Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.  Shocking as it may be to anyone with even a passing awareness of conservation issues, tiger salamander larvae (Ambystoma tigrinum) are still widely used as fishing bait throughout much of the USA.  Run through with hooks while alive, the 6-10 inch amphibians are wildly popular with anglers seeking bass, pickerel and [...]

Many aquatic turtles make wonderful pets, but nearly all share one troublesome trait – they are messy feeders, and keeping their water clear is often a major challenge.  Today I’d like to present a simple, time-saving feeding technique and review some helpful products such as undergravel filters and gravel washers.
Separate Feeding Containers
In both zoo collections [...]

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.
Please see Part I of this article for further information.
Handling and Enrichment
Red-tailed ratsnakes are best suited as exhibit animals.  Most do not hesitate to bite when approached, and fight vigorously when restrained.  Some may become moderately tame, but such individuals must be watched closely and not allowed in the vicinity if one’s [...]

Please see Part I of this article for information regarding specific types of reptiles and the growing of native plants.
Nearly all fruits and berries, and many flowers and grasses, can be put to good use in feeding tortoises, herbivorous lizards, and certain aquatic turtles.  Try also adding grass clumps and leafy branches to your insectivorous [...]

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.
Released and escaped green iguanas (Iguana iguana) have now established huge populations in southern Florida. Although I must admit to a certain degree of fascination with introduced species, there can be no doubt that the massive lizards have caused a great many problems in their adopted environment.
An Impressive but Bothersome Invader
Normally arboreal, [...]

While reviewing the outdoor aviaries that were recently added to out line of bird cages, it struck me that these large, sturdy enclosures could be put to good use by reptile and amphibian keepers. Outdoor pens, both at home and in zoos, have given rise to some of my most enjoyable times and memorable [...]

With spring finally here, my thoughts are turning to growing food plants and collecting insects with which to feed my collection.  Happily, these two activities are intertwined – plants attract insects, and insects pollinate plants.  Garden-grown plants provide minerals and trace elements that are often difficult to supply otherwise, and their fiber content is usually [...]

Wild-caught insects and other invertebrates are valuable, and often essential, additions to the diets of many captive reptiles and amphibians.  During the warmer months, I have utilized them for 50-100% of the diets of many animals in my own collection, and for those under my care in zoos.
Beating the Bushes for Insects
One of the simplest [...]

Formulating a balanced diet for medium to large sized insectivorous reptiles and amphibians poses a unique set of problems.  Large insects are difficult to come by in sufficient quantities, and rodents, as we shall see, are often a poor substitute.  Canned insects, especially large grasshoppers, offer a convenient and healthful alternative.
Surprising Research on Natural Diets
Many [...]

Panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) carefully regulate exposure to sunlight in accordance with their Vitamin D3 levels, states an article published in the May/June issue of Physiological and Biochemical Zoology.
Nutrient Levels Affect Behavior
Chameleons with high Vitamin D3 levels (achieved through a diet of vitamin-supplemented crickets) limited their exposure to the sun, while those maintained on a [...]