Western Pilbara Spiny-Tailed Skink (Ergenia cygnitos)

The beautiful, deep-red color of this spine-covered skink closely matches the rocks of its desert habitat in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.  You can see its photo and learn more in the article linked below.

Over the past 12 months, 9 other new species – 7 reptiles and 2 frogs – have been found in the same area.  Several related skinks (please see photo) and a “barking” gecko are included among the newly-described creatures.  Mining proposals spurred the surveys in Pilbara.  Hopefully, the discovery so many previously unknown species will limit commercial activities until further studies have been completed.

Rough-Scaled Sea Snake (Hydrophis donaldi)

The world’s 60 true Sea Snakes depart radically from others in form and lifestyle, and they have, therefore, been studied in detail.  As most occur in areas that are heavily fished by commercial trawlers, it has long been assumed that none remained to be found.  So the recent discovery of new species in Northern Australia, where 31 others reside, was quite a surprise.  Stranger still is the fact that it bears raised scales, rendering it unique among the sea snakes.  Unlike its sea-going relatives, the aptly-named Rough-Scaled Sea Snake inhabits shallow estuaries – habitats that are not often visited by commercial fishermen or herpetologists.

Nine specimens of the new species, described by herpetologist Bryan Frye, have been found in the Gulf of Carpentaria region.  Like all sea snakes, it produces complex venom which, if past studies are a guide, may contain medically-useful compounds.  A photo of the new snake is included in the article linked below.

Sea Snakes are not often exhibited, so I feel fortunate to have worked with the beautifully-marked Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake (please see photo) at the Bronx Zoo.  A confirmed “eel-specialist”, it was not the easiest of snakes to accommodate, but well-worth the effort.

A New Caecilian Family

The legless Caecilians are the least-studied of the amphibians.  But what little we do know is startling…this video, showing young caecilians feeding on skin that their mother grows for this purpose, says it all! 

Over the past 5 years, 250 surveys in northeastern India have turned up a variety of species, some so unique that a new family, Chikilidae, has been formed to accommodate them.  Dwelling in forests and agricultural areas, Chikilid caecilians sport hard skulls that assist them in pushing their way through the soil.  A photo of a female with her brood is included in the article linked below.

The Delhi University researchers who found the new caecilians have also described 57 other Indian amphibians. Thirty percent of India’s known amphibians have been discovered in the last 10 years, leading herpetologists to believe that many other surprises are in store.

Oddly enough, one of the world’s few aquatic caecilians sometimes appears in the pet trade. Sold under the name “Rubber Eel”, the Rio Cauca Caecilian has long fascinated me; please check out my article Notes on the Rubber Eel to learn more about this fascinating creature.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Western Pilbara Spiny-Tailed Skink photos

Original article describing the Rough-Scaled Sea Snake

Photo, Rough-Scaled Sea Snake

New-found Caecilians: Information and photos

African Caecilian image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Milvus

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Skinks, Sea Snakes and Caecilians – Surprising New Species Discovered

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Earthworm Drawbacks

However, earthworms are expensive to purchase, and not everyone has the ability to collect them.  Also, the tiny earthworms needed by smaller amphibians and fishes are nearly impossible to obtain unless one sets up a breeding colony.  While this is feasible if you have access to a cool basement or similar area (please see article below), not everyone is able to indulge their pets in this manner.

Using Earthworm Flake Food

Enter Zoo Med’s Earthworm Flake Food, recently marketed as a breeding stimulant, fry rearing food and treat for tropical fishes.  In addition to dried, powdered earthworms, Zoo Med’s exciting new food contains a variety of other nutritious ingredients, including salmon, krill, shrimp and plankton.

I believe Earthworm Flakes will also prove useful to those keeping smaller aquatic amphibians and other creatures.  Tadpoles, Newts, smaller African Clawed Frogs, Crayfishes, Freshwater Shrimp, Snails and aquatic insects such as Diving Beetles would all benefit from a dose of earthworm nutrients in their diet. 

Earthworm Flake Food might also be tried with those animals that, while preferring live invertebrates, can sometimes be induced to accept dry foods.  Included among these would be newly-hatched Mexican Axolotls, aquatic salamander larvae of many species, and Dwarf African Clawed Frogs.

I have a special interest in North American Catfishes and other native fishes, most of which go into a feeding frenzy when supplied with earthworms.  I plan to try Earthworm Flakes with some of these as well.

Further Reading

Of course, its hard to top the real thing…please see my article Keeping and Breeding Earthworms if you’d like to start your own colony.

Please write in with your own experiences, questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

 
Tadpoles image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by bohringer freidrich

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Earthworm Flakes – a New Food for Tadpoles, Newts and other Aquatic Pets

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Natural History

Bloodworms resemble, but are unrelated to, aquatic worms.  Rather, they are the larvae of tiny flying insects known as Midges (often called “Gnats”) of the Family Chironomidae.  They have long been sold in stores specializing in tropical fishes, and can also be ordered from internet dealers. 

Interestingly, Bloodworms utilize a type of Hemoglobin that is very similar to our own, and which fulfills the same role – carrying oxygen throughout the body.  Hemoglobin imparts both color and common name to these small (to 1 inch in length) insects.  

Life Cycle

In the wild, Bloodworms feed ravenously on organic detritus for 10-12 days, after which they pupate and then leave the water as winged adults.  The adults, known as Midges, tend to transform at the same time, and often form huge swarms.  Most species mate and lay eggs without feeding, and expire in 1-3 days.  

This lifestyle renders it difficult to rear Bloodworms in captivity.  I did have a colony established for a time in a large zoo exhibit, but collecting the larvae is difficult as they create small tubes in which to hide by day.  Fortunately, Bloodworms live quite well under refrigeration, and so may be stored and used as needed.

Using Bloodworms

Bloodworms differ from other readily available small live foods in being insects.  This is an important point, because, as such, they likely offer nutrients that are different from those to be found in Brine Shrimps and Blackworms. 

I have found Bloodworms particularly valuable as food for salamander larvae, carnivorous tadpoles (i.e. African Bullfrogs), Dwarf African Clawed Frogs (Hymenochirus spp.), small African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus spp.), young Surinam Toads and Eastern Spotted and similarly-sized newts.  When placed in a small dish with a tiny bit of water, they are sometimes taken by Marbled, Red-Backed and other terrestrial salamanders.

Freeze dried and frozen Bloodworms offer a convenient means of supplying this important food item to those species that will accept non-living food items.  I always include them in the diet of omnivorous tadpoles that are known to be scavengers (American Bullfrogs, Poison Frogs).

Further Reading

Keepers of small terrestrial amphibians might be interested in my article on Rearing Springtails.

Everything you could possibly wish to learn about Midges and Bloodworms can be found on the website of the Chironomidae Research Group.

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Midge image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by http://www.entomart.be/

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Live Bloodworms – An Important Food for Small Amphibians and Their Larvae

The post Live Bloodworms – An Important Food for Small Amphibians and Their Larvae appeared first on That Reptile Blog.

Salamanders and Newts

Caudata.org

This is the most comprehensive salamander-oriented website available.  I’m very impressed by the depth of interest and expertise evidenced by many of the members, who are always eager to help less-experienced hobbyists.  The forum discussions are always interesting and often break new ground, and the posted articles and care sheets are top notch.

Frogs and Toads

FrogForum.net

This informative website focuses on frogs other than the “attention-grabbing” poison frogs, although discussions concerning these are welcome.  It’s very refreshing to see that North American frogs and other under-represented groups are given the spotlight here.  Popular pet trade species such as White’s treefrogs, horned frogs and African bullfrogs, are also well covered.

The discussion forums show great promise, and the care sheets and natural history information supplied are of excellent quality.

Toadily Toads

I’ve never understood why toads have always been given so little attention by amphibian enthusiasts.  They exhibit an amazing diversity of forms and lifestyles and, on the whole, make much hardier and more responsive pets than do frogs.  The folks at ToadilyToads have taken great strides in remedying this unfortunate situation.

This website deals with all aspects of toad keeping and conservation, and provides some enjoyable activities as well.  I was especially happy to see that a good deal of attention is given to encouraging local species through backyard and similar habitat improvements.

Dart Den

This site is a great resource for those who keep or are interested in learning more about the ever-popular poison frogs and their relatives (“dart frogs”, Mantella spp., Dendrobates spp., etc.).  The discussion forums are quite active, and quality care and natural history information is available.

Caecilians

Gymnophiona.org

A real find for those interested in this little-studied but fascinating amphibian order, this site posts some of the most well-researched caecilian natural history information available.  The captive care details provided are a rare and valuable resource. 

Those interested in caecilian husbandry are well-situated to uncover volumes of new information on these unusual creatures; this website would serve well as a vehicle to publish such and to interact with others working with caecilians.

Health Care

Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital

I’ve long relied upon Dr. Kevin Wright, founder of the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital, for answers to my most difficult pet and zoo animal health and husbandry questions. 

One of the world’s foremost exotic animal veterinarians and coauthor of the classic Amphibian Medicine and Captive Husbandry, Dr. Wright has posted a variety of much-needed amphibian care sheets on the hospital’s website.  Covering topics ranging from general emergencies to parasites, the information contained therein is an invaluable resource to the amphibian keeper.  Hobbyists whose interests extend beyond amphibians will find a wealth of information on the care of invertebrates, fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals as well…a real treasure trove!  For information on phone and email consultations with Dr. Wright, please click here.

Conservation

Amphibian Ark

Amphibian Ark was formed in response to the wave of amphibian extinctions occurring worldwide.  The organization coordinates both field and captive-management conservation programs in association with zoos, museums and researchers worldwide.

The Amphibian Ark Newsletter, posted monthly, is the internet’s most comprehensive collection of articles dealing with amphibian research, conservation and natural history.

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

 Frank Indiviglio

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Top 7 Amphibian Care, Conservation and Natural History Websites

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