That Reptile Blog – Reptile, Amphibian and Exotic Pet Care and Information

From Water Hyacinths to Norway Rats, introduced species are one of the leading causes of animal population declines and extinctions worldwide. Introduced turtles, while not usually viewed in this light, can be problematic…feral Red-Eared Sliders, for example, are out-competing native turtles in many countries (please see article below).  Please see Part 1 of this article for more information on African Spurred Tortoises, Geochelone sulcata, in Arizona.

Disease Transmission

Disease introduction is a particularly serious concern when an animal is introduced into the range of a relative, as is the case with African Spurred Tortoises in Arizona.

Native Desert Tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, populations, already fragile, could be decimated by a disease or parasite that may be carried by, but is relatively harmless to, Spurred Tortoises.  This was a common occurrence in zoos when related animals from different parts of the globe were exhibited together, and the chief reason why I advise pet-keepers against the practice. Read More »

Through several odd twists of fate – for one born in the Bronx, NY and without the means to travel as a child – I’ve found myself with numerous lifelong connections and friends in Japan. I’ve also had the good fortune of spending considerable time with the staff at several institutions there, including the Ueno Zoo, Tama Zoo, Enoshima Aquarium and Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium. I spent the first days and nights of this month’s disaster checking on friends and colleagues via phone and internet, and have had good and bad news….I don’t have the right words to explain further, and doubt I ever will. I’m now gathering information on zoos and aquariums in northern Honshu (the crisis zone) and would like to pass along this update.

First, however, please allow me to direct you to some reliable sites that are accepting donations for the people of Japan. A massive relief effort is being spearheaded by the NYC-based Japan Society. I’m very familiar with the organization and can vouch for its integrity. You can learn how to help by clicking here.

Global Giving UK

A Paradise for Zoo and Aquarium Fans

Japan’s Zoos have long specialized in smaller creatures…given my own interests, I was happy to see that Japanese Common Toads (nothing “common” about their colors, please see photo), Japanese Flying Squirrels (one species is the size of a house cat!), scorpions and the like are favored over hippos, lions and elephants. Japanese hobbyists’ and entomologists’ work with insects and other invertebrates is nothing short of unbelievable – I was floored by the Tama Zoo’s giant insect house and its huge walk-through “aviary” for insects. Japan’s aquariums are among the worlds finest, and thrilled me with tiny, as yet un-named deep sea crustaceans, giant Spider Crabs, Whale Sharks and much more.

This focus on small animals may help some institutions in weathering the crisis, but of course it is not clear at this point how any will fare.

The Scope of the Crisis

Fortunately there have not been, as far as is known, human injuries or fatalities at any zoos or aquariums.

Several aquariums have been hard-hit by the loss of power. Filtration and other life support systems shut down at Sendai’s Matsushima Aquarium and the Fukushima Aquarium, with a consequent loss of fish and invertebrate life. However, as of last report, the marine mammals and birds fared well, and are being moved to Kamogawa Sea World. Of course, all vehicular movement is being coordinated by Japan’s Self Defense Forces, and forecasts are impossible to make.

Other institutions without power and likely to be critically low on food and supplies include Sendai’s Yagiyama Zoo, the Akita Omoriyama Zoo, the Morioka Zoo, the Hitachi Carmine Zoo and the Asamushi Aquarium.

Report from a Zookeeper

A friend working at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo reports that zoo staffers everywhere are splitting their time between people in need and the animal collections, as circumstances dictate. Cooperation among the various institutions, always impressive, is at an all-time high.

Certainly the Japanese people, on the whole, love their zoos and aquariums. Ueno Zoo, despite being a mere 35 acres in size, yearly attracts 3-4 times the visitors as does the 600+ acre Bronx Zoo (at my last check, several years ago)!

How You Can Help

The Japan Zoo and Aquarium Association is coordinating a relief effort on behalf of Japan’s animal caretakers and captive animals. People who may be able to help in any manner – donations, hands-on, ideas – are asked to send an email to kanako-jaza@pony.ocn.ne.jp. You can read an appeal and information letter from JAZA here.

A simple means of contributing money online has also been established by the World Zoo Association. Please click here to donate.

You can also help by emailing zoochat.com at Japanzoorelief@gmail.com; ideas, information and donations are all needed.

I realize that I’ve strayed a bit from our usual topics here, and thank you for your understanding, Frank Indiviglio.

Further Reading

The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums – history and other information

The Tama Zoo.

The Ueno Zoo

 

Bufo japonicus image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by OpenCage.

A recent article in the journal IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians (V17, 1) provides evidence that the African Rock Python (Northern African Python, Python sebae), may have established a breeding population in southern Florida.  The huge constrictors are adapted to take small antelopes and other large animals, and have been killed and consumed people in their native habitat.

Florida’s Introduced Constrictors

At least 45 species of non-native reptiles and amphibians have established breeding populations in Florida; many others have been observed but are not known to be reproducing.  Among these are 2 of the world’s largest snakes, the Burmese Python and the Boa Constrictor.  Other large constrictors, including the Green Anaconda, Yellow Anaconda and White-Lipped Python, have been found at large in Florida.

Anacondas and others Established?

Given the extent of Florida’s wetlands and other densely-vegetated habitats, it is not unlikely that reproduction of other species has occurred unseen.  Anacondas, being aquatic, are especially difficult to find.  Years ago, I was told by a reliable source that an entire litter of Green Anacondas escaped from a roadside zoo near Florida City in the early 1970’s…nothing would surprise me at this point!

Northern African Python Study

The article mentioned above looked at Northern African Python sightings and captures in south Florida from 2002-2009.  In that period, 7 individuals were found in a small (less than 10 square miles) area in Dade County.  Among the captured snakes was an 15.5 foot-long adult female with eggs forming in the oviduct, reproductively active males, and several young-of-the-year.  The ages and sexes of these snakes, and their proximity to one another, suggests a breeding population.

Also notable is the fact that the capture sites were less than 1 mile from the border of the Everglades, an immense habitat that could easily hide other African Rock Pythons.

Recent meals – a Domestic Turkey and a Boat-tailed Grackle – were recovered from 2 of the snakes.

Python Hybrids

The African Rock Pythons were found in an area that abuts or overlaps with the range of Florida’s introduced Burmese Pythons.  The 2 species will mate with one another in captivity; the fertility of the resulting hybrids, and their possible affect on south Florida ecosystems, bears further study.

Further Reading

The African Rock Python in Florida (National Geographic)

Video: Rock Python found in Florida

News Article, Photo: African Rock Python Captured in Florida

Study: Burmese Python Winter Tolerance

 

Python Sebae image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Brian.Gratwicke

 

Many interesting amphibian and reptile field research reports are published in professional journals such as Copeia, Herpetologica and Herpetological Review, and are not available on the internet.  Unfortunately, such journals are usually quite expensive (if well-worth the price).  From time to time I’ll provide summaries of interesting articles that I come across.  Today’s report is drawn from Autumn, 2010 publications and covers 2 unusual feeding records.  The observations were made in Florida and, as might be expected, both predator and prey (Cuban Treefrog, Spectacled Caiman, Walking Catfish) were non native species! Read More »

Asia’s freshwater turtles face an unprecedented extinction crisis, which may soon result in the loss of 90 or more species.  In 2001, I joined other turtle enthusiasts in south Florida to help process nearly 10,000 turtles of many species that had been confiscated on route to food markets in China.  The magnitude of the response to their plight heartened me, but today, unfortunately, we are still fighting an uphill battle.  Please see Part 1 of this article for details.  Following is a bit more on this sad situation. Read More »