Posts tagged Reptile Health
Cold Snap in Florida Affects Introduced (i.e. Burmese Pythons) and Native Herps
Feb 1st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’ve received a number of questions lately from herp enthusiasts (and “regular people”!) who have come across cold-stunned reptiles and amphibians in Florida. Cuban Knight Anoles, Green Tree Frogs and many other species have been severely impacted by the record-breaking cold weather.
Burmese Pythons
A colleague’s comment on cold weather and Florida’s introduced Burmese Pythons brought to mind an incident that occurred several years ago. A friend of mine stopped into a coffee shop near Florida City and was surprised to see the skins of 14 large Burmese Pythons tacked to the wall. She learned that the shop’s owner had captured all along one road on a single warm morning following a cold snap. Herpetologists also know that such times are ideal for collecting, as snakes flock to roads to take advantage of the warm pavement and access to sun. More >
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Loading ...Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators – Helping Injured Amphibians and Reptiles
Jan 25th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Wildlife rehabilitators are private citizens who care for injured, sick or orphaned animals and, whenever possible, return them to their natural habitats (un-releasable animals may sometimes be retained for educational purposes). Such work has traditionally focused on birds and mammals, but these days a growing number of caring people are focusing their efforts on turtles, frogs, snakes, alligators and other herps. More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Herp Nutrition – Calcium Sprays and Tips for Special Situations – Part 2
Jan 4th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In Part I of this article, we discussed those situations in which a spray-on Calcium supplement might be useful. Over the years I’ve been shown, and have developed, a few other techniques that may help to boost the Calcium and vitamin content of reptile and amphibian diets. These strategies are based on observation and trial-and-error only, as solid research in this area is lacking, but have so far proven to be quite useful.
Calcium-Rich Insect Diets
Powdered Calcium mixes easily with tropical fish food flakes, and the resulting blend is readily consumed by crickets, roaches, sowbugs and earthworms. Try allowing your feeder invertebrates to load up on this nutritious diet for 2-3 days before offering them to your pets.
Mixing Your Own Calcium Supplements
In situations where additional Calcium might be called for, you can also mix powdered Calcium with a vitamin mineral supplement. I’ve used a 1:1 ratio (by weight) for animals recovering from Calcium deficiencies and as an occasional supplement for a variety of creatures, especially young individuals. Again, no hard evidence as to the effectiveness of this, but it may be useful as “insurance” (Note: different products vary in vitamin/mineral content).
Vitamin D3
Calcium cannot be utilized by reptiles and amphibians unless an adequate supply of Vitamin D3 is also provided. Heliothermic (basking) reptiles, such as Painted Turtles and Green Iguanas, make D3 in their skin in the presence of Ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Be sure to provide such creatures with a quality UVB bulb or unfiltered sunlight (UVB does not penetrate regular-grade glass or plastic).
Highly aquatic turtles (i.e. softshell turtles), nocturnal lizards (leopard geckos), amphibians and other non-basking species require a diet that supplies adequate D3, either naturally or with the help of a supplement.
Further Reading
Please see Part I of this article for a discussion of R Zilla Reptile Calcium Supplement Spray.
Recently, it has been shown that some chameleons regulate basking behavior in accordance with their Vitamin D3 needs. To read more about this fascinating research, please see Chameleon Basking Behavior.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Herp Nutrition – Calcium Sprays and Tips for Special Situations – Part 1
Dec 11th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Coating feeder insects with calcium and vitamin supplements is a time-tested method of adding important nutrients to reptile and amphibian diets. However, shy and nocturnal species that do not eat soon after the insects are released into their terrariums may get little benefit from powdered supplements. Insects quickly lose their coatings as they move about…crickets and roaches add to the problem by grooming the supplements from their bodies as soon as they are able (Yes, “grooming” …watch roaches sometime, they are quite fastidious!).
Spray-On Calcium
R Zilla Reptile Calcium Supplement Spray and Vitamin Supplement Spray help to address this problem. The spray sticks to and may even be absorbed by insects (as well as dry foods and salad), thereby assuring its delivery no matter how much time elapses before the food is consumed. These products will prove particularly useful to those keeping Leaf Tailed Geckos, Crocodile Skinks, Flying Geckos, Red-Eyed Treefrogs, Spadefoot Toads, certain burrowing tarantulas and others that are notoriously shy about showing themselves by day.
Calcium Spray supplies calcium in three forms, including Calcium Gluconate, which is readily utilized by many species. It can also be administered orally to animals with deficiencies (a consultation with your veterinarian would be advisable beforehand).
Further Reading
Please see my article Providing a Balanced Diet to Reptiles and Amphibians for more information on other aspects of captive herp nutrition.
An interesting article on feeder insect calcium content is posted here.
Next time we’ll take a look at a few effective but little-used techniques for raising the calcium content of insects fed to reptiles and amphibians.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Agalychnis callidryas image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Christian R. Linder
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Reptile Awareness Day – Lend Your Favorite Creatures a Helping Hand!
Oct 14th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Our favorite animals’ own holiday, Reptile Awareness Day (RAD), will soon be upon us. On Wednesday, 
October 21st, herp enthusiasts can participate by doing something special for reptiles – educate someone about reptiles, clean up a reptile habitat, do something special for your pet, make a donation to a conservation organization…the possibilities are endless.
The Bronx River as Herp Habitat?
I’ve been involved in a few such endeavors over the years. One of the most gratifying was in conjunction with Bronx River Restoration. Neighborhood children were recruited to help remove debris that had accumulated along that part of the Bronx River that passes through the Bronx Zoo. A surprising array of reptiles and amphibians (i.e. snapping, painted and musk turtles, green and bull frogs, dusky salamanders) live along the river, but they need a hand on occasion.
We also trimmed overgrown banks to let in sunlight and improve basking opportunities for resident Eastern painted turtles and added tree stumps to the shallows. On return visits to the river, the children were happy to see both turtles and water snakes utilizing the new basking spots.
Water Snakes in NYC
Another surprisingly effective project that I enjoyed was the reintroduction of northern water snakes to the banks of the Bronx River and nearby ponds. Working on conjunction with several wildlife agencies, I collected water snakes from approved areas and released several gravid females. I also held back a few animals for captive breeding, and released the young (1 huge female gave birth to 89 live young, a near record!).
I’m delighted to report that the water snakes are breeding in their new habitat. If this can be accomplished in the center of the country’s most densely populated city, just imagine the potential that exists elsewhere!
Please Note: Reintroduction programs must be carefully researched and approved by your state Fish and Wildlife Agency.
Have Fun, Help Reptiles and Win Prizes!
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, a reptile rescue and education organization located in Elizabethtown, PA, is sponsoring a contest in support of Reptile Awareness Day (RAD). So lending a hand to reptiles will not only feel good…it may just earn you some great prizes as well (Including a $50 gift card from That Fish Place/That Pet Place)!
To enter, simply post a note describing your “reptile friendly” good deed on Forgotten Friend’s site.
Radio Broadcasts
Anyone in the Central Pennsylvania area should be sure to tune in to the morning shows at FM 97 or WJTL FM 90.3 on October 21st – Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary representatives will discuss their important work and suggest ways that we can help to make the world a better place for our reptile friends.
Amphibian Awareness Day?
We don’t have an Amphibian Awareness Day yet, but please don’t forget that frogs, salamanders and caecilians also need a hand. As you can see from the photo, even the youngest herpetologists among us can express real tenderness towards small creatures (the sturdy little fellow pictured here usually goes through life like a bulldozer!). Children are the conservationists of the future – include them in your hobby if at all possible.
The more we learn about reptiles, the more we can do on their behalf. Please check out the many reptile and amphibian articles posted on our blog, and be sure to write in with your own observations, questions and ideas.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
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