That Reptile Blog

Popular, Unusual and Rare Lizards of the Family Iguanidae

findiviglio — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:09:20 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Classified within the family Iguanidae we find some of the most the world’s most popularly kept lizards, such as the Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) and the Chuckwalla (Sauromalus obesus). As we will see, this diverse group is also populated by a number of oddities as well - rare island dwellers and [...]

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Popular, Unusual and Rare Lizards of the Family Iguanidae

Top 7 Amphibian Care, Conservation and Natural History Websites

findiviglio — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:02:19 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Many amphibian websites tend to focus only on popularly kept species. Today I’ve compiled a list that addresses both common species and less well-known topics, such as amphibian health care and caecilian husbandry. Salamanders and Newts Caudata.org This is the most comprehensive salamander-oriented website available. I’m very impressed by the depth of interest [...]

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Top 7 Amphibian Care, Conservation and Natural History Websites

Meet the Garter Snakes – Beautiful, Interesting and Hardy – Part 1

findiviglio — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:35:05 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Garter Snakes (Thamnophis ssp.) have long introduced aspiring herpetologists to snake-keeping and remain popular today. A number of North America’s 30+ species are regularly available in the pet trade, and they remain the most commonly encountered free-living snakes in most areas. Although often thought of as “beginner’s snakes”, I maintain that [...]

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Meet the Garter Snakes – Beautiful, Interesting and Hardy – Part 1

American Alligators Establish Long-Term Pair Bonds – Research Update

findiviglio — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:17:30 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Today’s update, while concerning an animal not suited as a pet (the American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis) will I’m sure will be of interest to all who keep or study reptiles. Scientists from the Savannah River Ecology Lab, working with alligators in Louisiana’s Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, were surprised to find a high [...]

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American Alligators Establish Long-Term Pair Bonds – Research Update

Breeding the Great Crested Newt, Triturus cristatus – Part 2

findiviglio — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:16:18 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Male Great Crested Newts undergo an amazing change in appearance during the breeding season. In Part I of this article I introduced the natural history of this most beautiful newt, and discussed how to bring it into breeding condition. I’ll cover breeding details and raising the larvae here. Courtship and Egg Deposition Breeding [...]

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Breeding the Great Crested Newt, Triturus cristatus – Part 2

Turtles Have Shells But They Still Need a Place to Hide! – Part 1

findiviglio — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:56:35 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. One of the most over-looked aspects of proper turtle care is the provision of a secure place to hide. It makes sense that a hiding place would seem unnecessary – after all, turtles can simply withdraw into their shells when threatened. However, it’s not that simple (as usual!). Shelter Use in Nature [...]

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Turtles Have Shells But They Still Need a Place to Hide! – Part 1

Common Problems When Raising Toads – Bloating and Paralysis

findiviglio — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:03:15 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The tadpoles of American Toads (Bufo/Anaxyrus americanus) and Fowler’s Toads (B. woodhousei fowleri), and of related US natives, are frequently collected by herpers young and old and taken home to raise. They usually prove quite hardy, and, even on nutrient-poor diets (i.e. lettuce), transform into tiny toadlets within a few weeks. Toad [...]

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Common Problems When Raising Toads – Bloating and Paralysis

Beyond Tarantulas – The Amazing Diversity of Insects in the Pet Trade

findiviglio — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:02:02 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Tarantulas and scorpions have long been invertebrate pet staples, with over 150 species being captive bred in large numbers. However, insect keeping, always popular in Japan but much less so elsewhere, is now coming into its own in the USA. I recently found that over 50 stick and leaf insect, 30 [...]

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Beyond Tarantulas – The Amazing Diversity of Insects in the Pet Trade

Urban Adventures – Fishing for Alligators in the Sewers of New York City

findiviglio — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:58:59 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’ve been fortunate in having had many adventures with reptiles. Some took place in the exotic locales I dreamed of visiting as a child, but one of my first was situated in far less promising surroundings – the sewers below the Bronx, in NYC! The Legend I grew up hearing tales of huge [...]

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Urban Adventures – Fishing for Alligators in the Sewers of New York City

Breeding the Great Crested Newt, Triturus cristatus – Part 1

findiviglio — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:36:01 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Few amphibians exhibit a more dramatic change in appearance than male Crested Newts in breeding condition. It really is something to see and, fortunately, breeding this species is actually quite feasible. Breeding the crested newt in captivity also has great conservation value, as this species is in decline throughout Europe. Furthermore, [...]

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Breeding the Great Crested Newt, Triturus cristatus – Part 1