Search found 673 matches
- February 15th, 2021, 8:54 pm
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: Birds of the Galapagos
- Replies: 2
- Views: 5904
Re: Birds of the Galapagos
Pretty cool...I love the tropic bird, you appear to have been quite close.
- November 25th, 2020, 9:19 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2020 EOY Report - Arizona
- Replies: 15
- Views: 7463
Re: 2020 EOY Report - Arizona
Congratulations, you really made the best of a tough situation. I kept waiting for "good weather/monsoons" which sort of fizzled. I though that notation about the Ensatina's fascinating, I had not heard about that. Thank you for sharing, I am most impressed at the wide variety you found an...
- February 5th, 2020, 5:04 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Holtville locality Cal king
- Replies: 6
- Views: 23515
Re: Holtville locality Cal king
Jimi, I can assure you having found several in that area, they are very dark, and I concur about the males tending to be darker but my sample group not large enough to be definitive about that... The area is so intensely hot, they are not easily found in my experience, but I lived there a few years ...
- February 5th, 2020, 4:54 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Home Made Hides
- Replies: 7
- Views: 7366
Re: Home Made Hides
I make them out of PVC pipe, in various diameters since herps have preferences and many snakes like to cram in tight. Use an end cap, but do not glue it, they jam on tight enough as it is and you can loosesn for thorough cleaning with a dowel or similar. They are durable, easy to make, light and rea...
- November 28th, 2018, 8:54 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: What is Herping? Why I do it. - A short Documentary film
- Replies: 40
- Views: 35232
Re: What is Herping? Why I do it. - A short Documentary film
You guys deserve a lot of credit. That was very nicely done--and very tasteful. I enjoyed the fact it was in a foreign land too. It just adds to the universality of what herping is all about. Thank you for taking the time to film this. You did this hobby right for sure. Brian Well said Brian. I enj...
- November 28th, 2018, 8:38 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Daytime Finds in Hong Kong
- Replies: 8
- Views: 8437
Re: Daytime Finds in Hong Kong
That is the best footage of the Bungarus, really cool and not often seen. You are more and more at ease behind the camera, and so resourceful in finding natural history to document during your lay overs. Thanks for posting! Vic
- January 22nd, 2018, 11:00 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 32363
Re: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?
Greetings Melissa, did you ever take the plunge and get a Boiga or some other rear fanged snake? I kept Mangrove's in the distant past, back in the '70's, and despite the valid concern over health and assumption they would be heavily parasitized, mine did great, grew large and were impressive displa...
- January 5th, 2018, 6:08 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2017 - Texas/Louisiana: Pop Milk!
- Replies: 9
- Views: 12644
Re: 2017 - Texas/Louisiana: Pop Milk!
outstanding...it is hard to imagine having such a successful year with so many iconic species. This will truly be a tough act to follow... Thanks for posting, I had forgotten how beautiful Texas can be and also the Drymobius in my mind is one of the most spectacular snakes anywhere, you were fortuna...
- January 2nd, 2018, 11:46 am
- Forum: Fish Forum
- Topic: Fishing in Morro Bay
- Replies: 2
- Views: 19367
Re: Fishing in Morro Bay
HI Josh, the Morro Bay area at times offers excellent fishing for shallow water rockfishes and ling cod. Mostly you would access them with the local pay to play/party boat fishing vessels. Ask around, some are better than others. Years ago I had great catches fishing that area, out of Port San Luis....
- June 20th, 2017, 2:36 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Vermiclate water ratio
- Replies: 11
- Views: 28153
Re: Vermiclate water ratio
Jimi and others, that may well be, I really do not know the source. But I do know orchid growers use it also, in fact, the innovative European keepers thought to use it for reptile eggs I think. I will look into it...and give it a go, as I have lots of eggs. Egg incubation is so basic as evidenced b...
- June 20th, 2017, 11:04 am
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Vermiclate water ratio
- Replies: 11
- Views: 28153
Re: Vermiclate water ratio
HI JImi, I am referring to clay product marketed for reptile eggs... H***hrite(?). Also a product from Germany called "Semanis" or similar (?). It is popular with the Heloderma breeders I am told... they have long incubation times and the clay seems to hold water and the resulting humidity...
- June 20th, 2017, 8:09 am
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Vermiclate water ratio
- Replies: 11
- Views: 28153
Re: Vermiclate water ratio
Kfen, I use vermiculite and Yes, I am very old school in so many ways... I usually go about 0.8:1 water to vermiculite, in other words, a little dryer than the often quoted and generally successful 1:1 ratio. I believe dryer within limits is better, and a zoo keeper in Texas (name escapes me or I wo...
- January 4th, 2017, 10:12 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: breeding loans
- Replies: 5
- Views: 14521
Re: breeding loans
Craig is spot on, a contract of sort protects both parties from wrong assumptions and misunderstandings. It will memorialize the agreement and assure clear expectations. I think the person with the female has more responsibility and more risk (females may become egg bound/dystocia, etc.) , therefore...
- January 4th, 2017, 9:56 pm
- Forum: Fish Forum
- Topic: Aquatic animal ID
- Replies: 20
- Views: 58920
Re: Aquatic animal ID
Mola mola unlikely, the dorsum I think is too broad and dorsal is falcate, not straight. I think mammal, but not sure which, I saw the same or similar from the beach at Santa Cruz December 26, 2016. Whale shark unlikely and the dorsal fin too falcate, whale sharks unlikely in the relatively cool wat...
- October 29th, 2016, 10:24 pm
- Forum: Bird Forum
- Topic: Tagging Turkey Vultures
- Replies: 5
- Views: 15329
Re: Tagging Turkey Vultures
I am curious to hear...condors often have tags, and eagles in the Channel Islands too.
Vic
Vic
- July 10th, 2016, 9:38 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast
- Replies: 6
- Views: 5284
Re: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast
Very nice work, thank you for sharing it. The marbled salamander really caught my eye, a robust beast indeed.
Love the two cottonmouths on the log, tell us more about the shot if you will, how did it come to pass?
Vic H.
Love the two cottonmouths on the log, tell us more about the shot if you will, how did it come to pass?
Vic H.
- June 16th, 2016, 9:24 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Post photos of wild herps feeding
- Replies: 56
- Views: 49651
Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Well said Kelly and Dave and thanks to you who posted these amazing shots. My single all time favorite herp shot on FHF over the years was an american alligator(s) that lined up on a culvert/pipe that drained a tidal pond/estuary. With the outgoing tide, the mullet would come to their waiting/gaping...
- May 9th, 2016, 8:51 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Are these king snakes fighting or courting?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 11456
Re: Are these king snakes fighting or courting?
I think the two striped kings are combating, as both are attempting to bite, and I don't recall seeing a female that was willingly mating bite (having witnessed many captive breedings). It is plausible what Nhherp says about them being confused/pheromones, and possible two males are trying to breed ...
- March 7th, 2016, 10:11 pm
- Forum: Fish Forum
- Topic: Playing With Gar
- Replies: 5
- Views: 15016
Re: Playing With Gar
I had no idea gar could be so athletic. Really cool, for all its diversity, the west coast where I fish is deficient in gars. BTW, what kind of gar are those?
Thanks for posting, this may be a first here, fishing with out hooks...Vic
Thanks for posting, this may be a first here, fishing with out hooks...Vic
- February 10th, 2016, 9:25 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: The interesting story of the Clarion Island Nightsnake
- Replies: 14
- Views: 7634
Re: The interesting story of the Clarion Island Nightsnake
Considering the recent talk about cryptic herps that end up on offshore islands, I just read about an incredible example. Exhibit A: Clarion Island Clarion Island is 7 square miles of island way out in the Pacific Ocean. Clarion Island is arid/semiarid. There aren't any peaks high enough to induce ...
- December 18th, 2015, 5:56 am
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Pond build
- Replies: 10
- Views: 11479
Re: Pond build
That is a great project that will surely keep you busy. I am learning a lot, you are a year or two ahead of me, I wish to do similar. Is there a way to drain the pond? Will you be filtering and aerating the water? I hope you will keep us updated, I am sure spring will be a fun time with the planting...
- December 7th, 2015, 9:24 pm
- Forum: Fish Forum
- Topic: Paddlefish
- Replies: 9
- Views: 19050
Re: Paddlefish
Dear Gary, thanks for posting those paddlefish photos, they are quite a novelty to us living outside their range. I often hear of an apparently lawful snag fishery for them in the upper Missouri (?) river and elsewhere, and the eggs are sold for caviar. Have you tried it, and any comment? How about ...
- November 22nd, 2015, 1:46 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Costa Rica '15, surfing crocs, bunches of Bothrops and more
- Replies: 13
- Views: 11179
Re: Costa Rica '15, surfing crocs, bunches of Bothrops and m
Wow! These are just terrific, really nice. I love the pair of Macaws in the tree, and so many others. I especially liked the Yellow Fin Tuna photos. The first photo of them posted, two of them...notice the lower one, the upper lobe of its caudal (tail) fin is damaged. I wonder why/how? Maybe entangl...
- November 1st, 2015, 8:45 am
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: small scale mouse breeding
- Replies: 67
- Views: 55151
Re: small scale mouse breeding
TeeJay, Hanta virus is frightening, but seems to be in the wild population rather than closed colony captive strains of white footed mice ( Peroymyscus sp.). I would be cautious of any exposures to wild rodents, but I have had a great many and not contracted it. I don't want to deviate too far from ...
- October 30th, 2015, 10:03 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: small scale mouse breeding
- Replies: 67
- Views: 55151
Re: small scale mouse breeding
Joseph, the previous information is excellent. A few comments: mice vary in fecundity, the strain of mice makes a difference. I have a great strain now that consistently produces large litters averaging well over a dozen, sometimes as many as 19 each. As I need pinks for hatchlings, this is great, a...
- October 24th, 2015, 9:42 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Can Snakes Strike Up?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 10862
Re: Can Snakes Strike Up?
Years ago I kept Bitis gabonica . They can throw crazy strikes....up, backwards and rolling over themselves. I never filmed any strikes but rats dangled on tongs overhead could be taken without issue. They, or any other large Bitis probably would come closest to meeting your question. -N- I concur,...
- September 6th, 2015, 5:53 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Removing eyecaps
- Replies: 21
- Views: 11341
Re: Removing eyecaps
Hmm Vic very respectfully I submit that a pm to a poster, on a thread where someone else has taken the time to share, is necessary, I mean you could have pm'd Simus directly? If as an indigo breeder you have contention with the therapeutic use of sphagnum resolving dysecdysis in indigos, I would li...
- September 6th, 2015, 9:42 am
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Removing eyecaps
- Replies: 21
- Views: 11341
Re: Removing eyecaps
simus, I work with a collection of Drymarchon couperi , Eastern indigos for the last couple of decades and I too have encountered that situation. If you wish, PM me and I will give you a phone number and I can probably give you a solution to prevent and solve the issue. It is usually easy...but I do...
- September 6th, 2015, 9:31 am
- Forum: Fish Forum
- Topic: Raising mosquitofish
- Replies: 8
- Views: 17772
Re: Raising mosquitofish
Tom, Joseph is on the mark as usual. I have casually raised Gambusia over the years and found them very prolific and easy. I keep aquariums or ponds with them with lots of cover, the babies will seek the heavy vegetation and some escape predation by the adults. At the end of the warm season, I have ...
- August 10th, 2015, 9:54 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: At what temp will eggs cook?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 8694
Re: At what temp will eggs cook?
Wow, incubating in the 90's...I had no idea that would ever be successful. I am not saying you are wrong, and it may be wise to follow the data if indeed it is accurate and all variables considered. I normally incubate not higher than 82f, and in some species ( Drymarchon -indigos and cribos), temps...
- July 27th, 2015, 9:22 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Reclaimed Zoo
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3812
Re: Reclaimed Zoo
That is pretty amazing...some of those old CCC jobs and projects were specialized and showed great craftsmanship, others less so. I have seen some projects (rock walls) destroyed due to highway widening, and the rebuilds were inferior by far, so some of the CCC crews were skilled. I also think it is...
- July 19th, 2015, 8:43 am
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Rapid metabolism
- Replies: 13
- Views: 7016
Re: Rapid metabolism
This is a tough one, with so many variables. If you notice a change, it may well be a symptom. I realize Heterodon often depend on amphibians as a feed source. Toads and frogs may harbor parasites, some of which may become superabundant in a captive snake. Have you had a fecal analysis done by a com...
- July 17th, 2015, 5:25 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: think this one will hatch?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 12890
Re: think this one will hatch?
Wow, gnarly indeed... I have seen similar. In an indigo egg, it looked the same, and I treated the "moldy" end with Desenex foot powder and painted it with liquid bandage. Whether this helped or not is uncertain, as when it did hatch, it seemed to have "walled" itself off, the ne...
- July 17th, 2015, 10:00 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: copperhead bite ?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 3407
Re: copperhead bite ?
Welcome to the forum, collectively a vast amount of experience here. What Captain Jack said... I too live in prime reptile habitat. I worry about my dogs, and I train them to avoid Crotalus . Snakes are seemingly reluctant to moving across open areas without cover, so keeping it open, mowed, free of...
- July 13th, 2015, 10:03 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Translocation question
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3118
Re: Translocation question
Beth, there is great variability in a species ability to adapt to a new or changing environment. Most animals transported to new environments likely fail to survive, but some do and thrive, adapting and often enjoying freedom from the predators and controlling factors that limit them in native habit...
- July 7th, 2015, 9:21 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: eggs splitting ? -update
- Replies: 13
- Views: 9930
Re: eggs splitting ?
Kfen, That is way cool to see these wild turtles nesting. Thanks for posting these uncommon photos. Saving nests from the corn field disc plough, that is a noble endeavor! Roughly how far away is the marsh/bog/ponds the adults live in? Regarding the Drymarchon eggs, my pairs usually have relatively ...
- June 23rd, 2015, 7:58 am
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: eggs splitting ? -update
- Replies: 13
- Views: 9930
Re: eggs splitting ?
Kfen, I too wonder about egg laying success and site selection. I have only found a few clutches of reptile eggs in the wild over the years, and one of them had been dug up by a disc plough (Pituophis). A few clutches of Sceloporus found while digging in a vegetable garden... Soft shell turtle eggs ...
- June 22nd, 2015, 4:13 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Caymans and Everglades, Spring 2015
- Replies: 14
- Views: 11038
Re: Caymans and Everglades, Spring 2015
As typical of you, the photography is stellar. Tell us how you shot the peregrine and the red shouldered, both are real nice. Also, what is your theory on the floater python? Why has it not been eaten by alligators? The alligator mauling the slider is a remarkable thing to see, I have often wondered...
- June 21st, 2015, 10:08 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: eggs splitting ? -update
- Replies: 13
- Views: 9930
Re: eggs splitting ?
Yes, i have seen similar in other species of eggs. I am guessing too much water, over the years, I keep going dryer and dryer, say 1 part vermiculite to 0.8 water by weight, or dryer. I often just guess, quite likely dryer than that "formula". What to do, it is amazing what will work. I wo...
- June 21st, 2015, 2:54 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Radiant Heat Panels
- Replies: 11
- Views: 7831
Re: Radiant Heat Panels
Biker Dave, Greg Maxwell, author of The Complete Chondro (pg. 182 , 2005) and other books, likes them and recommends the: Pro Products of Mahopac, NY panels. These are pretty popular with the arboreal pythons folks, you might want to ask that same question on one of the python forums. I hope you get...
- June 21st, 2015, 8:37 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: Arkansas 2015
- Replies: 6
- Views: 3550
Re: Arkansas 2015
Dear Gordon, let us know how it goes, it seems like a grand adventure to me. I have often thought Arkansas a fascinating place, with a flavor of the Deep South but also some great trout fishing in the tail races of dams, and a great species diversity with West meeting East. I wish you the best of lu...
- June 15th, 2015, 11:37 am
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2015 So Far...
- Replies: 13
- Views: 6598
Re: 2015 So Far...
Good for you, finding a "repatriated" indigo is something special. Was it found with telemetry or just searching out in field? It looks like it is having challenging time, its left eye, scars on body,etc. Was it pit tagged? If so, how old is it and how long has it been at liberty? What is ...
- June 13th, 2015, 6:00 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: 2015 so far in Indiana
- Replies: 9
- Views: 6145
Re: 2015 so far in Indiana
Nice work. I am not an experienced photographer, will you briefly explain how you did the darter shot? Really nice, one just focuses on the subject...no distractions. Is that a studio or trick or photo-shop or?
The Kankakee couple are way cool, lucky you.
Vic
The Kankakee couple are way cool, lucky you.
Vic
- June 11th, 2015, 4:49 pm
- Forum: The Forum
- Topic: April to June in So. Cal. - new photos added
- Replies: 10
- Views: 6180
Re: April to June in So. Cal.
Nice work Jeff, the striped king just before the Desert Iguana is stunning. Love the garter snake under water, a commonly seen but not often photographed perspective. Given the reported drouth, you did pretty well and clearly proved you can not see them if you just stay home... Thanks for posting, Vic
- June 10th, 2015, 12:04 am
- Forum: Mammal Forum
- Topic: I don’t cotton to no rats
- Replies: 5
- Views: 13739
Re: I don’t cotton to no rats
Bill, we have the same (?) species here in Arizona. I was amazed to encounter them when viewing a friends bird feeder, looking for a Lewis's woodpecker. I never saw the bird, but he was surprised when I told him I was viewing cotton rats, whom were taking the spilled grain along with the mourning do...
- June 9th, 2015, 3:30 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: California King Caging?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 5237
Re: California King Caging?
jack4rogers, you are off to a fine start, it sounds better thought out than many. You are facing conundrum we all cope with, the aesthetic vs. practical. I have seen both extremes work, see the recent post at the Austrian reptile exhibit, they have impressive but very labor intensive (I would think....
- June 4th, 2015, 7:33 am
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Egg binding questions
- Replies: 23
- Views: 10613
Re: Egg binding questions
I am convinced outdoor enclosures are incorporating/facilitating an important element which many captives do not get enough of....exercise. I work with Eastern Indigos, large and powerful Colubrids. People lucky enough to see Drymarchon in the wild, and especially those who handle them, remark how s...
- May 17th, 2015, 7:57 am
- Forum: Fish Forum
- Topic: Underwater in the Northern Territory Australia
- Replies: 5
- Views: 14971
Re: Underwater in the Northern Territory Australia
Saratoga! (also the name of a town in California where I was raised)... Wow, this is really fun and pleasant, the sound recordings add a lot to it. As a diver and spear-o, it has sometimes frustrated me I can not safely enter the water in some areas due to crocs and water born bilharzia and other pa...
- May 5th, 2015, 8:17 pm
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: Nematodes/Parasite
- Replies: 5
- Views: 5774
Re: Nematodes/Parasite
Simus, these revolting parasite issues always give me the "creeps"....I have no similar experience with snakes, but I have treated imported tortoises with Panacur and seen dramatic "purging" of GI worms. I think you should either experiment and do your best, accepting the risks, ...
- May 5th, 2015, 8:59 am
- Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
- Topic: UVB for Snakes?
- Replies: 109
- Views: 200824
Re: UVB for Snakes?
I have been lurking here and many of you have brought up thought provoking points. Amusing to me are folks thinking it is simple, others convinced it is complicated...are you both correct? It seems someone would have performed a valid experiment, which would provide some evidence in at least that sp...