That Reptile Blog » Field studies and notes

American Alligators Establish Long-Term Pair Bonds – Research Update

findiviglio — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:17:30 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Today’s update, while concerning an animal not suited as a pet (the American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis) will I’m sure will be of interest to all who keep or study reptiles. Scientists from the Savannah River Ecology Lab, working with alligators in Louisiana’s Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, were surprised to find a high [...]

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American Alligators Establish Long-Term Pair Bonds – Research Update

Common Problems When Raising Toads – Bloating and Paralysis

findiviglio — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:03:15 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The tadpoles of American Toads (Bufo/Anaxyrus americanus) and Fowler’s Toads (B. woodhousei fowleri), and of related US natives, are frequently collected by herpers young and old and taken home to raise. They usually prove quite hardy, and, even on nutrient-poor diets (i.e. lettuce), transform into tiny toadlets within a few weeks. Toad [...]

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Common Problems When Raising Toads – Bloating and Paralysis

The Western Hognose Snake – a Toad Specialist That Can do without Toads

findiviglio — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:10:23 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. It’s hard for snake enthusiasts not to be taken in by the Eastern hognose snake, Heterodon platyrhinos. It puts on an incredible defensive display, it’s stout, viper-like body is variably patterned in many hues and its natural history is quite unique. However, a preferred diet of toads precludes it [...]

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The Western Hognose Snake – a Toad Specialist That Can do without Toads

Newt Toxins: Personal Observations and Interesting Facts – Part II

findiviglio — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:19:46 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Please see Part I of this article for general information on some of earth’s most toxic amphibians (if not creatures in general) and for additional newt-keeping observations. Tiny Newt vs. Giant Toad The familiar red-spotted or Eastern newt (Notopthalmus viridescens) is at its most toxic in the immature eft (land) stage, but the [...]

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Newt Toxins: Personal Observations and Interesting Facts – Part II

A Millipede Emergency: the Dark Side of a Peaceful Terrarium Invertebrate – Part 1

findiviglio — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:09:36 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Having been chased by a Kodiak bear, confronted by an escaped king cobra and otherwise molested by scores of formidable animals, I felt relatively secure in accepting responsibility for a group of arboreal South American millipedes entrusted to me by colleague about to travel abroad. A primatologist, she had observed capuchin [...]

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A Millipede Emergency: the Dark Side of a Peaceful Terrarium Invertebrate – Part 1

Creating an “Ant Farm” for Burrowing Amphibians, Reptiles and Tarantulas

findiviglio — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:51:12 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I received my first “Uncle Milton’s Ant Farm” at about age 6, and instantly realized that therein lay the keys to a world previously closed to me (incidentally, Uncle Milton’s Ant Farms are still on the market, complete with decorative green plastic farmhouses and a coupon for live ants!). My interest [...]

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Creating an “Ant Farm” for Burrowing Amphibians, Reptiles and Tarantulas

Leaf Litter Invertebrates as Food for Small Insectivorous Amphibians and Reptiles – Part 2

findiviglio — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:56:30 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Please see Part I of this article for further information.Last time we took a look at the amazing diversity of tiny invertebrates that inhabit leaf litter, and their importance as food for small terrarium animals such as poison frogs, dwarf leaf chameleons, and young frogs, lizards, mantids and scorpions. Collecting Leaf Litter [...]

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Leaf Litter Invertebrates as Food for Small Insectivorous Amphibians and Reptiles – Part 2

Newt Toxins: Personal Observations and Interesting Facts

findiviglio — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:10:02 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Everyone associates the poison or "dart" frogs (Family Dendrobatidae) with skin toxins, but it is to the slow, seemingly benign newts and salamanders that we should really pay heed. In many cases their toxins are far more virulent and, unlike those of the poison frogs, they are produced internally and are [...]

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Newt Toxins: Personal Observations and Interesting Facts

The Northern Watersnake and its Relatives in the Wild and Captivity

findiviglio — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:24:46 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Watersnakes are largely ignored by herptoculturists, and I've never quite understood why. Hardy, prolific, and often colorful, their utilization of two habitats makes for very interesting observations. Today I'd like to focus on the northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon), and to mention a few others. Description Background color varies through shades of pale [...]

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The Northern Watersnake and its Relatives in the Wild and Captivity

Green Iguanas and Raccoons in Southern Florida….an Interesting Dilemma

findiviglio — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:49:48 +0000

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, [...]

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Green Iguanas and Raccoons in Southern Florida….an Interesting Dilemma