Field studies and notes
Turtle Conservation Update, with a Focus on the USA’s Native Species
Mar 9th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Eleven years ago, I traveled to Florida to assist folks from the New York Turtle and Tortoise Society and other groups in rehabilitating thousands of turtles seized in southern China (please see this article for details). The event marked my introduction to what is now known as the “Asian Turtle Crisis”. Sadly, the situation remains dismal today. Recent studies show that turtles in the USA also face an extinction crisis. Yet the scale of the problem is largely unappreciated…for example, many conservation-minded people would be surprised to learn that over 12 million turtles were exported from the USA in the last 5 years (please see article below).
Year of the Turtle
2011 was designated as “The Year of the Turtle” by the Partnership for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) and affiliated groups. Happily, North American species seemed to get a bit more attention than usual. A recent article in Herpetological Review (2011: 42(2) 199-204) provided a comprehensive – if chilling – summary of the turtle-related concerns that PARC and others have been focusing on. The very informative article is not available online, so I’d like to highlight some key points here. More >
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Loading ...Red-Eared Slider, Map and Painted Turtles – Semi-Aquatic Turtle Care
Mar 6th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Turtles that split their time between land and water are among the world’s most popular reptilian pets. Cooters, Red-Bellied Turtles, Yellow-Bellied Sliders, Reeve’s Turtles, Red-Headed Sidenecks and many other species can also be kept as described below. Please write in for specific information on these and other turtles.
Natural History
The Red-Eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, is bred in the millions on farms in the American Southeast. Unfortunately, their needs are often not appreciated by new owners, who are usually surprised at how quickly their pets grow. However, assuming that you plan for its size and 30+ year lifespan, the Slider makes a wonderfully-responsive pet. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Skinks, Sea Snakes and Caecilians – Surprising New Species Discovered
Mar 1st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. New reptiles and amphibians turn up regularly, but, being generally small and inconspicuous, most excite only hard-core herp enthusiasts. In recent days, however, a string of good-sized, colorful and totally unexpected discoveries have drawn attention from even “regular” people. The new species include a spiny, brick-red skink, a sea snake with uniquely-raised scales, and a new family of hard-headed caecilians, those oddest of amphibians.
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. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Amphibian Medicine – Cold “Resurrects” Hellbender and Sick Frogs
Feb 23rd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. During my years with the Bronx Zoo, I have twice observed cold temperatures to revive salamanders (a Hellbender and a Greater Siren, please see photo) that seemed, by external appearances, to be quite dead. A recent paper caused me to think back on these events, and to other examples of low temperatures being used to “treat” ailing Axolotls, Leopard Frogs and other amphibians …I would greatly appreciate your own observations and thoughts on this topic.
Cold Tolerant Amphibians
Many amphibians are well-adapted to surprisingly low temperatures. On Long Island, NY, Eastern Tiger Salamanders may migrate to breeding ponds in February, and Spotted and Alpine Salamanders will cross snow for the same purpose. Wood Frogs occur within the Arctic Circle, and I’ve found Gray Tree Frogs hibernating beneath a mere 2” of leaf litter in NYC. Several Fire Salamanders under my care remained active at 38 F. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Newts as Pets – an Introduction to their Care and Feeding
Feb 21st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Although my interests are wide, newts and salamanders have always held a special fascination for me. Beginning in childhood, I sought to keep and breed as many species as possible, and I focused on their husbandry and conservation when I entered the zoo field. In time, I wrote a book summarizing my experiences (please see below). The passage of so many years has not dulled my enthusiasm for these fascinating amphibians, and I can highly recommend them to both beginning and advanced herp keepers.
The following information may be applied to the care of Japanese Fire-Bellied, Eastern, California, Ribbed and Paddle-Tailed Newts, as well as most others that appear in the pet trade. Please write in for detailed information on individual species.
Newts as Pets
An ability to thrive on commercial pellets distinguishes newts from other amphibians, and endears them to folks who prefer not to handle live insects. All are brilliantly-colored, active by day, and usually live well in groups at average room temperatures. Most become quite tame over time, and will even accept food from your hand. Several California Newts in my collection have lived to age 20, and others seem bent on exceeding that. More >
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