, Bill mentions that he believes people Chief Financial Officer: David Katzoff
are missing out if their first reptile encounter is with with an animal in Chief Sales Officer: Susan Roark
Chief Digital Officer: Jennifer Black-Glover
a deli cup at a herp expo rather than face-to-face with a wild animal Senior Vice President, Retail: Scott Coffman
outdoors while doing some field herping. I agree with Bill. Vice President, PR and Marketing: Cameron Triebwasser
While the keeping of pet reptiles is a popular pasttime, with ADVERTISING
National Sales Manager: Bill Rauch
captive-breeding efforts doing much to keep hobbyists interested,
Advertising Account Representative: Eric Vidal
it would be a downright shame if fewer and fewer youngsters were DIRECT SALES
exploring nature in order to see wild reptiles. Bill describes doing so Director of Operations, Ad Sales/Direct Sales: Michael Pavia
when he was a kid, and how he would come home afterward a muddy Direct Sales Operations Coordinator: Rosa Gallegos
Advertising Sales Manager: Rosemarie Rembao-Ledesma
mess. I can certainly identify with this, as Im sure many REPTILES read- Advertising Account Representative: Richard Sakal
ers can. I hope this is a trend that never dies. Editorial/ Production/Corporate//Sales Offices
I implore adult herpers with little herpers of their own to do some 2030 Main St., Ste. 1400, Irvine, CA 92614
949-855-8822; Fax 949-855-3045
field herping with them. All children should experience the rush of
National Sales Office
excitement that comes with a wild reptile encounter a rush that no 630-515-9493, ext. 6833
deli cup could ever duplicate.
REPTILES magazine is
Pet shops and reptile expos published bimonthly by
are awesome, but dont forget
to give kids a chance to see
herps in nature, too! REPTILES magazine (ISSN 1068-1965) is published bimonthly by Lumina Media,
LLC. Corporate headquarters is located
at 2030 Main St., Ste. 1400, Irvine, CA
Email comments to 92614. Periodicals Postage Paid at Irvine, For subscription inquiries
reptiles@luminamedia.com. CA 92619-9998 and additional mailing or change of address:
offices. POSTMASTER: Please send REPTILES magazine, P.O. Box 37185,
Boone, IA 50037-0185
address changes to REPTILES, P.O. Box 800-876-9112 Fax: 515-433-1013
37185, Boone, IA 50037-0185. 2016 Visit us online: www.custmag.com/REP
by Lumina Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of any material from this
issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
Subscription rate is $24.00 for 6 issues, $40 for 12 issues. Canadian and foreign
surface, add $6 extra per year payable in U.S. funds. Single copy price is $4.99.
Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for new subscriptions to begin. When changing address,
give six weeks notice and 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, 2030 Main St., Ste. 1400, Irvine, CA 92614 or send us
an e-mail at privacy@luminamedia.com. Please view our Privacy Policy at www.
luminamedia.com/privacy.
Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs are welcome on an exclusive basis, but
MATT JEPPSON/SHUTTERSTOCK
none can be acknowledged or returned unless accompanied by self-addressed,

stamped envelopes.
Reasonable care will be taken in handling manuscripts and photographs, but
REPTILES magazine cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged materials.
Views and opinions authors express are their own and do not necessarily
represent the views and opinions of REPTILES magazine or Lumina Media, LLC.
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40612608 Registration No. R126851765
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: IMEX Global Solutions,
P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2, CANADA
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

XWriting for REPTILES
How do I go about writing for your iconic
magazine? If you are looking for contributors at
all, please consider me.
Pete Hawkins
Peterborough, UK
Where
W in the world is
REPTILES ?
SPONSORED BY
Thanks for reaching out, Pete. REPTILES is always
on the lookout for new contributors who have plen-
ty of experience working with herps of all kinds, and
especially if they have bred them regularly.
The following three bullet points are taken from
our writers guidelines, which I recommend you read
in their entirety at our website, ReptilesMagazine.
com/writersguidelines.
s !RTICLE QUERIES FOR NEW ORIGINAL ARTICLES SHOULD
be emailed to reptiles@luminamedia.com.We do
not accept articles that have already been pub-
lished elsewhere, whether online or in print (with
occasional exceptions being made for articles that
may have been published in foreign publications;
if this is the case with yours, be sure to state that in
YOUR QUERY EMAIL
s !LL FREELANCE SUBMISSIONS ARE MADE hON SPECv
This means that although you may be invited to
submit an article, REPTILES is under no obligation
to accept or publish it until it has been reviewed,
REVISED IF REQUESTED AND CONTRACTED 2EST ASSURED
however, that you would not be invited to submit
an article if we did not find merit in your proposal.
s !RTICLES SHOULD BE EASY FOR HOBBYISTS OF ALL LEVELS
to understand. Examine back issues of REPTILES, as
well as articles posted on ReptilesMagazine.com to
get an idea of tone and structure.
The above covers some of the basics from the
GUIDELINES .ATURALLY IN YOUR EMAIL QUERY WE WOULD
also want to know about your personal back-
ground and experience with the reptiles and/or
amphibians you wish to write about.
Thanks for the interest, Pete, and maybe well
see some articles by you in future issues! Ed.
Are you reading REPTILES on the go? Send us a photo SHARE YOUR thoughts
of you and REPTILES in an interesting locale.
If we publish it, youll WIN YOUR CHOICE OF GREAT We know reptile Are there specific
people have strong animals you would
REPTILE MERCHANDISE PROVIDED BY ZILLA! opinions about their like to see featured
Visit ReptilesMagazine.com/WITWIR for instructions and to hobby, and they often in REPTILES? Can you
have great stories, offer any useful tips or
see available prizes. Photos sent become the property of suggestions and suggestions to other
REPTILES magazine. creative ideas to boot. reptile fans/keepers?
Maybe youve got some
stories, fond memories
COURTESY LIZ BELLINGER
or jokes involving herps

LIZ BELLINGER (left) of Aurora, Colo., to share.
enjoys reading her REPTILES with Leila Email us at reptiles@luminamedia.com,
Hodges on the White Island volcano, 50 km or send letters to REPTILES, Mailbag,
c/o Lumina Media, Ste. 1400,
offshore of Whakatane, New Zealand. 2030 Main St., Irvine, CA 92614.
Letters appearing in Mailbag may be edited for clarity and/or length.

This habitat kit is a direct result of years of researching
the Madagascar bamboo forests by the Exo Terra expedition
team. It is ideal for a variety of reptiles and amphibians like;
day geckos, crested geckos, night geckos, anoles, smaller snake
species, tree frogs, and many more
The smooth surface of both the bamboo The convenient serving cups of the The special bamboo ornament ensures that the reptiles and
background and ornament provide the perfect Exo Terra Day Gecko Food fit amphibians housed in this kit have secure hiding places,
vertical dwelling surface for a number of species, perfectly in the food station of a food station and always water available in the numerous
especially geckos and frogs, just like in nature. the bamboo ornament. cavities incorporated in this very specific ornament.
ALL you need to START your very own Bamboo Forest Habitat
Full Glass Terrarium, Compact Top Fluorescent Terrarium Canopy (Large only),
3D-Bamboo Background, Bamboo Ornament (with feeding & watering station),
Plantation Soil, Thermometer, Hygrometer
etter Meditation Through Frog Calls
as wondering if you guys could recommend a frog that
uces a soothing noise. My wife and I want to set up a vivari-
nd keep some frogs in our meditation room.
Jacob Connell
REPTILES has been around for more than 20 years, and I think
his is the first time weve been asked to recommend a frog on
he basis of it having a soothing call. Guess it shows theres a
first time for everything! That said, Jacob, I think your idea of
ncluding a vivarium in your meditation room is an awesome
one. You should send us a photo of it once its set up.
ather than name a variety of frog species for you to consider
ased on name alone, why not give some a listen and proceed
rom there? There are a variety of websites that contain record-
ngs of frogs calling, from chirpy types to those that are more
uack-like (I would probably avoid the latter if being used for
editation purposes, but to each their own ). Listen to some of
ose so you can decide for yourselves which species you find
e most melodic, and most conducive to relaxing meditation. A
couple such sites you could check out are animaldiversity.org/
collections/frog_calls/ and on.doi.gov/1F9ysMH.
Another option is to Google a particular type of frog calling, such
as red-eyed tree frog calling. Chances are, doing so will lead you
to a recording or YouTube video (such as this one of red-eyed tree
frogs calling: bit.ly/2mf792s).
Good luck, and dont forget to send some pics! Ed.
XKeeping Caiman
Would you recommend a caiman as a good pet? Theyre so
cool, and a spectacled caiman seems like the best bet for some-
one who wants to keep a crocodilian.
Frances Cornwall
St. Petersburg, Fla.
First, a better bet for a captive caiman these days is a dwarf

caiman (Paleosuchus spp.), because they dont get near as large
as the 8 feet a spectacled caiman can attain. But even so, a person
needs to think long and hard as to whether or not they should
try keeping a caiman. I had a baby spectacled caiman when I was
young, and it wasnt long for me to discover I was in over my head
as it grew larger and more feisty. Luckily, I lived near an alligator
farm at the time, and they gave him a good home.
Caiman should only be kept, if at all, by veteran herpers with
decades of experience with many species, tons of know-how,
DIRK ERCKEN, BRIAN LASENBY/SHUTTERSTOCK
and ample space in which to maintain a crocodilian. Even dwarf

caiman can get about 5 feet in length. You cant just toss these
guys in a plastic tub and call it a day; a custom enclosure will most
likely be a must.
So to answer your question, Frances, no, I would not recommend
a caiman as a good pet at least not for anyone other than the
very specific type of person described, and thats assuming having
one is legal in that persons home town/state. But for an interme-
diate enthusiast looking for a new challenge? No way.
For that rare person who fits the caiman owner profile, step-by-
step instructions for building a proper caiman enclosure can be
found here: ReptilesMagazine.com/caimancage. Ed.

BY KEN FOOSE
Sunbeam Snake (Xenopeltis unicolor) Verdict

Size: Up to 4 feet a dirt-like substrate.
One end of the enclosure should Sunbeam snakes make great
Life Span: Up to 25 years be kept very damp. The easiest way terrarium subjects.There are some
to achieve this is to place something challenges in housing them, and it
Range: Southern China and under one end of the enclosure, to prop can be messy, but once established
southeast Asia that end up and create a slight slant. properly, they make great pet
Water will run down to the lower end snakes. Sunbeam snakes handle
Natural Habitat: Damp, loose and mix with the substrate to create well and rarely, if ever, bite. And
soil in areas near water a nice, muddy spot. The remaining they are so smooth and feel cool to
substrate should be damp, but not as the touch. I like them!
Captive Housing: Sunbeam snakes wet as this end, with the area at the
are unlike most other snakes, in that opposite, raised end of the tank being
they prefer to be damp and a bit cooler. less damp than the rest. Use cork flats or similar dcor placed
H idi dd f A b d h b 4i h h i hidi

can include lighting and addition-
al dcor if you like, but the snakes
dont need either in order to
remain healthy.
Sunbeam snakes do eat other
snakes every so often, so dont mix
other species with them!
Diet: In the wild, sunbeam snakes

eat amphibians, snakes, rodents
and carrion. In captivity, they can
easily be switched over to frozen/
thawed mice. One or two adult
mice per adult snake per week
works well. Use smaller prey items
for smaller specimens.
Whats Available: There are

few captive-bred sunbeam snakes
in the U.S., and they are rarely
produced. This is a shame, as
sunbeams breed fairly easily, and
the babies are amazing.
M ilable specimens
from China, and
n rough and full of
pon purchase, the
o do is set them up
d have them treated
arian for worms. The
also likely be covered
due to improper
the Chinese holding
o being exported.
be treated with a top-
tic and by housing the
e proper 75-percent
el. Once they start
beam snakes should
ully for you, and they
eautiful pets.
m snakes seem to be
mported, so theres ei-
h for sale or none. You
em at specialty reptile
sometimes online or
ows.
The sunbeam snake

most iridescent snake
. Hold one under any
ull feel like youre
ing rainbow. REPTILES
ed his first captive-bred snakes at age

egree in zoology, he has been both
tor. He opened Exotic Pets, which
and amphibians, in Las Vegas in 1991.
ent of the International Herpetological
Question?
Email questions to reptiles@luminamedia.com. All letters
are subject to editing by REPTILES staff.
Bill also welcomes comments and suggestions. Please note
that not all letters can be answered personally or will
BY BILL LOVE appear in this column.
This South American tur-

nip-tailed gecko (Thecadac-
tylus rapicauda) is washing
its eye in response to the
authors cameras flash
annoying it.
Your comment about finding it hard

Snakes definite-
ly do get dirty, to photograph this behavior caught my
as evidenced eye because of a small trick I learned
by this leu-
decades ago. Using a strobe flash, as I
cistic eastern
diamondback frequently do, often elicits such a tongue
rattlesnake bath.The flash must serve as a slight
(Crotalus irritant to the geckos, and they typically
adamanteus)
shedding its respond afterward with a lot of eyeball
old, soiled skin. licking at regular intervals for the next
five to 10 seconds, making photograph-
ing the action a much easier task.
Get It Licked Dirty Snakes

Many kinds of geckos have
lQl Its so cool the way lizards

can lick their eyeballs with
lAl perfected the art of cleaning
their corneas with their tongues. These lQl My mother thinks snakes
never get dirty because dirt
their tongues. Ive seen my tokay visually oriented predators, many cant stick to their shiny skin, and if
gecko do it twice, but can never of which hunt at night, depend on they do crawl through mud, they just
get a photo of it because it always unobscured vision to find food and shed their skins to get rid of it. I read
happens too fast. They do it to clean avoid predation. Keeping their large snakes molt as they grow, and their
BILL LOVE
their eyes, right? eyes glistening clean is part of the old skins lose their elasticity so they
Dillon Jensen, Carson City, Nev. reason for their success worldwide. need to constantly replace them

with new, stretchier skin. What do that comes with age in most species, a you out to hard-to-reach places if you
you say do snakes get dirty? build-up of dirt is why large adults often also want to tote a bunch of heavy and/
Jared Hollingsworth, Jenkintown, Penn. appear dull and unicolor. or awkward gear. Photographers and
Replacing old skin is primarily a campers would benefit from this.
I wonder if maybe your mother factor of growth, as you noted. Damage Id suggest teaming up with a friend
lAl sometimes wishes you could
shed your skin, Jared. I know my mother
to skin from injuries, abrasions, etc., can
also hasten shedding frequency. Overall,
riding another one, though, in case of a
breakdown. Using an ATV often means
did when Id come home from my it occurs anywhere from once to several youll probably be visiting places that
boyhood woods and ponds looking like times annually in most snakes. Naturally, will tax its physical ability, making prob-
a drowned rat. young, rapidly growing snakes will shed lems, such as getting stuck or breaking
Snake scales may deflect a hefty more often than full-size adults. down, more likely than would be for a
portion of the natural crud that sticks to full-size, four-wheel-drive vehicle.
pants legs, clings to socks, and adheres If you are thinking of riding an ATV on
to shoes, but theyre not totally imper- ATVs a paved road while road cruising looking
vious. Moist substances, such as mud, for herps, as would typically be done in
feces, blood, etc., stick to snakes, though What are your thoughts for a car, one negative to consider is that
often in a thin layer that merely obscures
their color and pattern. Theyre good at
lQl using an ATV (all-terrain
vehicle) for field herping? Is it worth it
the noise and vibration ATVs generate
will scare off many herps and other shy
not crawling through really messy stuff to bring one along on a trailer? animals before you ever get to see them.
most of the time and seldom appear Stuart Tiller However, if you ride an ATV to a remote
covered in filth. spot, park it and then do some field
Rough-scaled, semi-aquatic snakes, ATVs will exclude you from herping on foot from there, an ATV could
such as North American water snakes
(Nerodia spp.) and water moccasins
lAl going into some places where
theyd be considered too disruptive,
be great. REPTILES
(Agkistrodon piscivorus), are the dirtiest but might be useful in other locales, BILL LOVE photographs herps in nature, writes and lectures. He assists
his wife, Kathy, with her business, CornUtopia, and via his company,
snakes Ive encountered. Along with the especially in the wider, more open Blue Chameleon Ventures, lectures to herp groups and photographs
natural muting of colors and patterns western U.S. Theyre great for getting private collections.
Check Out These Features and
Online Do You Keep a

Poll Ball Python?
YES NO
61% 39%
SPONSORED BY
New CITES Herp Listings 2017
Did you know that your pet herp may be a species of
protected wildlife? Many exotic reptiles and amphibians are
protected under CITES. Read more at ReptilesMagazine.com/
CitesListing2017.
Subscribe to REPTILES
Go online to order a one-year REPTILES
subscription and save 75 percent off
You Know Your mom the cover price! Order
Youre Really accidentally online right now by using
your smart phone to scan
packs you a jar of
Into Reptiles waxworms for lunch.
this QR code. If needed,
download the i-Nigma
When... code reader at www.i-
nigma.com.
Look for REPTILES magazine on

To read more and submit your
own, go to ReptilesMagazine.
com/OneLiners. If yours appears
WIKIPEDIA
in this column, youll win $50

worth of Rep-Cal products! SPONSORED BY

Tons More at
BY JOHN VIRATA
Breeding the Eastern

Indigo Snake
Successful captive breeding of the east-
ern indigo snake is within the capability An In-Depth Look At UV Light And
of anyone willing to put forth a little
extra effort, patience and attentiveness.
Its Proper Use With Reptiles
Read more at ReptilesMagazine.com/ Do all reptiles benefit from UV? And if so, how much UV should
BreedEasternIndigos. be offered, and what lamp will be suitable? Read more at
ReptilesMagazine.com/UVLightingAndReptiles.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: U.S. ARMY, FRANCES M. BAINES, FLINTS/WIKIPEDIA, NICK HOBGOOD /WIKIPEDIA
Tokay
Gecko Care Red-Footed Tortoise Care Sheet
The vibrant and unusual-looking tokay Red-footed tortoises are easy to acquire, simple to care for,
gecko (Gekko gecko) is a well-known, but remain a size that most hobbyists can easily handle, and they
poorly understood, species. Read more at show amazing coloration on their head, legs and shells. Read
ReptilesMagazine.com/TokayCare. more at ReptilesMagazine.com/Redfoots.
May/June 2017 | REPTILES 15

KUTTELVASEROVA STUCHELOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Dietary Crickets are

options for the mainstay
menu item for
insect-eating
pet reptiles. pet reptiles.
BY AUDREY PAVIA

it was collected.
R
eptiles and amphibians are Crickets. The cricket is the staple
VALTER ZAMUNER, SEFA KAYA/SHUTTERSTOCK
beautiful, fun to keep and often of many reptile diets. Safe to feed,
easy to care for. But if you want easy to keep and readily available,
your herps to live long, happy crickets provide necessary protein
lives, you have to feed them to a variety of smaller carnivorous
right. In fact, a good diet is probably herps. You can find crickets online or
the single most important aspect of at your local pet supply store, or you
herp care. can breed them yourself if you are so
What you feed your pets, where you inclined (be forewarned: doing so can
buy their food, and how you handle it be a bit messy and smelly).
once you have it home are all crucial Wherever you get your crickets,
elements when it comes to your herps its important to make sure they are
diet. Of course, the type of herp you gut-loaded before you feed them
keep determines the food youll be to your herp. This means providing
offering, so lets take a look at the dif- the crickets with a nutritious diet
ferent kinds of herp foods that are that they in turn will pass on to your
available and what you should pet. You can buy prepared cricket
know about them. food online or at a pet supply store,
or you can feed crickets raw, fresh
For the Insect Lover vegetables like potatoes, carrots, kale
Live insects are a commonly fed and spinach at least 24 hours before
herp food because of the num- offering them to your herp. Fruit such
ber of carnivorous reptiles and as apple and orange slices can also
amphibians kept at pets. A large number be offered. Be sure to remove uneat-
of species require live insects in their diet, en food from the crickets container
not only to provide proper nutrition, but before it spoils.
also to allow the herp to use its hunting Youll also need to provide crickets
instinct. Several different types of live in- with a source of water, unless you are
sects are readily available to herp owners, offering them foods that contain a lot
each providing its own advantages and of water, such as potatoes or commer-
disadvantages. cial cricket food gels.

A reptiles wild diet can be difficult
for the average hobbyist to replicate,
but luckily, there are plenty of ways to
provide pet reptiles with the nutrition
they need.
If youre tempted to collect crickets (or container in a room that stays at about too just pick up the toilet paper roll,
other insects) from outdoors to feed to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for best results. etc., and shake a few crickets from it
your herp, be certain the areas youre col- Boxes are available that have treated into the terrarium at feeding time. Dont
lecting from have not been sprayed with walls to prevent the crickets inside from put many more crickets in than your pet
ding, as you dont
e crickets to remain
erward. If there are
even a chance they
rps.
also feed your small
variety of different
alworms are easy
ovide more calories
experts recommend
s in small quantities,
heir tough exo-
e from chitin, which
SERGEY URYADNIKOV, CYNOCLUB/SHUTTERSTOCK
problems in some
ibians.
mealworms in
unts, depending on
f worms you want
nd. Mealworms
ubstrate of wheat
hould be gut-loaded
Avoid offering more feeding. Fresh, raw
crickets than your reptile will its and vegetables
eat per feeding. You dont want
a bunch of loose crickets finding s described for
hiding places within the terrarium. rickets are a good

source of gut-loading nu- Mealworms, from the standard type to
superworms, have been a staple reptile
trition for mealworms. dietary item for decades.
Larger superworms can
be a good choice, as well.
These worms have many
of the advantages of meal-
worms, but are larger in size,
providing more nutrition in a
single meal.They should be kept in
the same way as their smaller cousins:
stored in wheat bran and gut-loaded at
least a day before feeding.
Unlike mealworms, the waxworm
doesnt have a chitinous exoskeleton, so
theres less likelihood of digestive prob-
lems when feeding this type of insect.
Waxworms have a high fat content, and
so can be good for keeping weight on
your herp.The drawback is that feeding
AUNNUM, MATTIAATH/SHUTTERSTOCK
too many waxworms can create a weight

problem in your pet. For this reason, its a
good idea to feed waxworms only as an
occasional treat.
Larvae of the black soldier fly (Her-
metia illucens) are sold under various
commercial names depending on the
companies doing the selling, including Mealworms should be made even more nutritious by gut-loading them prior to feeding
Reptiworms, Calciworms and Phoe- them to your pets.

Box and other turtles will
enjoy a tasty earthworm
on occasion.
nix Worms.These are your t rra i m i h petrole m el y o

favored due to having a higher calcium discourage roaches from getting out
content than other types of worms. (this works for crickets, too).
Earthworms are often relished by While it might be tempting to go out
aquatic turtles, box turtles and amphibi- in your yard and collect random insects
ans such as salamanders and some frogs. to feed to your herp, keep in mind that
Watching a herp wrestle with a whole some insects are poisonous, or may harm
earthworm may be entertaining, but you your pet in an effort to defend them-
may want to also consider cutting an selves. If you find an insect youd like to
earthworm into pieces before offering it offer to your herp, do as much research as
to your pet. As mentioned previously, if you can on that species to ensure it is safe
you decide to dig in your yard for some to feed. Also, once again, be sure the area
earthworms to offer your herps, be sure where you collected the insect has not
IRINAK, ERIC ISSELEE/SHUTTERS

its in an area that has not been treated been treated with chemicals.
with any fertilizers or pesticides.
Roaches. Another tasty meal for The Wonderful World
carnivorous herps is the cockroach. You of Rodentia
can buy several species of commercial- Snakes and larger carnivorous lizards,
ly bred roaches online, such as Dubia such as monitors, require a substantial
roaches, and can keep them at home protein source in their diet to keep them
in pl stic on aine s with ho es for healthy The best hoice for most of
Rats and mice are usually the

exclusive diet of pet constrictors,
such as the ball python.
their own rodents for economical
ns, most herp hobbyists opt to
he easier route by buying rodents +$0%85*5(37,/(6+2:FRP
e or at pet stores.
ce and rats of various ages, from
orn pinkies to adult animals, are
ble for use with reptiles, depend-
n the size of the reptiles being
e-killed, frozen rodents are the
choice for feeding herps. While
y keepers want to give their pets
most natural experience possible
owing them to hunt live rodents,
not the safest situation for the
. Live mice or rats can scratch or
herp, causing serious injury. A rat
can even kill a reptile. Frozen rodents
provide the same amount of nutrition
without the risk of harm to the herp.
Frozen rodents are also less likely to
pass along intestinal parasites to your
herp. Roundworms, hookworms and pin-
worms are all parasites that can infect a
herp if it eats live rodents. These parasites 6+2: +2856 $0 72 30
can cause weight loss, poor appetite,
regurgitation and diarrhea. Freezing kills
them, though, providing yet another
$SU QG -XQH WK
reason that frozen/thawed rodents are a
lot safer to feed than live ones.
$XJ WK 2FW VW 'HF QG

When purchasing frozen mice and
rats, choose a reputable supplier that
guarantees the animals were kept in
sanitary conditions before they were
killed. You may also want to consider
only buying rodents that have been
hu anel t nz d nt h i a e
$GXOW $GPLVVLRQ _ 8QGHU IUHH
$JHV WR ZLWK SD\LQJ DGXOW
/21*(67 7(185(' 5(37,/( 6+2:
IN HOUSE
NIST TRACEABLE
CERTIFICATE
MONITOR UV LEVELS FOR

OPTIMUM HEALTH WITH
SOLARMETER MODEL 6.5
USE COUPON HEALTHYHERP
FOR FREE SHIPPING!
WWW.SOLARMETER.COM MADE IN USA

To avoid potential health Manufactured diets formulated for
issues, feed snakes frozen/ use with aquatic turtles can be used
thawed rodents. to ensure your pets are getting the
proper nutrition they need.
Remember
that a partially
thawed rodent can
cause digestive problems,
so its vital that you make sure the
rodent has thawed completely before
feeding. You should also warm the
rodent before feeding it to your herp.
You can do this by putting it in a
provide plastic bag and submerging the bag
the safest in warm water.
meal for your Be sure to feed the rodent
herp. Allow the rodent immediately after thawing to
to thaw slowly by plac- avoid decay. Dead rodents Manufactured diets are also available
ing it in a clean plastic bag begin to decompose quick- for carnivorous herps, and are made of
inside the refrigerator, being ly after thawing, and the insects and other items to provide pro-
sure it is completely thawed bacteria that results may tein, fat and calcium. Vegetarian herps
before feeding. A good rule of be harmful to your herp. can likewise be fed commercial diets
thumb is to place the frozen rodent You may need to use made with fruit and vegetables.
in the refrigerator the night before you long forceps to jiggle Some carnivorous herps may not
plan to feed. thawed rodents for snakes accept manufactured foods if they have
Another method of thawing is to put that are used to eating live ones, but this been raised strictly on live insects, and
the rodent in a leak-proof plastic bag will likely only have to be done the first even vegetarian herps may not recog-
and place it in cold water. This method is few times before your snake gets the idea. nize such foods as something edible if
faster than thawing by refrigeration, but they have eaten only fresh fruits and
requires more work because the water Manufactured/ vegetables their entire lives. Its best to
must be dumped and replaced every Commercial Diets introduce these foods to herps when they
half-hour or so. Some pet reptiles are well suited to a are juveniles and more adventurous with
Although you might be tempted commercially prepared diet you can their diets. For older animals, try mixing
to thaw frozen rodents in your micro- purchase online or at a pet supply store. manufactured foods with fresh foods,
wave, this is not a good idea for sanitary Manufactured foods are easy to feed, such as salads for vegetarian or omnivo-
reasons. The microwave oven you use for purchase and store, and are specially rous herps such as bearded dragons.
your food should not be used to heat up formulated for use with herps. They For herps that drink nectar, such as
a dead rodent. come in jars or cans, and are designed the crested gecko and anoles, nec-
for convenience. tar-based diets are available from herp
Turtles are big consumers of manu- food manufacturers. Some of these
factured floating pellets, tabs, flakes and products can be added to water to make
ANDREW BURGESS, CYNOCLUB/SHUTTERSTOCK
sticks made with fish, vegetables and a paste that the reptile can lap at, while
even fruit to provide complete nutrition. others can be added to an additional
Frogs and tadpoles can also be fed a food source.
similar commercial diet (though fish Tortoises need a good source of grass
flake food is also often used as part of their diet. Packaged hay, avail-
for tadpoles). able online or at pet supply stores, can
provide an easy and con-
venient way to meet
this requirement.
Alfalfa, timothy and
Tease-feeding with forceps might
be necessary to get some snakes to Bermuda hays are
accept frozen/thawed rodents. the most
for all your
reptiles.
Original Crickets, Small/Large Superworms,
Our Original
Discoid/Dubia Roaches, Horn Worms, Silk Worms,
Cricket has
Butterworms Wax Worms, Giant RGI
More EO
Mealworms and Much More!
A
G
Meat
than the New GeorgiaCrickets.com
Banded Cricket. 234 PET-FOOD C
R
I C K E T
S
& W
E s Z
common packaged hays youll find, and

should be offered to pet tortoises on
a daily basis. Its important to buy hay Go to
specifically sold for pets, because hay
obtained from other sources may have
been sprayed with harmful chemicals to
control weeds and pests.
Fruits & Veggies

Herps that eat only fruits and vegetables
are easy to feed, as long as you dont
mind keeping a fresh supply of their
for the very latest
favorite foods on hand. The type of fresh
food you give your herp will depend on
herp news.
species and personal preference.
Because herps need calcium, vege-
tables high in this mineral are a good
choice for most. Collard greens, dan- The easy,
delion greens, endive, mustard greens,
okra, turnip greens and watercress are
good for most vegetarian and omniv-

orous herps. Other nutritious veggies
include kale, squash, beets, bell peppers,

broccoli, green beans, carrots, parsley
and cucumbers.

Vegetarian herps also appreciate oc-
casional fruit in their diet, although its

important not to overdo it. Apples, ba-
nanas, blackberries, blueberries, grapes,
honeydew melon, mango, peaches, ^Z
pears, raspberries and strawberries
^^
B7/SHUTTERSTOCK
make great treats, but can be high in

sugar, which isnt healthy for your herp. y>>Ed ^ Z
Feeding fruits in small amounts as a We ship within the U.S. and Puerto Rico
once-in-a-while treat is the best way to

offer them. Need live feeders? Order at GeorgiaCrickets.com or PremiumCrickets.com.

Be sure to remove any
uneaten pellets from
aquatic turtle enclosures
quickly, to help keep the
water clean.
Left: Fruit is best served as an occasional

treat for tortoises, as too much can lead
to digestive tract upset.
Grassland and desert tortoises cant

tolerate too much fruit without diges-
tive upset, while forest species like
the red-footed tortoise and the Asian
forest tortoise, can have more fruit in
their diets. When giving fruit to grass-
land and desert tortoises, be judicious
in the amounts you offer. It should only
be offered in small quantities once or
twice a week at the most.
The veggies and fruit you offer to
SERGEY RYZHOF, JANE RIX, PHOTO FUN, MKMAKINGPHOTOS/SHUTTERSTOCK

your herp should be organically grown
to avoid introducing toxic chemicals
into your pets system. Its easy to find
organically grown vegetables and fruit
these days. Most regular supermarkets
carry at least some organic produce,
and health food markets make a point
of offering customers a variety of or-
ganic products, including fresh foods.
All vegetables and fruits should be
thoroughly washed before offering them
to your pets. They should also be cut
up in small pieces to make it easier to
consume/digest them. Dont forget to re-
move uneaten vegetables and fruit from
terrariums quickly, before they spoil.
Grassland tortoises, such as the Hermanns, A salad comprised of fresh vegetables is
must be given hay to remain healthy. It relished by many vegetarian and omnivo- Vitamins & Minerals
should comprise the majority of their diet. rous herps, especially tortoises. In the wild, pet herps would have

access to a wide assortment of foods.
In captivity, many are limited in what
they eat, which means they may not be
getting all the vitamins and minerals
their bodies require. This is where sup-
plementation comes in. To keep your
herp healthy, youll need to provide
the vitamins and minerals that may be
missing from its diet.
Herp nutrition is a complicated
subject, and not all experts agree on
exactly how herps should be supple-
mented when it comes to vitamins
and minerals. One area experts do
agree on is that calcium, phosphorus,
magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin
A are particularly important compo-
nents of a herps diet. Balancing these
nutrients can be tricky, and because
not much independent research has
been done on the subject of herp nu-
trition, most of what we know on this
subject has been obtained through
herp keepers experiences.
Many herp experts recommend
providing extra calcium to your pet,
usually by adding a calcium supple-
Want to
ment to its food. You can do this by
dusting your herps food with calcium read more
powder, gut-loading feeder insects
with calcium-rich foods, providing
cuttlebone your pet can eat at will
articles?
(usually sold in pet stores for use
with pet birds), or adding a calcium
supplement to your herps drinking Visit ReptilesMagazine.com
water. A good calcium supplement
will also contain vitamin D3, needed
for your herp to be able to metabolize
the calcium.
When supplementing your herps
diet with vitamins and minerals, its
important to follow the supplement
manufacturers instructions carefully.
Read the label, and do not over-supple-
ment. Too much of certain vitamins and
minerals can be harmful to your pet.
Learn as much as you can about the

natural diet of your particular pet herp
species, and follow these guidelines to
provide as close to that natural diet as
you can. By providing a healthy diet,
youll be helping to provide your pet
with a longer and happier life. REPTILES
AUDREY PAVIA is an award-winning freelance writer specializing in

animal subjects. She has kept several species of herps and is the author
of The Gecko: An Owners Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet (Howell
Book House). She lives in Norco, Calif.

A veteran herper reveals favorite U.S.
herping hotspots from east to west.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY BILL LOVE
eeping herps in cages has become a hugely popular hobby, largely because it
lets hobbyists enjoy a closeness to nature that many find little time to enjoy
in their modern lives. Yet for some, itll never be a substitute for getting out
into nature to observe it wild and woolly.
My youth was spent chasing wild herps, a trend I see slowly becoming less
and less of a beginning for the growing legions of enthusiasts today. Ill always
feel that those whose first pets originate in deli cups or cages miss a valuable
basic ingredient of the passion that drew them to herps in the first place.
Toward that end, this article will reveal some of my favorite places in the
U.S. to encounter wild herps for the sheer fun of it.
Before we get to it, Im compelled to add a footnote: With all the
healthy, captive-bred herps available today at cheap prices, theres
little need to catch wild ones for spur-of-the-moment pets. More
people today are enjoying the art of remembering their finds via
the photos they snap. The thrill of the hunt is still captured, and
the joy of knowing that the creatures we encountered are still
roaming free is the icing on the cake. And anyone who can
afford a decent camera and connection to the internet can
share their photos widely like never before. But before you
do, theres four important factors to keep in mind.
Dont provide too much information. Dont publish
descriptions of your hotspots on social media if you
wish to revisit them again someday and see herps
there. Its bad field-herping etiquette to describe
exact locales in too much detail.

The dry season (generally winter) is
the best time to explore Big Cypress
Swamp in extreme southern Florida
because herps gather at the remaining
water holes in abundance.

Search for mud snakes
(Farancia abacura) along the
canals off Alligator Alley in
Florida. The red coloration
serves as a warning, used to
trick predators into leaving
this harmless species alone.
As exc ting as it
is to share great spots where you may
have seen an abundance of herps with
relative ease, trust me, your spot wont
stay so wonderful and pristine if you
reveal it to the world. Humanity will all
too often make a beeline to your sacred
place, scaring away the wildlife, leaving
trash, shooting or taking the animals
away, and generally ruining it. Its simply
an unavoidable consequence of our
overcrowded planet and shrinking
natural areas accessible to the public, or
existing at all in many cases.
The appearance of water snakes of the genus Nerodia varies widely where they occur There are no formal guidelines
mostly near water across the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. about how precise the information you
share should be. My personal ethics on
the subject advise never getting more
Garter snakes (Thamnophis) are the quintessential detailed than describing a mountain
first snake seen in the spring after they emerge from
hibernation in the northern half of the U.S. This bluish range or a road. If you narrow it down
specimen from southern Florida is active year-round. any further, say to any particular canyon
or streambed, or to a special stretch of a
highway on which to road-cruise, youre
inviting rapid degradation. Provide some
basics, but leave it to those following in
your footsteps to discover the particulars
for themselves.
Get permission from land owners.
Dont trespass while field herping. Al-
ways seek permission to enter private
property.
Pull all the way over. With increased
tightening up of access to private prop-
erty, road hunting may actually become
a more popular alternative that at least
keeps you on public land. The trick is to
find less-traveled roads passing through

good herp country where traffic wont
squash the animals you hope to see
alive. If you see a herp while road cruis-
ing and want to stop to observe it, pull
completely off the pavement so as not
to impede the flow of traffic. Sunday
Obtain a license if necessary. Some April 23
states (like Arizona) require you to ob-
tain a hunting license even if youre only DP SP
seeking herps to look at or photograph,
and even outside of parks and reserves.
198 Central Ave,
Nothing like discouraging nature tour-
White Plains, NY
ism, but its the way the law is written in
certain places, like it or not.
Now, lets visit the U.S. hotspots
that have provided me with my best Now 2 rooms with 250+ vendor tables
field-herping memories!
Florida $10
Floridas Everglades is still one of the $5
snakiest places of all! Alligator Alley (State
Road 84) traverses the Glades between
Ft. Lauderdale and Naples. There are
numerous places to stop along the way,
at waterway crossings where you can get
out and stretch your legs. Sunday
Where possible, get down next to the June 25
canals and slowly trudge along, peering
into the weeds looking for several kinds DP SP
of water snakes that are common there. Radisson Hotel
Banded water snakes (Nerodia fasciata) Expo Center
and Florida green water snakes (N. flori- 700 Elm St
dana) abound, with brown water snakes Manchester, NH
Now Even Bigger!
(N. taxispilota) a distant third. Most will 150+ vendor tables
be near the surface prowling through
the greenery seeking frogs and fish,
though only portions of their bodies, or
maybe just their heads, may be visible.
Move quietly and keep a low profile to
avoid scaring them into hiding.
Other species, such as garters and
ribbon snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis and T.
sauritus), mud snakes (Farancia abacura),
two swamp snakes, Liodytes pygaea and
L. alleni, occasional yellow rat snakes
(Pantherophis obsoletus) and rough
green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus) may Always
research
be found in these environs.
A half-dozen aquatic turtle species
may also forage in the weed-choked edge
zones of Florida canals. But tread cautious-
an animal
ly because water moccasins (Agkistrodon
piscivorus) and alligators (Alligator missis-
first before
sippiensis) are also hunting there either
a bonus or a deal breaker depending on
bringing
your sense of adventure. it home.
If youre going to southern Florida to
herp, dont ignore Big Cypress Swamp,

You can spend an entire day slowly cruising
the unpaved roads crisscrossing the vast
pine forests of Floridas Apalachicola
National Forest and see herps and other
wildlife of every description.
In New Jersey, treefrogs such as this Pine

Barrens treefrog (Hyla andersoni) are fre-
quently found by tracking them down by
their calls at the edges of temporary rain
puddles, where they prefer to breed.
the drier, woodsier part of the Glades

to the west of the vast wet sawgrass Warm summer rains bring box turtles (Terrapene) onto roads, where they may resemble
prairies. Besides all the water-loving stones on the blacktop.
species that may be seen in the many
canals lining the roads, the cypress and snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), eastern carolina bauri) are still reasonably abun-
pine forests are home to a host of other diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus dant there, too, and if youre really lucky, a
herps. Relatively few roads allow access, adamanteus), scarlet kingsnakes (Lampro- panther may grant you a brief glimpse.
but those that do can be driven day or peltis elapsoides) and indigos (Drymarchon Large-scale agriculture of citrus,
night in search of productive areas. couperi) with semi-regularity both on and vegetables and sugar cane dominates
In Big Cypress Swamp, Ive found corn off the roads. Florida box turtles (Terrapene much of the inland realms of lower

Florida. Abundant food ends up on the
ground, and canals of all widths border
most ag fields to keep the water drained
during the rainy times and irrigated
when its dry. Its the perfect combina-
tion to spawn rodents that also burrow
into the ditch banks for shelter in places
that are not disturbed by pickers and
the movement of big equipment. These
waterways become densely overgrown
with vegetation and provide ideal cor-
ridors for rodent-eating snakes that are
prowling for a feast.
Theres a problem with wandering
into ag lands to seek snakes, though.
Farmers dont want herpers in there,
and most of the good old places are
now fenced off. Their reasons are valid
liability worries if you get hurt, fear
of disturbing or theft of property, the
spread of crop diseases, etc. Plus, farmers
may also desire to encourage snakes
that eat ag pests to remain on their
lands, and they dont want them being
bothered. This is why its essential to
secure permission to enter such places Meet other
before trespassing. enthusiasts
Having lived and herped in Florida
for four decades, I need to mention one or research new
more fave area before I overdo it on any
one state. Give the Florida panhandle
herps by
a look specifically the Apalachicola attending a
National Forest that spans Franklin and
Liberty counties. A network of unpaved
reptile expo.
roads crisscrosses this huge tract of
relatively unspoiled land, allowing access
to within about five miles of nearly all of
it. The roads themselves can be driven all FIND LISTINGS ON PAGE 60.
day without repeating any, giving you a
taste of diverse habitats while keeping
your eyes peeled for whatever living herps
might be spotted. Tracks in the sand can
also be seen fairly easily, leading to further
exploration on foot to find the creatures Have you
that left them as a tantalizing clue.
Midwest
bookmarked
Heading northward, the bluffs along
the mighty Mississippi River are havens
and hibernacula for a rich array of
snakes north of approximately St. Louis,
especially during a couple weeks when
mass emergences and returns take
place. Snakes are creatures of habit that
seek their favorite denning places and
yet?
can be observed in numbers when the
mass migrations occur in the weeks
Do it now!
surrounding mid-April in spring and

Rat snakes in the northeastern U.S. are edges and under debris can yield amaz-
usually solid black and range over all
habitat types, including spending time in ing results during the warmer months.
trees and structures where rats abound. As usual, be sure to obtain permission to
enter private land beforehand because
again in late September in the fall. Many those fields owners have the same con-
of the popular spots are now protected cerns as the folks down in Florida.
from exploitation to protect the snakes Rock-strewn hillsides in eastern
when theyre vulnerable while on the Kansas have been a herping mecca for
move. Visiting to simply walk, observe, me on hot sunny days while flipping
and photograph, however, is fine and semi-embedded rocks to reveal hidden
even encouraged. speckled (Lampropeltis getula holbrooki)
The fertile floodplains between the and prairie (L. calligaster) kingsnakes
cliffs and the river are heavily used for and collies (collared lizards, Crotaphy-
agriculture, but its also where the snakes tus collaris) in rapid-fire succession.
head for the summer. They are more scat- Grasslands, despite their blas looks,
tered then, and require a little more work harbor a rich assortment of species
to find, but seeking them out along field because grasses provide superb grazing
for rodents. The hills I herped didnt
look like ideal snake habitat, but they
Lizards love habitat like this boulder-strewn desert east of San Diego, Calif. surprised me with the abundance of
They dive into crevices quickly, so be ready to snap photos the moment
you first spot them. encounters theyve yielded.
New Jersey
Another up north region where you
can spend endless hours exploring for
herps is the Pine Barrens of southern
New Jersey. This vast area of pine forest
and marshes is accessible by many
sandy tracks. Some lead to long-forgot-
ten structures, abandoned agricultural
plots or hidden dump sites that offer
shelter to herps. Other paths take you
to bogs, ponds and streams that would
never be suspected of existing if you
never strayed from the paved highways.
Most of these roads are drivable with
a normal car, but bring a winch in case
you get stuck.
The prize to see in the Barrens is
the big northern pine snake (Pituophis
melanoleucus), a day-active species that
The bull or gopher snake can exceed 6 feet in length. Eastern
(Pituophis catenifer) is very
abundant in a multitude of chain kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula)
variations and races west of reach the northern limits of their range
the Mississippi River. here, and black rat snakes (Pantherophis
obsoletus) and timber rattlesnakes
(Crotalus horridus) can also be found in
isolated areas.
Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina)
are frequent lumps in the roads that are
always a delight to come upon. Follow
them as they cross and maybe youll be
lucky enough to witness them finding a
patch of black- or blueberries to gorge
upon. Delicate Pine Barrens treefrogs
(Hyla andersoni) and other anuran species
can be seen and heard calling from stand-
ing water after summer downpours.

Texas
There are oodles of great places to herp
in Texas, but there are two regions I con-
sider standouts: the mesquite prairies
of the southern arm of the state, and
the huge Trans-Pecos covering a sizable
area from about the town of Del Rio on
the Rio Grande River across to Big Bend
HUNGRY
National Park and beyond.
Both of these areas that hug Mexico
have a huge diversity of species. For
sheer numbers of snake encounters on
roads at night, Id say the southern area
between San Antonio and Brownsville
FOR THE
offers the best road-cruising. Western di-
amondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox)
will comprise about 90 percent of the NEXT
ISSUE?
serpents you will find crossing the roads,
but if you put in the time, you may be
rewarded with sightings of Mexican and
Big Bend milk snakes (Lampropeltis trian-
gulum), Emorys rat snakes (Pantherophis
emoryi), bull snakes (Pituophis melano-
leucus sayi), desert kingsnakes (L. getula
splendida), and western hognose snakes
(Heterodon nasicus). Most of the land out
there is private and fenced, so securing
permission to wander off the roads can
be problematic, except in parks.
West of the Pecos River the country-
side opens up with sparser vegetation
and rocky terrain. The Bairds rat snake
(P. bairdi) begins to replace the common
Texas rat snake (P. obsoletus lindheimeri)
of central Texas, and rock, prairie and
blacktail rattlesnakes (C. lepidus, C. viridis
and C. ornatus) largely, but not entirely,
replace the western diamondbacks.
One beautiful snake above all others
has become synonymous with herping
in this region of Texas: the gray-banded
kingsnake (L. alterna). Searching for it
at night along ridges where layers of
rock are exposed has been the tried-
and-true method of finding this species
for decades. The easiest places to hunt
for it are where roadways cut through
the hills. Be sure you have your Texas
hunting license on you, and also wear a SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
reflective vest if youll be close to roads
while walking with flashlights.
REPTILESMAGAZINE.COM/SUBSCRIBE
Arizona
Road-cruising works well on quiet roads, 800-876-9112
but the gorgeous scenery in the deserts
and mountains makes it a joy to explore
on foot for maximum coverage of Arizo-
na habitat. Little can compare to walking

The rattlesnake most commonly
encountered has got to be the
western diamondback (Crotalus
atrox). Use a long lens to
photograph this
magnificent but
dangerous herp
from at least
five feet away.
In Arizonas Sky Islands,

look for the gorgeous
mountain kingsnake
(Lampropeltis pyromela-
na) near ravines where
water runs intermittently.
Arizonas Sky Islands are
mountain ranges with forests
on top that are home to rarer
herps that are adapted to life Two times of year are the best for some degree, but the speckled rattlesnake
there, between the deserts. herping in Arizona: April through May, (Crotalus mitchellii) is the champ when it
and mid-July to mid-September.The comes to variations from range to range.
spring window is good for herps that Just from their northern extreme near
are out seeking mates.Youll find a high Las Vegas, Nev., to the Mexican border
ratio of males, but they tend to be the near Yuma, Ariz., you can find speckled
bigger, prettier specimens, and thats rattlesnakes exhibiting colors that are
good if youre planning to take photos. predominately red, orange, pink, tan, light
April through May is also the absolute blue, gray and white.Its fascinating to walk
best time to find Arizonas iconic lizard, along stony hillsides, studying the terrain,
the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), and finally coming upon one in plain view
when its most active above ground. as it mimics the color and pattern of the
Avoid June, which is the hottest, driest, rock, leaving it virtually invisible.
most miserable time to be in Arizona.You
can still find herps, but with more effort California
because they head for the not the hills, Theres such a huge diversity of habitats
the holes down deep to avoid the heat. across this one state, but my favorite plac-
If youre herping Arizona in June, plan es to go herping in California are in the
on doing so at night, sometimes after low, dry desert and cooler montane areas.
midnight when its cooled down enough One night in early October, while driv-
for herps to be on the move. ing through Anza-Borrego Desert State
Also, being in the desert during the Park in southern California, rates as one
first few downpours of the year (mon- of the most herp-intense, five-hour pe-
soon season begins in mid-July) can riods of my life. I must have about wore
One of the easiest herps to find in the result in phenomenal herping.There are out a set of brakes due to stopping for
drier parts of the southwestern U.S. is
the banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus). few sights more astounding than the so many exotic (I was living in Florida
Look for it under rocks and debris, and on gathering of gazillions of amphibians in at the time) snakes and lizards that were
roads at night. flooded low spots and road swales, when gracing the pavement after dark.
everything from jewel-beautiful Sonoran Newborn sidewinder rattlesnakes
a rocky dry wash festooned with holes green toads (Anaxyrus retiformis) to (Crotalus cerastes) top the list of snake
and crevices, peering into each with fist-sized desert toads (Incilius varius) are sightings that night; I saw more than
the aid of a small flashlight or mirror to jostling to take advantage of the rain. two dozen coiled on the road, looking
redirect the sun. When my light lands on One of my greatest joys in Arizona like white silver dollars while warming
scales or an inquisitive tongue flicking (where I live), as well as much of the rest their bellies. Red diamond rattlers (C.
at me from the depths, I have no doubt of the southwest, is seeing the variation ruber) were abundant, too (I saw nine),
that the adrenalin rush I get is every bit across some species in each island of and juvenile glossy (Arizona elegans) and
as transfixing as any hunters when he mountains. The mountain kingsnake (Lam- gopher (Pituophis catenifer) snakes fell
sights his quarry. propeltis pyromelana) follows this trend to somewhere in between, numbers-wise.

But what I saw most were banded geck- A charming little find in the northwest
and mountainous parts of California
os (Coleonyx variegatus); there must have is the petite rubber boa (Charina bot-
been one every 1,000 feet along County tae). It is most active at night, even in
Road S-2 that winds through the park! cool temperatures when most snakes
are not moving.
Although technically desert, the palm
canyons near the city of Palm Springs are
lush ribbons of boulders and foliage of-
fering a retreat from the heat for plenty
of herps. Trails allow easy access to some,
so be prepared to encounter plenty of
tourists, too. Dont despair about that,
though, as their presence has resulted in
normally shy lizards, such as the chuck-
walla (Sauromelas ater) and banded
rock lizard (Petrosaurus mearnsi), both of
which usually dive into under rocks, be-
coming accustomed to the presence of
humans and not being as prone to flee.
During the day, California treefrogs
(Hyla cadaverina) may be seen sleeping
in rock crevices near a flowing stream.
When I saw them, they blended in so
well, looking like bumps on the rocks,
that it took some careful eyeballing for
irregularities to spot them.
The pine forests at higher elevations
in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Sierra
Nevada will take you into a whole other
herping world, where species that have
adapted to the cooler temperatures can
be found on the crawl during nights
when the mercury dips into the low 60s
during the summer. I was amazed that Alligator lizards of the genus Elgaria
snakes were active in what seemed to can be found in many montane hab-
itats all over the extreme southwest-
me to be too-cool temps. ern U.S. If you attempt to catch one,
By day, species such as the Califor- prepare to be nipped.
nia mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis
zonata) and rubber boa (Charina bottae)
could be discovered beneath rocks in
the sun, and alligator lizards (Elgaria
coerulea) had adapted to hiding under
the trash people had left behind.
The U.S. has so much to offer to

the field-herping enthusiast. I grew up
herping everywhere I could possibly
give it a try. The places Ive shared here
are very general I obey the previously
mentioned etiquette of not getting too
specific about my herping places but
they will hopefully pique your curiosity
while steering you in a direction that Old, abandoned struc-
tures usually sit on land
leads you to discover many hotspots on with boards and tin laying
your own. REPTILES around, and sometimes rat
snakes are in the roofs. Al-
ways get permission before
BILL LOVE photographs herps in nature, writes and lectures. He assists exploring such places on
his wife, Kathy, with her business, CornUtopia, and via his company,
private property.
Blue Chameleon Ventures, lectures to herp groups and photographs
private collections.

REPTILES4ALL/SHUTTERSTOCK
The eyelash
viper (Bothriechis
schlegelii) exhibits
an assortment of
colors, including
this particularly
spectacular bright
yellow form.

A look at the pit vipers.
BY PETER LINDSEY
I
n part one of this article, I discussed the true vipers of
the subfamily Viperinae. This issue, I will concentrate on
the other main branch of the family Viperidae, the pit
vipers that make up the subfamily Crotalinae. For many
years, these two groups were considered to be separate
families, but they are now normally considered to be in
the same one.
Pit vipers, unlike their true viper cousins, are found in both
Eurasia and the Americas. There are currently about 18 genera
and 151 species of pit vipers recognized worldwide. Within this
group, there is much diversity in sizes, habitats, lifestyles and
reproductive strategies represented. Pit vipers range in size from
the neotropical bushmaster (Lachesis) that can reach 10 feet or
more, to the little hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale) of South
Asia that may be only a little over a foot long as an adult.
Pit vipers inhabit a wide variety of habitats, from the steaming
lowland jungles of South America and southeast Asia to the cool
highlands of the Himalayas and the sandy deserts of the Amer-
Part 1 of this article appeared in the ican southwest. Although the majority of species are oviparous,
March/April 2017 issue of REPTILES. giving birth to living young, several others are egg layers.

Pits and Prey
Differentiating them from the other
members of the Viperidae, the pit
vipers share a unique characteristic in
the paired heat-sensing organs on their
faces the pits by which they get
their collective name. These are located
between the eye and the nostril, and
are extremely useful in searching for
the warm-blooded prey that comprises
cies. The pit con-
Mocassins,
including the an outer chamber
cottonmouth brane. Although
(Agkistrodon nsing ability is
piscivorus ssp.), are
among the least to temperature
evolved pit vipers, d aids in directing
and therefore somewhat similar
likely one of the
forms closest to the by many species
ancestral pit vipers. although their
ed along the
ion of heat-sens-
veloped fangs
makes the pit
e most advanced
of the venomous
ndicates that they
the most evolved
s well.
Although the
ajority of pit
ers feed mainly
rm-blooded prey,
he smaller forms
The genus name Lachesis is after one of the Three Fates of
Greek mythology the one who cut the thread that measures the length of human life. This is a frog feeders, and
Central American bushmaster (Lachesis stenophrys). the j veni es of larger species fre-
quently take similar foods when small.
Some, such as the North American
For years, there was only one species of copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix
bushmaster, Lachesis muta (pictured), but
up to four species are now recognized. ssp.), also take large numbers of insects
such as cicadas, and a few, such as the
cottonmouths (A. piscivorus ssp.), feed
JASON PATRICK ROSS, SUSAN SCHMITZ, REPTILES4ALL/SHUTTERSTOCK

on nearly anything they can find. In the
main, they share the ambush hunting
strategy of their true viper relatives, pa-
tiently waiting until suitable prey comes
within range and then launching a light-
ning-fast strike and injecting their lethal
venom. Some, such as rattlesnakes, have
been observed apparently purposefully
improving their chosen ambush sites
by pushing aside or flattening intruding
bits of vegetation that might otherwise
obstruct their strike.
Pit Viper Evolution

It is believed that the pit vipers first
appeared in southeast Asia. From there,
they spread into the New World (Earths

western hemisphere) via a now-lost land
connection, as did many other species,
probably including our own ancestors.
Current thinking is that all New World
pit vipers are descended from a single
colonization event, although the poor
representation of snakes in the fossil re-
cord makes it difficult to follow their evo-
lution and dispersal with any certainty.
The least-evolved group that is,
the forms closest to the ancestral pit
vipers are likely the moccasins of
the genera Agkistrodon and Gloydius,
which are found, respectively, in the
Americas and Asia. In the New World,
they are represented by the copper-
heads, cottonmouths and cantil (A.
bilineatus), and in the Old World by
the mamushis (G. blomhoffii ssp.). All
are small to medium sized (only the
cottonmouth exceeds 4 feet in length) Its possible that more human deaths result from bushmaster bites than from any other
type of snake within its range, even though other snakes account for a greater number of
and relatively unspecialized, being envenomations overall.
found in a variety of habitat types.
On the other hand, some of the most
advanced pit vipers are the rattlesnakes
of the genera Sistrurus and Crotalus, which
are exclusively New World forms.Rattle-
snakes seem to have evolved in what is
now Mexico, and from there spread out
in a mostly northerly direction, eventually
reaching most parts of North America
and also down into South America.Today,
rattlesnakes are the most widespread
and abundant venomous snakes in North
America, with more than 60 species and
subspecies currently recognized.
It is interesting that pit viper Some herpetologists consider the Central American lancehead (Bothrops asper, also
known as the terciopelo) as the ultimate pit viper.
evolution in the Old and New Worlds
seems to be quite convergent in many Both genera have been greatly reduced thread that measures the length of a
respects. On each continent, there in size by the removal of many species human life the bushmaster has long
have evolved groups of snakes that formerly included within them to sepa- been the subject of intense interest and
fall into three distinct categories: a rate genera. not a little fear. Rarely encountered, and
large but somewhat slender terrestrial The pit vipers are an amazingly even more rarely studied or kept in cap-
group with large heads and long fangs, diverse and fascinating group of snakes tivity, this largest of the vipers exudes an
including the New World lanceheads that are well worth investigating in aura of unequaled mystery and danger.
of the genus Bothrops and the Old more detail.Their variety of forms and For years, only one species, Lachesis
BILL LOVE; GUALBERTO BECERRA/SHUTTERSTOCK
World habus (Protobothrops); a short, adaptations provide us with a wealth of muta, was recognized, but now three
thick-bodied group, such as the jump- interesting opportunities to learn about (perhaps four) species are recognized:
ing vipers (Atropoides) and the hemi-ha- how nature works and marvel at how the South American bushmaster (L.
bus (Ovophis); and a prehensile-tailed well an animal can accommodate itself muta), found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru,
arboreal group typified by the palm to its environment. Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam,
and bamboo vipers such as Bothrechis Now lets examine a few of my favor- Brazil, French Guiana and Trinidad;
and Cryptolytrops. So similar are these ite pit vipers in a bit more detail. the Central American bushmaster (L.
groups that many herpetologists long stenophrys) in Costa Rica, Panama and
considered them all to belong to the Bushmaster (Lachesis spp.) Nicaragua, and into Colombia and
same genus, although they were more Named for Lachesis, one of the Three Ecuador; and the black-headed bush-
often separated into Bothrops in the Fates of classic Greek mythology master (L. melanocephala), found only
New World and Trimeresurus in the Old. she who was tasked with snipping the in Costa Rica. A possible fourth species,

around a dozen eggs are deposited
at a time, frequently in an abandoned
rodent or armadillo burrow. Hatchlings
are normally about 12 inches in length
and are more brightly colored versions of
the adults. Unlike wild-collected adults,
which are notorious for refusing to feed
in captivity, babies normally take mice
readily and thrive.
The bushmaster is a creature of
lowland jungles and areas with a sub-
stantial amount of human disturbance
or settlement are unlikely to retain
bushmasters for long. Even in pristine
areas the bushmaster is a difficult snake
to find, due either to a low population
density compared to many other species
or to its habit of spending considerable
Japans Amami islands, time underground in burrows or hidden
home to the Okinawan habu inside other cover.
(Protobothrops flavoviridis), may
experience more snakebites per Fortunately, bushmaster bites to
year than anywhere else. humans are a rare occurrence.The com-
bination of sheer size, large fangs, potent
venom and the usually remote locations
from western Panama and northwestern er than the more slender bushmaster. of reported bites makes for a highly
Colombia and Ecuador, is the Chochoan Bushmaster scales are extremely rough dangerous situation should a person be
bushmaster (L. acrochorda). in texture and give the animals a knobby bitten. Although other snake species ac-
The larg st ushma ters an g ow to l ok T e groun col r is normally red ou t f r a m re en noma i ns n t
BILL LOVE; GUALBERTO BECERRA/SHUTTERSTOCK
Although Bothrops asper is usually referred to

in the U.S. as the fer-de-lance, that name is more
correctly applied to this snake, B. lanceolatus.

pits. Bothrops aspe
of this group, poss
has a number of tr
being called the u
some herpetologis
Female Central
grow much larger
times reaching len
more than 8 feet, w
males normally are
feet at the most. A
female may weigh
as much as 13 pou
The species has a
very pronounced
angular head on a
slender neck, and
entire snake can a
deceptively small w
tight resting coil. W Moreso than any other pit viper,
captive breeding of eyelash vipers
move with amazing speed. Normally, B. has resulted in more color variants
asper will attempt to flee from danger, being available.
but sometimes will reverse back toward
its tormentor to launch long and savage
strikes. Having handled thousands of I remember searching carefully around is much lower.That said, lanceheads
venomous snakes in my career, I consider the ruins of an abandoned sugar mill in probably kill more people yearly than
this snake one of the most difficult types Guatemala years ago, and finding 14 of any other New World snakes.
to work with safely a large, annoyed B. them in about an hour.The vast majority
asper is an awesome sight to behold and were neonates, most of which were lying Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis
well deserving of respect. along the stalks of palmetto, head down- schlegelii)
The terciopelo is found from southward at almost exactly crotch height One of several species of palm vipers,
ern Mexico through nearly all of Central while they waited for a lizard or frog to B. schlegelii is named in honor of the
America, including Belize, Guatemala, come up the stalk.This was something German zoologist Hermann Schlegel.
Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Nica- that was always on our minds afterward The species gets its most common name,
ragua. Its range also extends into South whenever we had to enter such growth! eyelash viper, from the raised scales
America in Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela When you realize that a large female can above each eye that give the appear-
and northern Peru, and it is common easily birth 60 or 70 offspring, you begin ance of lashes. It is thought that these
on Trinidad.Throughout much of the to understand why so many babies can scales may aid in breaking up the snakes
rest of South America is found the very be found in a small area. outline as it lies coiled among foliage.
similar B. atrox, which for many years was Normally these snakes inhabit low- The eyelash is a smallish pit viper
considered to be either the same snake land areas, although they can be found with a maximum size of about 2 feet.
or a subspecies. at higher altitudes up into premontane It is an arboreal species that exhibits
In addition to B. asper and B. atrox, and cloud forest.They are frequently a bewildering variety of colors and
South America is home to a number of found around human dwellings and ag- patterns.The most common in the wild
species of relatively similar lanceheaded ricultural areas where there is an abun- features a ground color of some shade
vipers, most of which would be difficult dance of rodent prey and ample shelter of green with reddish blotches. Another
to tell apart unless one was a specialist in the form of leaf and rubbish piles. phase that is frequently seen is a bright,
in the group. Although some of these Normally they are not seen during the solid yellow snake. Captive breeding has
snakes are much smaller, such as B. day unless their refuge is disturbed in intensified and multiplied the variety of
erythromelas, which has a maximum size some fashion, but they are nearly always eyelash viper variants, and this species
of less than 3 feet, most of them are fairly there and bites are not uncommon.
REPTILES4ALL/SHUTTERSTOCK
is one of the few venomous snakes that

large, boldly patterned, terrestrial species The venom of B. asper often produces might be said to be available in a variety
with potent venom and a generally horrific tissue destruction and frequently of morphs.
irascible temperament.Together, they results in mutilation or limb loss. Before Eyelash vipers are found from south-
account for the vast majority of snake- the development of modern antivenom ern Mexico down through most of Cen-
bites in Central and South America. deaths were frequent. Now, although tral America and into South America in
Central American lanceheads can bites are still extremely serious, the hu- Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru.
be amazingly common in some places. man mortality rate resulting from them They inhabit low-altitude forests, where

while human
sfigurement.
found in
d building
s. Mostly
ter dwell-
, and human
. In fact,
ve one of
e highest,
ite known
h fatalities
n habu has
figuring
bility result-
During the
tails while gripping prey i their mouths. they a e, ba y e lash vipe s ar ca bl .S. n sion o k nawa in orld War II,
Juvenile specimens feed mainly on small of feeding on small pink mice at birth there were numerous accidents involv-
lizards and frogs and are frequently and can usually be induced to take them ing these snakes, although I have not
seen waving the tips of their tails in a through gentle tease-feeding. With my found any record of fatalities.
behavior known as caudal luring. They experience raising baby arboreal vipers, The habu is another egg layer. The
do this in the hope of enticing a meal eyelash vipers have always been one of female deposits a clutch, usually num-
within striking range. This behavior is the easiest species to rear. bering 10 to 18 eggs, in the mid summer
fairly widespread among the pit vipers, following early spring mating. The babies
with many species displaying a bright or Okinawan Habu are 10-inch-long (approximately) minia-
light-colored tail tip to better simulate a 3URWRERWKURSVDYRYLULGLV tures of the adults.
small worm or caterpillar. The Okinawan habu is the largest of the Protobothrops flavoviridis are sim-
Although fatalities have been known Asian pit vipers. The biggest specimens ilar in appearance to the New World
to occur, the bite of an eyelash viper may attain a length of more than 7 feet, lanceheaded vipers such as the tercie-
PAUL FREED; ERIC ISSELEE/SHUTTERSTOCK
is not normally deadly, but its venom although most adults are 4 or 5 feet long. pelo, although they are more slender.
can cause significant amounts of tissue It is a very slender snake with a large The ones I have maintained were quite
destruction. These snakes are frequently head and distinct eyes. The ground color nervous and agile, and were capable
encountered in agricultural areas such as is brownish or sometimes olive overlaid of making incredibly long and sudden
banana plantations, and they have been with darker blotches edged in yellow. strikes. When annoyed, they vibrate their
known to make their way to the U.S. and The underside is whitish with darker tail tips vigorously. They have very large
Europe stowed away in banana bunches. coloration along the sides. and nearly straight fangs that are quite
The difficulty of spotting these well-cam- Habus are found on the Ryukyu imposing in appearance.
ouflaged pit vipers in their daytime and Amami islands of Japan. They As far as I know, the Okinawan habu
hiding spots makes an accident much occur on most of the volcanic islands has never bred in captivity in the U.S.,
more likely. Fortunately, the eyelash of these chains, but not on the smaller although I have heard of it being repro-

duced in Japan. On its native islands, shadow of what this snake could attain parents and are large enough at birth
habus are collected extensively, mostly given the time and room to grow. to prey on mice. The offspring fall victim
for use in the preparation of a liquor The ground color of C. adamanteus to a host of predators, but as they grow,
known as awamori or habu sake, which is usually greenish or brownish over- these fall away one by one until, as an
is alleged to have medicinal properties. laid with darker brown or black dia- adult, the eastern diamondback has
mond-shaped rhombs, each of which is little to fear from anything other than
Eastern Diamondback outlined with yellow scales. The rhombic alligators, indigo snakes and, most
Rattlesnake (Crotalus ada- markings normally have lighter centers. important of all, humans.
manteus) There is a dark postocular stripe running Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes
The largest of the rattlesnakes, the from the eye down to the lips, and the have been persecuted by people since
eastern diamondback inhabits the tail is ringed with dark bands. The under- time immemorial. Untold numbers
piney lowlands of the southeastern U.S. side is white, possibly greenish, with dark of them have been bludgeoned, shot
from North Carolina southward to the markings on the edges of the ventrals. or beheaded due to human hatred
Florida Keys and westward along the Eastern diamondbacks normally and fear. In addition, thousands more
Gulf of Mexico through Alabama and inhabit low-lying sandy areas where the have been killed for their meat, skin
Mississippi. Its range once extended into ground is well drained and dry. They or venom, until areas that were once
the western parishes of Louisiana, but it frequently are found in gopher tortoise home to thriving populations of eastern
has not been seen there for some time habitat and use the tortoises burrows diamondbacks are now mostly devoid
and is likely extirpated from that state. It for shelter and hibernacula during of rattlesnakes. Most harmful of all has
inhabits quite a narrow band of territory, cold weather. Another favorite haunt is been mankinds unending need to
nowhere ranging much more than 100 beneath the fans of the saw palmetto, wrench away the snakes habitat for
miles from saltwater. which covers large swathes of eastern tree farms, cotton fields, housing and
In my opinion, the eastern diamond- diamondback habitat. Although they highways. A snake that is exquisitely
back is the most spectacular of North usually favor higher areas, these rattle- adapted for life in the piney woods
American snakes. Until you have seen snakes swim well, and it is not unusual has little chance of contending with
a large one coiled and ready to defend to find them near water. In fact, they are a paved road it may cross it once,
itself, you really have no idea exactly sometimes seen swimming in the ocean perhaps even twice, but sooner or later
how awe-inspiring a rattlesnake can be. relatively far from shore, and they are that snakes luck will run out. Unfortu-
An adult can easily reach 6 feet in length well established on many coastal islands. nately, as time passes, there will likely
and be as thick as the calf of a mans leg. Adults feed largely on rabbits, but be less and less room left for these
In years past, before roads and suburban a wide variety of other warm-blooded magnificent creatures that ask nothing
sprawl stretched everywhere, eastern di- prey, such as quail, rats and squirrels, more than to be left alone to live out
amondbacks grew even larger, and there are also taken. their lives in peace.
are numerous accounts of 8 footers. Sad- Female eastern diamondbacks give
ly, even 6-foot diamondbacks are now birth to litters of up to 20 babies (ap- I hope you have enjoyed this two-
rare and the majority of adults are nearer proximately) in the late summer or fall. part article about the vipers, and that
the 4-foot mark still impressive, but a The young are miniature replicas of the you are encouraged to seek out addi-
tional sources of knowledge regarding
these snakes. I want to remind everyone
that venomous snakes are extremely
dangerous when approached or han-
dled without an abundance of care and
respect. If you are not thoroughly trained
and experienced in working around
such snakes you are far better off leaving
them alone. Even for those who are
competent in working with them, doing
so demands unending vigilance and
respect for the animals and their capabil-
ities. Luckily, many of these species can
be observed in public collections, and
I encourage readers to enjoy viewing
and learning about these fascinating
creatures in such places. REPTILES
BILL LOVE
PETER LINDSEY was a reptile keeper at the Atlanta Zoo, supervisor of

reptiles at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo, and a keeper at the
Due to human encroachment, there will likely be fewer and fewer eastern diamondbacks Kentucky Reptile Zoo. He is now the curator of live exhibits at the Chir-
encountered in the wild as time goes by. icahua Desert Museum in Rodeo, N.M. (chiricahuadesertmuseum.com).

The Kwangtung river turtle
has had its ups and downs.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY CHRIS LEONE
T
he grea
bizarre
for che
are so
unconv
are a few of the traits fo
such turtles has won th
over-collection, illegal e
devastating effects on t

The attractive red coloration
that male Kwangtung river
turtles exhibit has led
to another common
name for this spe-
cies: red-necked
pond turtle.

While the Kwangtung river turtle can Until they were classified as separate
make a rewarding addition to a turtle species, the Kwangtung river turtle
collection, the species does emit a rather (right) was originally thought to be the
strong musky smell. same turtle as the Reeves turtle (left).
rounded anal notch is noticeable as it

Sadly, like other Asian species, the
Kwangtung river turtle is threatened encompasses the base of the tail.The
with extinction in its native range. dark bridge connecting the carapace
This is an adult female. and plastron on each side features a
large inguinal scute.
The head is large, with an upper jaw
that lacks a notch. The top of the head
and majority of the soft parts of the
body are dark gray to black, but yel-
low stripes and vermiculations extend
downward on the neck. Male M. nigricans
exhibit a beautiful, deep orange to red
color on the chin and neck, resulting
in the turtles other common name of
red-necked pond turtle. This color can
be striking on some specimens and less
vivid on others, but when present, it
intensifies during the breeding season.
Female Kwangtung river turtles can
be distinguished from males by their
With Asia being the largest continent proven to be two different species. Even- larger size, more drab appearance with
on the planet, its extraordinarily disturb- tually, both were moved to the more fewer markings, and a smaller, short-
ing to see what kind of damage has been widely accepted genus of Mauremys. er tail. Females may reach a carapace
done to turtles in such an expansive A rather unpleasant trait that sets the length of up to 10 inches, while males
area. One of these peculiar turtles is no Kwangtung apart from the Reeves and typically remain smaller at between 6
exception to peril, even though it has all other members of the Geoemydidae and 8 inches.
never been on any top 10 lists of the most family is the powerful musk produced Hatchlings exhibit a richly colored
sought after turtles. The Kwangtung river when the turtle is stressed or handled. plastron of red to orange with irregular
turtle (Mauremys nigricans) is threatened The odor is quite surprising and certainly black spots, but this striking coloration
with extinction not only because of illegal exceeds the pungency of the common fades with age.
poaching, but because it inhabits a very musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus). Like Mauremys nigricans was found in a
restricted range. the Reeves, the markings of M. nigricans rather restricted range. In China, it was
are less conspicuous than some of the known in provinces such as Guangdong
Watch Out, They Smell more famously known Asian species. A (formerly Kwangtung) and Guangxi,
For some time, the Kwangtung river tur- dark brown to black carapace features with some unconfirmed reports coming
tle was thought to be the same turtle as a defined central keel with two less-ev- out of Fujian. It was also said to occur
the common Reeves turtle (M. reevesii). ident lateral keels. It is only moderately in northern Vietnam and on the Hainan
At that time, it/they were placed under domed and exhibits marginal scutes that Island, but there is skepticism regarding
the now rarely used genus Chinemys, are not serrated. The plastron is marked these findings, and some believe the
where they remained even after being by asymmetrical dark blotching, and a few turtles that were encountered there

Shell
comparisons
between the
Kwangtung
river turtle (left
may be nothing more than released in both pics)
and Reeves
market animals. turtle.
The Kwangtung river turtle is a
semi-aquatic species that may inhabit
various water sources. Little is known
about its habitat preferences in nature
but some suggest the turtle occupies
streams and pools in mountainous
regions within its range. Calm, mud-bot-
tomed streams and other similar bodies
of water seem to be commonplace for
them and they certainly adapt well to
classic aquatic situations in captivity.
Outdoor Ponds
Despite its critical status in nature, the
Kwangtung river turtle is adaptive and har-
dy under human care. Like most aquatic
turtles, specimens do best outdoors when
weather permits. A pond or water garden
can be designed to fully accommodate can drown easily, especially when night-
them, but they also thrive in stock tanks. time temperatures drop considerably,
These turtles can be aggressive and the sudden cold can cause them
toward one another so ample space is trouble in surfacing for air. Make sure
important to allow each turtle to find that in the event of an unanticipated
its own niche, with the ability to escape cold snap in spring or summer, the tur-
an aggressor. Males, in particular, can be tles will still be able to reach the surface
very antagonistic and will not hesitate to to breathe with ease.
nip the end of another turtles tail or feet. Leaving Kwangtung river turtles out-
Missing nails and stubbed tails are quite An outdoor pond enclosure for the side to experience freezing conditions
authors Kwangtung river turtles. Take
common in captive groups. precautions against predators whenever for prolonged periods could have dev-
A group of up to six adult Kwangtung keeping turtles outdoors. astating effects. Here in southern coastal
river turtles can be comfortably housed New Jersey, we maintain ours outdoors
in an 8 by 16-foot pen, with three-quar- eastern U.S., so the depth of the pond from April until early November. In au-
ters of it being a water area. When is not as important as it would be for tumn, they are removed from their pond
deciding to locate an outdoor enclosure, extremely cold hardy species that may and placed in tubs in our crawlspace
remember that the turtles will require be kept outdoors year round. to spend the winter in a dormant state.
both sun and shade. Kwangtung river A gradually sloped basin of no more The crawlspace maintains temperatures
turtles should not be left outdoors than 12 inches deep will suffice for between 47 and 53 degrees Fahrenheit,
during the winter in parts of the north- Kwangtungs. Although aquatic, they which allows them to rest safely.

Males can be aggressive toward each other
(this is a subadult and adult), so enclosures
housing multiple males should provide
visual barriers and sufficient space.
These turtles do well when kept outside, but they can also be kept indoors in This adult female Kwangtung river turtle
300-gallon Rubbermaid stock tanks or similarly sized enclosures. is searching for a nesting site.
Indoor Tubs
A 300-gallon Rubbermaid stock tank or
similarly sized container is large enough
to house up to four adult turtles (2.2)
and can be set up in the same manner
as the pond described previously.These
can be used both indoors and out, but
youll need to include a nesting area
within them if you plan on breeding
Shell comparisons between male (left in both pics) and female Kwangtung river turtles. M. nigricans. An elevated plastic tote or
As is usually the case, the females are larger. box of some sort, with easy access by
means of stacked rocks, a log or a ramp
Peat moss, mud or gravel can be will work. The same 50/50 soil/sand
used for the pond bottom, and various mix works well for the nesting area; the
aquatic plants such as iris, lilies, cattails, females should find it easy to excavate
water hyacinth and water lettuce will their nests and deposit eggs inside it.
add color, beauty and refuge for the If you choose to house Kwangtung
turtles. A pond pump or filter can be river turtles indoors youll need appro-
submerged to keep the water moving priate lighting. A basking area of 95
a bit, and an aerator will aid in provid- degrees Fahrenheit is a must and can be
ing oxygen. achieved by suspending a 90 to 120-
Captive breeding has resulted in Maure-
mys nigricans being available to hobby- The land area can be a 50/50 sand/ watt indoor/outdoor floodlight above
ists, though they are expensive. soil mix with various low-lying shrubs a log and/or over the nesting box. In
and grasses. Driftwood and rotting logs addition to this light, a Zoo Med T5 10.0
should be provided for basking and UVB fluorescent or similar lamp should
hiding. Construct a lid with mesh to keep span the entire enclosure.
predators away, or use a combination of Water depth can again slope to 12
predator-proofing methods. At Garden inches. Water temperatures between
State Tortoise, we use dogs, electric fenc- 70 and 75 degrees are comfortable for
es, cameras and traps to keep our turtles M. nigricans, but slightly warmer and
safe from raccoons and other animals. cooler temps are tolerable. As previously
Kwangtung river turtles are active both mentioned, water temperatures that
day and night (and sometimes moreso plummet rapidly can result in drowning.
at night), so they make an easy target for It is uncertain how low temperatures
The colorful plastrons of hatchling M. nig- nocturnal predators. Take this seriously can get before resulting in danger for
ricans usually fade as the turtles mature. and use precaution! this species we have observed them

B The large head of M. nig-
History in fully
ricans indicates that this
turtle likely eats mollusks
the Hobby glas

ing l
in the wild. Captive spec-
imens will accept slugs
and snails, among other
(or b food items.
Although it is a fine-looking be a
turtle, M. nigricans wasnt othe
initially desired by keepers due time
to a general lack of color and its reco
history of being confused with figh
the Reeves turtle. In fact, it was wate
a rather inexpensive species for drift
a number of years. bask
Then came a period when help
Asias turtle species as a whole way, g p y
became very popular, exported The same lighting and temperature The Kwangtung river turtle faces a grim
by the thousands and in pet recommendations as described for the future in nature, if one at all. Various sur-
shops everywhere. Most, adults will work well for hatchlings, too. Of veys turned up zero specimens between
unfortunately, did not survive course, UVB lighting is crucial to the prop- the years 2007 and 2009, and more recent
their first year in captivity. er growth and health of baby aquatic surveys yielded the same results. Happily,
Their rise to fame was, sadly, turtles, so always be sure to provide it. other endangered species found in the
due to the turtles endangered same habitat have been located, yet M.
status. This resulted in a huge A Mauremys Menu nigricans remains a ghost.
movement within the reptile Kwangtung river turtles will accept a It has been suggested that this
hobby during which people wide assortment of foods. The species species in the wild is currently unknown
everywhere were jumping on large head suggests that it preys upon to science. This demonstrates that the
the Asian turtle bandwagon. mollusks in nature, and captive M. nigri- Kwangtung river turtle rose from forgot-
A massive rise in pricing came cans will certainly take snails and slugs. ten to in demand as collection for the
next, and the price of Kwangtung Fish, shrimp, frozen/thawed pinky mice, pet trade had cataclysmic impacts on its
river turtle hatchlings, which chicken, beef heart, worms and insects wild populations. People began to want
at one time cost about $35, are all eaten voraciously by our turtles. them and so, other people went and
skyrocketed to $1,500, and Kwangtung river turtles also quickly took them a lot of them.
nearly $10,000 for an adult pair. become enthusiastic over commercial On a positive note, the state of the
These astronomical prices pellets. We use Mazuri aquatic turtle diet Kwangtung river turtle in captivity is
have since bottomed out, but but also have luck with Zoo Med and fairly encouraging. Once again, captive
baby M. nigricans are still not Reptomin aquatic pellets, as well. propagation shines through as arguably
cheap, and their price hovers in We start hatchlings on Zoo Med baby the most effective form of conservation
the $375 range. Chris Leone aquatic turtle pellets, and as they grow in todays world. While not nearly as
they are gradually switched over to abundant as other species in the hobby,
Mazuri along with the other food items M. nigricans is anything but a phantom
doing just fine in temperatures as low as mentioned. If a hatchling is reluctant to thanks to responsible breeders and zoos.
50 degrees but deep water or random eat, we find that tiny pieces of beef heart The turtle has even come to be quite
temperature drops should be avoided as will coax it into feeding. prolific and long-lived with the care such
a preventive measure. Mauremys nigricans may fall victim to as described in this article, with speci-
obesity so do not overfeed. Some fruits mens thriving for more than 50 years.
Baby Care and greens may be accepted and can The Kwangtung river turtle is an
Hatchling Kwangtung river turtles are help break up the species carnivorous interesting species, one that is sure to
vigorous babies. They become rather diet, which can be high in fat. captivate those who keep it despite its
personable over time and learn to ac- potentially unpleasant odor and the
cept food from the hand. Another Turtle, Another fact that it comes with a hefty price
Due to being prone to drowning, Decline tag. Despite these things, though, this
shallow water between 2 and 4 inches Its becoming almost clich to describe adaptive, hardy and personable turtle is
deep is best for them. We dont use any a turtle as in danger of extinction, but an excellent choice for turtle enthusiasts
kind of filtration with the babies, having sadly, Asias turtle species face a very who can provide the proper care. REPTILES
found that frequent water changes work uncertain future despite strong conser-
best. They can be done with ease, and vation efforts in situ. CHRIS LEONE is the owner of Garden State Tortoise LLC and the
director of animal husbandry for theTurtleRoom. His work with various
doing so offers young M. nigricans a With the risk of sounding like a broken turtle and tortoise species spans more than two decades. For more in-
constant supply of fresh water. record, illegal poaching in conjunction formation please visit gardenstatetortoise.com and theturtleroom.com.

Is Xenodon pulcher poised to become
the next big thing?
ARTICLE BY KATHY LOVE AND ROY ENGELDORF | PHOTOS BY BILL LOVE

Comparative width of the tricolor
hognose snakes bands will be one
beauty aspect for herpetocultural
artists to refine in the years ahead.
With this article, we hope to introduce

readers to the wonderful X. pulcher, and
p j p g y , g , alleviate any confusion between it and
because a misconception was fueling it, and the admirer was H. nasicus. Please note that I (Kathy) have
confusing the tricolor hognose (Xenodon pulcher) that he was done the actual writing, so the experiences
looking at with the long-beloved western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus). described are my own, and although Ive
There are currently 12 species in the genus Xenodon (formerly Lystrophis). The tri- been raising baby tricolor hogs for about a
color hognose, naturally found in southern South America, in parts of Brazil, Argentina, year, all the in-depth breeding information
Paraguay and Bolivia, is the only species currently offered in the U.S., as far as I am contained herein is Roys via the extensive
aware. It has a spotty herpetocultural history in this country, anad is only semi-success- notes he has shared with me. All the tricol-
ful at being embraced and propagated on a large or steady scale. The good news is or hognose breeding thats described was
that this is changing! done at Roys facility, under his direction.

A Long-Time Quest
My first encounter with the tricolor hog-
nose was back in the early 1990s, when
we (my husband, Bill, and I) bought
and sold a limited number of imported
adults via Glades Herp, a Florida reptile
breeding and importing business co-
owned by us at the time. I was excited
by the stout little critters with the pointy,
upturned nose of a North American
hognose and the colors of a typical milk
snake. What could be more cool than
that combination?
Unfortunately, those imported adults
The sharp, upturned snout is a characteristic the South American tricolor hognose snake (Xe- turned out to be difficult to acclimate.
nodon pulcher) shares with the more familiar Heterodon hognose snakes of North America. Many refused to eat, and most custom-
ers reported that theirs eventually died
without reproducing. By the early 2000s,
only a few people in the U.S. were suc-
cessfully keeping and breeding tricolor
hognoses, and finding a captive-born
baby to purchase was almost impossible.
I didnt see the snakes offered again
until around 2009, when I obtained a
pair of Florida-bred babies. They thrived
and grew quickly, but the male inex-
plicably developed spinal kinks as he
matured. He survived for about six years,
but the pair never produced fertile eggs.
By then, Europeans were producing
larger numbers of tricolor hognoses, but
they were still very difficult to find in the
U.S. It wasnt until 2014 when I finally
acquired another adult pair, but lost the
male soon after. With my original pair
Much of the tricolor hognoses allure lies in the snakes natural variation. Some darken with
age until they are virtually black, while many retain some or most of their juvenile bright- long gone and only one female left, my
ness. Patterns range from symmetrical banding to various blotches and broken bands. long-term quest to breed the tricolor
hognose seemed doomed to failure.
Then, in early 2015, as Bill was prepar-
Just Right ing to embark on a road trip east from
our home in Arizona, he remembered
Xenodon pulchers size and shape, in that Roy had some tricolor hognoses in
addition to its color, personality, feeding west Texas. So I asked him to drop off my
response, and upturned hog nose, should lone female with Roy on his way east.
contribute to a huge rise in popularity once Due to previous breeding loan experi-
the species becomes more common. ences, I half-thought that I would never
People seem to like snakes that are com- see my female again, and that I would be
better off looking for other projects. But,
pact and not too thin. Also, many hobbyists
as luck would have it, loaning my female
Ive met at reptile expos want a pet snake that
to Roy has led to my most successful
grows to only half the size of the corn snakes joint-breeding project since I first began
(Pantherophis guttatus) I usually offer. Corns keeping snakes back in the 1960s!
never seemed particularly large to me, but Upon introduction, Roys male tricolor
tricolor hogs are the exact size that some hognose immediately bred with my
herpers have been craving. Kathy Love female, but her initial clutch of eggs
were all infertile. Presumably, those eggs
This chunky adult tricolor hognose is the perfect size many snake pet keepers have been were already in development, and that
looking for not too big and not too small! first pairing came too late, but her next

clutch was fertile, and so was the next
and the next, and the next! Handling & Temperament
We quickly discovered that tricolor
hognose snakes are amazingly prolific Tricolor hogs not used to handling exhibit the same thrashing behavior
once a healthy, compatible pair get Ive noticed in milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum), as well as in
together, and our wildly successful pair eastern coral snakes (Micrurus fulvius). It makes me wonder if coral snake
appears to have founded a whole new mimics, which tricolor hogs are considered to be by some observers, also
dynasty. We now want to share what mimic the spastic movements their venomous look-alikes exhibit. Such
weve learned to help readers start their behavior would make it difficult for a predator to identify them precisely,
own projects with these beauties. leaving only the flash of red as a warning to leave it alone.
Even though tricolor hogs may thrash, none have tried to bite me
Tricolor Hog Care unless I get my fingers in the way while theyre grabbing food. Unlike corn
Adult tricolor hognoses usually average snakes, babies dont seem to strike from defensive poses. They just bump
about 2 feet in length, with females usually and jerk, hoping you will drop them. Once they are habituated to gentle
slightly larger than males. They are more handling, however, the thrashing subsides or disappears altogether.
stout than a corn snake of similar length, The tricolor hognoses reluctance to bite is a great asset because
but more slender than North American it is rear-fanged and likely mildly venomous, like its North American
hognose snakes of the genus Heterodon. counterpart. I havent read or heard of any accounts of envenomation
Adults will need an enclosure thats effects due to a bite, and this doesnt seem to be as much of a concern
at least the size of a 10-gallon aquarium, as may be for the several species of hognose snakes native to the U.S.,
but preferably more like a 20-gallon some of which are known to produce bites that can result in swell-
long aquarium that spans 30 inches. ing and soreness. Of course, prolonged chewing on the snakes part
Because hognoses are terrestrial and doesnt usually take place during the rare bites that do occur, which
fossorial (burrowing) snakes, the height makes it hard to know potential toxicity. Kathy Love
of the enclosure is not as important as is
adequate floor space.
Babies can start out in plastic shoe- This fossorial species needs the security
boxes measuring approximately 6 by 11 of hiding places in its enclosures, and
several inches of substrate to burrow
inches and 4 inches tall for the first year into to stay out of sight.
or so, though some of mine have out-
grown these starter enclosures before
their first birthdays.
My tricolors are usually curled up
under the bedding, so it is important to
provide a substrate in which they can
hide completely, such as shredded as-
pen, cypress, or coco chips. Avoid pine or
any substrate with a resinous odor to it.
Tricolor hogs need a moist place to
hide, which can be provided by either
dampening one end of the bedding, or
providing a small hide box containing
damp sphagnum moss. The rest of the
cage can be left dry. In drier climates,
I recommend using coco chips as a
substrate because they can take added
moisture without a fungal bloom result-
ing (as can happen with aspen shavings).
Ive raised neonates with and without
supplemental heating using cables/pads.
My house is normally about 72 degrees
Fahrenheit in winter and 78 in summer.
The snakes have fed and done well at
these temperatures, which seems to indi-
cate tricolor hognoses are not particular-
ly sensitive in this regard.
Because the head of Xenodon pulcher is so small, many underestimate the size of the
I have more recently used a heat meal it can consume. The neck is very stretchy, however, and the mid girth is big com-
cable, however, to raise the temperature pared to many colubrids.

on one end of their cages to about 82 die young animals. We havent found
degrees, providing a thermal gradient. anyone with specimens older than 8
The remainder of the cage stays close to years of age. To balance this seemingly
the ambient room temperature. This is negative aspect of a shorter life span,
the end where the snakes spend the ma- the snakes do grow very quickly and
jority of their time, but a gradient is still produce lots of eggs. Babies usually
preferable so they can choose the best mature by 2 years of age, and possibly
temperatures and moisture levels for even sooner with aggressive feeding
feeding, hiding, digestion and shedding. schedules. They typically hatch out at
I do not provide any supplemental weights of 4 to 6 grams. Most hold-backs
lighting. Both Rays and my colonies are have weighed 20 to 35 grams at about
kept in rooms in which the snakes can 6 months, and 60 to 90 grams at 1 year
sense the local photoperiod as it chang- of age. Females should be 200 grams or
es from month to month. more before breeding.
Actively breeding females will need
Iced Mice Are Nice additional meals beyond the once-a-
Most neonate tricolor hogs start out on Top left: A coco chip substrate works week schedule mentioned previously.
frozen/thawed (f/t) pinkie mice. I start well with tricolor hognoses, as it can be They will eat almost constantly, and
moistened without the threat of a fungal
mine in deli cups containing nothing bloom. Top right: The parents of the need as much food as they can get.
but the baby snake and its meal. Baby authors first clutches breeding. Theyve Their tendency to produce consecutive
tricolors seem slightly shy about feeding retained their bright colors as adults, and clutches of eggs may wear females out if
apparently have passed that trait to their
while you watch, so I leave them alone progeny, judging by their exceptionally a frequent feeding regimen is not main-
and nearly always find the mouse is brilliant colors, Above: Ventral colors tained during the warmer reproductive
gone within an hour. range from black to almost white, with part of the year.
many variations in between. A few tricol-
Young snakes usually work up to f/t or hogs sport small amounts of orange or The most prolific females may pro-
adult mice by the time they are adults. red, possibly regional variations. duce four or five clutches of eggs per
The few that dont start eating mice on year. Eight clutches in a year is the most I
their own can usually be prompted to do have read about, but we discourage ours
so by scenting mice with lizards (such as Doesnt Play from laying more than five in one year
anoles) or toads.
Once tricolored hognose snakes are Dead because doing so, obviously, takes a lot
out of the female.
well-started, be sure to keep your fingers Again, heavy feeding is paramount!
out of the way, as a tricolor hogs feeding Though I have never heard And actively breeding females represent
response can be frenzied. Adults may of or witnessed tricolor hog- the most aggressive feeders. This is the
actually leap out of their cages, just like noses playing dead, I have definitely the time to keep your fingers
kingsnakes sometimes do when food seen them flatten out the out of their way!
is introduced! When in feeding mode, forepart of the body when Roy had two sexual pairs when my
anything that moves is fair game. threatened, as an intimidation female was brought to him for breeding.
Growing babies can be fed every four or behavior. This is similar to the She had been cycled the previous winter
five days, and adults about once per week. behavior exhibited by North in a dark closet kept in the upper 50s
American hogs, but not as Fahrenheit for two months without food
Breeding Success extreme. Kathy Love prior to arriving inTexas. The previous
Tricolor hognoses seem to be live fast, winter Roy had kept his snakes some-

what cooler than their normal active Moist perlite has success-
summer temperatures, about 65 to 70 fully incubated all of the
authors eggs so far, even
degrees, with photoperiods experienced without an incubator.
through the windows.
My female bred in June 2015, laid bad
eggs in July, then went on to lay three
fertile clutches between September and
November, with nine eggs in each clutch.
The second half of 2015 was a great
start to our joint project, and 2016 sur-
passed it. That year, my female and Roys
younger female each produced five fertile
clutches containing between six and nine
eggs laid four to seven weeks apart.
The mal
each clutch
were fed ap
days during
feeding res elective breeding holds tremendous
intense tha ibilities for X. pulcher, with the ob-
casionally g ous goal of enhancing the species
the males, a ed and white bands being carried
probably w out with coming generations. Some
have tried t offspring develop a considerable
them witho amount of black pigment that
interventio obscures the pattern, and this trait
We learned will certainly be selected against
reintroduci breeders attempt to clean up and
the males a hten the species colors.
two after th errant genes that are likely hiding
had eaten e genome have not yet surfaced.
to calm the European breeder has been offering
toward the yp erythristic (exhibiting less than the
usually started breeding immediately, rest and plenty of food. Although they normal amount of red pigmentation)
or would run for their lives if the females were not weighed, they appeared to be babies, but I have not seen any other
were not receptive. Pairs were not left none the worse for wear. morphs on the market so far. That means
together unattended. As of this writing, the adult tricolor there is still much to be discovered!
Females laid their eggs in small, hogs are being cooled down to 65 to The tricolor hognoses already beautiful
plastic nest boxes lined with moist 70 degrees from December through pattern and color variability, combined
coconut fiber. The eggs were incubated January, while experiencing shorter with its perfect size for hobbyists who
in perlite, with approximately the same days through the windows. Occasional prefer smaller snakes, bestows upon it
moisture level maintained for corns, meals are offered and consumed a the potential to be one of the next big
kings, and other colubrids. The average couple of times per month. After about things in herpetoculture.
room temperature was 78 degrees, with two months they will be warmed up, Were excited about being in on the
minor daily fluctuations between day and new pairings are planned for ground floor as the tricolor hognose
and night temps. March 2017. By the time youre reading snake finally becomes established in
No incubator was used because the this article, well hopefully have new the hobby, and were proud our prolific
room temperature where the eggs are clutches on the way! females are helping to start an exciting
kept is relatively constant. Incubation new era for this hardy, attractive, yet still
times ranged from 60 to 90 days, with an The Future relatively unknown species of snake in
average of 70 days. Virtually all eggs that Captive-bred tricolor hognose babies herpetoculture. REPTILES
looked good at laying hatched. There have been available to the public in
have been a couple of sets of twins, too, Europe for several years longer than in KATHY LOVE has been breeding corn snakes and other reptiles since
1985. She and her husband, Bill Love, wrote Corn Snakes: The Compre-
which hatched out very small. Some the U.S., but the total numbers produced hensive Owners Guide, the most complete corn snake book now available,
babies fed and thrived, while others died are still small compared to other species which can be ordered through Kathys website at Cornutopia.com.
without feeding. of popular colubrid snakes. Only small

ROY ENGELDORF has been keeping and breeding reptiles for over 40
After five clutches, the females were numbers have trickled over so far, add- years. He and his wife, Ruth, own and operate the Outback Oasis Motel in
kept separated from the males and ing to U.S. bloodlines. Sanderson, Tex. (outbackoasismotel.com).

Who says a
pet snake or
lizard cant
provide
emotional
support?
BY ALEXIA P. BULLARD
he use of animals during therapy sessions is hardly

a new concept. Back in the late 1800s, Florence
Nightingale made huge discoveries regarding the
use of animal therapy. She noticed small pets helped
reduce anxiety in both children and adults who were
living in psychiatric hospitals and institutions, and she took
notes on the fact small animals played a key role in helping
patients recover.This was a pivotal moment for animal therapy, and
is what helped it get its start as a trusted treatment for anxiety and
emotional disorders.
In the early 1930s, Sigmund Freud became a strong proponent of animal therapy
after he began using his dog during psychotherapy sessions. He observed his dog
having a positive effect on both himself and his patients. In the 1960s, child psychia-
trist Boris Levinson observed a nonverbal, emotionally disturbed boy starting to once
again communicate when Levinsons dog sat with the boy during therapy sessions.
There are myriad examples of animals positively affecting both adults and chil-
dren during therapy sessions, as well as in the performance of daily activities. Many In the 1930s, Sigmund
people afflicted with psychiatric and emotional disorders have therapy pets, with Freud was a strong advo-
dogs, cats, guinea pigs, pigs, and horses being the most popular types of pets. cate for animal therapy.
56 REPTILES | May/
A London hospital uses a corn snake during group therapy sessions,
in which patients touch, feed, and take care of the snake.
However, reptiles tend to go over- emotional support anima

looked when patients are picking out a mals can be of any age or domesticated
therapy animal or emotional support an-
imal. Their long life spans, different levels
species, and are not required to have any
specific task-training in order to qualify.
Mind
of care, beautiful and unique coloring and Their presence alone is what reduces Calm Mind
patterns, and fascinating behaviors are all the negative symptoms associated with
factors that make reptiles excellent a psychological or emotional disorder, The quiet nature of reptiles
emotional support companions. which is what sets the pet apart from a lends itself well to individuals
service animal. The only requirement for who have anxiety triggered by
About Emotional a pet to be an ESA is that the pet must be noise. Birds can create a sense
Support manageable in public and isnt problem- of chaos, dogs bark, and cats
Animals atic in a home environment. like to meow until they get their
So, what is an emotional When asked about pets being used way. Reptiles, on the other hand,
support animal any- for emotional support, psychiatrist Dr. dont do any of these things.
way? In an official Louis Milstein explained, The positive While its true some reptiles may
LEFT: IGNAT ZAYTSEV, STEPHEN CLARKE/SHUTTERSTOCK; ABOVE: ERIC ISSELEE/SHUTTERSTOCK
sense, an emotional effect is unconditional emotional support make noise, such as geckos and
support animal from an animal that is non-judgmental frogs, most reptiles are quiet.
(ESA) is some- [because a pet] can truly help a person The noise they do emit isnt
ones pet that has with free-floating anxiety, as it allows a likely to disturb the people in the
been prescribed sublimation of emotions to release. home, the neighbors, or create a
by their licensed This is different from a service animal stressful environment.
psychologist, psychi- in that ESAs are not trained to perform Small rodents such as ham-
atrist, therapist, or other certain activities and do not have to pass sters, rats, guinea pigs, etc., tend
mental health professional. any sort of test to prove their training. to be quiet, aside for some little
The animal then becomes a Their very presence is what helps them noises every now and then,
salient aspect of the patients contribute to a persons wellbeing, and though they are most often noc-
treatment program, and will is what makes them a major part of an turnal. If they are kept in some-
bring them comfort and individuals recovery or treatment plan. ones room, they can keep the
reduce the anxiety and person awake with their inces-
other negative symptoms Reptiles as ESAs sant digging, shuffling, scratch-
associated with the patients This reduction of free-floating anxiety, ing, and chewing. For someone
emotional or psychological as well as other negative psychological who has nightmares or high
disorder. Unofficially, an ESA is symptoms, is exactly why the National anxiety, this can be problematic.
one that brings a person comfort Health Service (NHS) has recruited snakes These types of noises arent as
in times of distress. as animal therapists for patients who are likely to happen with reptiles,
According to the National Service suffering from depression and commu- even among the nocturnal spe-
Animal Registry, all domesticated nication issues. For instance, the Hunter- cies. Alexia P. Bullard
animals are able to qualify as an official combe Hospital Roehampton, in London,

England, uses Angel, a 7-year-old, 5-foot-
long corn snake during group sessions.
Patients are able to touch, feed, and take
No Dander, No Problem!
care of Angel. One of the added benefits of keeping reptiles as therapy pets is their
Doctors in this hospital have ob- lack of feathers and fur that many people are allergic to. While its true
served that those participating in this there are certain breeds of dogs and cats that are less likely to affect
animal-assisted therapy have shown someone with allergies, there really is no such thing as a hypoallergenic
great improvement. Those that are in cat or dog. These reactions are caused by the dander of the pet (dead
the strong grip of depression often find skin cells), saliva, and even urine. While this is most common from the
it hard to get out of bed in the morn- animals with fur and feathers, dander is the primary issue (though fur
ing, yet Angel and other snakes serve and feathers can still collect allergens such as dust, mold, and pollen).
as a great motivator to get up and get This is why someone looking for a therapy animal but who may have
moving. Taking care of the snakes is fun, found themselves limited by their allergies is better off getting a reptile. In
and it also gives patients an undeniable fact, there have been several cases of lizards, including bearded dragons
sense of responsibility. This provides the and crested geckos, being classified as ESAs because the owners were
motivation they need to step through highly allergic to other types of animals. These cases set the precedence
their depression and take their first steps for individuals with allergies to feathers and fur being able to have a rep-
to starting their day each morning. tile prescribed as their ESA. Mental health professionals have found these
These therapy snakes also help male animals provide comfort and reduce anxiety. Alexia P. Bullard
patients who dont feel as comfortable
taking care of cuddly animals. The male
patients dont feel there is any weakness of exotic animals, including reptiles. This his treatment. The psychiatrist stated that
or perceived stigma surrounding caring program makes it possible for children Skippy is an essential part of Silfas treat-
for a reptile like there sometimes may be with special needs to overcome their ment plan, and Silfa has gone on to add a
when it comes to adorable, furry pets. physical and emotional challenges in or- blue-tongued skink and bearded dragon
Furthermore, reptiles dont judge, der to realize they are capable of reach- as additional service lizards.
like other animals can, and they have ing their full potential. The exotic species, When asked about the use of reptiles
the added benefit of being unusual. including snakes and a tegu, have a as emotional support animals, Brian
Caring for them and handling them calming effect on the children, which is Barczyk of SnakeBytes TV stated,I know
gives patients a sense of accomplish- especially helpful for the children who a lot of people that suffer from PTSD and
ment they are proud to share with their suffer from ADHD. anxiety that use their reptiles as a calming
friends and family. Reptiles are also able to assist patients effect. I think it is easier to carry around
Snakes are serving as ESAs, elsewhere, suffering from depression, something a bearded dragon or something similar
too. The Seattle Times and other media Skippy the Iguana proves time and time than a dog or miniature horse. In the end,
outlets have featured articles about Dan- again. His owner, San Francisco, Calif. whatever animals for whatever your need
iel Greene and his service snake, a red- resident Cosmie Silfa, states Skippy offers is should be allowed within reason, of
tailed boa constrictor named Red Rock. him stable companionship and numerous course. Its probably not good to have a
According to Greene, who is epileptic, other benefits that help keep the effects 16-foot python at the grocery store.
Red Rock gives him a little hug to let him of depression at bay. Silfas psychiatrist Barczyk recommends smaller reptiles,
know when a seizure is imminent. This is highly supportive of the iguana being such as bearded dragons or leopard
warning allows Greene to make proper used as a therapy pet, and even wrote a geckos, as the best types suited for emo-
preparations, or even avoid, the oncom- noteprescribingthe pet iguana to Silfa. tional support animals.People just have
FIVESPOTS/SHUTTERSTOCK
ing seizure. His psychiatrist stated that Skippy enables an irrational fear of snakes, and it might
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo in Jerus- Silfa to maintain an emotionally stable be unfair to subject the general public
laem, Israel, offers an animal-assisted mindset and gives him to them as an ESA, he said,but I think
therapy program that allows children the motivation he calm and rather small lizards should
with special needs to handle and ob- needs in order certainly be classed as service
serve all types to continue animals. I know I hate flying and
it causes me a lot of anxiety,
and if I could bring my
pet bearded [dragon]
with me, it would to-
tally keep my mind
According to the National
Service Animal Registry, off the stress of the
all domesticated plane ride.
animals are able to
qualify as an official
emotional support
animal (ESA).
Scaly is the New Cuddly
When people think of emotional sup-
port animals, they tend to think cuddly
is better. Dogs, cats, ferrets, pigs, birds,
and horses have certainly earned their Doctors have recommended
place in the therapy world. However, that patients keep a reptile,
such as a green iguana, in an
a pet shouldnt be overlooked just effort to help them maintain an
because it isnt traditionally adorable emotionally stable mindset.
and cuddly.
Thousands of people have found that
reptiles provide a tremendous amount
of emotional support. Not only do these
animals require careful husbandry, but
they can also provide hours of fascinat-
ing observation, a relaxing activity. And
so many are available, and can be kept
successfully at every skill level, from
beginner to advanced.
As with any pet, its best to hold off
on buying a pet reptile until you are sure
you can care for it over the long term.
Do all the necessary research.Tegus,
for example, can grow up to 5 feet long
and can live for 20 years. While they can
make great companions some even
like to snuggle with their owners, as
various YouTube videos can demonstrate
they do require specialized care.
Green iguanas, too, make great pets, but
they require a lot of upkeep and special
accommodations, and the majority of
people who purchase them dont have
the proper requirements for their care.
And lets face it: People suffering from
anxiety who are looking for a relatively
easy-to-care-for pet probably dont need
a very large lizard that they find they are
unable to care for properly.This could
easily become a new source of anxiety in
and of itself.
When it comes to lizards as pets/
ESAs, as Barczyk recommended, bearded
dragons and leopard geckos are great,
especially for people who do not have a
lot of experience, or who do not have a
lot of room to accommodate larger pets.
SUNKIDS/SHUTTERSTOCK
Boas and pythons are popular you believe would suit your needs, suits your needs, and which has care
choices when it comes to picking out a and that would make a great emotion- requirements that mesh with your in-
snake, but again, primarily due to size/ al companion pet for you, do some dividual lifestyle and budget, youll find
housing issues, beginners are better off research before taking it home. Read your new pet to be incredibly rewarding.
with kingsnakes, milk snakes, or one of through different books and care When it comes to finding a therapy pet,
the various types of rat snakes, especially sheets, talk to experts, and speak with a reptile can provide just as much emo-
a corn snake such as the previ- people you know who may already tional support as a traditionally furry,
ously mentioned Angel thats own reptiles. While all of this requires cuddly animal will! REPTILES
already providing comfort more effort, its better to do things this
ALEXIA P. BULLARD has owned reptiles all her life, and has worked
to patients at Huntercombe way than to take a snake home that with animals in both a professional and personal setting. From volun-
Hospital Roehampton. you later find out will grow to 30 feet! teering at an animal rescue as a kid to working in a veterinary hospital
as an adult, shes always looked for ways to help animals. Find her at
If you find a reptile that Once you do find the reptile that best alexiapbullard.com.

March
he
June 10-11, Tampa, FL: Repticon Tampa, Florida State
Fairgrounds, 4800 N US Highway 301. Info: repticon.com
Mar. 18-19, Tampa, FL: Repticon Tampa, Florida State June 17, Melbourne, FL: ReptiDay Melbourne, Eau Gallie Civic
Fairgrounds, 4800 N US Highway 301. Info: repticon.com Center, 1551 Highland Ave. Info: repticon.com
Mar. 18-19, Tinley Park, IL: NARBC, Tinley Park Convention June 24, Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Reptile Expo, Kalamazoo
Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr. Info: narbc.com County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St. Info: 269-779-9851
happeni Mar. 26, Brentwood, NY: Long Island Reptile Expo, Suffolk
Community College, 485 Wicks Rd. Info: 845-526-4845;
reptileexpo.com
June 24, Fletcher, NC: ReptiDay Asheville, Western North
Carolina Agricultural Center, Boone Bldg., 1301 Fanning Bridge
Rd. Info: repticon.com
To list a show, please mail your information to
Mar. 25, Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Reptile Expo, Kalamazoo June 24-25, Pasadena, TX: Repticon Houston, Pasadena
Reptile Events, REPTILES, 3 Burroughs, Irvine,
County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St. Info: 269-779-9851 Conventior Center and Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont Pkwy. Info:
CA 92618. Phone calls, faxes and e-mails repticon.com
wont be accepted. Listings must include Mar. 25-26, Birmingham, AL: Repticon Birmingham, Zamora
show dates, name and street address of show Shrine Temple, 3521 Ratliff Rd. Info: repticon.com June 25, Manchester, NH: New England Reptile Expo,
Radisson Hotel Expo Center, 700 Elm St. Info: 845-526-4845;
venue, and contact phone number. Inclusion
in this column is based on a first-come,
first-served, space-available basis and is not
April reptileexpo.com
guaranteed. Materials must be received at Apr. 1, Aurora, CO: Repticon Denver, Arapahoe County
Fairgrounds, 25690 East Quincy Ave. Info: repticon.com
July
least four months in advance of the event. July 1, Fort Myers, FL: ReptiDay Fort Myers, Crowne Plaza
Apr. 1-2, Gonzales, LA: Repticon Baton Rouge, Lamar Dixon Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Dr. Info:
list your event Exposition Center, 9039 S Saint Landry Ave. Info: repticon.com
Apr. 2, Manchester, NH: New England Reptile Expo,
Radisson Hotel Expo Center, 700 Elm St. Info: 845-526-4845;
repticon.com
July 1-2, Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Reptile & Exotic Animal
Show, North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Scott Bldg., 1025 Blue
reptileexpo.com Ridge Rd. Info: repticon.com
REPTILES magazine is not responsible
for event changes, event cancellations Apr. 8, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show, Havre July 8, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show, Havre
or the number of reptile vendors de Grace Community Center, 100 Lagaret Lane. Info: 714-432- de Grace Community Center, 100 Lagaret Lane. Info: 714-432-
present at any show. Call ahead to verify 5807; mdreptilefarm.com/havre-de-grace-maryland/ 5807; mdreptilefarm.com/havre-de-grace-maryland/
information before attending.
Apr. 8-9, Lawrenceville, GA: Repticon Atlanta, Gwinnett July 8-9, San Diego, CA: Reptile Super Show, San Diego
County Fairground, 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy. Info: repticon.com Concourse/Civic Center, 202 C St. Info: 619-281-7387;
Apr. 15, Navarre, FL: ReptiDay Pensacola, Navarre Conference, reptilesupershow.com
Center, 8700 Navarre Pkwy. Info: repticon.com July 8-9, Columbia, SC: Repticon Columbia, Jamil Temple,
ADVERTISER Apr. 15, Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Reptile Expo, Kalamazoo

County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St. Info: 269-779-9851
206 Jamil Rd. Info: repticon.com
July 15, Winston-Salem, NC: ReptiDay Winston-Salem,
INDEX Apr. 23, White Plains, NY: New York Metro Reptile Expo, Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, Bolton Home and Garden Bldg.,
Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave. Info: 845-526- Gate 9, 421 W. 27th St. Info: repticon.com
4845; reptileexpo.com July 15-16, West Palm Beach, FL: Repticon West Palm Beach,
Apr. 28-30, Costa Mesa, CA: Repticon at Americas Family South Florida Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds,
Pet Expo, OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr. Info: repticon.com 9067 Southern Blvd. Info: repticon.com
Armstrongs Cricket Farm (LA).........19
Apr. 29-30, East Ridge, TN: Repticon Chattanooga, Camp July 22, Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Reptile Expo, Kalamazoo
Central Aquatics - Zilla.................... C2 County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St. Info: 269-779-9851
Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy. Info: repticon.com
Diamondback Productions...............61 July 22, Richmond, VA: Richmond Virgina Reptile Show,
Dubi Deli ...........................................31
Featherock Inc..................................13
May Richmond Intl Raceway, Colonial Bldg, 602 E. Laburmun Ave. Info:
714-432-5807; mdreptilefarm.com/richmond-virginia-reptile-expo/
May 6-7, Orlando, FL: Repticon Orlando, Central Florida July 22-23, Lawrenceville, GA: Repticon Atlanta, Gwinnett
Georgia Crickets ..............................23 Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Dr. Info: repticon.com County Fairground, 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy. Info: repticon.com
Ghanns Cricket Farm ......................25 May 13, Sarasota, FL: ReptiDay Sarasota, Sarasota County July 23, White Plains, NY: New York Metro Reptile Expo,
Fairgrounds, Potter Bldg., 3000 Ringling Blvd. Info: repticon.com Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave. Info: 845-526-
Millbrook Cricket Farm.....................20
May 13, Manassas, VA: Northern Virginia Reptile Expo, Prince 4845; reptileexpo.com
Northwest Zoological .......................62
William County Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Rd. Info: 714- July 29-30, Nashville, TN: Repticon Nashville, The Fairgrounds
Northwestern Berks Reptiles Inc .....21 432-5807; mdreptilefarm.com/northern-virginia-reptile-expo/ Nashville, 625 Smith Ave. Info: repticon.com
NY Metro Reptile Expo ....................29 May 20, Ft. Lauderdale, FL: ReptiDay Ft. Lauderdale, Universal
Rainbow Mealworms........................62
Palms Hotel, 4900 Powerline Rd. Info: repticon.com August
May 20, Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Reptile Expo, Kalamazoo Aug. 5-6, Greenville, SC: Repticon Greenville, Greenville
Rep-Cal Research Labs .................. C4
County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St. Info: 269-779-9851 Shrine Club, 119 Beverly Rd. Info: repticon.com
Repticon .............................................1
May 20-21, Southaven, MS: Repticon Memphis, The Landers Aug. 12, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show,
Reptile Super Show .........................61 Center, 4560 Venture Dr. Info: repticon.com Havre de Grace Community Center, 100 Lagaret Lane. Info:
Reptilefood.com ...............................11 May 21, Eau Claire, WI: Exotic Pet Fair, Eau Claire Expo 714-432-5807; mdreptilefarm.com/havre-de-grace-maryland/
Center, 5530 Fairview Dr. Info: exoticpetfairs.com Aug. 12-13, Pomona, CA: Reptile Super Show, Pomona
Reptiles 2 You ..................................25
May 27-28, Timonium, MD: Repticon Baltimore, Maryland Fairplex/Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, 1101 W. McKinley
Reptiles By Mack .............................62 Ave. Info: 619-281-7387; reptilesupershow.com
State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd. Info: repticon.com
Reptiles Express...............................23 Aug. 12-13, East Ridge, TN: Repticon Chattanooga, Camp
RodentPro LLC...................................3 June Jordan Arena, 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy. Info: repticon.com
Aug. 13, Eau Claire, WI: Exotic Pet Fair, Eau Claire Expo
Rolf C. Hagen USA Corp. ..................7 June 3, Havre de Grace, MD: All Maryland Reptile Show, Center, 5530 Fairview Dr. Info: exoticpetfairs.com
Seachem Laboratories .......................9 Havre de Grace Community Center, 100 Lagaret Lane. Info:
714-432-5807; mdreptilefarm.com/havre-de-grace-maryland/ Aug. 19, Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Reptile Expo, Kalamazoo
Solar Light Company, Inc. ...............21 County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St. Info: 269-779-9851
June 3-4, Concord, NC: Repticon Charlotte, Cabarrus Arena
Timberline Live Pet Food ................ C3 & Events Center, 4751 Highway 49 North. Info: repticon.com Aug. 19-20, Birmingham, AL: Repticon Birmingham, Zamora
Top Hat Cricket Farm Inc.................31 Shrine Temple, 3521 Ratliff Rd. Info: repticon.com
June 3-4, Oklahoma City, OK: Repticon Oklahoma City,
Zoo Med Laboratories........................5 State Fair Park, Hobbies, Arts and Crafts Bldg., 3100 General Aug. 19-20, Dallas, TX: Repticon Dallas, Grapevine Convention
Pershing Blvd. Info: repticon.com Center, 1209 South Main St. Info: repticon.com

PROUDLY SPONSORED By:
WORLDS LARGEST
REPTILE EXPO
Next July 8-9, 2017 August 12-13, 2017

Show San Diego, Ca. Pomona Fairplex, Ca.
Dates: San Diego Concourse/Civic Center Los Angeles County Fairgrounds
OVER 700 TABLES OF RARE & UNIQUE ANIMALS
For Info, Tickets, Coupons & more.. Visit us online www.ReptileSuperShow.com
Always
research
an animal The Only Monthly Reptile
Show on the East Coast Show Dates 2017
first before July 22, Oct 28
bringing it Richmond
International
Speedway
home. Show Dates 2017:
Apr 8, June 3, July 8,
600 E. Laburnum Ave.,
Richmond VA 23222
Aug 12, Sep 9, Oct 7, 7YV]PKPUN H ^PKL ZLSLJ[PVU

Nov 4, Dec 16 Show Dates 2017: VM SLNHS OLHS[O` YLW[PSLZ
PU H ZHML HUK PUMVYTH[P]L
May 13, Aug 26, LU]PYVUTLU[
Oct 14, Dec 9
:OV^:WVUZVYZ
9am to 3pm Admission $8.00
Table Reservations & Other Information
Phone: (717) 432-5807 Prince William 4(.(A05,
www.mdreptilefarm.com County Fairgrounds -VY TVYL PUMVYTH[PVU!
Community Center I-95 Manassas, Virginia 30108
Havre de Grace, MD
New York
Philadelphia 3HYY` 2LU[VU
Sponsored by:
Dale's Bearded Dragons
Community
Center
9am to 3pm /Admission $8.00 SHYY`'TKYLW[PSLMHYTJVT
7OVUL!
Take I-95 to Exit 89,
Travel East on MD Rt. 155 Baltimore 89
Exit
Info: 717-432-5807 3H[LZ[PUMV THW VU [OL ^LI!
Turn left at Graceview Drive Washington DC Rt 155 www.mdreptilefarm.com ^^^TKYLW[PSLMHYTJVTZOV^Z

PREMIUM VEILED CHAMELEONS
F RO M THE WORLD S L A RGEST B REED E R
T H E H E A LT H I E S T B A B I E S A V A I L A B L E A L L Y E A R
WILD FARM WEAK

CAUGHT HATCHED BABIES
Edmonds, Washington USA
425.776.0724
Alex@NWZoo.com
M U LT I P L E SI Z E S AVAI L ABL E
Our minimum is a robust 4 gram, 5-6 week old.
These strong, well-started babies mean almost
ZERO MORTALITY! NO WEAK HATCHLINGS!
1 0 0 % CAPT I V E BR E E D I N G
100% captive breeding from our very diverse
genetic stock ensures the best quality chams.
OV E R 1 4 Y E AR S E X P E R I E N C E
Our experience and optimal care & nutrition
show in every healthy and hardy baby we ship.
W HO L E SAL E SAL E S O N LY
FOREIGN EXPORT AVAILABLE
One of the worldss

largest & most respected
breeders & suppliers of...
Ball Pythons
Leopard Geckos
Bearded Dragons
Chameleons
Crested Geckos
Colubrids
& so much
MORE!
Wholesale & Retail

Inquiries Welcome
1-888-372-9570
www.reptilesbymack.com
62 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com reptile breeder directory

REPTILE
breeders
EXCHANGE
BEARDED DRAGONS MULTIPLE SPECIES BREEDERS
FIRE AND ICE DRAGONS Award-winning citrus AMERICAN MADE EXOTICS, LLC Specializing in
bearded dragons, high colors, designer morphs. Voted quality captive bred ball pythons, leopard geckos,
Best of the Best. Call 717-359-8669; or visit www. crested geckos, and many more species. www.
fireandicedragons.com and see why.
BOAS AND PYTHONS

WWW.RAINBOWS-R-US-REPTILES.COM Pas-
americanmadeexotics.com
A+ SERPENTS Specializing in top-quality muta-
tions of ball pythons, western hognoses, Kenyan sand
Reptiles MAGAZINE
boas and Sonoran gopher snakes. We also carry the
sionate breeder specializing in high-end, selectively
accepts advertisements for the sale of prod-
full line of Herpstat Thermostats and Flex Watt Heat
bred Brazilian rainbow boas and boa constrictors. 408- Tape! All major credit cards accepted. 978-697-1008; ucts, equipment, services and live animals in
224-0414; rainbowsrus@sbcglobal.net www.aplusserpents.com good faith. We assume all distributors provide
BALL PYTHONS Over 500 individually pictured high-quality products and healthy animals in a
at www.kicksballs.com. Base morphs and designer
TURTLES AND TORTOISES timely manner. We cannot be responsible for
morphs. If youre looking for balls, we have it all. Call ALBINO TURTLES WANTED Turtle breeder is advertisers claims, distribution, or inferior
Fred, 716-310-3272. interested in obtaining albino specimen(s) of U.S.
products or animals. Buyers are advised to
turtles for potential breeding projects. Also albino
CHAMELEONS amphibians. Please call Clive Longden, 850-385-0684. do any necessary research before making a
purchase.
FL CHAMS Offering Americas largest variety of
captive-bred-and-born chameleons. Panthers, veileds,
Jacksons, pygmies and much more. For more infor-
mation, call or text us at 239-560-5523; or visit us at
www.flchams.com
REPTILE
products & services
WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to
BEDDING The Kansas City Reptile Show in Overland Park, KS.
Please visit www.rodentpro.com/events.asp for a com-
plete list of show dates, times and directions. For more
information or to place an order, please call 812-867-
7598; fax:812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com
WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to The
St. Louis Reptile Show in St. Louis, MO. Please visit
www.rodentpro.com/events.asp for a complete list of
show dates, times and directions. For more informa-
tion or to place an order, please call 812-867-7598;
fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com
WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to
Minnesota Reptile Show in St. Paul, MN. Please visit
www.rodentpro.com/events.asp for a complete list of
show dates, times and directions. For more informa-
tion or to place an order, please call 812-867-7598;
WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to the fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com
All Cleveland Reptile Show in Cleveland, OH. Please ALL CLEVELAND REPTILE SALE AND SWAP SHOW
visit www.rodentpro.com/events.asp for a complete list 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. $4 admission. UAW Hall,
of show dates, times and directions. For more infor- 17250 Hummel Rd., Brookpark, OH 44142; for info
EXPOS mation or to place an order, please call 812-867-7598; and dates, call 614-886-3946; reptile4me@aol.com
WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to The fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com
All-Ohio Reptile Show in Columbus, OH. Please visit WWW.RODENTPRO.COM offers free delivery to The
www.rodentpro.com/events.asp for a complete list of Chicago Reptile Show in Northlake, IL. Please visit
show dates, times and directions. For more informa- www.rodentpro.com/events.asp for a complete list of
tion or to place an order, please call 812-867-7598; show dates, times and directions. For more informa-
fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com tion or to place an order, please call 812-867-7598;

A BIGGERS & CALLAHAM COMPANY Why do
FOOD so many continue to switch to MiceDirect? Were
HERP VETERINARIANS
real rodent pros delivering real rodent savings!

Always the best price on mice and rats. Farm-raised
rodents and excellent nutrition equal excellent ro-
dents. One-hundred-percent satisfaction guaran-
tee. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, PayPal. 888-747- Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian)
Complete medical/surgical/emergency care and boarding for
0736; visit us at www.micedirect.com reptiles, birds and other exotics.
Bedford Hills, NY
1,000 waxworms $25 MAXEY RODENT COMPANY, in business since
1991 in California. Mice, rats, live or frozen. Clean, ...-#&/'+#*-+'% 1
2,000 waxworms $46 healthy animals. We ship anywhere. 530-472-3294;
Over 20 years of experience
1,000 Mealworms $14 cell: 530-227-3899; fax: 530-472-1149; rodents@ DELAWARE Avian and Exotics Veterinary Center at
frontiernet.net Windcrest Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing
Guaranteed Satisfaction! MICEDIRECT Who sells mice and rats for less? state-of-the-art care in avian and exotic animal medi-
FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING! No one! We breed 135,000 rodents weekly, so no cine and surgery. 24-hour emergency services and
boarding services available. 3705 Lancaster Pike,
45 YEARS EXPERIENCE! worries if we can meet your demands. Were real
Wilmington, DE 19805; 302-998-2995; www.
rodent pros delivering real rodent savings! Farm
www.crittergrub.com raised and excellent nutrition equals excellent
rodents! One-hundred-percent satisfaction guaran-
windcrestanimal.com
SOUTH CAROLINA Exotic Vet Care. Medical sur-
AMERICANRODENT.COM Shipping starts at tee. 706-348-7634; or visit us at www.micedirect. gical facility. Jose Biascoechea, DVM, DABVP (Avian).
$29. Frozen mice, rats and chicks. Small and large com 814 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mt. Pleasant; 843-216-
quantities available. MC, VISA, Discover, AMEX, ORGANIC, FRESH, EDIBLE CACTUS California 8387; www.birdsandexotics.com
and PayPal. 317-899-1599 grown, nearly spineless, great for tortoises! Certified or- DALLAS Summertree Animal & Bird Clinic. Caring
CHICKENS Available for sale at wholesale prices. ganic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). for reptiles and other exotic pets for more than 35
Please visit our website at www.rodentpro.com for Serving USA/Canada. www.rivenrock.com years. Diagnostic and surgical services; nutrition and
huge savings! Secure online ordering available. MULBERRY FARMS Widest variety of feed- husbandry; preventive care. 972-387-4168; www.
Small and large orders welcome. Quantity discounts ers. Silkworms, Goliath hornworms, butterworms, summertreevet.com
available. One-hundred-percent customer satisfac- Phoenix worms, waxworms, superworms (several PENNSYLVANIA Randon Feinsod, DVM. Ani-Care
tion guaranteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money sizes), mealworms, roaches, crickets, also silk- A. H. York, PA. Reptile/Amphibian medicine, surgery
orders, checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598; worm food, eggs, butterflies and more. Go to www. for 15 years. Keeping, breeding for 30 years. Exp with
fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com mulberryfarms.com all herps incl. venomous, crocodilians, other avian/
GUINEA PIGS Available for sale at wholesale RAINBOW MEALWORMS Attention vendors exotic pets. Currently pursuing board cert Rept/Amph
prices. Please visit our website at www.rodentpro.com and users of crickets and/or mealworms. Rainbow Med. 717-741-1320; www.anicareanimalhospital.com
for huge savings! Secure online ordering available. Mealworms has a new policy: We will not be under-
Small and large orders welcome. Quantity discounts sold by our competitors! We have any amount of
LIGHTING
available. One-hundred-percent customer satisfac- mealworms, thousands or millions available. Con- ZOO MED Buy the No. 1 UVB reptile lamps!
tion guaranteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money tact us: 800-777-9676; www.rainbowmealworms.net ReptiSun 5.0 or 10.0 UVB available in T8, T5 HO,
orders, checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598; compact fluorescents and mini CFL, PowerSun UV
THE BIG CHEESE RODENT FACTORY Pro- (self-ballasted mercury vapor lamp). Available at your
fax:812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com
ducing superior-quality frozen mice and rats at local pet shop or distributor near you. 888-496-6633;
MICE Available for sale at wholesale prices. Please the lowest price. Our rodents are vacuum-sealed zoomed@zoomed.com; www.zoomed.com
visit our website at www.rodentpro.com for huge sav- to preserve nutrients, moisture and freshness. We
ings! Secure online ordering available. Small and feed our rodents an advanced rodent chow contain- PLANTS/DECOR
large orders welcome. Quantity discounts available. ing natural rodent foods. Satisfaction guaranteed. WWW.MANZANITA.COM Wood perches. X-large
One-hundred-percent customer satisfaction guar- Quantity discounts available. VISA, MC, AmEx, to small. Sandblasted or natural. Manufacturer-direct
anteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money orders, Discover, money order and checks accepted. Toll- pricing. Wholesale available. 760-767-4901
checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598; fax: 812- free at 800-887-0921; info@bigcheeserodents.com;
867-6058; info@rodentpro.com www.bigcheeserodents.com TRAVEL/TOURISM
QUAIL Available for sale at wholesale prices. UNCLE JIMS WORM FARM Live red worms and HERP WITH US IN COSTA RICA! Seven herp-
Please visit our website at www.rodentpro.com for mealworms. Give your pet a healthy treat. 800-373- filled days. $950 includes hotels, meals, ground
huge savings! Secure online ordering available. 0555; www.unclejim.com transportation. Jim Kavney, 305-393-2732; www.
Small and large orders welcome. Quantity discounts costaricaherpingadventures.com
available. One-hundred-percent customer satisfac-
tion guaranteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money
orders, checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598;
RABBITS Available for sale at wholesale prices.
Please visit our website at www.rodentpro.com for
huge savings! Secure online ordering available.
Small and large orders welcome. Quantity discounts SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
available. One-hundred-percent customer satisfac-
tion guaranteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, money REPTILESMAGAZINE.COM/SUBSCRIBE
orders, checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598;
RATS Available for sale at wholesale prices. Please
visit our website at www.rodentpro.com for huge sav-
ings! Secure online ordering available. Small and
large orders welcome. Quantity discounts available.
One-hundred-percent customer satisfaction guar-
anteed. Visa, MC, AmEx, Discover, money orders,
checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-7598; fax: 812-
867-6058; info@rodentpro.com
WWW.RODENTPRO.COM has quality frozen mice,
rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and quail for sale
at wholesale prices. Please visit our website at www.
rodentpro.com for huge savings! Secure online order-
800-876-9112
ing available. Small and large orders welcome. Quanti-
ty discounts available. One-hundred-percent customer
satisfaction guaranteed. VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover,
money orders, checks and PayPal accepted. 812-867-
7598; fax: 812-867-6058; info@rodentpro.com

Inspired by nature.
Improved by science.
At Timberline, weve spent decades perfecting the science of reptile
nutrition. Our innovative Vita-Bug worms and crickets are packed
with vitamins and nutrients without the need for additives. And
when youre ready to order, our Feederologists can help you find the
perfect live foods to balance any pets diet. Its just another way we
improve the lives of pets and the people who care for them.
WLPEHUOLQHIUHVKFRP

Reptiles May June 2017

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Reptiles May June 2017

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

WHO EATS WHAT?

A Reptile Food Rundown

26 INTO THE WILD

44 ASIAS FORGOTTEN TURTLE

WEB EXCLUSIVES DEPARTMENTS

TIPS FOR NEW TURTLEKEEPERS 10 HERPERS MOST WANTED

2 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

2013 Rodentpro.com,llc. Feeding Your Reptile Is Our Passion!

none can be acknowledged or returned unless accompanied by self-addressed,

4 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

or jokes involving herps

6 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

First, a better bet for a captive caiman these days is a dwarf

and ample space in which to maintain a crocodilian. Even dwarf

8 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

Sunbeam Snake (Xenopeltis unicolor) Verdict

10 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

Diet: In the wild, sunbeam snakes

Whats Available: There are

The sunbeam snake

ed his first captive-bred snakes at age

This South American tur-

Your comment about finding it hard

Get It Licked Dirty Snakes

lQl Its so cool the way lizards

12 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

Online Do You Keep a

Look for REPTILES magazine on

in this column, youll win $50

14 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

Breeding the Eastern

May/June 2017 | REPTILES 15

Dietary Crickets are

16 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

May/June 2017 | REPTILES 17

18 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

too many waxworms can create a weight

May/June 2017 | REPTILES 19

nix Worms.These are your t rra i m i h petrole m el y o

IRINAK, ERIC ISSELEE/SHUTTERS

Rats and mice are usually the

MONITOR UV LEVELS FOR

WWW.SOLARMETER.COM MADE IN USA

May/June 2017 | REPTILES 21

common packaged hays youll find, and

Fruits & Veggies

make great treats, but can be high in

once-in-a-while treat is the best way to

May/June 2017 | REPTILES 23

Left: Fruit is best served as an occasional

Grassland and desert tortoises cant

SERGEY RYZHOF, JANE RIX, PHOTO FUN, MKMAKINGPHOTOS/SHUTTERSTOCK

24 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

Learn as much as you can about the

AUDREY PAVIA is an award-winning freelance writer specializing in

May/June 2017 | REPTILES 25

26 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

May/June 2017 | REPTILES 27

28 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

May/June 2017 | REPTILES 29

In New Jersey, treefrogs such as this Pine

the drier, woodsier part of the Glades

30 REPTILES | May/June 2017 | ReptilesMagazine.com

May/June 2017 | REPTILES 31