HELP HERPDIGEST SURVIVE!!

Taken from a letter from “HerpDigest“, the Only Free Electronic Newsletter
Reporting On The Latest News on
Reptile and Amphibian Science and Conservation.

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“FOR EVERY $6.00 DONATION WE WILL SEND YOU A BEAUTIFUL MAGNET OF YOUR CHOICE.

BEAUTIFUL LIFELIKE ART MAGNETS. (Half of these were never offered before)

MINIMUM DONATION $24.00 -THREE MAGNETS

BUT DON’T STOP THERE ORDER 6 MAGNETS, 8 MAGNETS, 10 OR MORE.

BUY THREE OF ONE, OR 3 DIFFERENT ONES. BUT PLEASE AMOUNT IS LIMITED INCLUDE AT LEAST TWO ALTERNATIVES IN CASE WE RUN OUT.

If you would like to see how a specific one looks like, I will send a jpg directly to you.
All are reproductions of full color line drawings, rectangular, 2.5″ x 3.5″ with a metal shell, mylar/UV protecting cover and flat magnetic back. Brand New.

REMEMBER FREE SHIPPING, DON’T STOP AT 3, AND ALWAYS SUPPLY TWO ALTERNATIVES.

ORDER NOW

THE MAGNETS

TURTLES:
Blanding’s Turtle
Eastern Box Turtle
Ornate Box Turtle
Three-toed Box Turtle
Ornate Diamondback Terrapin
Eastern Painted Turtle
Western Painted Turtle
Southern Painted Turtle
Wood Turtle
Western Pond Turtle
Red-eared Slider
Chinese Box Turtle (Curoa flavomarginata)
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Florida Cooter
Matamata Turtle
Spotted Turtle

TORTOISES:
Galapagos Tortoise
Aldabra Tortoise
African Spurred Tortoise
Leopard Tortoise
Radiated Tortoise
Gopher Tortoise
Red-Footed Tortoise
Desert Tortoise
Indian Star Tortoise

SEA TURTLES:
Green Sea Turtle
Leatherback Sea Turtle
Hawksbill Sea Turtle

SNAKES:
Corn Snake
Emerald Boa
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Mountain Kingsnake
California Kingsnake
Burmese Python
Brazilian Rainbow Boa

AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

LIZARDS:
Texas Horned Lizard
Panther Chameleon
Jackson’s Chameleon
Green Iguana
Collared Lizard
Bearded Dragon
Coastal Horned Lizard
Gila Monster
Mexican Beaded Lizard

GECKOS:
Banded Knob-Tailed Gecko
Crested Gecko
Desert Banded Gecko
Flying Gecko
Giant Day Gecko Art
Leopard Gecko
Rough Knob-Tailed Gecko
Tokay Gecko

SALAMANDERS:
Tiger Salamander
California Newt
Fires Salamander

FROGS:
Red-eyed Tree Frog
Strawberry Poison Dart Frog
Red-Headed Poison Dart Frog
Phantasmal Poison Dart Frog
Granular Poison Dart Frog
Green & Black Poison Dart Frog
Wallace’s Flying Frog
Tiger Striped Leaf Frog
Painted Mantella
American Toad
Fire-Bellied Toad
Dyeing Poison Dart Frog
Blue Poison Dart Frog
Yellow Banded Poison Dart Frog
Panamanian Golden Frog
Borneo Red Flying Frog
California Red-Legged Frog
Norther Leopard Frog
Ornate Frog or Argentine Horn Frog or Known as Pac-Man Frog in Trade

SPIDERS:
Black Widow Spider
Mexican Red Kneed Tarantula
Rose Haired Tarantula

INSECTS AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES:
Praying Mantis
Lady Bug Beetle
Goliath Bettle
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Blue Morpho Butterfly
Cardinal Meadowland Dragonfly

The above list is of all the magnets currently for sale by Herpdigest, the weekly e-zine reporting on the latest conservation and scientific news on reptiles and amphibians. All proceeds go HerpDigest, a non-profit publication, to keep it: alive, free, and independent, of any government’s, non-profit organization’s, or people working in the herp industry’s agendas.

The magnets are shipped First Class USPS.

If you want these for the holidays, get your order in now. IF WE DON’T HAVE YOUR ORDER IN BY DEC 15, WE CAN’T GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL ARRIVE BY CHRISTMAS. Christmas week maybe.

Interested in Bird (Raptors to Penguins), Land and Marine Mammal, Octopus, Fish, Sharks, Rays, Dinosaur, Extinct or Endangered Animals from all over the world (Australia, Rainforest, the Arctic). Email us for a list of one or two of these categories. Supply of these are very low.

AND DON’T FORGET YOUR TURTLE OR FROG CALENDARS FOR 2011.
$13.99 each plus $6.00 for S&H for first one add $2.00 for each additional calendar.

TO ORDER:

If you need your magnets by Christmas, you must order them by December 10th through PayPal, our account is asalzberg@herpdigest.org,

Or by credit card: email us your card number, (MASTER, VISA, DISCOVER OR AMEX)expiration date, the CVV-3 numbers on back of card, billing address for card, and shipping address if different. .

By Phone – You can order with credit cards by phone 1-718-275-2190. 9-5 EST. Any day of week. If out leave message we will get back to you as soon as we can.

To order by check, make the check out to Herpdigest and send it to Herpdigest/c/o Allen Salzberg/67-87 Booth Street –5B/Forest Hills, NY 11375

Happy Holidays to All.

And In Advance I Would Like to Thank You For Your Help In Keeping HerpDigest Alive These Past Ten plus Years.

Allen Salzberg
Publisher/Editor

P.S. Overseas orders, (Yes that still includes Canada) email us first for shipping costs.”

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Here is a link if you want to subscribe to the newsletter.

Slo Exo 2010

Is presenting you the first Slovenian Exotic Animals selling exhibition!!

 

WELCOME DEAR VISITOR!

Because every day increasing demand for exotic animals specially reptiles, we decided to bring Expo fair to peoples. Everyone can get there informations, exotic animals and equipment at one place directly from breeder or seller. This is the first exotic animal Expo in Slovenija. We hope that a lot of different breaders from Europe will come. First time you will get better information, lower prices and a lot of variety at one place.

WHERE?

GOSPODARSKO RAZSTAVIŠČE V LJUBLJANI

Dunajska cesta 18

Name of place: Gospodarsko razstavišče Ljubljana – Parking

Adress of place: 1000 Ljubljana

WHEN?

October 17th 2010 from 10.00 till 16.00.

HOW MANY SELLERS?

Since this is the first time in Slovenia we will try to join as much an possible number of sellers. We are hopping to ger around 200 different exhibitors. Peopels can see there all type of things and animals from terraristic area of animals fans.

ENTRY:

Adults: 6€

Children from 4 to 14 years old: 4€

Children under 4 years old: FREE!

Group of ten persons (announced in advance on our mail): 5€/person

Link: http://www.slo-exo.com/index2.html

Breeders’ Expo changing date and location!!

The following message is taken from the official site of Breeders Expo Europe:

21. April 2010 – WICHTIG – IMPORTANT – WICHTIG – IMPORTANT

Dears visitors of the Breeders’ Expo homepage!

So far many of you came to know the BEE as a show with pleasant atmosphere and lots of friendly service and cooperation. Unfortunately I must shift the show in Duesseldorf scheduled for the 1. Mai 2010 in date and location because the respective authorities in Duesseldorf not only make it impossible to keep this tradition alive, but the constraints issued two days ago also make the show impossible looking at any aspect of common sense, economy, and also aspects of animal welfare. To hold the show despite of these constraints would mean substantial legal conflicts.

The Duesseldorf public order office has taken all measures to stop the BEE – apparently backed by the Duesseldorf political regime. In a first step the permission for the BEE unlawfully wasn’t granted. After a painful and complete defeat at the Duesseldorf administrative court the authority had to accept they must issue the permission, and as a last desperate attempt has issued these constrains which, according to veterinarians, my lawyer, some vendors and others show the following attributes:

• partly they are simply unusual for events like this and show all signs of harassment without any functional background
• partly they have no juristical fundament
• partly they contradict themselves
• partly they are simply non-dischargeable, and of course not in the narrow time frame given by the show date and some deadlines set by the authority
• partly they contradict nationally and internationally accepted and proven knowledge of practical animal welfare
• partly they reduce animal welfare aspects to absurdity
• partly they cover aspects which are simply not in my responsibility as an organizer, partly I’m not even allowed to cover these aspects
• partly they unlawfully restrict the type and extent of the show

Since the respective veterinarian for the show indicated on the phone that he’s not willing to discuss content-related aspects with me, it appears absolutely useless to convince him with arguments and facts. Obviously this was never a question of animal welfare but still is a question of rendering the show impossible via constraints and this way to find a legitimation for the unlawful behaviour which was determined by the administrative court. Any productive collaboration is made completely impossible on such a fundament.

I will possibly announce further information on the BEE homepage, further juristical steps seem possible. Due to the narrow time frame another summary proceeding at the administrative court is not promising.

I deeply regret this decision and would like to send you my apologies for any possible inconvenience you might have to face even though I am not responsible. To hold the show despite this situation would most probably mean to confront visitors and vendors with severe dangers and problems. Thanks for your cooperation.

Lutz Obelgönner

<!–Go here to get our newsletter for latest updates …
Go to online booking …
Open for visitors: entrance from 9 to 15 hours, exhibition areas from 10 am
Open for vendors: from 6 am
Adress: Philipshalle, Siegburger Straße 51, D-40591 Düsseldorf-Oberbilk, www.philipshalle.de
Accomodation: To book hotels please make use of this link and the online booking form of the city of Duesseldorf.

–>
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13. April 2010: Since his own show mid of March the organizer of another reptile show spreads the information that the BEE will not take place due to a missing permit from the City of Duesseldorf. So far I didn’t reply to this. Today I’d like to share the following facts:

1. The City of Duesseldorf indeed has refused the permit.
2. I find it quite puzzling that he, my competitor, of all people spreads the information about this decision. This allows interesting conclusions, I leave it up to you to draw them.
3. On my objection the administrative court of Duesseldorf today has decided that the respective authority has acted unlawfully and arbitrarily. The authority must issue the permit for the BEE.

In short: The BEE will take place. Details about the above mentioned court process will be kept under cover since I like to install a working cooperation between the authorities and the BEE in the future.

Link to Breeders Expo Europe

Link to a form that will allow you to order the newsletter.

Toads on Roads – help toads across roads in 2010

Join in and help Amphibian and Reptile Conservation save toads as they cross roads around the UK for their spring breeding season. Sign up, become a toad-patroller and get volunteering in spring 2010…

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation is currently gearing up for its 2010 Toads on Roads campaign – our most concerted effort ever to help toads, and to find out more about their declines nationally.

Crucially though, we need you!

We need people to volunteer for Toads on Roads: help with Toads on Roads patrols, or to discover how toads are doing at sites for which we no longer have information. Sign up at www.froglife.org/toadsonroads

Find out more about opportunities to help amphibians and reptiles locally through ARG-UK (the national network of Amphibian and Reptile Groups) – www.arguk.org

Caresheet for Jeweled lizard Lacerta lepida/Timon lepidus

This lizard is mainly a ground-dwelling species that can be found in Spain, Portugal, southern France and northwestern Italy and the northwestern parts of Africa.

In the wild it is living in sunny, rocky and bushy slopes or stone walls. It is one of the largest species in Europe, up to 80cm´s including the tail (body 1/3 and tail 2/3 of total length). It is a heavily built and strong animal. The colour is green, brown or a mixture between those colours. The young animals (juveniles), colour are yellowish brown to green, with ”eyes”/spots. Both sexes have as adults blue spots (Jewels/Eyes), but the males have
often more spots that are brighter in colouration. The head of the male is bigger than the females. Males have clearly visible Feromalpores.
The terrarium:
• For a pair (2 adult individuals) a terrarium that measures L=120cm´s, D=80 cm´s, H=60cm´s is appropriate.
• Sand is a good substrate, 5-15 cm´s thick layer.
• The temperature should be between 24-27 ºC, with a baskingspot that keeps a temperature of 30-35ºC. Spray the terrarium every 2-3 day in the evenings(60-70% humidity), a little extra when the animal/s is shedding.
• Uv-B is necessary for the species.
• Big stones and roots/branches make good interior. Provide the animal/s with a lot of hiding places. Make the interior as a steppenvironment.
Diet:
• In the wild the species consumes insects, snails/slugs, new hatched birds, small rodents and some sweet fruit. In captivity it eats almost anything that is served.
Pinkie-mice, cockroaches, snails/slugs, bushcrickets, crickets, small pieces of
non-fat meat and some sweet fruit such as: Banana, Apricot and Strawberries.
They will also eat egg.
• Dust all food with a vitamin and calcium supplement.
Water:
• Allways provide a waterbowl with fresh drinkingwater.

Breeding:

This species require a hibernationperiod of 2-3 months, with temperatures from+4ºC to +7ºC.• Mating will occur about 1-3 weeks after the hibernation is over and the temperaturesin the terrarium is back to normal.  About 1 week before depositing of the eggs, the female will be acting restless,with a lot of digging and searching in the terrarium. She might stop eating as well.Provide the female with a egg-layingbox, filled to 2/3 with moisted Vermiculite® ormoisted peat/soil (unfetilized). IMPORTANT! Vermiculite®, should be moisted in aratio of 1:1. By weight, not by volume! The clutchsize will be 8-20 eggs and should be incubated in 28ºC – 30ºC in a humidityof 80% – 90%, with a nigt-temperature about 24ºC – 25ºC. The young lizardsshould hatch in 85 – 120 days, with theese temperatures. 1 – 3 clutches are laid inone season.• Juveniles are about 5 cm´s when hatched (tail included), and should be fed withthe same food as the adults (1 – 3 times a week), but smaller in size. Dust all foodwith a vitamin and calcium supplement. Do not overfeed! The young lizards will reach sexual maturity in about 2-3 years.

Hygiene:

The terrarium should be kept clean. Excrements, urine and leftover food should beremoved as it appears. Clean the terrarium and everything inside it carefully 1-2times/year, exchange the substrate at the same time. Allways wash your handsafter holding the animal or after you have been doing something in the terrarium.

Good luck with your animal!

This caresheet is available on the Terrarium Morbidum site, as a free downloadable pdf-file.

Caresheet for Long-nosed viper ( Vipera ammodytes )

Origin/Spreading:

• Italy, Austria, , Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia-Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, some Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean islands, Albania, Greece, Turkey and Transcaucasia.
Subspecies:

• Vipera ammodytes gregorwallneri: Southern to Eastern Austria and to Slovenia.
(Not considered by some as a subspecies anymore)
• Vipera ammodytes meridionalis: Southern Macedonia southern Albania, Greece to
western European Turkey.
• Vipera ammodytes montandoni: Romania, Northern Bulgaria (to the Black Sea) to European Turkey.
• Vipera ammodytes ruffoi: Only surroundings of Bolzano, Alto Adige Italy. (Not considered by some as a subspecies anymore)
• Vipera ammodytes transcaucasiana: Northern and western coastal near Turkey to Caucasus. ( Considered by some scientists to be a species of it own V. transcaucasiana )
Please note! The subspecies status is still under investigation!!
Description:

• This strong, heavily built snake becomes up to 80 cm´s long, some individuals reaches even over 95 cm. Males are larger than females. It has a typical triangular head that sets off clearly from the slim neck. On the head tip they have a diagonally forward arranged horn. 21-23 keeled scalerows. Both males and females have a dorsal zigzag-band. Males are brighter in colouration than females and have sharper markings on the dorsal zigzag-band.
Habitat:

• They prefer warm, dry areas like rocky bushy slopes, and can also be found in edge of woods or in glades. Can be found as high as 2000 meters above sea-level.
They are active during daytime till dusk and like sunny places.

Attitude:

• The animals are not aggressive normally. In case of disturbance they hiss loud and bite sometimes.

Allways handle this species with hook or tong!! Never “free handle”!!
Terrarium:

• Theese vipers should be kept in medium sized cages on a mixture of sand, loam and forest earth. Interior with large stones/slabs and roots/branches to make it look natural, make sure that there are hiding places.

• SECURITYTIP: Make sure that the terrarium are set up in a way, that makes you able too see the whole interior area without opening it. That way you can always “count-in” you’re animal/s, so that so you don’t become surprised by a hiding snake.

• A drinking container with fresh water is needed at all times.
• Temperatures between 24-28ºC, with a baskingspot under witch 32-35ºC are reached. Temperatures dropping at night to 20 ºC. Spray gently with water in the morning, a little extra in the evening when the animal/s are shedding.
• No UV-B vitamins/lightning are required for the species.
Reproduction:

• The species requires a hibernationperiod for about 8-10 weeks at temperatures between 0-7ºC. Livebearers, 5-18 young that are15-22 cm´s long at birth. Males wrestle with each other before mating with the female. Mating season in the nature is April to May, in captivity 1-3 weeks after hibernation is over and the males have shed.

Venom:

• The venom is probably the strongest of the European vipers, except for
Macrovipera schweizeri and Montivipera xanthina. Haematoxin. Life-threatening or deadly bites are expressed rare, usually it comes to local symptoms of intoxication. Pain is usually strong, a swelling occurs within 2 hours of time.
Among the general symptoms of intoxication one ranks: vomiting, beating of the heart, cramps, shock, possibly swindles and unconsciousness.
In case of bite, visit nearest hospital immediately!
Food:

• Mice, young rats. In the nature they eat rodents, rarely lizards and birds.
Good luck with your animal!

This caresheet can be found at Terrarium Morbidum – Captive bred European herptiles at www.terrariummorbidum.se

Link to the caresheet ( pdf-file).

18:th Norrköping Symposium 2009, Sweden

Hi all!!

I would like to invite you to this event. Have a look on what you´ll get in one weekend!

This is the 18:th symposium in Norrköping, Sweden.

Bernard Devaux, France. Is working with tortoises and will hold two talks:

1.   The status of the French populations and conservation projects.
2.  Spurred Tortoise, Centrochelys sulcata, status in Senegal and conservation projects.

Presentation of Mr. Devaux:
Bernard Devaux, 65 years old, formerly film-maker on reptilians. In 1986, he created the SOPTOM (tortoises protection association) and the “Tortoise Village” with David Stubbs, english environmentalist.-Since 1988, he has developed the “Tortoise Village” in Gonfaron followed by 2 others villages, in Senegal and Madagascar-Organisation of many International Congress on tortoises and turtles (main topics; pathology, biology, conservation).-Author of many books and encyclopedies on tortoises and turtles. Editor of the international tortoise journal LA TORTUE.-International protection actions around the world, including struggle against traffics and animals busdiness; Seychelles (Aldabra), Galapagos, Australia, Costa-Rica, Senegal, Indian Ocean.

Link to website: villagetortues.com

Johan De Smedt, Germany. Johans intrest is vipers. He will hold three talks:

1.   The genus Vipera, and it´s systematics, history and present.
2.   The different subgenuses whithin the Vipera-genus.
3.   Keeping and breeding of European vipers.

Presentation of Mr. De Smedt:
Johan De Smedt was born and raised in Belgium, but has been living in the south of Germany since 1996. He is married and has a son. His interest in keeping amphibians and reptiles dates back more than 29 years. He kept his first venomous snake at the tender age of 14 in the form of a European nose-horned viper, after which followed a range of other venomous snakes, mainly bamboo pitvipers and bushvipers. His main field of interest were, however, the vipers of Europe, and it was these that he specialized in.
In the year 1985 he was one of the founders of the Belgium snake-society called at that time “Medusa”, a couple of years ago this society changed the name in B.O.A (Belgian Ophidian Association). This association is now well known and the biggest group for people interested in snake in Belgium. For this association he wrote many articles, mainly on Vipers.
Johan De Smedt’s profession has nothing whatsoever to do with snakes: he is employed as a technical engineering manager in a mechanical engineering company where he teaches clients from all over the world in matters of automated control technology. He is fluent in four languages. He speaks Dutch, German, French and English.
In November 2001, his first book, “Die europäischen Vipern, Artbestimmung, Systematik, Haltung und Zucht” was been published. This book was written in the German language. He has had many requests for an English edition. Even a second edition was not planed at that time. But within a few years after publishing the first edition numerous systematic changes have become effective. New species and subspecies have been defined, several subspecies have been elevated to species rank, and various taxa have been transferred to other genera. This made him revise, and expand where necessary, the original German edition. Finally 2006 he published a second edition of his book in the English language.
Only a few photographs of the first edition have been reused, but many are new ones that have never been published before. Most photographs were, taken in the natural habitats of the respective specimens. For this reason he has travelled many different countries of Europe. These herpetological excursions were always undertaken with the aim of taking snapshots of vipers in their natural environment.

Mr. Johan De Smedt

Link to website: viperidae.de

Mirko Barts, Germany. Mirko will hold two talks:.

1.   Jewels of Namibia. Fieldobservations, and keeping/breeding.
2.   Secret, only for attenders to the evening-arrangement.

Presentation of Mr. Barts:
Mirko Barts lives near Berlin and has been working with reptiles for more than 20 years. It was his grandfather who raised him nature-orientated. He also helped him to understand nature and the special relationship between plants, animals and mankind. Furthermore, he simply showed him the beauty of the flora and fauna. Born in the former GDR, Mirko mainly travelled to Bulgaria and Georgia, where his family has its roots in. Jouneys to Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Morocco and the USA followed after the German reunification. Mirko already dreamed of visiting Africa during childhood and now he was able to live this dream.Since 15 years, he works with reptiles and amphibians of southern Africa. During more than 10 journeys, he did research in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. His main focus always were the geckos of this regions, especially the genus Pachydactylus, the thick-toed geckos.
Mirko shared his observations in many publications. Most of his articles deal with husbandry and breeding of Pachydactylus species and include extraordinary observations. These and other species will be presented in his speech on the gecko fauna of Namibia, an African hotspot in terms of  diversity in gecko species. The speech will include some information on husbandry of selected gecko species, but its main focus will be on nature observation.

Mirko Barts

Links to websites: sauria.de and pachydactylus.com

Freek Nuyt, Netherlands. Mr. Freek will talk about various morphs in the boa and python species, as well as keeping and breeding of them. He will hold three talks:

1.   New morphs of boa´s.
2.   Breedingtechniques.
3    Royal/Ballpythons.

Link to website: fnreptiles.com

ALL talks are being held at:
Borgen, Folkborgsvägen 1, Norrköping, Sweden

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The fair/expo:

Saturday november 8, at 12,00-16,00 o´clock.
Adress: Pronova Center, S:t Persgatan 19, Norrköping, Sweden

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The eveningarrangement:

Talk by Mirko Barts:

A new geckospecies from southern Angola; keeping and breeding the feather-tailed gecko.

Saturday november 14
19,00-23,00 o´clock
Location: Strömvillan, S:t Persgatan 7 Norrköping, Sweden
Price: 200 SeK/person.

Food and coffee will be served after the talk.

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Prices:

Symposium:
Both days, including lunch and coffee:                   600 SeK
Specialprce at booking latest at the 12/11             450 SeK
One day:                                                                               350 SeK/day.

Eveningarrangement:
Eveningarrangement with talk, dinner and coffee.   200 SeK

Packages:
Talks both days, eveningarrangement, entrance to the fair/expo, symposium T-shirt and compendia (Latest bookingday, 12/11).                                                                       698:-

Fair/Expo:

Tableprices (1 table = 180x60cm)

1-2 tables                                                              250 SeK /table ( including 1 person )
3-5 tables                                                             200 SeK /table ( including 2 persons )
6-9 tables                                                             175 SeK /table ( including 3 persons )
10 tables or more                                             160 SeK /table ( including 3 persons )
Extra person                                                           40 SeK /each.
Electricity                                                               50 SeK

Misc.:
Symposium2009  T-shirt                                           89 SeK /each.
Compendia (ordinarie pris 49 SeK /each.)         39 SeK /each.

Floor Accommodation:
Friday and lördag, including mattress               100 SeK / night

Notification:

Notification is made via the form on the page “Kontakta oss” ( Translated: Contact us ).

To have the special Symposium2009 price 450 SeK, or the packageprice 698 SeK, the notification has to be made at the latest at 2/11 2009.

Notification IS binding!

Link to the webpage of the arranging society “Tropikföreningen ALBA”

Link to the “Contact”-page.

This is for all of you, interested in European herps!

Here´s a tip..

Join my forum!

It´s a forum for people interested and dedicated to the keeping and breeding of European reptiles and amphibians, outdoors and indoors. Some very competent people are members, and an easy going atmosphere makes it easy to get answers.

It also have a photoarea, fieldherping, classifieds, show / expodates and a lot of more..

There is a couple of hidden areas too, that you can not see unless you are logged on.

Some stats:  Started in April 2005. Total posts 3859 • Total topics 832 • Total members 153, and growing by the day!!

Here is the link to the Terrarium Morbidum Forum – THE forum for European reptiles and amphibians.

Hundreds of sand lizards released

Hundreds of rare sand lizards are being released into the wild at locations in England and Wales from where they had previously disappeared.

They will be reintroduced at five sites in Surrey, Dorset and mid-Wales.

The sand lizards were bred in captivity so they could be released into the wild

The sand lizard was once a common sight across heathland, but the gradual destruction of its habitats has led to its extinction in many places.

Some 400 of the creatures would be set free within a fortnight, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation group said.

The first release of about 80 two-inch-long baby lizards, reared in special hatcheries, will take place at a National Trust nature reserve in Surrey on Thursday.

According to the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation group (Arc), the lizard was lost altogether from a number of counties including Kent, Sussex, Cornwall, Cheshire and north and west Wales.

More than 90% of suitable habitat has also vanished from Surrey, Merseyside and Dorset.

Reptiles and amphibians are coming under pressure from an increasing number of factors including habitat loss, disease and a future of climate change Dr Tom Tew, Natural England

Frogs, toads, newts, lizards and snakes have all been affected by the loss of their habitats, often because of changes to agricultural practice, the planting of forests and building developments.

But Arc, formed by the merger of Froglife and the Herpetological Conservation Trust charities, said the animals and their habitats were now protected by law.

Nick Moulton, of Arc, said: “It’s great to see them going back, now safely protected, where they belong.”

The reintroductions were part of efforts to “turn back the clock on amphibian and reptile declines” in Britain, a statement from Arc added.

‘Reverse the decline’

The young lizards were bred in captivity at locations that include the zoos at Chester and Marwell, and also specially modified back gardens.

The breeders minimised contact with the reptiles to prevent them becoming too tame, which would leave them at risk of being eaten in the wild by their main predator, the smooth snake.

The reintroduction of the sand lizards is part of a 133-point action plan, intended to reverse the decline of the UK’s frogs, toads, lizards and snakes.

The plan includes research, monitoring species and encouraging land-owners to create habitats such as ponds to help wildlife flourish.

Dr Tom Tew, chief scientist at Natural England, the government’s conservation agency, said: “Reptiles and amphibians are coming under pressure from an increasing number of factors including habitat loss, disease and a future of climate change.

“This important reintroduction programme is an example of the action that must be taken to reverse the decline in England’s biodiversity and to conserve the habitats that our unique wildlife relies upon.”

From BBC NEWS.

I´ve got eggs coocking!

It has been well over 15 years since I tried to hatch snake-egg the last time, but I am going to give it a go this year again. Got eggs from one of the most beautiful Cloubrids in Europe, the Leopardsnake Zamenis situla. This species is known to have rather small numbers of eggs in their clutches, usually about 2-5 eggs/clutch. This female is really large, about 120 centimeters compared to the normal size around 100 centimeters, and the clutchsize for her 2 years in a row is 10 eggs! The incubationtime is somewhere between 60 – 80 days, depending on the temperature.

Some pictures:

Egg-sizes ranging from the largest: 45 x 25 mm´s to the smallest: 37 x 27 mm´s.

 

Z. situla eggs.

The proud mom..

I also got some eggs from Aegean four-lined snake, Elaphe quatuorlineata muenteri, witch is the smaller islandform. The inland form reaches about 180 centimeters, but this subspecies becomes only about 120 – 130 centimeters in length.

I didn´t expect any eggs from the pair I keep, as I thought that they needed another year of growing first. As they are quite shy, I don´t see them more then about 10 seconds a week, I was surprised to see that the female was really fat. I put in a box with Sphagnum-moss in their terrarium, and it took only about an hour for her to enter the box and start digging around.

Since it was quite late, I decided to leave her for the night, and lookid in the box when I got home from work the following afternoon. And what do you know.. 4 eggs in the moss.

Some pictures:

Eggsize ranging from the largest at 77 x 22 mm´s to the smallest at 60 x 25 mm´s.

Elaphe quatuorlineata muenteri eggs.

The female, photographed late 2008.

The incubator.

Incubator.

 

More info and updates on Terrarium Morbidum forum (nonvenomous snakes section).