Conservation
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 >
(+2 rating, 2 votes)
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 ...Senegal Chameleons and Related Species – Common Health Problems
Feb 28th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The Senegal Chameleon (Chamaeleo senegalensis) occupies a unique position in the pet trade. Inexpensive and widely available, it can be a hearty captive if given proper care. However, this West African native is more easily collected than bred, so most that become available are wild-caught. Collection and shipment, hard on any creature, is particularly difficult for chameleons to endure. As a result, a variety of health problems are commonly seen in newly-acquired Senegal Chameleons.
In some ways, the Senegal Chameleon situation reminds me of that faced by Green Anoles in the 1960’s and ‘70’s. Because they were interesting and cheap, these fascinating little lizards were often purchased without much forethought. It took many years, and untold numbers of dead anoles, before we understood their specific husbandry needs. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Giant Turtles – Working with the World’s Largest Freshwater Species
Feb 10th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Turtle enthusiasts seem always to remain interested in even the commonest species. I’ve worked with world-renowned herpetologists who keep Sliders and private breeders who care for 2,000+ turtles (not a misprint!) yet find a place for Common Snappers. I’m the same way…as I write, I’m watched by a Stinkpot that I acquired in 1969. Yet there’s no denying the allure of 4 foot-long Giant Softshells, 200+ lb. Alligator Snappers, massive Painted River Terrapins and other rare giants like the turtle I’m holding in this photo (a Mata Mata rescued from a food market; the largest I’ve seen, perhaps a record). Today I’d like to share some experiences I’ve been lucky enough to have had with these and others. Don’t miss the chance to visit collections housing these amazing creatures; volunteer opportunities with field research programs are also sometimes available.
In 1985, while a reptile keeper at the Bronx Zoo, the opening of a 77,000 gallon Asian river exhibit (at Jungle World), allowed us to work with large turtles on a grand scale. Another unique opportunity came in 1997, with the seizure of nearly 10,000 turtles in Guangzhou, China. Many were sent to the USA, where I and others helped to place them in private and public collections. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...World’s Smallest Frogs Added to 2011’s List of Newly-Discovered Amphibians
Jan 2nd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Two frog species recently discovered in southeastern New Guinea are smaller than any other 4-legged vertebrate. Within their pea-sized bodies, they pack a brain, lungs, heart, digestive system and most of the other organs that people have…simply astounding!
Tiny Frogs and Fish
The frogs, Paedophryne dekot and P. verrucosa, were collected several years ago, but were only described as new species this year (please see ZooKeys article). Among all the world’s vertebrates, only a single fish, a Southeast Asian relative of the carp (see amazing photo here) is smaller – and the new frogs exceed it in size by only 0.1 mm! Another contender for the title, a leaf-litter frog from Cuba (please see photo of striped frog), is only a tiny bit larger. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
