Search found 81 matches

by melissaisdown
October 1st, 2023, 9:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Summer Herping
Replies: 2
Views: 1671

Re: Summer Herping

A lot of cool finds! Thanks for sharing
by melissaisdown
October 1st, 2023, 9:11 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Looking for advice - How should I heat and light this custom tank?
Replies: 1
Views: 5174

Looking for advice - How should I heat and light this custom tank?

3 yr old female Florida Kingsnake habitat I have an idea what would work best, but wanted to ask others first. Probably moving her over to this tank in next few weeks. Would like to eventually breed her in this tank, so any advice on that is also appreciated. Thank you! https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jvs...
by melissaisdown
June 21st, 2021, 12:16 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Florida kingsnake not eating...any suggestions?
Replies: 4
Views: 6161

Florida kingsnake not eating...any suggestions?

Hi all, Not my first snake, or kingsnake. Just kinda desperate for any suggestions that might work. I have a juvenile Florida kingsnake (sold to me as half speckled half goins). She ate fine first two months, a f/t pinky once a week. She shed about 8 days ago, so at first I thought the shed was comi...
by melissaisdown
June 14th, 2020, 11:14 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help with an ID Please - SW PA
Replies: 2
Views: 1737

Re: Help with an ID Please - SW PA

One more pic, didn't even realize I took. Definitely looks like a hellbender here, but first one was much more pink, I swear, lol.
by melissaisdown
June 14th, 2020, 9:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help with an ID Please - SW PA
Replies: 2
Views: 1737

Help with an ID Please - SW PA

Hi, Sorry for bad photos, wasn't expecting to find anything. It was an unplanned side-of-the-road rock flip and I didn't have my camera. Area is Southwestern Pennsylvania. That being said, can anybody help me ID this salamander? Was pretty big, 7-10" and more pink than anything I've seen around...
by melissaisdown
August 5th, 2018, 7:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Trip to California this past spring
Replies: 9
Views: 20717

Re: Trip to California this past spring

Great post, cool finds especially the otters.
by melissaisdown
July 7th, 2018, 1:27 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Is a supertank possible?
Replies: 20
Views: 39272

Re: Is a supertank possible?

When I used to work at a pet shop, I made a paludarium with a 55 gallon that housed green tree frogs, anoles, and fire belly toads pretty successfully. I think we may have even had a few newts in there occasionally. We were conscious of feeding both during the day and after all the lights were out....
by melissaisdown
June 14th, 2018, 12:46 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Is a supertank possible?
Replies: 20
Views: 39272

Re: Is a supertank possible?

Thanks everyone for all of the tips and past experiences, I am bookmarking this thread and will revisit when we actually start building it!
by melissaisdown
June 14th, 2018, 12:42 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Is a supertank possible?
Replies: 20
Views: 39272

Re: Is a supertank possible?

Okay let me elaborate, by supertank I mean multi-species habitat. We are considering, at some point in the future, a small room dedicated to reptiles and amphibians, with a custom made enclosure and we are wondering that with all of the correct elements (heat,humidity, substrate, lots of space, hid...
by melissaisdown
June 11th, 2018, 4:09 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Is a supertank possible?
Replies: 20
Views: 39272

Re: Is a supertank possible?

On Dendroboard I saw a thread including a large, heavily-planted terrarium with 5-lined skinks and American toads. They seemed like good roommates (and engaging captives FWIW). There was some video I found quite interesting. The narrative was pretty good too - many curious insights, things one migh...
by melissaisdown
June 11th, 2018, 4:07 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Is a supertank possible?
Replies: 20
Views: 39272

Re: Is a supertank possible?

Now that im home I was inspired to try to find some early 2000 pics, i have of lizards and treefrogs. Not as easy as I thought my pics are a mess. Thats been my most successful multi sp experiences. Lizards will fight each other, and frogs can either eat or be chemically incompatible but tree frogs...
by melissaisdown
June 10th, 2018, 10:46 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Is a supertank possible?
Replies: 20
Views: 39272

Is a supertank possible?

Okay let me elaborate, by supertank I mean multi-species habitat. We are considering, at some point in the future, a small room dedicated to reptiles and amphibians, with a custom made enclosure and we are wondering that with all of the correct elements (heat,humidity, substrate, lots of space, hide...
by melissaisdown
October 16th, 2017, 1:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Looking for Advice on the Unthinkable
Replies: 15
Views: 15896

Re: Looking for Advice on the Unthinkable

I concur with Bryan Hamilton that prevention and vigilance are the best ways to handle a snake bite -- that is, to never get one. However, my 9-5 has me in a position to teach First Aid/CPR/AED training, so I know a little bit about Wilderness and Remote First Aid, and I can tell you that the manual...
by melissaisdown
October 16th, 2017, 6:38 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?
Replies: 17
Views: 32319

Re: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?

Hey there Melissa, if you ever want to share experiences about Mangroves Im down. PM or on forum I love that stuff. I actually didnt get enough of them, and almost kept a gorgeous juvenile from a group I 'babysat' ie got started from a man named Ron who was kind of a broker, who picked up the herps...
by melissaisdown
October 13th, 2017, 10:28 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?
Replies: 17
Views: 32319

Re: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?

Thanks SurfinHerp, I just pm'd you. Hi Melissa, I have a couple of lyre snakes from coastal San Diego County. I'm not positive, but I think one's a male and the other's a female. I plan to breed them in the future - probably in 2019. I want the smaller one (female?) to grow larger before she mates. ...
by melissaisdown
October 12th, 2017, 2:36 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?
Replies: 17
Views: 32319

Re: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?

Hey there, I don't and never have bred any rear-fangs. Heck, come to think of it I guess I've never just kept any either. Well, except for eastern and southern hoggies; I doubt that's what you have in mind. I have helped care for captive Boiga irregularis . I imagine its congeners aren't too dissim...
by melissaisdown
October 12th, 2017, 12:47 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?
Replies: 17
Views: 32319

Re: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?

Hey Melissa, check out Markus, there is alot of good stuff to see, like for example the way some are paneled on the inside for moisture protection. And there are some usable commercial fare, all front opening. The thing with the online blogs etc is that they state what is needed but dont go in deta...
by melissaisdown
October 12th, 2017, 8:57 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?
Replies: 17
Views: 32319

Re: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?

By the way welcome, Ive enjoyed your posts on the Forum and I love your username 8-) Thank you! Whatever set up I end up with is going to be custom - made, because I have somebody to do that for me, who will actually enjoy it. It will probably be a month or two before I make the reptile purchase, i...
by melissaisdown
October 12th, 2017, 7:24 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Borneo 2017
Replies: 3
Views: 3993

Re: Borneo 2017

Dragon snake is an awesome find!
by melissaisdown
October 12th, 2017, 6:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: This Year in PA (and some AZ)
Replies: 5
Views: 3943

Re: This Year in PA (and some AZ)

TurtleTim wrote:Nice shots!

In case you didn't notice, you also have a few Northern map turtles mixed in with your basking Painted turtles.

Okay thank you! I'm not the best at IDing turtles.
by melissaisdown
October 12th, 2017, 6:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: This Year in PA (and some AZ)
Replies: 5
Views: 3943

Re: This Year in PA (and some AZ)

Cool. Where'd you get that Ctenosaur? Grounds of the museum? Did you stop at the great pond at Cienegas? The one with the interpretive signs? It's better after dark. cheers Thanks! Yes, the Ctenosaur was near the desert museum, though not quite in it. And yes, Cienegas was very picturesque and we s...
by melissaisdown
October 12th, 2017, 6:32 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?
Replies: 17
Views: 32319

Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?

If so, what do you keep/ breed? What would you recommend? I'm not a first time keeper and have had a Mangrove, two king snakes, and other reptiles in the past (10+ years) I am looking into getting a Boiga nigriceps or Boiga cynodon, perhaps a pair of one or the other. But I'm not finding a ton of in...
by melissaisdown
October 5th, 2017, 12:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: This Year in PA (and some AZ)
Replies: 5
Views: 3943

This Year in PA (and some AZ)

Hi all, I've not posted in a while but that doesn't mean I don't visit (and lurk) often. And it definitely doesn't mean I've not been herping. Below are my finds for 2017. I'm from SW PA, but have traveled a bit, and even vacationed in AZ last month, so here we go. This year in PA started with some ...
by melissaisdown
September 7th, 2017, 9:57 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: HERPING SIBERIA! Lots Of Photos, One Snake
Replies: 11
Views: 7710

Re: HERPING SIBERIA! Lots Of Photos, One Snake

Great pics. I've had a debate recently with someone about what it'd be like to herp Siberia, so it's really awesome to see recent photos from someone who has!
by melissaisdown
June 19th, 2017, 7:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Year so far AR, OK, IL, MO, ON, AB, SK
Replies: 7
Views: 5018

Re: Year so far AR, OK, IL, MO, ON, AB, SK

Great post, great pics. Queen snakes are an elusive find for me so I enjoy seeing queen snakes.
by melissaisdown
March 27th, 2017, 5:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Planning a trip to Arizona in September
Replies: 1
Views: 1388

Planning a trip to Arizona in September

Hi all, I'm normally just herping in the north east, but we are planning a trip [to Arizona], of about a week, this September. Right now I'm just seeking any advice or leads and "dos" and "don'ts" for herping this area. We are hoping to spend a long enough time that we can stay i...
by melissaisdown
March 27th, 2017, 5:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Year in review: 2016 Finds
Replies: 2
Views: 2211

Re: Year in review: 2016 Finds

Nice pics! Looks like you had a good year. Love the scenery shots too as well as the bear. Hope you have a great year in 2017 as well. Thank you! I'm looking forward to herping this year. I think we may venture outside the tri-state area, as we're planning a trip to the south west. So I'm pretty ex...
by melissaisdown
March 24th, 2017, 10:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Year in review: 2016 Finds
Replies: 2
Views: 2211

Year in review: 2016 Finds

I'm super late in posting these but here are my finds for last year. Some photos are not great because I was not out looking for anything (such as the timber rattler). Most of these are from Southwestern Pennsylvania but a few are Maryland. Anyways, enjoy. Northern Water snake, Nerodia sipedon siped...
by melissaisdown
August 26th, 2015, 10:49 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: Albino Deer
Replies: 2
Views: 11665

Albino Deer

Spotted this last week:

Image
by melissaisdown
May 14th, 2014, 11:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: first queen snake of the year!
Replies: 2
Views: 1593

Re: first queen snake of the year!

That is get cool. I'm south of Pittsburgh and its only been water snakes and garters so far. I'd live to find a queen snake around here.
by melissaisdown
May 18th, 2013, 1:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Spring in SW PA
Replies: 2
Views: 1139

Spring in SW PA

Mostly the same stuff as always but I'm sharing my finds anyway. http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa457/Melissa_Downes/IMAG1944_zpsf4365d32.jpg Lots of green frogs out http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa457/Melissa_Downes/IMAG1922_zps79c3b44d.jpg And pickerels http://i1198.photobucket.com/albu...
by melissaisdown
September 1st, 2012, 10:12 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Garter with a white stripe down its back
Replies: 6
Views: 1697

Re: Garter with a white stripe down its back

Eastern garters with red are always nice to find. Most in my area I've found have very muted colors all around. I will be looking for white striped ones now though.
by melissaisdown
August 11th, 2012, 10:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: August Species Counts
Replies: 12
Views: 2466

Re: August Species Counts

August 6th:

1 - Eastern American Toad

1 - 2 Line Salamander

2 - Norther Dusky Salamanders

Lots and lots of inverts this day.
by melissaisdown
July 26th, 2012, 1:43 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Morelia viridis
Replies: 14
Views: 2874

Re: Morelia viridis

Those look great, congrats!
by melissaisdown
July 24th, 2012, 10:07 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: What Kind of Setup Do You Have for Your Appalachicola Kings
Replies: 9
Views: 1618

Re: What Kind of Setup Do You Have for Your Appalachicola Ki

Thanks for the advice everybody. I will keep him in the larger enclosure for sure.
by melissaisdown
July 19th, 2012, 1:21 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: What Kind of Setup Do You Have for Your Appalachicola Kings
Replies: 9
Views: 1618

What Kind of Setup Do You Have for Your Appalachicola Kings

So this past weekend I adopted a 3 year old Appalachicola and he's my first king. I've been reading up much about them and they seem to be a relatively low maintenance breed. He came in a 55 gallon tank though, and I feel like that might be too big. I'm thinking of getting a 30 gallon one to alterna...
by melissaisdown
July 17th, 2012, 2:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Pennsylvania Redbelly Water Snake
Replies: 2
Views: 2188

Re: Pennsylvania Redbelly Water Snake

That mountain earth is a great find! I've also been finding longtails in the strangest places lately. Maybe it's the weather.
by melissaisdown
July 16th, 2012, 9:23 am
Forum: Invertebrate Forum
Topic: Summer Inverts So Far (Spider ID also)
Replies: 2
Views: 1737

Summer Inverts So Far (Spider ID also)

Here are a few inverts I've found so far this summer: http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa457/Melissa_Downes/IMAG0992.jpg http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa457/Melissa_Downes/IMAG0917.jpg http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa457/Melissa_Downes/IMAG0913.jpg I did a little look up but could not...
by melissaisdown
July 12th, 2012, 6:58 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: d
Replies: 35
Views: 6927

Re: d

kyle loucks wrote:I thought Melissa was from Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvanians can be vegans, just not without superfluous mockery. My boss at my last job was the worst. His nickname for me was broccoli.
by melissaisdown
July 11th, 2012, 6:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: d
Replies: 35
Views: 6927

Re: d

I've been vegan 4 years. But not on principle, I got really bad food poisoning and just lost my trust. I don't usually tell people because they tend to sigh in disgust. Then they ask what do you eat?
by melissaisdown
July 5th, 2012, 9:32 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: July Species Count
Replies: 20
Views: 3457

Re: July Species Count

July 4th - Westmoreland County, PA

1 - Northern Watersnake

2 - Northern Duskies
by melissaisdown
June 19th, 2012, 1:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: June Species Count
Replies: 25
Views: 5219

Re: June Species Count

June 18th and 19th

1 - Northern Watersnake

1- Ringneck

4 - American Toads

4 - Two Lined Salamanders

1 - Slimy Salamander

1 - Longtail Salamander (lifer)
by melissaisdown
June 12th, 2012, 7:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: June Species Count
Replies: 25
Views: 5219

Re: June Species Count

June 11th

1- Bullfrog

1- Juvie Pickerel

3 - American Toads

6 - Two Lined Salamanders
by melissaisdown
June 6th, 2012, 4:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Just a little green
Replies: 10
Views: 2034

Re: Just a little green

Great find! I would love to find one of these in my county.
by melissaisdown
June 6th, 2012, 6:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Few Recent Snakes (ID help with one)
Replies: 7
Views: 1771

Re: A Few Recent Snakes (ID help with one)

Mike VanValen wrote:Yup, it's a black Rat. A male, too. One of the Hemipenis is clearly visible. You'll be able to add gender to your record.
Yeah, I noticed that when I was moving him. Thank you for confirming I saw what I thought I saw.
by melissaisdown
June 5th, 2012, 5:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Few Recent Snakes (ID help with one)
Replies: 7
Views: 1771

Re: A Few Recent Snakes (ID help with one)

Thank you guys. I know, it was a bummer to find DOR. But at least I know there are black rats within the burbs between my house and the bank, hah.
by melissaisdown
June 5th, 2012, 4:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Few Recent Snakes (ID help with one)
Replies: 7
Views: 1771

A Few Recent Snakes (ID help with one)

Here are a few snakes from the last few weeks. The two water snakes are from May but the black snake is from yesterday. http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa457/Melissa_Downes/IMAG0955.jpg http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa457/Melissa_Downes/IMAG0958.jpg This one was thick around the middle, ma...
by melissaisdown
May 31st, 2012, 7:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Problems uploading voucher shots
Replies: 7
Views: 2288

Re: Problems uploading voucher shots

Try to upload it as a jpeg from your computer and not the image code or direct link from the photobucket, or wherever website. I experienced this the other day with the link but it worked to upload it directly from you computer.
by melissaisdown
May 31st, 2012, 4:44 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Final update - up to 6/6: My year so far.
Replies: 31
Views: 3556

Re: My year so far...

Great post. The garter den is a cool find. Far into my running trail there's a garter den and I think they share it with water snakes? Do those two co-habitate? Either way the garters were more common in April and earlier and now I'm seeing water snakes mostly.