SNAKES AND TERRARIUMS FOR SALE!!

I am cutting back on reptiles and amphibians, so therefore I am putting the following up for sale:

0.1 V. a. ammodytes Cb:- 10, Loc: Körita, Bosnia
Price: €65

         SOLD

              SOLD

2.0 Zamenis situla, Leopardsnake Cb: – 10, Loc: Peloponnese, Greece. € 120/animal.
8.0 Zamenis situla, Leopardsnake Cb: – 11, Loc: Peloponnese, Greece. € 80/animal.
1.1 Zamenis situla, Leopardsnake Cb: – 03, Loc: Peloponnese, Greece. € 300/pair. Proven breederpair, with a female that often lays double clutches every eyear, clutches containing 8 – 11 eggs.

Picture above is showing one terrarium each of the following:

2 terrariums measuring:
Depth = 48 cm´s
Hight = 41 cm´s
Length/With = 88 cm´s.

2 terrariums with cork on the inside ( backwall and sides ) measuring:
Depht = 50 cm´s
Hight = 40 cm´s
Length/With = 80 cm´s

Price: €55/each.

All with the handmade heatprotectors shown in the picture below.
All terrariums are made out of aluminiumframes with aluminiumfloor, two with aluminium backwall.

Heatprotector. Fits with GU 3,5 Halogenelights.

IMPORTANT!!
Rules:
For venomous snakes: Minimum age 18 years. Make sure that you can leave good references, if I don´t know you!
All animals will be delivered to the Terraristika in Hamm, or may be pick-uped at my place.

All animals are delivered with the neccesary legal documents.

//Miqe

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.

–>
———
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.

Python Ban Moves Forward Despite Questionable Science

PR: Python Ban Moves Forward Despite Questionable Science December 10, 2009 Wilmington, NC- Driven by powerful special interests and much media sensation S. 373 aka ‘The Python Ban’ is likely to move forward despite lack of scientific justification. Pushed by Sponsor Senator Bill Nelson and the Humane Society of the United States S. 373 could devastate the trade in high quality captive bred reptiles in the United States.

Today the Senate Committee on the Environment & Public Works (EPW) will hold a business meeting on S. 373. The Committee Chair is Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and the Ranking Member is Senator James Inhofe (R-OK). The committee will hold a mark up session where they will consider S. 373, to amend title 18, United States Code, to add constrictor snakes of the species Python genera to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act. The committee is expected to amend the bill to include the 9 snakes listed on a recent controversial report by the US Geological Survey (USGS). All tolled the bill could stop the import, export and interstate transport of as many as 45 species of Boas and Pythons.

The USGS report being used to justify these extreme measures has been called into question by a group of independent scientists in a letter to the EPW Committee on November 24, 2009. The letter characterized the USGS report as “not a bona-fide scientific paper”. The US Department of the Interior (DOI) and the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) stand by the report and have recommended to the committee that all 9 snakes reviewed should be included by amendment to S. 373. The independent scientists, who include professors from University of Florida, Arizona State University, Texas A&M and The National Geographic Society, go further to state, “this document is not suitable as the basis for legislative or regulatory policies, as its content is not based on best science practices”

The United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) made an agreement in principle with Senator Bill Nelson’s office to limit the damage to a 3 billion dollar a year trade in these reptiles, but was informed yesterday that the agreement would not be honored. Senator Nelson has justified his position based on the recommendations made in regards to the USGS report by USFWS and DOI. Andrew Wyatt, president of USARK, commented that “it is a real shame that Senator Nelson has changed his position on this issue”. If the bill passes approximately 4 million boas and pythons already in captivity would be rendered valueless overnight with no provisions for disposition or compensation. Wyatt added, “it could create a situation where millions of people will be in possession of injurious wildlife. It is ludicrous to put so many law abiding citizens in that position and diminish the Lacey Act for the sake of political expediency.”

Passage of S. 373 would result in the loss of thousands of American jobs bankrupting an entire industry. Without strong evidence to support the injurious wildlife listing, USARK calls on the Senate EPW Committee to give an unfavorable rating to S. 373.

Contact: Andrew Wyatt   president@usark.org

First herptile find for the season!

 

I found my first ones of this season yeasterday.

When I go to work, I pass a little place where I have been thinking: “There might be an Adder there”. So, yesterday I walked there, it´s just 750 meters from work, to have a look.. Didn´t think that I was going to find anything, just wanted to check the place out..

After just a few minutes, I saw 2 V. berus basking, immediatley threwed myself on the ground with the camera.. Took a few pictures, and walked a little more. Only after 25 meters or so, I found another one.

A good day, in deed!

A couple of the pictures I took..

Basking V. berus, Common adder.

 

Basking V. berus, Common adder.

 

Link to a thread in my forum, regarding spring-findings.

Court rules in favour of man and his snakes

An environmental court has overruled both the County Council and Gävle municipality in central Sweden, finding there is nothing wrong with a man keeping 47 snakes–20 of which are poisonous–in his apartment.
According to the court, nothing demonstrates that people feel mental discomfort from living near a neighbor with snakes, according to the legal news website Pointlex.

Gävle municipality had denied the man the right to house the snakes in his apartment because “it is generally accepted that many people in society are afraid of snakes.”

And the fear is also justified as it is not unlikely that the snakes could escape, the municipality contended.

In his defence, the snake-man said that an insufficiently grounded fear shouldn’t constitute a nuisance.

The environmental court found that the man had a great deal of knowledge about snakes and that he seemed able to handle them appropriately. He was aware of all applicable animal protection regulations, and the snakes’ living quarters were escape proof, assuming the outer door was closed.

An examination of the case also failed to provide support for the claim that Swedes in general feel discomfort from having a neighbor with snakes.

And even if the snakes make some feel a bit queasy, their concerns can’t be judged from a medical perspective to affect health and welfare in such a way that the snakes be considered a public nuisance according to Sweden’s environmental code.

From The Local

Breeders’ Expo Europe

 

The idea for the Breeders’ Expo Europe was born from lots of stimulation from herpers from Germany and around Europe. The fair concept reflects these suggestions in four main issues:• sufficient room for animals and people
• comfortable room climate
• user-oriented organization/reservation
• a real meeting point for herpers in EuropeThe A2 Forum in Rheda-Wiedenbrück provides ideal conditions to put these ideas into action. The modern event centre integrates enough exhibition area plus other facilities and is located directly at the A2 highway in Germany, right in the heart of Europe. The fair concept includes a market place, an attractive program of lectures as well as quiet areas.
You can see our approach in the event’s logo: The BEE shall be a ‘friendly place’ allowing people to meet and exchange with their friends or business partners having a coffee or a good beer.

Facilities and equipment of the A2 Forum allow the chance to adapt to increasing needs step by step – providing room for more stands or the integration of additional program items. We are currently working on a convention for the friends of poison dart frogs, more cooperations are expected to come. Do you have an interesting idea or is your group of herpers looking for an opportunity to meet and exchange at a central European meeting place? Contact us, flexibility is part of the agenda.

By the way: This principle guides us through the organization of the whole event. For example we will separate exhibitors offering live rats or mice into an extra room to optimize the quality of air in all the other areas. A really good ventilation is standard at the A2 Forum anyway. Another plus: You can book your stands for the next expo on the day of the event. There’s no need to hassle because there’s enough room and stands for everybody. This will help especially our foreign exhibitors to reduce effort and costs alike. We strive to make your visit to the BEE as comfortable as possible and help you with every possible challenge. If we fail in some parts during the first expo your positive input will help us to improve the second time. You can leave your suggestions in writing at the information desk on the day of the event or by e-mail. The service personnel reflects exactly this approach: How can we help you to make you love to come back?

Of course an attractive event needs an attractive supply and demand alike. We are working on both aspects with full intensity and are very pleased having received bookings of a number of well known breeders from Germany and foreign countries at this early stage. You will find a list of exhibitors including their stand numbers beginning with February 2008 under Downloads.

Have you always wanted a real meeting place for you hobby? Then don’t look any further but arrange to meet with your friends at the BEE and make use of our offer. Do you have important questions not covered by the FAQ? Please ask. Do you like to link to the BEE from your web site? Under Downloads you will find the copyright-protected logo of the BEE meant to be used for exactly this purpose.

Time Author Topic
11.30 hours Karsten Wöllner Thinking big – a life with retic pythons (German, questions in English possible) http://www.breeders-expo.de/home-E/lectures-E/retics-E.html13.00 hours Jason Wagner (USA) & Christian Langner Abronia – jewels of the cloud forest (English + German) http://www.breeders-expo.de/home-E/lectures-E/abronia-E.html14.30 hours Lars Fehlandt Ranitomeya imitator, the frog with the “mask” (German, questions in English possible) http://www.breeders-expo.de/home-E/lectures-E/ranitomeya-E.html 15.30 hours Peter Nowark Practice workshop: arranging and equipping a terrarium for poison-dart frogs (German, questions in English possible) http://www.breeders-expo.de/home-E/lectures-E/workshop-E.html16.45 hours Thorsten Mahn Oophaga pumilio – differences between habitat and husbandry (German, questions in English possible) http://www.breeders-expo.de/home-E/lectures-E/oophaga-E.html

Hundreds Of Bottles Of Booze With A Ten Inch Rattlesnake In Each Bottle Seized In Palo Pinto

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents seized 411 bottles of illegal hooch Thursday at Bayou Bob’s Brazos River Rattlesnake Ranch in Palo Pinto County.

But it wasn’t your typical variety of moonshine: the bottles of vodka also contained 10-inch rattlesnakes.

“In my 20 years with the TABC, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Sgt. Charlie Cloud said Friday.

Bob Popplewell, the owner of Bayou Bob’s, did not return messages left on his voicemail at his snake farm near Santo in Palo Pinto County.

TABC officials said they plan to file charges next week for the sale of alcohol without a permit and possession of alcohol with the intent to sell. Penalties for those charges include up to a year in the county jail and fines up to $1,000 upon conviction.

Popplewell received widespread attention last year when Texas wildlife officials decided to tighten regulations for the collection of turtles. He is believed to be largest buyer of turtles in the state.

He testified before Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners that he shipped 12,000 turtles out of state in 2006 and another 30,000 in 2005. Popplewell said that most of the turtles are shipped to Asia where they are considered a delicacy.

There was no evidence that Popplewell was shipping the snake-infused alcohol from his business but Cloud said the investigation is ongoing.

“I found it hard to believe he has 411 bottles going out of his store at any given time,” Cloud said.

TABC officials said alcohol containing snakes or scorpions is popular in Asian cultures. An Internet search found operations selling Thai scorpion vodka, cobra whiskey, giant centipede whiskey, herbal gecko lizard wine and Mekong River eel wine.

“It’s very bizarre,” Cloud said. “We learned that these are believed to contain aphrodisiac properties. We heard that some people believe having a venomous animal creates hallucinations.”

TABC agents received a tip several weeks ago and sent an undercover agent to the rattlesnake ranch to purchase the vodka. It wasn’t on display.

“We had to go in and ask for it,” Cloud said.

From Star-Telegram

Woman survives deadly snake attack.

A CECIL Plains woman, 32, has amazed doctors by surviving seven strikes from one of Australia’s deadliest snakes, the Eastern Brown.

Meegan Harrison-Philbey is recovering in Toowoomba Hospital after a month of fighting for her life in the Intensive Care Unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

Her mother Glennis Philbey said she had spent weeks holding her breath as doctors predicted that her daughter’s chances of survival were minimal.

“Meegan was collecting eggs from our chook pen when she stood on the snake,” she said.

“It struck her foot seven times, leaving a large amount of venom inside her.

Meegan ran to the house, her foot bleeding.”

Ms Harrison-Philbey said despite the number of bites she received, the pain wasn’t her biggest fear.

“I felt a sharp pain at first, but it wasn’t excruciating until later on at the hospital.

“There was a timber cutter who was staying with us at the home8stead who knew what to do and bandaged up my foot.”

Dalby Hospital’s Dr Denzil Daniels said his team of doctors fought hard to keep Meegan alive.

“When Meegan arrived at the hospital, she collapsed and started having convulsions,” Dr Daniels said.

“She was bleeding from everywhere and at one point we didn’t think she was going to make it.”

Ms Harrison-Philbey was stabilised but slipped into a coma when transported to Brisbane.

Mrs Philbey said her daughter was not expected to live and spent seven days unconscious.

“She relied 100% on oxygen and was on life support.

“The doctors said it was a wet strike as the venom went straight into her veins.

“People don’t realise the amount of damage a snake can cause to a person.

“Your body breaks down and destroys itself from the inside out,” she said.

From Toowoomba Chronicle

Golf ball-eating snake released into wild

The snake in this article has been released..

A SNAKE that had four golf balls removed from its gut in a world-first operation will be released back into “the rough” today.

Greg and Margaret Church discovered the 80cm-long carpet python on their northern New South Wales property in December.

The couple had put golf balls in their hen house to coax a broody hen to lay, and blamed their grandchildren when the balls went missing.

But then they found the very lumpy snake nearby, they put two and two together.

The snake, nicknamed Augusta, had surgery at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast.

After eight weeks’ recuperation, it will be returned to the wild via the Church family’s Nobbys Creek property.

Mrs Church said she had a previous encounter with Augusta, when it ate a bat and became so fat that she had to help it slide out of a chicken wire fence.

A nature lover, Mrs Church said she would be pleased to have the snake around again.

“I’m glad we found him when we did,” she told AAP.

“My husband, who doesn’t mind handling snakes, picked him up, and he could feel the golf balls inside.

“It was a funny thing at the time.”

Reptile carer Sue Johnston, who housed Augusta after the operation, said it was a happy ending.

“It’s really good to see him go back to his own home again and hopefully he will be eating meals other than things like golf balls,” she said.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary raised $1401 for a new animal hospital through an online auction of the golf balls.

From news.com.au

World’s longest captive snake on display in U.S.

Fluffy, a gigantic python thought to be the world’s longest captive snake, will be on permanent display at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. (File Photo)     BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhuanet) — Fluffy, a gigantic python thought to be the world’s longest captive snake, will be on permanent display at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, U.S., media reported Monday.     The 7.3-meter reticulated python is about as long as a moving van and thick as a telephone pole.     The zoo bought Fluffy for 35,000 U.S. dollars from its breeder in Oklahoma, which raised the python from a hatchling.     While on loan last year, the snake wowed zoo visitors and helped make last year’s 1.53 million attendance the second highest on record, said Pete Fingerhut, the zoo’s associate director. The biggest year was 2006, with 1.56 million visitors.     Fluffy is on display in a some 8-meter enclosure with a pool and a few plants, where he eats two huge rabbits a week. In the wild, pythons native to Asia eat whatever they can catch, starting with mice and lizards when they’re small and graduating to pigs and goats. There are a few reports of human victims.     The largest known reticulated python was 10 meters when killed in 1912 in Indonesia.

From China view