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Boas, Anacondas & Pythons in the Wild & Captivity: An Overview

[…]as the Common Boa (Boa constrictor), are habitat generalists.   Reproduction All pythons produce eggs which in most if not all species are incubated by the female. By contracting their muscles, or “shivering”, females can raise the temperature of their clutch by as much as 40 F.   With a […]
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Barbour’s Map Turtle Care and Natural History

[…]to a fatal infection known as egg peritonitis. It is important to note that females may develop eggs even if unmated, and that captives may produce several clutches each year.   The eggs may be incubated in moist vermiculite at 82-86 F for 60-85 days. Please post below for further […]
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Spring Field Trips: Amphibians, Reptiles, Invertebrates, Birds

[…]find any water scorpions, diving beetles or other common aquatic insects, but many over-winter as eggs, and so are difficult to locate prior to maturity.   Happily, the red-winged blackbirds were out in force, and calling all day. I’ve observed these early harbingers of spring to return to NY as […]
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Tarantulas: Are They The Right Pet for You?

[…]You with an Egg Sac As a single mating can result in multiple egg cases, females sometimes produce eggs long after having been fertilized by a male. If you are not aware of a female’s history, you may find yourself with more tarantula-related responsibilities than you bargained for! While a […]

The Indigo Snake’s Less Expensive-Relative: Blacktail Cribo Care and Natural History

[…]which includes a surprisingly-wide array of creatures. Rodents, rabbits, snakes, birds and their eggs, lizards, frogs, fish, small turtles are large insects have been reported as being taken. I have first-hand experience with impressive biting power packed by most rodents, and find it amazing that Cribos do not utilize constriction, […]
Read more » The Indigo Snake’s Less Expensive-Relative: Blacktail Cribo Care and Natural History

Care of the World’s Most Colorful Mantella: A Zookeeper’s Thoughts

[…]call from concealed positions by day. Unlike most frogs, amplexus is dispensed with. The eggs, which may number over 100, are deposited on land, with the tadpoles being washed into nearby waterways by rains. Captive breeding needs more attention from private keepers and zoos – please write in for further […]
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Turtles and Tortoises: 5 You Should Never Keep as Pets

[…]were a daily occurrence – how they managed to breed I’ll never know (literally, since the eggs incubated unseen within the exhibit!). A susceptibility to fungal and bacterial infections, often centered on the carapace, adds to the difficulties involved in keeping these unusual turtles.   Nile Softshell Turtle (Trionx triunguis) […]
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Vampire Crab Care: 2 New Land Crab Species Found Among Pet Trade Animals

[…]and as a breeding site, Vampire Crabs have cut all ties with the ocean. Females carry their 20-50+ eggs about until they hatch or are ready to hatch, whereupon they are deposited in shallow pools of fresh water.   Crab enthusiasts will be especially happy to learn that Vampires have […]
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The Two Toed Amphiuma: a Giant Salamander that Bites Like a Watersnake!

[…]protecting them from predators and desiccation. It is not known if incubating females leave the eggs to feed.   The 30-200 eggs, which are attached to each other in string-like fashion, are deposited in June/July in the northern part of the range and in Jan. /Feb. in the south. Inundation […]
Read more » The Two Toed Amphiuma: a Giant Salamander that Bites Like a Watersnake!

Western Hognose Snake: Care, Color Morphs and Natural History

[…]as its east coast cousin, the Western Hognose takes toads, lizards, other snakes, rodents and the eggs of turtles, lizards, and birds with equal gusto.; locusts and other large invertebrates have also been reported as food items.  I recall one study in which this species was identified as the major […]
Read more » Western Hognose Snake: Care, Color Morphs and Natural History

The USA’s Only Native Rear-Fanged Vine Snake: Care and Natural History

[…]would be most valuable to this snake and its relatives. Field observations indicate that 4-8 eggs are typically produced. Temperament Mexican Vine Snakes are notoriously high-strung, and should be viewed as creatures to observe rather than handle. When approached, they open the mouth to expose its black interior and strike […]
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Frog Diets: Supplement Raises Poison Frog Egg Output & Tadpole Survival

[…]Frogs were included in the study. The increased tadpole survival was attributed to higher quality eggs being produced by female frogs. Infertile eggs, which are deposited by females as food for their tadpoles, were also believed to be of higher nutritional value following carotenoid supplementation.   A number of the […]
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Asian Leaf Turtle Care and Conservation: A Zookeeper’s Thoughts

[…]season, the plastron becomes somewhat flexible to allow for the passage of the 2-4 unusually-large eggs. Females sometimes have difficulty passing their eggs, especially if the diet lacks sufficient calcium.   Gravid females usually become restless and may refuse food. They should be removed to a large container (i.e. 5x […]
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How Reptiles, Amphibians and Spiders “Celebrate” Valentine’s Day

[…]in tiny, nutrient-poor pools within bromeliads, and would not survive without the unfertilized eggs provided by their mothers as food. Many other Poison Frogs do the same, but Mimic males stay near tadpole pools and call to their mates when the tadpoles need to be fed (how they know when […]
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Crested Gecko Care: Breeding Crested Geckos

[…]to store sperm. Those purchased as adults, or separated from a male, may still produce fertile eggs. As mentioned above, females that have not mated may also develop eggs, which must be deposited.   Stay alert for signs that a female may be egg-bound – lethargy, swollen abdomen, straining – […]

Eastern Painted Turtle Care: Keeping the USA’s Most Beautiful Turtle

[…]at age 3-5. Courting and breeding occurs in May and June, and females deposit 1-4 clutches of eggs (1-15 eggs in total) between May and July. Late-hatching young may overwinter in the nest and emerge the following spring.   Captive conditions may alter all of the above, so please write […]
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Monitor Lizards as Pets: Dumeril Monitor Care and Natural History

[…]crabs, crayfish and squid. Pinkies or small mice may be provided once weekly, and hard-boiled eggs can be used on occasion. All meals (other than fishes, crabs and rodents) offered to growing monitors should be powdered with calcium, and a high-quality reptile vitamin/mineral supplement should be used 3x weekly. I […]
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Rat Snake Care: the Russian Ratsnake – Large, Bold and Beautiful

[…]As an adaptation to the short summers in their native range, female Russian Ratsnakes retain their eggs for a time, and deposit them in a well-advanced state. At an incubation temperature of 82 F, they typically hatch within 40 days.   The hatchlings measure 11-15 inches in length and differ […]
Read more » Rat Snake Care: the Russian Ratsnake – Large, Bold and Beautiful

Frog Facts: New Species Has Fangs and Gives Birth to Live Tadpoles!

[…]that eat bark, their mother’s eggs and even their father’s skin, along with parents that carry eggs or young in skin pouches, vocal sacs and even stomachs. None, however, were known to give birth to live tadpoles. As you’ll see below, a herpetologist’s extremely lucky catch, at just the right […]
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New Species of 2014: Fantastic Reptiles, Amphibians and Pterosaurs

[…]Thorny Tree Frog was found in a dense cloud forest in central Vietnam. Females deposit their eggs in water-filled tree cavities, but much remains unknown about other aspects of their life history. You can read the article describing this new species in the article linked below.   Brazilian Pterosaur, Caiujara […]
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CITES Listing Sought for Snapping Turtles, 3 Softshells: Do You Agree?

[…]Turtles were exported from the USA between 2009 and 2011 (this excludes processed meat and eggs).   Unfortunately, government regulation sometimes raises hackles among pet keepers. Throughout my career as a herpetologist, I’ve worked on numerous cooperative ventures between government agencies and private keepers – all showed promise, but were […]
Read more » CITES Listing Sought for Snapping Turtles, 3 Softshells: Do You Agree?

East African Black Mud Turtle Care: a Herpetologist’s Thoughts

[…]infection (egg peritonitis); oxytocin injections usually resolve the problem quickly.   The 6 -18 eggs may be incubated in moist vermiculite at 82-85 F for 55-80 days.     Further Reading Turtle Water Quality Prepared Diets for […]
Read more » East African Black Mud Turtle Care: a Herpetologist’s Thoughts

The 5 Best Reptiles and Amphibians to Choose as Holiday Gifts

[…]fish food), can serve as the basis of their diet. Fire-Bellies often surprise their owners with eggs, offering an excellent introduction to amphibian breeding.  Note: all newts produce skin toxins that can be harmful, and for certain species fatal, if swallowed; children must be supervised.   Leopard Gecko, Eublepharis macularius […]
Read more » The 5 Best Reptiles and Amphibians to Choose as Holiday Gifts

Pet Snakes That Don’t Eat Rodents: Insect-Eating Snake Care

[…]are available. Fascinating snakes that specialize in hunting centipedes, spiders, fish and frog eggs and other unusual prey items are also known, but these are rarely kept as pets.   A single adult of most species will do fine in a 10 gallon aquarium. Unlike more commonly-kept snakes, they do […]
Read more » Pet Snakes That Don’t Eat Rodents: Insect-Eating Snake Care

African Bullfrog or Pac Man Horned Frog: Choosing the Best Frog Pet

[…]suitable space and proper pre-conditioning, either species may surprise you with thousands of eggs…and the tadpoles are as rabidly carnivorous as their parents!   Cost The cost of ownership of each frog is about the same. Neither requires UVB exposure, and they do fine with similar diets, terrariums and heat […]
Read more » African Bullfrog or Pac Man Horned Frog: Choosing the Best Frog Pet

My Experiences with Snake Necked Turtles in Zoos and at Home

[…]Australasian species spend the majority of their lives in water, emerging only to bask or deposit eggs. South American representatives vary in their habits – the Mata Mata Turtle is completely aquatic but others, such as the Twist Necked Turtle (Platemys platycephala), spend some time on land.   Depending upon […]
Read more » My Experiences with Snake Necked Turtles in Zoos and at Home

Rainbow Snake Care: Keeping a Colorful but Difficult Aquatic Snake

[…]Snakes produce unusually large clutches, which range in size from 20 to over 50 eggs. As the eggs are deposited below cover or within shallow burrows, a large nesting box should be provided to gravid females. Hatchlings measure 8 ½ – 11 inches in length.   Temperament Rainbow Snakes are […]
Read more » Rainbow Snake Care: Keeping a Colorful but Difficult Aquatic Snake

American Museum of Natural History: A Visit to the Live Spider Exhibit

[…]is an impressive hunter of small fishes and tadpoles (please see photo of a female with eggs, currently in my collection). My nephew readily tackles snakes exceeding his own length, but when I asked him to swim under a dock and capture this spider, he quickly replied “No way, man”! […]
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Spotted Turtle Care: Is This Beauty the Perfect Small Turtle Pet?

[…]length and width of the turtle) provisioned with 6-8 inches of slightly moist soil and sand. The eggs may be incubated in moist vermiculite at 82-84 F for 50-85 days.   Gravid females that do not nest should be seen by a veterinarian as egg retention invariably leads to a […]
Read more » Spotted Turtle Care: Is This Beauty the Perfect Small Turtle Pet?

Diamondback Terrapin Care: Keeping the USA’s Most Unique Turtle

[…]leads to a fatal infection (egg peritonitis). It is important to note that females may develop eggs even if un-mated, and that pets may produce several clutches each year.   The 4-20 eggs may be incubated in moist vermiculite at 80-82 F for 55-65 days.   Temperament Diamondback Terrapins make […]
Read more » Diamondback Terrapin Care: Keeping the USA’s Most Unique Turtle

Hognose Snake: Breeding and Care for the Madagascar Giant

[…]its diet to toads, the Madagascar Giant Hognose takes toads, frogs, lizards, small mammals and the eggs of tortoises, lizards and birds with equal gusto. Captive adults readily accept mice and rats, but hatchlings often prefer lizard or toad-scented rodents at first. In time, they can be weaned-over to un-scented […]
Read more » Hognose Snake: Breeding and Care for the Madagascar Giant

Frog Facts: First Discovery of Egg Care by a Southeast Asian Treefrog

[…]the male provides most or all of the parental care (please see photo of male Midwife Toad carrying eggs).  Such eggs are generally deposited on land, and direct development (from egg to small frog) is typical. Chiromantis hansenae, by contrast, produces many tiny eggs and deposits them above-ground, and tadpoles […]
Read more » Frog Facts: First Discovery of Egg Care by a Southeast Asian Treefrog

Pet Turtles: Ornate Wood Turtle Care and Breeding

[…]fight, and often harass females with near-constant mating attempts.   Breeding Three to five eggs are produced at a time, and females may deposit up to 4 clutches per year. Breeding usually occurs between August and December.   Females sometimes have difficulty passing their eggs, especially if the diet lacks […]
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Fishing Spider: Habitat and Care

[…]body is marked with black, and the legs are banded, but individuals vary.   Maternal Care of Eggs and Young Female Dark Fishing Spiders carry their egg cases, which may contain up to 1,400 eggs, suspended between the chelicerae (fangs), pedipalps, and spinnerets (large wolf spiders, which resemble fishing spiders, […]

Chameleons as Pets: Breeding Senegal Chameleons

[…]basking bulb, or an additional one, should be used to warm the nesting area.   Incubating the Eggs Senegal Chameleon eggs have been successfully incubated at temperatures ranging from 72 to 80 F. At 77 F, they typically hatch in 6 months. A high-quality reptile egg incubator is the surest […]
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Savu Python Care: Keeping One of the World’s Smallest Pythons

[…](72 F by night, 82-85 F by day) initiated in late autumn. Clutches generally contain 5-10 eggs, which may be incubated in moist vermiculite at 88-90 F for 55-65 days. Hatchlings average 11-14 inches in length.       Further Reading   Python Eats Crocodile: Giant Snake Meals   Green […]
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Small Pet Turtles: Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle Care

[…]to a fatal infection known as egg peritonitis. It is important to note that females may develop eggs even if un-mated, and that captives may produce several clutches each year.   Eggs incubated at 82 F typically hatch in 62-75 days.   Males may stress or bite females during mating […]
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Reptile UVB Bulbs: Insights on the Best from Zoo-Based Herpetologists

[…]D3 levels are now at normal levels, and several previously-infertile females have produced viable eggs. I’m interested to see if the effects of the bulbs and the sunlight can be distinguished (nothing tops natural sunlight, of course).   Several Ringtail Lemurs that share the tortoise exhibit also became very fond […]
Read more » Reptile UVB Bulbs: Insights on the Best from Zoo-Based Herpetologists

Turtle Food: Pellets, Shrimp and other Prepared Diets

[…]commercial turtle foods are, thankfully, light years removed from the yesteryear’s dried “ant eggs” (actually ant pupae). While natural foods remain important, some remarkable advances now provide turtle keepers with an important safety net, and simplify the process of providing our pets with a balanced diet. Today I’ll review some […]
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Turtles as Pets: New Species to Try in 2014

[…]be watched closely, as males often bite females during courtship. A typical clutch contains 1-5 eggs, which hatch after an incubation period of 95-110 days at 82 F. Please see the article linked below for further information.   The Yellow-Spotted Sideneck Turtle, Podocnemis unifilis, This attractive South American turtle commonly […]

The World’s Most Colorful Snake: 100 Flower Rat Snake Care

[…]cooling off period at 58-62 F seems to stimulate breeding behavior. Clutches generally contain 5-8 eggs, which should be incubated at 80-82 F for 80-90 days.   Handling Individual tolerance of handling varies almost as much as does their color pattern!  As with most snakes, wild-caught animals may remain defensive […]
Read more » The World’s Most Colorful Snake: 100 Flower Rat Snake Care

Amphibians as Pets: Care of Common and Unusual Types of Toads

[…]common species as fascinating as Kihansi Spray Toads (which produce tiny toadlets rather than eggs!), Blomberg’s Toads and the other rarities I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.   Classification Toads and frogs are classified in the order Anura, which contains 6,396 members.  The world’s 588 toad species are placed in […]
Read more » Amphibians as Pets: Care of Common and Unusual Types of Toads

Guam Brown Tree Snake Eradication: Bad News for People & Wildlife

[…]is native or was introduced to control rats (it seems better at controlling chickens and their eggs than rats!).   Mammals Guam was home to only three native mammals, all bats.  Two have been extirpated by the snake, and the Marianas Fruit Bat is now limited to a single small […]
Read more » Guam Brown Tree Snake Eradication: Bad News for People & Wildlife

The Most Astonishing and Bizarre Newly-Discovered Frogs

[…]from the lower jaw!  The newly-described Vampire Flying Frog, Rhacophorus vampyrus, deposits eggs in water-filled tree hollows high above the ground, but as yet we know little about the natural history of its most unusual tadpoles.   Amazingly, Dr. Rowley also discovered another frog, the Quang’s Treefrog, Gracixalus quangi, and […]
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Providing Clean Water to Reptiles and Amphibians – The Nitrogen Cycle

[…]that most amphibians, especially largely-aquatic species such as African Clawed Frogs and Mexican Axolotls, absorb water and dissolved chemicals over a much greater surface area than do fishes (scale-less fishes, such as eels, loaches and most catfishes, are similar to amphibians in this regard).  In fact, when we administer fish […]
Read more » Providing Clean Water to Reptiles and Amphibians – The Nitrogen Cycle

Keeping the USA’s Longest Snake: Eastern Indigo Snakes as Pets

[…]prey, which includes a surprisingly-wide array of creatures.  Rodents, rabbits, birds and their eggs, lizards, frogs and even small turtles are taken.  Snakes, including rattlesnakes and other venomous species, feature heavily in the diets of some populations. I have first-hand experience with impressive biting power packed by most rodents, and […]
Read more » Keeping the USA’s Longest Snake: Eastern Indigo Snakes as Pets

Black Rough Neck Monitor Care and History

[…]and green crabs, crayfish and squid.  Mice should be provided once weekly, and hard-boiled eggs can be used on occasion.  All meals offered to growing monitors should be powdered with calcium, and a high-quality reptile vitamin/mineral supplement should be used 3x weekly.  I favor ReptoCal, ReptiVite and ReptiCal.   Rodents […]

New Reptile and Amphibian Species in 2013

[…]Like most of its relatives, it searches moist leaf litter for snails, slugs, frog and salamander eggs and, perhaps, earthworms.  Unfortunately, it is already facing an uncertain future, as iron ore mining may destroy its only habitat.  It was named in support of local people who oppose further destruction of […]

Captive Care of Latin American Ratsnakes – The Tiger Ratsnake

[…]no bounds – ground squirrels, rats and other rodents, possums, rabbits, bats, birds and their eggs, lizards, frogs, and other snakes are all consumed with equal gusto.  Chickens and ducks (and cats, I’ll bet!) are taken near farms and villages. Tiger Ratsnakes as Pets It’s difficult for most snake enthusiasts […]
Read more » Captive Care of Latin American Ratsnakes – The Tiger Ratsnake

Darwin’s Frog is Extinct – Males “Nursed” Tadpoles in their Vocal Sacs

[…]season.  Amplexus and egg-deposition occurs on land. Thereafter, males guard their 20-40 large eggs for approximately 20 days. Once the tadpoles begin moving within the eggs, they are taken into the male’s mouth and maneuvered through openings that lead into the vocal sac. Perhaps as an adaptation to its most unusual […]
Read more » Darwin’s Frog is Extinct – Males “Nursed” Tadpoles in their Vocal Sacs

How to Breed Dwarf African Clawed Frogs

[…]in 1-7 hours, and can include 50 -350 individual egg-laying trips to the surface; as many as 1,000 eggs may be deposited. The Eggs The tiny (2 mm diameter) eggs float and stick to aquatic plants.  Those of H. curtipes are brownish in color; H. boettgeri eggs are a bit […]

The Best Reptile Egg Incubator – the Zoo Med Reptibator

[…]to manipulate the hatchlings’ sexes.  Please post below for further information. When removing eggs from a terrarium, be sure to make a small pencil mark at the top of each, so that they are not accidentally rotated.  Oils from the skin can clog air pores, so use powder free gloves […]
Read more » The Best Reptile Egg Incubator – the Zoo Med Reptibator

Turtle and Tortoise Eggs – Knowing When She is Ready to Lay

[…]below if you need a reference to a local veterinarian experienced in turtle care. Hatching the Eggs While the eggs of Common Snapping Turtles and other consummate survivors will often do well at room temperatures (in a hot room, in summer), a reptile egg incubator will  greatly simplify the hatching […]
Read more » Turtle and Tortoise Eggs – Knowing When She is Ready to Lay

How To Breed Green Anoles and Raise the Youngsters

[…]arrives.  Please see these articles for further information on collecting insects. Incubating the Eggs Eggs may be incubated in vermiculite or moist sphagnum moss.  I prefer to use a vermiculite and water in a 1:1 ratio by weight (please see this article for details on setting this up), but success […]
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Habits of the World’s Largest Snakes – the African Rock Python

[…]suffocation as the cause of death. Reproduction Females guard and incubate clutches of 20-100 eggs, which hatch in approximately 90 days. Hatchlings typically measure 16-24 inches in length. Taxonomy Many herpetologists classify the African Rock Python as Python sebae. Others recognize two subspecies – P. s. sebae, the Northern African […]
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Earwigs as an Alternative Food for Pet Reptiles and Amphibians

[…]pet food.  They are also extremely interesting in their own right, with females caring for their eggs and actually carrying food to the young! Why Earwigs? Earwigs are readily accepted by a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians, tarantulas, fishes, and scorpions, and provide nutrients absent from commercially-reared insects.  They are […]
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Rock Python Kills Full-Grown Husky in Florida

[…]and Odd Snake Meals From Caiman, Siamese Cats and African Hunting Dogs to centipedes and frog eggs, snakes have been observed feeding on many “unexpected” food items.  In Venezuela, a Green Anaconda grabbed my co-worker, in what appeared to be a feeding attempt, while a recent study documented 150 Reticulated […]
Read more » Rock Python Kills Full-Grown Husky in Florida

Chameleon Care Tips from a Herpetologist – Panther Chameleons as Pets

[…]over plants is a useful option. Breeding Well-nourished females may produce 2-3 clutches of 10-50 eggs yearly.  Incubation periods of 6-8 months have been recorded, and the young reach sexual maturity 6-8 month of age.  Captive reproduction can be tricky; please post below for further information. Handling Chameleons are best […]
Read more » Chameleon Care Tips from a Herpetologist – Panther Chameleons as Pets

New Species – Poison Frog Inhabits a “Lost World” in Guyana Rainforest

[…]the family Dendrobatidae or Aromobatidae. Those species that have been studied deposit their eggs on land.  Males transport the tadpoles to water at varying points in their development. Most of the new frog’s relatives seem to have very small natural ranges.  Any disturbance, even carefully-planned ecotourism, may put them at […]
Read more » New Species – Poison Frog Inhabits a “Lost World” in Guyana Rainforest

Skinks Surprise Researchers – Baby Lizards Hatch Early When Disturbed

[…]eggs sent danger signals, apparently via vibration, to the youngsters within.  (Red-Eyed Treefrog eggs are attached to leaves overhanging a pond.  When under attack, tadpoles burst from their eggs, fall into the water, and swim off). It is not known whether other of the Delicate Skink’s 10 relatives, collectively known […]
Read more » Skinks Surprise Researchers – Baby Lizards Hatch Early When Disturbed

Keeping Frogs and Toads as Pets – Creating a Terrarium and Best Amphibian Care Products

[…]artificial bromeliads, which are equipped with tiny “ponds” in which frogs can deposit their eggs or tadpoles, are very useful (please see photo). An easily-cleaned, bare-bottomed tank, tilted on one side to create a water section, is ideal for African Bullfrogs, Horned Frogs and other giants that require frequent water […]
Read more » Keeping Frogs and Toads as Pets – Creating a Terrarium and Best Amphibian Care Products

Frog Facts, Natural History, and Behavior – Notes on Amphibian Pets

[…]are lung-less and tongue-less frogs, gliders and burrowers, frogs that brood their eggs in vocal sacs and others that form lifelong pair bonds.  The first time I bred Surinam Toads, and witnessed 100 tiny frogs emerging from their mother’s back (please see photo), I thought I had seen the oddest […]
Read more » Frog Facts, Natural History, and Behavior – Notes on Amphibian Pets

Salamanders and Cell Regeneration – How Do They Regrow Limbs?

[…]treatment, scar healing, and the regeneration of human tissue.     Further Reading Mexican Axolotl Natural History and Captive Care Endangered Axolotls Found in Mexico City […]
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Pet Frogs – the Best Species for Children and First Time Keepers

[…]that may live for 10, 20 or even 50 years.  Among them we find creatures that glide, brood their eggs in vocal sacs, form lifelong pair bonds and exhibit other fascinating behaviors.  While the smallest is barely as large as a pea, the nine-pound African Bullfrog can chase lions away […]
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Treefrog Facts – An Introduction for Pet Keepers

[…]Booth Frogs”.   Treefrogs that Break the “Frog Breeding Rules” Some treefrogs deposit their eggs on leaves over water, while others breed in tree hollows in the forest canopy.  It was recently discovered that the tadpoles of India’s Brown Leaping Frog live on tree limbs and eat bark, while those […]
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UVB Light: Why Do Reptiles Need It, and Which UVB Bulbs are Best?

[…]it follows that diurnal amphibians will receive some exposure. On the other hand, the skin and eggs of some amphibians contain chemicals that filter-out UVB. We still have a great deal to learn. Providing UVB to Pet Reptiles and Amphibians Natural sunlight is the best source of UVB, but please […]
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Africa’s Deadliest Snake? Black Mamba Habits, Venom and Behavior

[…]wrestle for dominance during the mating season (please see photo). Females deposit 6-17 eggs in mammal burrows, termite mounds, tree hollows and similar sites. The hatchlings average 15-24 inches in length. Black Mambas grow very quickly, with well-fed individuals reportedly reaching a length of 6 feet within their first year […]
Read more » Africa’s Deadliest Snake? Black Mamba Habits, Venom and Behavior

Odd and Giant Snake Meals – Sticks, Antelopes, People, Siamese Cats…

[…]coccinea, is rarely kept by hobbyists or zoos because of its preferred diet of lizard and snake eggs.  A specimen in South Carolina, however, consumed a young, dead Corn Snake with which it had been temporarily confined. The Southern Hognosed Snake, Heterodon simus, is widely “known” to be a confirmed […]
Read more » Odd and Giant Snake Meals – Sticks, Antelopes, People, Siamese Cats…

Working with the False Gharial – One of the World’s Largest Crocodiles

[…] Females scrape together a mound of dead vegetation in which to deposit their 20-30 large eggs, but appear not to guard the nest or young.  Eggs are likely lost to wild pigs, Water Monitors and other predators. Conservation The False Gharial is extinct in several countries and is threatened […]
Read more » Working with the False Gharial – One of the World’s Largest Crocodiles

St. Lucia Racer, World’s Rarest Snake (Population 11) is Rediscovered

[…]biology, so captive breeding is not considered an option.  There is some evidence the eggs of lizards such as the St. Lucia Whiptail (Cnemidophorus vanzoi, please see photo) make up much of its diet, but it likely takes lizards, frogs, small mammals and birds as well. St. Lucia’s Other Reptiles […]
Read more » St. Lucia Racer, World’s Rarest Snake (Population 11) is Rediscovered

Best Tadpole Foods (Based on my Experiences) – Seeking Additional Suggestions

[…]as their pugnacious parents.  Poison Frog tadpoles of several species feed upon unfertilized eggs deposited by their mother, Goliath Frog, Conraua goliath, tadpoles consume a single species of algae, Fringe-Limbed Treefrog (Ecnomiohyla rabborum) tadpoles eat their father’s skin,  Brown Leaping Frog (Indirana semipalmata) tadpoles gnaw on wood (high up in […]
Read more » Best Tadpole Foods (Based on my Experiences) – Seeking Additional Suggestions

The World’s Largest Frog – Working with the Massive Goliath Frog

[…]species for much of their lives. Reproduction Limited observations indicate that several hundred eggs are attached to aquatic vegetation in quiet pools among the rapids. The tadpole stage lasts for 2.5 to 3 months. In common with certain other frogs that inhabit noisy, rushing streams, Goliath Frogs produce no mating […]
Read more » The World’s Largest Frog – Working with the Massive Goliath Frog

Monitor Lizard Care, Natural History and Behavior – An Overview

[…]pink mice can be offered 1-2 times weekly. Canned snails and grasshoppers, and hard-boiled eggs, can be used to provide variety. Nile Monitors and similar species fare well on mice and rats alone; whole freshwater fishes are an excellent rodent-alternative for Water and Merten’s Monitors. Food (other than vertebrates) should […]
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The Best Filters for Axolotls, Clawed Frogs, Newts and Other Amphibians

[…]low intakes.  As a corner filters outflow is directed upwards, strong currents that might disturb eggs, larvae or weak-swimmers are avoided. Corner filters can be easily hidden with plants.  Live Java Moss is ideal for this purpose. Sponge Filters Sponge filters provide mechanical and biological filtration, and are ideal for […]
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2012’s New Reptile and Amphibian Species – Snakes, Frogs and Lizards, Which is Your Favorite?

[…]time to look and learn.  Frogs that dye human skin yellow, snakes that specialize in eating only eggs or snails, iridescent skinks sporting tails twice their body length…the list is simply astounding.  Today I’ll highlight a few that have especially captivated me; please post your own favorites (whether covered here […]
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Chameleons as Pets – 5 Things You Should Know Before Getting a Chameleon

[…]a variety of health concerns, including dehydration, depressed immune systems, parasites, retained eggs, malnutrition and shipment-related injuries.  Please see this article, and be sure to purchase only captive-bred animals.  Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook. Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just […]
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Round Island Boa Reintroduction – Back in Wild after a 150-Year Absence

[…]orange to grayish-brown as it matures.  There are some indications that females remain with their eggs for a time.  Unique scalation lends the alternative common name of Keel-scaled Boa.  Juveniles and some adults (especially females) appear to be largely arboreal. The Round Island Boa’s preferred habitat – forest and palm-dotted […]
Read more » Round Island Boa Reintroduction – Back in Wild after a 150-Year Absence

Halloween Creatures – Orange Crabs, Ghost Frogs, Vampires, Goblins…

[…]skin folds (for oxygen absorption) suit the Ghost Frog for life near fast-moving streams. Its eggs have never been found. Hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis As a child, I was fascinated by this heaviest of North America’s salamanders, and couldn’t imagine why grown men considered it “from hell” and would reportedly cut a […]
Read more » Halloween Creatures – Orange Crabs, Ghost Frogs, Vampires, Goblins…

Water Scorpion Care and Habits – Aquatic Insects for Arachnid Fans

[…]and initiate digestion; food is consumed in liquid form, in the manner of spiders. Reproduction Eggs are inserted into living or dead plants, and hatch in 2-4 weeks.  The nymphs resemble the adults (incomplete metamorphosis) and mature in 4-6 weeks. Captive Care Enclosure The aquarium should be covered and the […]
Read more » Water Scorpion Care and Habits – Aquatic Insects for Arachnid Fans

Green Anaconda Relatives – Bolivian, Dark-Spotted and Yellow Anacondas

[…]balls during the breeding season and a taste for a wide variety of creatures…birds and their eggs, fish, lizards, caiman, capybaras, pacas, brocket deer and a host of other animals have been recorded as prey. Green Anaconda, Eunectes murinus I’ve captured and tagged some very large Green Anacondas, and have […]
Read more » Green Anaconda Relatives – Bolivian, Dark-Spotted and Yellow Anacondas

Malayan and Kuhl’s Flying Geckos – Breeding and Care

[…]the fall and winter may also be useful, but is not critical (please write in for details). The Eggs Gravid female swell noticeably, and their 2 eggs will be visible through the skin in time.  A well-fed female may produce 3, or possibly more, clutches of 2 eggs each.  I’ve […]
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Amphipods (Scuds, Side-Swimmers) as Food for Amphibians and Reptiles

[…]in Captive Diets Amphipods are readily accepted by newts of all types, Mexican Axolotls, many turtles, and aquatic frogs such as African and Dwarf Clawed Frogs and Surinam Toads.  Salamander larvae and carnivorous tadpoles relish smaller species. They can also be offered to terrestrial salamanders and frogs; in these cases, […]
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Green Iguana Care – Housing, Diet and Handling

[…]outdoor carpets are preferable. Females without access to suitable nesting sites may retain their eggs; please see this article for information on captive breeding. Light Green Iguanas will not thrive without a source of Ultra-Violet B light.  Natural sunlight is best, but be aware that glass and plastic filter out […]
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Ant Control for Reptile and Amphibian Owners – Diatomaceous Earth

[…]– killing a few dozen workers will not reduce ant numbers but instead may set up a call for more eggs! Boric Acid Toxins that are taken to the nest and shared among the colony can be effective against Pharaoh Ants (Monomorium pharaonis, the most common indoor ant in many […]
Read more » Ant Control for Reptile and Amphibian Owners – Diatomaceous Earth

Lizard Conservation in the USA – 2012 Declared “Year of the Lizard”

[…]not taken as prey). Fierce predators in their own right, Fire Ants also attack lizards and their eggs. They likely affect plant communities as well, which in turn can impact horned lizard survival by altering the environment. Introduced Indian Mongooses are driving the St. Croix Ground Lizard to the brink […]
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Asian or Chinese Water Dragon – Captive Care and Common Health Concerns

[…]via tongs to limit potential problems. Health Considerations Females may be troubled by retained eggs and other reproductive disorders if they do not mate. In order to avoid these life-threatening conditions, unmated females should be spayed. Gravid females need an appropriate nesting site…please write in for further information. Water Dragons are […]
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Dart Poison Frog Care and Natural History – An Overview

[…]and deposit their small clutches of eggs on land. One or both parents may guard and moisten the eggs. Some species transport the tadpoles to pools of water upon their backs. Female Strawberry Poison Frogs and certain others lay unfertilized eggs as food for their tadpoles, awaiting a signal from […]
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Senegal Chameleons and Related Species – Common Health Problems

[…]female Senegal Chameleons.  Depressed calcium levels will prevent the female from expelling her eggs; veterinary intervention is essential if death is to be prevented. The lack of a suitable nesting site can also cause a female to retain her eggs, even if she is in good health.  Please write in […]
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Amphibian Medicine – Cold “Resurrects” Hellbender and Sick Frogs

[…]years after its “near-death experience”. Other interesting experiences have involved Mexican Axolotls.  An individual in my collection became bloated and was unable to submerge.  A veterinarian who worked with me at the Bronx Zoo prescribed Itraconizole and other medications, but the infection proved resistant to all.  I refrigerated the animal […]
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Frog Communication – Study Shows Frogs go far Beyond Croaking

[…]Music Frog is native to marshy habitats in central and southwestern China.  Females deposit their eggs in burrows constructed by the males, and the tadpoles develop there as well.  The ability to construct a safe burrow is, therefore, an important consideration when females go “mate shopping”.  You can see photos […]
Read more » Frog Communication – Study Shows Frogs go far Beyond Croaking

Cricket Care and Breeding – Keeping Your Live Food Alive

[…]Crickets breed readily, with the best results being had at 82-90 F. Females will deposit their eggs in bowls stocked with 2 inches of moist sand or earth. These should be removed often, as adults love snacking on their own eggs. Hatching occurs in 1-2 weeks at 85-90 F, and […]
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Giant Turtles – Working with the World’s Largest Freshwater Species

[…]became one of the few of her kind to reproduce in captivity, and yearly rewarded us with fertile eggs. The heads of the male River Terrapins darken during the breeding season, and white eye-rings develop. We were able to document a display during which males pumped their throats and possibly […]
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Breeding Leopard Geckos

[…]fed very well, and are good at negotiating domestic squabbles!). Female Leopard Geckos produce 2 eggs, which are often visible beneath the skin as they develop.  Remove the male once copulation has been observed, or you notice a weight gain; watch also for overly aggressive males.  Copulation is accompanied by […]

The Corn Snake and its Relatives – Natural History and Captive Care

[…]numbers, and remains an excellent introduction to snake breeding. Females produce clutches of 8-26 eggs, sometimes twice yearly, and the 8 – 11 inch long hatchlings are not difficult to rear. Please see the article below for further information.     Further Reading Corn Snake History, Breeding and Color Phases […]
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World’s Smallest Frogs Added to 2011’s List of Newly-Discovered Amphibians

[…]they are likely on the menu of predators ranging from spiders to small birds.  Females produce 2 eggs, but the details of their reproductive biology are unknown. I’m looking forward to reading more about their lifestyles, especially their diet.  Some years ago, I cared for a colony of tiny Kihansi […]
Read more » World’s Smallest Frogs Added to 2011’s List of Newly-Discovered Amphibians

Hatching Praying Mantid Egg Cases to Feed Tiny Amphibians and Invertebrates

Dietary variety is the key to success in rearing many herps and invertebrates.  Unfortunately, options for newly-transformed frogs and salamanders, Poison Frogs and other small species and hatchling spiders are limited. A diet of fruit flies, springtails and pinhead crickets sometimes suffices, but as I learned when rearing the endangered […]
Read more » Hatching Praying Mantid Egg Cases to Feed Tiny Amphibians and Invertebrates

The Natural History and Captive Care of the Green and Black Poison Frog

[…]and legs. The female is eventually led to a nest site below the leaf litter, where she lays 4-6 eggs, which are externally fertilized. The male moves from clutch to clutch, shedding water on the eggs, rotating them and removing fungus.  Males seem able to predict hatching, and are nearly […]
Read more » The Natural History and Captive Care of the Green and Black Poison Frog

Reptile and Amphibian Foods – Breeding and Rearing Grasshoppers and Locusts

[…]food in water-filled jars (stuffed with cotton) so that it remains fresh. Unfortunately, the eggs of most US natives require a period of cold temperatures if they are to hatch.  I’ve had some luck refrigerating eggs at 38 F for 4 weeks, but the technique needs fine-tuning.  Collecting (in pesticide-free […]
Read more » Reptile and Amphibian Foods – Breeding and Rearing Grasshoppers and Locusts

Strange but True – Fringe-Limbed Treefrog Tadpoles Consume Father’s Skin

[…]herpetologists Mary and George Rabb. An Unusual Degree of Parental Care Females deposit 60-200 eggs in pools of water located in tree hollows above ground.  The tadpoles are large, and in time their body mass may exceed the volume of water held in the cavity.  Perhaps this is why such […]
Read more » Strange but True – Fringe-Limbed Treefrog Tadpoles Consume Father’s Skin
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