Search found 406 matches

by Kfen
January 4th, 2024, 7:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Texas, November 2023 Trip Report
Replies: 3
Views: 1221

Re: Texas, November 2023 Trip Report

Your posts are really drumming up this forum's memories of its heyday. Hope others take notice and start to contribute more.
by Kfen
January 3rd, 2024, 3:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Monsoon Season in Arizona, 2023
Replies: 2
Views: 1300

Re: Monsoon Season in Arizona, 2023

Thanks so much for taking the time post this. It was very enjoyable read. The kind of info and story telling you can't get on FB.
by Kfen
December 18th, 2023, 4:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2023 Year in Review: Caudates
Replies: 5
Views: 3748

Re: 2023 Year in Review: Caudates

Thanks for taking the time to put this together. Lots of cool Sally's and cool pics.
by Kfen
March 20th, 2023, 4:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Intro for New Member and Question for Anza Borrego
Replies: 4
Views: 2170

Re: Intro for New Member and Question for Anza Borrego

Welcome to the forum! Specific locations are rarely if ever given out, especially publicly, and especially to new members. If you had some general time of year type questions maybe someone will chime in. I have never been to CA so certainly can't help at all, but good luck and please post some pics....
by Kfen
February 14th, 2023, 7:52 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Advices for South Africa herping trip
Replies: 1
Views: 1565

Re: Advices for South Africa herping trip

I visited SA once in 2010. You might be able to find my post here by searching, I dont remember if that was pre or post crash. I traveled more around the western cape and there were plenty of opportunites to herp on your own. Im not sure if it is the same in the east. In the eastern part, I only vis...
by Kfen
October 21st, 2022, 6:06 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: EASTERN GHATS 2022 Monsoon Report (several FHF firsts, big post)
Replies: 7
Views: 2723

Re: EASTERN GHATS 2022 Monsoon Report (several FHF firsts, big post)

I greatly appreciate the time you took to put this together. I too miss these big posts here. Excellent photos and finds. I had no idea there were chameleons in India!
by Kfen
August 1st, 2022, 3:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southeast Arizona 7/23-7/25
Replies: 9
Views: 8308

Re: Southeast Arizona 7/23-7/25

I was also in SE AZ during the same time. Nightime cruising was mostly unsuccessful, a couple atrox, one mojave, and one sidewinder in 4 nights. Daytime hiking at elevation yielded better results. I think the cool rain every afternoon that lingered for hours really shut down the nightime activity. G...
by Kfen
June 17th, 2022, 5:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica
Replies: 1
Views: 759

Re: Costa Rica

The only way Ive been able to do night herping in CR is to either stay at a place with their own trails/property or literally pull off the side of the road in rural areas and walk into the woods. Doing the latter I never strayed too far from the car but it has been productive. Really a mix of road c...
by Kfen
November 11th, 2020, 6:11 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Plated lizard with eye problem
Replies: 20
Views: 32007

Re: Plated lizard with eye problem

Thanks for the update, that is great news!
by Kfen
August 15th, 2020, 12:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rican Frog ID Help
Replies: 1
Views: 1635

Re: Costa Rican Frog ID Help

Since no one else responded, i am going to take a guess. First one I would guess is a juvenile Rhaebo haematiticus. Although i could be way off and its one of the many small brown Eleuthrodactylids. Second looks like a red eyed tree frog- Agalychnis callidryas Where are the photos of everything else...
by Kfen
March 11th, 2020, 7:31 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herping the Brigalow-belt, QLD
Replies: 3
Views: 2775

Re: Herping the Brigalow-belt, QLD

Thanks for posting. I always love seeing Australia posts. I am hoping to get there in the next couple of years.
by Kfen
March 7th, 2020, 3:10 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Home Made Hides
Replies: 7
Views: 7286

Re: Home Made Hides

Speaking of PVC (also not a hide but I've decided to turn this thread into all cage furniture. :D Hope you don't mind Kelly) I bought some used cages awhile ago one of which came with this PVC perch. Someone did an excellent job making it look like a vine. I believe they made the twist and color usi...
by Kfen
March 5th, 2020, 4:14 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Home Made Hides
Replies: 7
Views: 7286

Re: Home Made Hides

I really like they PVC idea. I have used PVC pipe cut in half for small aquatic turtle hides, but never the full tube for snakes, I'll have to change that. I like that idea for an aerial hide for arboreals too. Not a hide, but something ive just been working on. It's a nest box for pancake tortoises...
by Kfen
December 13th, 2019, 11:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: appalachian salamander timing question
Replies: 1
Views: 1338

appalachian salamander timing question

I will have some free time in the middle or end of March, and have always wanted to make a southern Appalachian salamander trip. Is late March a good time of year in Virginia/West Virginia/North Carolina for salamanders? Is it too early for them to be out walking around at night? Will I only be limi...
by Kfen
December 10th, 2019, 8:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help with some reptiles from Indonesia
Replies: 13
Views: 3441

Re: Help with some reptiles from Indonesia

Nothing from that other pic leads me away from Cyclemys, so Im sticking with it. There are several Cyclemys species that are VERY similar in appearance, and Im not totally up on their individual ranges, so I wont venture a guess as to which species it may be.
by Kfen
December 8th, 2019, 10:11 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Help with some reptiles from Indonesia
Replies: 13
Views: 3441

Re: Help with some reptiles from Indonesia

Ill take a stab at the turtles. The first I feel pretty good about calling Cuora amboinensis. The second is a guess with Cyclemys sp. Any more pics of that one? Captive turtles can be difficult because they could be from anywhere in the world and often show abnormal growth.
by Kfen
December 6th, 2019, 9:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Trail Cameras?
Replies: 4
Views: 2317

Re: Trail Cameras?

Like Chris said, set it up to take a photo every 30 seconds/minute/few minutes. I watched a time lapse video from a trail cam set up at a timber den and it was pretty neat with some interesting information gathered from it.
by Kfen
December 6th, 2019, 9:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Montana Milksnake
Replies: 3
Views: 2226

Re: Montana Milksnake

Beautiful snake, and nice write up to go with it. I too have definitely learned to appreciate my time in the field even when not finding anything.
by Kfen
November 18th, 2019, 7:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2019 10 - Australia trip report
Replies: 2
Views: 1796

Re: 2019 10 - Australia trip report

That was insane!
by Kfen
October 20th, 2019, 5:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Tips to find sidewinders without cruising
Replies: 14
Views: 17231

Re: Tips to find sidewinders without cruising

I don't plan on being in sidewinder range anytime soon, nor can I help with the original question, but wanted to say the above post was very interesting and informative. Thanks for taking the time to put that together.
by Kfen
September 29th, 2019, 6:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: wanted box turtle photos
Replies: 5
Views: 13502

Re: wanted box turtle photos

Thanks Craig. I appreciate the photos.

I just gave the talk so I do not need anymore if anyone else is reading.
by Kfen
September 14th, 2019, 1:02 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Switching an Eastern Coachwhip
Replies: 93
Views: 164140

Re: Switching an Eastern Coachwhip

I thought this was discussed before, and it looks like I started it last time! Lol
by Kfen
September 14th, 2019, 4:21 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Switching an Eastern Coachwhip
Replies: 93
Views: 164140

Re: Switching an Eastern Coachwhip

I too would like a definitive answer to this. I've heard some different things but never anything concrete backed by evidence.
by Kfen
September 7th, 2019, 6:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: wanted box turtle photos
Replies: 5
Views: 13502

wanted box turtle photos

I am going to be giving a presentation on North American box turtles in a couple weeks and am looking for a few more photos. I am specifically looking for ones showing the habitat in the background and showing box turtles only partially exposed, like in their forms. I do not need any more portrait o...
by Kfen
September 7th, 2019, 6:33 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Switching an Eastern Coachwhip
Replies: 93
Views: 164140

Re: Switching an Eastern Coachwhip

Thanks for that link Bill. Interesting stuff. Its funny how some things just become "fact" and gets repeated by everyone. Maybe the freezer is the best. I also agree that blunt force trauma is humane, and can be a good tool which I have used in certain instances, but a hammer on a small fr...
by Kfen
August 31st, 2019, 5:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica - June 2019 Report
Replies: 6
Views: 16682

Re: Costa Rica - June 2019 Report

Wow, it looks like you killed it! And your photos are real eye candy. I've been to CR a few times and still hoping to see a Pseustes, and some of the others you saw. Mind sharing some of the places you stayed at? It's always difficult to find places to herp at night.
by Kfen
August 30th, 2019, 9:14 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Switching an Eastern Coachwhip
Replies: 93
Views: 164140

Re: Switching an Eastern Coachwhip

Great to see updates posted. Wouldn't be a complete story without. Thanks for that. What is a good way to humanely euthanize frogs to use as feeders? I've used benzocaine before, but when they were not being fed to something. I doubt that would be safe. I also don't plan on building a CO2 chamber.
by Kfen
June 16th, 2019, 6:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Royal Tree Snake
Replies: 11
Views: 13281

Re: Royal Tree Snake

It may not have been the best view, but congratulations on such a cool find! Thanks for sharing
by Kfen
June 9th, 2019, 7:45 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Plated lizard with eye problem
Replies: 20
Views: 32007

Re: Plated lizard with eye problem

I would also add if you can get him outside, even for short periods, nothing beats the sun. Just make sure to do it safely so he has a place to retreat and not overheat. I have seen it work wonders on sick/injured herps. Here is a plated lizard taking advantage of the South African sun: IMG_6821size...
by Kfen
June 8th, 2019, 6:49 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Plated lizard with eye problem
Replies: 20
Views: 32007

Re: Plated lizard with eye problem

I agree with Kelly that it looks like an "internal" issue and not something caused by external injury or infection. Is it in both eyes? That would add further evidence to the above.
by Kfen
April 28th, 2019, 7:59 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: New York salamander ID help
Replies: 2
Views: 4554

Re: New York salamander ID help

Looks like a northern dusky. Desmognathus fuscus
by Kfen
March 29th, 2019, 3:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Trip Report: FL, March 2019
Replies: 9
Views: 11746

Re: Trip Report: FL, March 2019

Nice trip report. Thanks for sharing. While you may not have seen the species you were after, at least the Everglades are pretty much guaranteed to find something. My first instinct is Island glass lizard as well, but it has been a long time since I thought about them whatsoever, so I could also be ...
by Kfen
March 26th, 2019, 4:53 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: The Dams and Sires of Spring
Replies: 14
Views: 31122

Re: The Dams and Sires of Spring

Bill, do you have pictures of any of those markets?
by Kfen
March 22nd, 2019, 11:02 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: The Dams and Sires of Spring
Replies: 14
Views: 31122

Re: The Dams and Sires of Spring

Bill, do you keep Spilotes as well? Any luck breeding? Sorry, No. I've caught a few in the field, kept a male, but never kept a pair. If I had, I would have guessed your arrangement would be the thing to do. Those black-breasted leaf turtles are truely amazing. I've seen them only once before in a ...
by Kfen
March 21st, 2019, 5:41 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: The Dams and Sires of Spring
Replies: 14
Views: 31122

Re: The Dams and Sires of Spring

Thank you Kfen, beautiful Spilotes pair, I love how you treat them. I think its hilarious how the black hides, who are really nice in every way except how tough the lable is to get off, look exactly like ones ive had. Thanks. The picture makes the cage look bigger than it is. Its 3' x2' x 3', and I...
by Kfen
March 21st, 2019, 11:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A week in Ghana, August 2018
Replies: 7
Views: 9056

Re: A week in Ghana, August 2018

Your posts never disappoint. Thanks for sharing. Excellent report.
by Kfen
March 19th, 2019, 10:19 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: The Dams and Sires of Spring
Replies: 14
Views: 31122

Re: The Dams and Sires of Spring

This was going to be a longer post but I just spent an hour trying to figure out how to resize images on my new phone. I can't. So I then read lots of reviews and downloaded two different photo editing apps. Anyway, I am excited about this possibility: IMG_20190318_202721700~2-02.jpeg I've had these...
by Kfen
March 7th, 2019, 5:29 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Mercury Bulb Longevity, Maintenance
Replies: 3
Views: 18566

Re: Mercury Bulb Longevity, Maintenance

LOL. Seriously, timers are your friends. I haven't manually switched on reptile lights in probably 20 years.
by Kfen
March 7th, 2019, 5:26 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Another look at UTH mats
Replies: 7
Views: 22399

Re: Earth Colored UTH mats

Its interesting you brought up heat mats on the vertical walls, because I was considering trying that out soon. I am in the process of building a 3/4" wooden cage that I wanted to raise the ambient slightly. I did not want to mount anything to the ceiling (lights that give off heat or heat pane...
by Kfen
March 5th, 2019, 7:50 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Mercury Bulb Longevity, Maintenance
Replies: 3
Views: 18566

Re: Mercury Bulb Longevity, Maintenance

Always great tips from Kelly. I have also found putting lights on a timer can increase the longevity of both cheap fixtures and of the fragile bulbs. Plus there is not reason not to use timers.
by Kfen
March 5th, 2019, 7:46 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Another look at UTH mats
Replies: 7
Views: 22399

Re: Earth Colored UTH mats

I really like the leaf shaped heater idea! Do you put the heat mats on the inside or outside of your vertical enclosure walls? Are they effective in raising the ambient that way? Eheim canister filters come with green tubing, and Ive always thought that was a good idea, in addition to them being gre...
by Kfen
March 5th, 2019, 7:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: South Africa - Bitis cornuta, Aspedilaps, more
Replies: 7
Views: 9073

Re: South Africa - Bitis cornuta, Aspedilaps, more

Wow! Thanks for putting that post together for us. It was quite enjoyable. How long were you there for?
by Kfen
February 2nd, 2019, 2:28 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: going to ocala in february
Replies: 0
Views: 11609

going to ocala in february

I will actually be in Silver Springs FL from Feb 13-18. I will have from about 9-5 to do some herping on that Thurs, Fri, and Mon. I have already gotten a few tips (Thanks Bill!) but will welcome any more for that area or within a reasonable driving distance. I was also curious if anyone wanted to m...
by Kfen
February 1st, 2019, 6:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: If There Isnt A Photo, It Didnt Happen
Replies: 20
Views: 20850

Re: If There Isnt A Photo, It Didnt Happen

One day several years ago (like everyone else's story starts) I was hiking up a mountain side in northern NJ looking for prospective timber rattlesnake dens. I was in an area with some open canopy so there was a good amount of grasses growing on the forest floor. I caught some movement waving around...
by Kfen
January 9th, 2019, 11:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard Project
Replies: 9
Views: 8847

Re: Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard Project

Really neat shots of the lizards and sidewinders partially buried in the sand. You must have some good eyes. How many of those did you find because of tracks or disturbance in the sand? Thanks for sharing
by Kfen
January 9th, 2019, 9:11 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Do You Have Husbandry Secrets?
Replies: 65
Views: 90094

Re: Do You Have Husbandry Secrets?

Approaching from below is often helpful. This can across taxa. When getting baby terrestrial turtles to eat off tongs, they are much more receptive at first when the prey is on the ground rather than "magically" hanging in the air. You may wonder why I feed baby turtles from tongs. The an...
by Kfen
January 3rd, 2019, 6:04 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Do You Have Husbandry Secrets?
Replies: 65
Views: 90094

Re: Do You Have Husbandry Secrets?

I have never attempted to maintain any snakes on mouse tails, I have never given more than two. I think it works by either triggering their digestive system and appetite or by showing the snake that mice are in fact a food source. If it doesn't work the first one or two times, I move onto a differen...
by Kfen
January 2nd, 2019, 8:02 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Do You Have Husbandry Secrets?
Replies: 65
Views: 90094

Re: Do You Have Husbandry Secrets?

Bill,
I totally forgot to mention the braining part, I do that as well and can definitely be successful. I have never tried boiling a pinky, interesting idea. Some species are just easy, 90% of my coxi eat f/t without any tricks.
by Kfen
January 2nd, 2019, 7:00 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Do You Have Husbandry Secrets?
Replies: 65
Views: 90094

Re: Do You Have Husbandry Secrets?

Like Kelly, I have never been able to get a non-eating snake to eat by tease feeding. They strike the pinky for sure, but never ever hold on for me. I do have a friend that currently has to tease feed his rhino rat exactly like Bill wrote about. My schedule trying to feed hatchlings (I currently onl...
by Kfen
December 20th, 2018, 6:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Reticulated Siren - New Salamander Found in Southern US
Replies: 4
Views: 5785

Re: Reticulated Siren - New Salamander Found in Southern US

Wow!! That is exciting stuff. Its too bad its December and I live in CT because all I want to do is go out in the field right now.