Other pets (pics and discussions)

[infernalis]

Reminds me.. new Chomper pics.

http://www.thamnophis.us/chomp/chomp1.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.us/chomp/chomp2.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.us/chomp/chomp3.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Chomper is looking good.
Does he ever give you any attitude?

[infernalis]

Sometimes he gets cranky.

We had him outside last week, it started raining, his little pre-programmed instinct says "monsoon season - plentiful food" and he did not want to come in the house.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Chomper is a sweet looking lizard.

[ConcinusMan]

Who says you can't have a pet dinosaur?:p

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/chomp1_Quick_e-mail_view.jpg

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I bet he is hunting for wayne's garter snakes.

[RedSidedSPR]

Who says you can't have a pet dinosaur?:p

Close as it gets. For all we know that could have been one of the dinosaurs back in their time. Life lived longer then, so reptiles would have gotten bigger. They never stop growing. I've always found that interesting. Not saying it's true. Just a thought.

[Millinex]

What temps/humidity are you keeping chomper at? Just curious, Mine isn't as photogenic thanks to his wonderful case of mouth rot he came to me with -_-

-Mike

[infernalis]

He is offered a basking spot at 130 degrees F, he is kept in a reptile room maintained at 80 degrees, the heat from the basking lamps keeps the whole enclosure at 95+ most all day.

His water bowl is set up so that the lamps evaporate fair amount of it, and when I take him out to feed him, I spray everything down, like it just rained.

He does not eat mice, I will not feed an insectivore mice, He gets fed assorted arthropod based food, Cockroaches, crayfish, jumbo raw shrimp and night crawlers.

[Stefan-A]

Who says you can't have a pet dinosaur?:p
Nobody. Wrong class, though. If you want dinosaurs, you need to look for them in Aves, not Reptilia.

[Millinex]

He is offered a basking spot at 130 degrees F, he is kept in a reptile room maintained at 80 degrees, the heat from the basking lamps keeps the whole enclosure at 95+ most all day.

His water bowl is set up so that the lamps evaporate fair amount of it, and when I take him out to feed him, I spray everything down, like it just rained.

He does not eat mice, I will not feed an insectivore mice, He gets fed assorted arthropod based food, Cockroaches, crayfish, jumbo raw shrimp and night crawlers.
It's honestly been a huge debate among the varanid keepers regarding the feeding of mice. A lot of people believe these guys to be hugely insectivores, however, several of us offer rodents and chicks with no ill effects. Generally a varied diet is key with these animals, as in the wild, I highly doubt a sav would pass up a rodent, chick, snake, or any other small vertibrate.

-Mike

[infernalis]

Daniel Bennett went to the Savannas and did a complete dietary study on 200 wild Varanus exanthematicus and of 200 lizards studied, 199 of them displayed no evidence of consuming vertebrate prey.

[ConcinusMan]

I suppose he's also the one that said bullfrog tadpoles can bite into dead and living flesh? Is this the same guy that says infants can eat corn on the cob?

Now you know I'm just messing with you. ;) Well if we can't have pet dinosaurs, we can sure come darn close.:p

[infernalis]

http://www.thamfriends.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=69&pictureid=1113

[Millinex]

Daniel Bennett went to the Savannas and did a complete dietary study on 200 wild Varanus exanthematicus and of 200 lizards studied, 199 of them displayed no evidence of consuming vertebrate prey.
Actually I strongly disagree with this, providing the proper heat/humidity and it has been shown rodents prove no ill effects on the animal. Not to mention the man who did the study is a frequent member over on varanus.nl, where he posts in this thread:
Varanus.nl forum / Info (http://www.varanus.nl/forum1/viewtopic.php?id=3504)

Frankly I feed mine a mix, and he has no ill effects, low temps/bad humidity + high rodent diet and you're sure to be in for problems, however, if properly kept I highly doubt it's a big issue.

-Mike

[Stefan-A]

where he posts in this thread:
Varanus.nl forum / Info (http://www.varanus.nl/forum1/viewtopic.php?id=3504)


"You do not have permission to view these forums as a guest. You will need to register or login first."

[Millinex]

"You do not have permission to view these forums as a guest. You will need to register or login first."
Registration is not bad, and it's well worth it, the amount of monitor knowledge there is very good, and a lot of the keepers are extremely experienced.

-Mike

[BLUESIRTALIS]

1793
My new eastern milk snake.

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking snake.

[infernalis]

Nice Lampropeltis Triangulum. They make great captives if you get a calm one.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/PG1/images/carmella.jpg

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Thanks guys she is pretty nice and loves to snap at you. If you manage to pick her up and hold her she does just fine but when you put her down she is ready to strike. I love her attitude.

[charles parenteau]

Here in Quebec Canada eastern milk snake are illegal to keep !!This is a wild milk snake from Montérégie the last place where you can find it up north!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s152/parenteau/3mai070010.jpg

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Nice photo!

[infernalis]

http://www.thamfriends.com/photos/hatch.jpg

http://www.thamfriends.com/photos/hatchin.jpg

[Charis]

Very cool pippy pics! You probably said, but I don't remember, what species are they?

[infernalis]

Lampropeltis Triangulum Triangulum, Eastern Milk snakes.

My Pueblans are very pretty, but freak out and musk as soon as I touch them. The plain brown spotted milks never musk, freak out or bite, and I can feed them in my hands.

[RedSidedSPR]

Are those eggs in the wild? Or did you raise those.

[infernalis]

Artificially incubated in damp coconut hair substrate maintained at 80 degrees.

There were 9 healthy babies, 7 of them reside in various collections now, I kept two, they are both smallish males and as equally calm as their mother.

[RedSidedSPR]

Ok, cool. I found worm snake eggs once, but didn't know enough to try incubating them. I might eventually... not worm snakes though.

[Stefan-A]

Congratulations.

[guidofatherof5]

Very nice snakes, Wayne.

[infernalis]

Thanks, those pics are a couple years old. The two males I kept are eating 3 jumbo pinks a week each.

They are reclusive snakes, always hiding and rarely out unless they are hungry.

[Millinex]

Once again I roll through with some more pictures... ;)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSC00457.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSC00461.jpg

He's in bad shape, but I should be able to get him back up to par with the right conditions (that weren't provided in his last home..)

[mustang]

Once again I roll through with some more pictures... ;)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSC00457.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSC00461.jpg

He's in bad shape, but I should be able to get him back up to par with the right conditions (that weren't provided in his last home..)
is that a peachthroat or bluetail or mangrove?

[Millinex]

is that a peachthroat or bluetail or mangrove?
He's a young peach throat monitor, bad shape though =/ damn retards on craigslist ;(

[RedSidedSPR]

What do you mean "bad shape?" I love monitors. Always wanted one, just don't have anywhere to put them. How big are your tanks for them?

[Millinex]

What do you mean "bad shape?" I love monitors. Always wanted one, just don't have anywhere to put them. How big are your tanks for them?
He was very dehydrated. Lost like 7 toes, tip of his tail, and had bashed his mouth into his old enclosure a lot out of fear and the fact most of it was rocks etc. The only water he had was very cold - not good for soaking.. He's very undersized for a year old, but should recover fine and do great.

Depends on the species, my 4 foot water monitor resides in a 7x4 cage:
YouTube - Kung Pow my Asian Water Monitor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEjuwHkefmc)

It comes out to somewhere around 700 gallons or something. My nile/savannah are 36" and 40" and reside in double 5x3 enclosures, the nile will be moving into the 7x4 by the end of summer, and the water will be in a 10x12. The mangrove is in the process of having his 6x4x4 built.

As for the peach throat, he's in a 20 gallon right now, I went with something small so I could maintain his humidity/temps perfectly while he healed up, I keep him on a solid dirt substrate with a few basking logs, big pool of water. About 80% humidity/87-90 degree temps.

-Mike

[RedSidedSPR]

Oh, I see it now. I wasn't sure what to look for. Don't know much about monitors health-wise. Hope he heals well. Good looking anyway though.
When you said "d@mn retards on craigslist", did you mean they informed you wrong, or did you mean they just kept him wrong. Not sure, since it would have been a local pic up and you would have seen him before taking him home (maybe out of pity)

Yup. No way I'll be keeping a 700 gallon tank anytime soon. Holy crap. Barely have room for another 20gal.:D

[Millinex]

Oh, I see it now. I wasn't sure what to look for. Don't know much about monitors health-wise. Hope he heals well. Good looking anyway though.
When you said "d@mn retards on craigslist", did you mean they informed you wrong, or did you mean they just kept him wrong. Not sure, since it would have been a local pic up and you would have seen him before taking him home (maybe out of pity)

Yup. No way I'll be keeping a 700 gallon tank anytime soon. Holy crap. Barely have room for another 20gal.:D
It was out of pity, the guy had 0 idea what he was doing, and the monitor would have been left in his little cage all summer alone if I didn't take him so.. meh.

[RedSidedSPR]

I woulda done the same thing. Except I couldn't have done it with a big monitor (not that he's big yet), I just hate it when people keep animals when they have no idea.

[mustang]

wahoo i got it right (well one out of three guesses atleast) yeah i love those monitors! at the sa reptile expo i finally got to hold....ok not hold ....i got to let one crawl on me until it got its claws stuck on my GOOD SHIRT!!!!!!!
i love the longer neck shape! i know ill get a monitor lizard when i get my own place... but still debating what type....so far its either a peach throat, sand monitor, or a water monitor...

[infernalis]

Ackies make great pet monitors, They are small and don't require huge cages.

[Millinex]

wahoo i got it right (well one out of three guesses atleast) yeah i love those monitors! at the sa reptile expo i finally got to hold....ok not hold ....i got to let one crawl on me until it got its claws stuck on my GOOD SHIRT!!!!!!!
i love the longer neck shape! i know ill get a monitor lizard when i get my own place... but still debating what type....so far its either a peach throat, sand monitor, or a water monitor...
Sand monitor? Which species are you referring to? If it's the same one I'm thinking of, you have next to no chance of getting them at a decent price.. There is a trio out of Arizona for local pick up only for 4k... Unless you mean like an argus monitor? Water monitors are awful first timers IMO, most are very shy as babies and get absolutely massive. Get a peach throat or another memeber of the indicus complex.

Ackies make great pet monitors, They are small and don't require huge cages.
I'd argue this one, ackies are one of the most active pet monitors out there, and use a ton of caging space if given the chance. I know MDF has a pretty large cage and his pair uses the entire area without fail. Great captives, and great pets, I hope to own a pair soon.

[mustang]

Sand monitor? Which species are you referring to? If it's the same one I'm thinking of, you have next to no chance of getting them at a decent price.. There is a trio out of Arizona for local pick up only for 4k... Unless you mean like an argus monitor? Water monitors are awful first timers IMO, most are very shy as babies and get absolutely massive. Get a peach throat or another memeber of the indicus complex.

I'd argue this one, ackies are one of the most active pet monitors out there, and use a ton of caging space if given the chance. I know MDF has a pretty large cage and his pair uses the entire area without fail. Great captives, and great pets, I hope to own a pair soon.
varanus gouldii
http://cdn2.arkive.org/media/BE/BEA4A01B-41ED-4F02-A5CC-D8F724E288E7/Presentation.Medium/Front-view-of-sand-goanna.jpg

then with my reptile taming and training skills ill teach him to shake like this (but holding out his arm)http://10000birds.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_0789.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Shouldn't be too hard:D

[mustang]

yeah!! i can make snakes(atleast the ones iv had) do the same vertical freez trick! lizards should b easy!

[kibakiba]

Mine naturally do that when you scare them. It's not a trick. They do it as a way to conceal themselves, at least here, they do. It's a good way to camouflage themselves since there's so much grass in my area, and too many ways to die.

[infernalis]

yeah!! i can make snakes(atleast the ones iv had) do the same vertical freez trick! lizards should b easy!

Please elaborate...

[Millinex]

varanus gouldii


then with my reptile taming and training skills ill teach him to shake like this (but holding out his arm)
Varanus never become tame, they "trust" and interact. If you want a tame lizard, get a bearded dragon ;) . Also, I haven't seen these guys offered for sale here in a long time, they are extremely hard to come by here in the U.S. I'd also recommend going with something like an argus instead, easier to care for, bigger, better attitudes, and much much cheaper.


Please elaborate...
Lizard- no, most lizards do not think. Monitors on the other hand (and tegus), are trainable. I've seen many many litter-box style trained monitors. I've seen many monitors who can understand basic problem solving, voice commands, clickers, target training, etc etc. Monitors and Tegus have extremely complex brains.

[amattel]

15 healthy Babies!!!

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z201/amattel/alzo041311-newborngoop.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Awesome. Good looking group.

[infernalis]

gorgeous boas...congrats!

[amattel]

thanks! This is my second litter ever.

[kibakiba]

Very lovely little guys!

[RedSidedSPR]

Nice!

[mustang]

DANG i see some RED redtailed boas in that little box of yours! GREAT JOB!!!

[amattel]

DANG i see some RED redtailed boas in that little box of yours! GREAT JOB!!!

Here are few of my favorites post shed :) 2 super hypos and the most colorful hypo
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z201/amattel/ALZO041311-post%20shed/alzo041311-H8-7.jpg
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z201/amattel/ALZO041311-post%20shed/alzo041311-H3-8.jpg
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z201/amattel/ALZO041311/H11.jpg

[mustang]

how much is the top one goin for (or is it a hold back)

[RedSidedSPR]

Whatever it is it's awesome. Beautiful snake. As are the rest. I like the last one.

[Millinex]

I'm a huge fan of boas, and would probably have several breeding pairs if not for the lacey act.. Invested in other things instead =/ Hopefully the bill doesn't go through so I can pick up a few pairs.
-Mike

[amattel]

how much is the top one goin for (or is it a hold back)

She is a holdback.

Practically speaking she is probably worth maybe 4 to 5 hundred (in my mind) though I am asking 750 as I don't really want to let her go :)

she is Probable super hypo (salmon) het anery, 50% het kahl albino

I love her clean background and her diminished pattern. I think she would make killer super ghosts with the right male.

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, that salmon color and diminished pattern are awesome. Beautiful snakes!

[infernalis]

My black racer really has grown a lot, what an attitude that snake has... Yesterday he swung back like a cobra and smashed his head into the side of his tank trying to bite me through the glass.

Next feeding I will take some new pics.

[RedSidedSPR]

Just as fun as a nice tame snake in my opinion.:D That's why I love racers

[BLUESIRTALIS]

The last reptile show i went to a guy had a southern black racer around his neck around six feet and puppy dog tame it was so calm that it just looked like a scarf around his neck he said he raised it from a baby it was amazing how calm it was.

[infernalis]

The last reptile show i went to a guy had a southern black racer around his neck around six feet and puppy dog tame it was so calm that it just looked like a scarf around his neck he said he raised it from a baby it was amazing how calm it was.

I raised mine up from within a week of pipping. He's 2 years old now, and medium size for a racer. (I guess females are larger for this species also??)

However, we got off on a fun start from day one, The fed ex truck came, I opened up the deli cup for the very first time, he flew out at me like a bullet and promptly latched onto my hand, just between the thumb and pointer finger. Then he dropped to the floor and vanished under the sofa.:eek:

That boy is nothing but attitude.

[RedSidedSPR]

Awesome. I want one, but if i ever get a racer, it is NOT gonna be calm. That'd be no fun:D

[ConcinusMan]

I don't think they ever are. I've tried to keep them on several occasions (yellow bellied) but they were always too nervous, rubbed their noses raw trying to get out, and didn't eat well at all. Not to mention biting the piss out of me every chance they got.

[infernalis]

Toby never rubs his nose, he's quite cozy until I "bug" him.

He takes fuzzy mice with gusto.

One of my favourite snakes.

[PINJOHN]

My Son arrived home today with our newest arrival, a yellow foot tortoise he will be bunking down with his red foot. Counting my Leopard Tortoise, we are amassing quite a collection. Saw some Russian tortoises for only fifty pounds (about seventy dollars i think [not sure of the exact exchange rate]) which is very cheap for the UK but you have to stop somewhere so we passed.

10052011160 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48510720@N03/5706988157/)

10052011162 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48510720@N03/5706989185/)

Best Wishes
John

[guidofatherof5]

you have to stop somewhere so we passed.

10052011160 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48510720@N03/5706988157/)

10052011162 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48510720@N03/5706989185/)

Best Wishes
John

What's that all about?:D

Great looking shelled creatures. We have a Sulcata here on the Ranch.

[Millinex]

I'm going to throw up all sorts of various pictures of my snakes in here, all that I keep in rubbermaid tub, paper towels, a hide, and water dish.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/172454_1766006183394_1036325846_31811037_4559687_o .jpg
7' northern pine, I have yet to see anyone show me one bigger.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/016.jpg
6.5 foot male snow bull snake, very large, tame, awesome pet.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSCN5050.jpg
A ball python that came from a 50 gallon tank, with 3 lights, fancy repti-bark, 2 water dishes, heat pad, screen top, everything. Kept it and it's tank mate in a 41qt tub with a dish of water and some paper bedding. Looked like a perfectly healthy snake after only a week, it's shed was 100% full and clean, and it's eyes cleared up.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSC00436.jpg
Pair of corns I kept in a tub, they bred, and produced 15 viable eggs all before I sold both of them. The female was rather small, 15 was a decent clutch from her.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSCN4951.jpg
Girlfriends just over a year old male coming out for a rat. He was raised for 11 months in a 41 qt tub with paper for bedding and a water dish, he now manages to sleep under his hide 24/7 unless feeding time in his showcase cage.

More will follow once I'm done force feeding some baby balls.

[EasternGirl]

Those are some gorgeous snakes! This is my new long-haired chihuahua, Elvis Presley...he is 10 weeks old...

[RedSidedSPR]

I have yet to see one bigger. Which, in my opinion, is why he should be in something bigger. BUT THAT'S MY OPINION. They're your snakes, you can do what you want with them

Sorry if i annoyed you that much.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

It sure is quiet around here. Nice to see no arguing.

[RedSidedSPR]

It sure is quiet around here. Nice to see no arguing.

No kidding.

[ConcinusMan]

It sure is quiet around here. Nice to see no arguing.

No it isn't. You're wrong.:p;)

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Well it was peaceful haha.

[guidofatherof5]

Serene. Like that of a high mountain lake at dawn.
Sitting along its shore brings back memories of a more quiet time. A time when.........:D

[ConcinusMan]

Serene. Like that of a high mountain lake at dawn.
Sitting along its shore brings back memories of a more quiet time. A time when.........:D

... you could sit and listen to death metal at full volume in relative peace and harmony.:p

[drache]

my uro is laying her freaking eggs and I am just one step not ahead of her
I did have the laying box ready for her, but I hadn't had a chance to fill in the space around it, so for reasons unknown probably even to her little lizard mind, she decided to lay them on the bare glass. Unfortunately that swishing movement she makes with her tail to bury the eggs, pretty much just knocks them back and forth across the glass, so I've been trying to dash in and pick up the eggs right after she lays them. She's not happy with that.

[ConcinusMan]

Didn't you get uro eggs last year? I don't think I ever heard the outcome. Did they hatch?

[guidofatherof5]

Congrats Rhea.
Keep us posted.

[drache]

Didn't you get uro eggs last year? I don't think I ever heard the outcome. Did they hatch?
yes, and no you didn't because they didn't
they went badly moldy after a week, which was a lot longer than the previous batch, which had gone badly moldy within two days
this time I'm getting expert guidance, and he seems to think I can make a go of it

thanks Steve
congrats may be premature, but I'm hopeful
she laid 15

[ConcinusMan]

Too wet. That's why was saying before that you should smell the container/substrate daily. You can smell trouble (mold) before you can see it and before it causes any damage. Still, if the conditions were right, mold wouldn't be able to grow in the first place.

Anyway, I hope your expert help brings better results. You certainly have no problem getting them to produce. Now if they'll only hatch...

good luck and congrats. They are really cool lizards.

[Millinex]

I have yet to see one bigger. Which, in my opinion, is why he should be in something bigger. BUT THAT'S MY OPINION. They're your snakes, you can do what you want with them

Sorry if i annoyed you that much.
While I'm not posting on garters, I will post on the others in this thread etc. The bull, and my newly acquired female, will be going into the showcase cage, the pine, being my educational showpiece snake, is going into some sort of larger enclosure, partly because I want rack space back.

-Mike

[Spankenstyne]

Beautiful Northern Pine you have, definitely a beast. I've seen a few folks post shots of 7'ers but this is the biggest I've ever seen posted, it's over 8'. Last I heard it was 8' 4" in this pic:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/Colubrids/giantnorthernpine8foot4.jpg

This was from an oldschooler who kept it in a 6' cage with drawers and a heat lamp though, go figure ;)

[ConcinusMan]

Reminds me of the 6-7 foot pacific gopher snake I tried to catch when I was a teen. Still got the scar (sucker ripped me wide open) and I never did subdue that snake.:rolleyes: You know, it was "the big one that got away";)

[Millinex]

Beautiful Northern Pine you have, definitely a beast. I've seen a few folks post shots of 7'ers but this is the biggest I've ever seen posted, it's over 8'. Last I heard it was 8' 4" in this pic:



This was from an oldschooler who kept it in a 6' cage with drawers and a heat lamp though, go figure ;)
Lots of rumors on some of them being 10'+, extremely resilient. How old is the snake in the photo? My girl is only 4-5 years old.

-Mike

[d_virginiana]

I couldn't resist posting pictures of my new frog! He had some issues with impaction when I first got him, so I didn't want to get too attached until I made sure he was going to be okay. And now that he is, he has been involved in quite a few photoshoots.

Here's my Trevor doing what he loves most. ie; sitting

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff432/d_virginiana/Trevorinwater.jpg?t=1305391276
http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff432/d_virginiana/Trevorindirt.jpg?t=1305392178

Also, I tried to resize these and make them smaller, but I can't figure out how to do it!

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking frog.

[drache]

cool
and the name is perfect

[ConcinusMan]

I love pac man frogs. They're so cute. Someone was rehoming an albino one on craigslist a few days ago. I really need to get it together and setup an amphibian vivarium. I have a waterfall kit and everything.

[Spankenstyne]

Lots of rumors on some of them being 10'+, extremely resilient. How old is the snake in the photo? My girl is only 4-5 years old.

-Mike

I believe it was 6-7 years old there if I remember correctly. Not my snake though so I can't say 100%, but it's still the largest Northern I have seen an actual photo of.
I haven't heard any 10' rumours but not surprising, I know some people that would insist the snake shown is 10'+. It's funny with lengths though how they mysteriously shrink when the tape measure comes out haha.. I can't even count how many people have told me about their "6' corn snakes" that seem to shrink to 4' or less when seen in person ;)

My male northern is somewhere over 5' at about 3 years old now. He jumped up over 4' his first year then slowed right down & didn't eat much in year 2. He's started eating like a beast and is having another growth spurt so I think 7'-ish might be in his future.

[ConcinusMan]

Well guys I can say with fair confidence that the gopher snake I attempted to catch (and ended up needing sutures in the process) as a teen was about 7 feet. Even then I was 5'10' and the dang thing was significantly longer than I am tall.

[Spankenstyne]

Well guys I can say with fair confidence that the gopher snake I attempted to catch (and ended up needing sutures in the process) as a teen was about 7 feet. Even then I was 5'10' and the dang thing was significantly longer than I am tall.


Rare but not unheard of for Pacific's to get that big, I don't doubt it.
Besides snakes used to get longer way back then :p

[ConcinusMan]

Well it helped that I was in the bottom of a canyon in San Diego county and the walls of it (steep slopes actually) were loaded with ground squirrels. Tons of lizards around too. A gopher snake could get big and fat living there. You know, this kind of habitat where prey was very plentiful:

http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/20s30s/images/TecoloteCanyon2005.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

I'm thinking about getting a pacman frog. Love 'em

yo, you know 'bout Macro right?:D

[ConcinusMan]

Even with macro, there's a limit to how close you can get. With my particular camera, it's around 2.5 inches. Any closer and it can't focus.

[RedSidedSPR]

Still... I could get a decent picture of a frog that close with mine (and it isn't as good as yours). I have before.

[ConcinusMan]

The photo is good enough for us to see what he looks like. No biggie.

[RedSidedSPR]

I know, i know.

[Spankenstyne]

A few macro shots for fun

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/Colubrids/pmmhead1dmay142011.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/Colubrids/pmmhead1cmay142011.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/Colubrids/pmmhead1bmay142011.jpg

[infernalis]

Nice close ups!!

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking snake. Nice photos.

[RedSidedSPR]

SEE?! SEE?! Macro does work.

Nice photos

[ConcinusMan]

Especially if you use manual focus.

[RedSidedSPR]

I know... sucks when you don't have it.

[Spankenstyne]

Those were autofocus actually. It was late and I was being lazy trying stuff out on the new camera.

[RedSidedSPR]

SEE?! SEE?! auto focus works!

[ConcinusMan]

Those were autofocus actually. It was late and I was being lazy trying stuff out on the new camera.

Just saying auto focus doesn't always work so well.

[guidofatherof5]

Tank(Chelydra serpentina)gets a neck rub twice a day. Morning and evening.
I know who's in charge. He's a good turtle.
He's sitting right beside me as I type so I've got to make it good.:D
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/tank53.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

I'm sure he's very forthcoming with all the PC technical advice/support and it will only cost you a neck rub. Good deal.

[Spankenstyne]

Hah he seems so content there

[Millinex]

I believe it was 6-7 years old there if I remember correctly. Not my snake though so I can't say 100%, but it's still the largest Northern I have seen an actual photo of.
I haven't heard any 10' rumours but not surprising, I know some people that would insist the snake shown is 10'+. It's funny with lengths though how they mysteriously shrink when the tape measure comes out haha.. I can't even count how many people have told me about their "6' corn snakes" that seem to shrink to 4' or less when seen in person ;)

My male northern is somewhere over 5' at about 3 years old now. He jumped up over 4' his first year then slowed right down & didn't eat much in year 2. He's started eating like a beast and is having another growth spurt so I think 7'-ish might be in his future.
Decent age, at the amount of food my girl is pounding down I wouldn't be surprised if she put on several more inches this summer.. She's eating a jumbo rat the size of a squirrel every 5-7 days like clockwork, she has it fully digested by day 3-4 and is already out looking for food again, crazy crazy snake, yours looks good as well!

Anway- Today was expo day, was a pretty small expo/slow due to the fact it's May and most breeders don't have much yet.. Had a few decent booths, the typical importers and some mass breeders along with a few people there with all sorts of various things.. Picked up a bad attitude small savannah monitor, he's got a few problems and he's an absolute jerk, so I'm working on that at the moment.. The other pickup was a hatchling nile.. I looked into the display where the guy had all these, most looked typical, but this ones yellows are amazingly bright, beautiful baby!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSC00550.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSC00551.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSC00552.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

So "Jurassic" looking. Nice lizard.

[Spankenstyne]

Beautiful nile, hopefully it keeps more of that colour than the typical adult as well. Should make for a stunning example at any rate.

[Millinex]

Beautiful nile, hopefully it keeps more of that colour than the typical adult as well. Should make for a stunning example at any rate.
Mine was slightly duller and has kept most of her color at 40", this one should be even more stunning!

-Mike

[RedSidedSPR]

NICE. Love it.

[d_virginiana]

I'm thinking about getting a pacman frog. Love 'em

yo, you know 'bout Macro right?:D

You should totally do it. They're pretty awesome. lol.

Yeah, I can usually get pretty good close-ups with my camera but the only time he moves willingly is when he gets food or to attack the lens when the camera gets near him. :rolleyes:

[Mommy2many]

Very pretty!

[RedSidedSPR]

I think I will... soon-ish, but not at the moment. How much room do they need? They hardly move, so they can live in a small tank right?

[d_virginiana]

I think I will... soon-ish, but not at the moment. How much room do they need? They hardly move, so they can live in a small tank right?

They don't really need much.. A 10 gallon tank should work for their whole lives. I've seen them in smaller, but that's what I'd recommend :)

[RedSidedSPR]

Do they actually use all that room? I've heard they can thrive in a travel case.
But I'd do 10gal anyway thanks.

[Millinex]

This is my newly acquired normal female I'll be breeding my snow to, in order to produce some DH albino/whitesideds.


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/225138_149253605145279_143043395766300_316598_7743 873_n.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/226864_149253565145283_143043395766300_316597_4727 145_n.jpg

Also picking up a pair of 1.0 hypo, and 0.1 het hypo bulls tomorrow. Hopefully with the right selective breeding I can get het/visuals of all 3 genes and get them crossed back, and get moonglows, which I just love.

-Mike

[d_virginiana]

Do they actually use all that room? I've heard they can thrive in a travel case.
But I'd do 10gal anyway thanks.

Nah, they don't really. Mine's in a five gallon right now and he uses exactly one corner of it. He's still a baby right now though. But if they have more room and you can convince them to hunt, they can be fun to watch (as it's about the only time they move).

[Spankenstyne]

Nice pic Mike. I see you are "T1tanrush", I kinda wondered. She's a beauty btw.

I was gonna post there (KS) but the short answer would be with potential sperm retention you couldn't be 100% sure. Unlikely, but possible. I'd think you could be pretty sure & as long as you made potential buyers aware of the remote possibility it shouldn't be a big deal.

[Millinex]

Nice pic Mike. I see you are "T1tanrush", I kinda wondered. She's a beauty btw.

I was gonna post there (KS) but the short answer would be with potential sperm retention you couldn't be 100% sure. Unlikely, but possible. I'd think you could be pretty sure & as long as you made potential buyers aware of the remote possibility it shouldn't be a big deal.
This is what I was thinking as well. I've never dealt with breeding a LTC morph to a WC animal, first time experience for me indeed.

She's a great snake, tame from the start.

[RedSidedSPR]

Nah, they don't really. Mine's in a five gallon right now and he uses exactly one corner of it. He's still a baby right now though. But if they have more room and you can convince them to hunt, they can be fun to watch (as it's about the only time they move).

I just don't have more than one more 10gal. And that space is reserved for snkes 'till I get more room...

[Reptar!]

Kinda funny. I was gonna start a thread about this very topic because I hadn't seen one yet. Weird haha. Anyway, I got a 10 week old parakeet yesterday. I know I know, its not a reptile as we all love. But I want to point out that parakeets are the only pet my brothers and I were allowed to have as kids. Ever since they have always had a place in my heart. Now that I am older my dad still doesn't like my other pets. But he lets me keep snakes if I ask enough haha. Anyway, I got this beautiful little bird yesterday and he is great. I used to train parakeets when I was in high school. So I went and picked out the one I thought would train up the best and so far I was right. It's a pretty tame bird. Already got him used to sitting on my hand and eating out of it. I will post photos soon!

[RedSidedSPR]

I love parrots/parakeets.

Ironically, they're the only things i'm NOT allowed to keep (It;s hard to get them to allow me to keep anything else but still)

[d_virginiana]

Parakeets are pretty cool. My friend used to keep them and I always looked forward to going over and playing with her birds (though I've gotta say, I like them better when other people are taking care of them...). Didn't know you could train them though, that's pretty cool.

[ConcinusMan]

If you're talking about budgies, they're as smart as any true parrot. Although their vocal abilities aren't as good, they can also be trained to talk. A lot of people don't realize that. I used to see huge flocks of feral budgies in San Diego. They can strip a berry farm and make it completely devoid of fruit in a matter of minutes. It's really something to see.

Around the Portland area, we have a lot of quaker parrots (Monk parakeet) living free. They nest on power lines and transformers, causing all kinds of problems. The transformers keep them warm in the winter.

[RedSidedSPR]

I never really plan on keeping any, not that big a fan. (like d virginia said, like em more if someone else is keeping them.)

I just like parrots

[ConcinusMan]

What do you get when you cross a rooster and a pomeranian?

Rufus:

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/1062/chickenroo001large.jpg

Looks like he's been hanging out with a lab. Not a black lab. Not a yellow lab. A meth lab. :p

[Aundrea]

hahahaha now that is one very cute doggie

[Stefan-A]

What do you get when you cross a rooster and a pomeranian?
An opossum.

[RedSidedSPR]

An opossum.

I WAS GONNA SAY THAT!!!:D (seriously)

[ConcinusMan]

An opossum.http://thumbnails.truveo.com/0021/9F/F5/9FF56E25CE51326E7B58B1_Large.jpg

[d_virginiana]

That dog looks like it decided to see what an electrical socket tasted like. lol.

[ConcinusMan]

Well, he is a male. Maybe he wasn't trying to taste it but instead...

[Millinex]

Picked up this guy and what was supposed to be a female 100% het hypo.. Guy couldn't get them breeding, got them home to find out the het hypo is a male as well... Currently working on getting that sorted out somehow to make this even.. The male hypo however, I'm very happy with:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSCN5147.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSCN5148.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/CapAnt53/DSCN5149.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Nice

[d_virginiana]

Picked up this guy and what was supposed to be a female 100% het hypo.. Guy couldn't get them breeding, got them home to find out the het hypo is a male as well...



Haha, well that would be a good reason for them not to breed.
Nice looking snake too!

[ConcinusMan]

Haha, well that would be a good reason for them not to breed.

Well, in many species of animals, mammals and primates in particular, that wouldn't stop them from trying.:p

[kibakiba]

Snakey likes to try to breed with with Ember. Ember stopped eating, so I moved him with Snakey, and then he started eating again. He stopped eating so well after I took Snap out. Snakey likes Ember, maybe a bit too much. ;)

[d_virginiana]

My friend had a homosexual (or perhaps just very frustrated) ferret once. Its cagemate was a decidedly straight ferret though, which made for some interesting pet drama.

[Millinex]

Yea sadly I have no use for the het that came with him, selling him off or trading it.

[d_virginiana]

Wow. I just saw my frog shed and eat its own skin. I knew they did it and all, but it was probably one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen.

Getting to see him look so bright and shiny afterwards was worth being irreversibly traumatized though :)

[RepGuru]

I've had a lot of different animals in the past as my wife and I did a lot of charity work for save a pet in California way back. I started with snakes in the 80's but then divorced and came home to England where I didn't think snake keeping was allowed. How wrong I was....the few big events we have here are just packed and the herp keeper is very common now - although prices are still very high here considering most snakes are now captive bred. My family currently have a Rosy Boa, Royal Python, Arizona Mountain Kingsnake, Cali Banded Kingsnake and a 30lb plus Madagascan Ground Boa:eek:, now I'm looking for those Radix' here in England!

[Spankenstyne]

Couple shots of my dogs. As you can see Old Man Winter has been so very kind to my lawn...

Izzy
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/SBT/iz1amay202011.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/SBT/iz1bmay202011.jpg

Otis
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/SBT/ot1amay202011.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/SBT/ot1cmay202011.jpg

Obeying his 2 year old master
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/SBT/vinot1amay202011.jpg

[Sonya610]

Obeying his 2 year old master


That was a joke without a smiley, right?

[guidofatherof5]

Love the brindle.

Very cute daughter. You are blessed.;)

[RedSidedSPR]

Great lookin' dogs

[Spankenstyne]

Thanks :)


That was a joke without a smiley, right?

Nope he was listening to her just fine. ;)

[drache]

Sandy in the sun
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/5759756212_0864954044_b.jpg

her beard looks like a bundle of chili peppers
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/5759756228_9970719d2b_b.jpg

[d_virginiana]

Haha, lizard on a leash! That's a good looking animal :)

[Spankenstyne]

Great lookin' beardie

[guidofatherof5]

Love to see the photos from Rhea's zoo.

[RedSidedSPR]

I've always wanted a bearded dragon...

[ConcinusMan]

"Missy". 7 lb, and 5 of that is hair.:p

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8835/p6270024.jpg

[Didymus20X6]

Looks like she could easily rip a Droid's arms out of their sockets.

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like she could easily rip a Droid's arms out of their sockets.

That's funny.:D

[drache]

Looks like she could easily rip a Droid's arms out of their sockets.
you sure about that?
she looks like a baby wookiee

[Didymus20X6]

I didn't say how big a Droid.

[d_virginiana]

I didn't say how big a Droid.

I've seen dogs that size that I'm pretty sure could take on a full-sized droid. The smaller the dog the larger its attitude. That's a law of nature, right? :p

[Didymus20X6]

"Might I suggest a new strategy, R2: let the doggie win."

[guidofatherof5]

Tank was getting up this morning and was having trouble getting motivated.
Just about the time I thought he was coming out he'd head back under the covers.
Finally he came out and went to my son's bedroom where he crawled in bed with him.
Crazy turtle.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/tank72.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Man, he is awesome. I gotta say, never heard of a snapper roaming the house.

How'd he climb on the bed?

[guidofatherof5]

Man, he is awesome. I gotta say, never heard of a snapper roaming the house.

How'd he climb on the bed?

With his legs:DSorry about that I just had to.

A blanket was hanging over the edge and he used it to climb up. The blanket wasn't needed as he's big enough to just grab the matress. Not much gets in his way.
He visits most of the kids in their rooms but seems to like the livingroom.
Many times the kids will come down to the snake room and tell me Tank's looking for me.
Sure enough, once I get to the livingroom he comes over to me, climbs up on me and sits. My kids just laugh.
He's the most interactive turtle I've ever had.
Has many dog qualities.

[RedSidedSPR]

OH WITH HIS LEGS!! Of course, should have thought of that :rolleyes:

That's great. I love it.

So he just grabs the mattress with his claws and climbs that "wall"? Didn't know they could do that...

"most interactive turtle" as in most interactive SNAPPER? or turtle in general? How many house-roaming turtles have you had?

Like a shelled dog...

[guidofatherof5]

I've had a few other turtles.
This is the first free-range Snapper.
He's very curious about everything. If the kids are in the living room with toys or doing homework he has to go smell and touch everything they have.
The kids get a big kick out of Tank.
I can't wait until he's 40 or 50 pounds. By then he'll be asnswering the door.
Imagine the faces on the people that are met at the door by Tank.

[RedSidedSPR]

Makes me want one. Not gonna happen though.

What does he eat. Dog food?


Imagine the faces on the people that are met at the door by Tank.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/chucknkelly/SURPRISED.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Makes me want one. Not gonna happen though.

What does he eat. Dog food?

Trout chow, pinkies, salmon.
As he matures he'll switch to more veggies and fruit.
I hand feed him most of his food.
He's very gentle. Grabbed me a couple times but releases immediately. Most snappers wouldn't do that.
He's a special turtle.
My son(age 14) came up to me yesterday and said that if we have to evacuate I shouldn't worry about him but to grab Tank first.
Tank will out live me. My son has said he'll care for Tank when that time comes.

[RedSidedSPR]

Wow. that's awesome. he is special (your right most wouldn;t).

How long do they live?


sorry about that. the picture won't work. It was of some, middle aged bald, fat guy with this wierded out, dumbfounded expression.

[ConcinusMan]

Wow. that's awesome. he is special (your right most wouldn;t).

How long do they live?


sorry about that. the picture won't work. It was of some, middle aged bald, fat guy with this wierded out, dumbfounded expression.

Why were you trying to post a picture of Steve? :p

[guidofatherof5]

50-70 years. Since he's a male and from S.D. he'll max weight at around 70-80 pounds.
He'll be an awesome sight at full weight. Too bad I won't be around to see him.

[RedSidedSPR]

Wow, that's pretty long... And heavy :D

[d_virginiana]

Tank is adorable! Makes my fiance's arguments for a free-range apartment snapper seem less crazy :D (I feel like most couples discuss things like how to decorate after they get married, not whether they are getting a snapper or a constrictor...)

He must really be a special turtle. Every snapper I've ever encountered alligator or common has done its darnedest to remove my fingers :rolleyes:


Wow. that's awesome. he is special (your right most wouldn;t).

How long do they live?


They recently found an alligator snapping turtle with a musket ball from the civil war lodged in its shell and estimated it at over 200 years old :) I wonder if they are normally more long-lived than common snappers or if that one was just really old?

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, I thought they lived longer a mere 50-70 years.:cool: I don't think 200 would happen, but I would think 100-150 wouldn't be out of the question.

[guidofatherof5]

Tank is adorable! Makes my fiance's arguments for a free-range apartment snapper seem less crazy :D (I feel like most couples discuss things like how to decorate after they get married, not whether they are getting a snapper or a constrictor...)

He must really be a special turtle. Every snapper I've ever encountered alligator or common has done its darnedest to remove my fingers :rolleyes:

They recently found an alligator snapping turtle with a musket ball from the civil war lodged in its shell and estimated it at over 200 years old :) I wonder if they are normally more long-lived than common snappers or if that one was just really old?

Tanks is a Common Snapper(Chelydra serpentina) but not common in his attitude and demeanor. I don't recommend most if any snapping turtles ever be trusted. Tank is truly an exception to the rule.
Tank has been this way from the day he arrived here as a young hatchling.
I am aware of the potential danger and watch him very closely.
It's amazing how he will come out of his water and rest his head on my arm while I'm on my laptop. Content to just make contact and relax.

Alligator Snappers(Macrochelys temminckii) are much longer lived than Common Snappers.

[guidofatherof5]

He's a special turtle and I hope to work with him for the rest of my life.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/tank91.jpg

[d_virginiana]

You only come across animals that exceptional once or twice in a lifetime! I think a lot of times people really sell reptiles short as far as intelligence is concerned a lot of times, and Tank is proof.

They're cute as babies (especially the alligators) but I prefer them in the river where I can go visit and bring them the occasional treat :) I believe I'm slowly talking him into getting a tortoise, which would be a more reasonable reptile to just let roam about in my opinion. The only experience with snappers he's had are the hatchling alligators that I've caught, which are pretty harmless; I think he'll change his tune once he sees one of the really large ones I run up on sometimes!

[guidofatherof5]

We also have a sulcata tortoise. It will take awhile but it too will get large.
I call it a shelled cow. Eat, eat, eat.
Not near the personality of Tank. Tries to avoid us, unlike Tank who seeks us out.

[RedSidedSPR]

I love him.

150 years wow.

Tank the common, yet not so common, snapping turtle. :D awesome.

How old/big was he when you got him... did you buy him, or catch him? I think i remember you saying you caught him.. not sure

[guidofatherof5]

How old/big was he when you got him... did you buy him, or catch him? I think i remember you saying you caught him.. not sure

Tank was found in a parking lot in S.D. and brought back to Iowa. He was around 4 months old when he was given to me. He was a little larger than a silver dollar. He's ready to break 7 pounds. July of last year he was 1.4 pounds. Hoping he'll be around 10 lbs by Christmas.

[RedSidedSPR]

WOW he was tiny!!! So he's grown a lot!! Probably amzaing watching him grow like that. How long ago was that?

(great photo btw)

[guidofatherof5]

He'll be 3 this Oct.

[RedSidedSPR]

nice. they grow pretty fast...

[Millinex]

How does one justify letting a turtle free-roam the house? You can not in any way shape or form meet the proper husbandry requirements for the animal in a home environment... ?

[RedSidedSPR]

i wondered the same thing, but he apparently has it under control.

[drache]

I can kind of answer that question
animals meet their own husbandry requirements in the wild - they find a place to bask, a place to drink, food, etc . . .
if all those things are available, the husbandry requirements are met
my tortoise is just a little Greek guy, and yet I cannot see myself restricting him to a 2'x3' standard turtle enclosure - not since I found that on a normal day he roams my entire yard 48'x18.5' more than once, even though he spends long periods with his neck laid out on a sun-warmed rock, or dug into some end of the compost pile, in between his forays
in winter, he gets to roam some part of the house that has a UVB/heat lamp set up somewhere
yes - I can control his environment better in an enclosure, but he has more choice in a larger space that perhaps more closely mimics the size of his natural territory

[guidofatherof5]

How does one justify letting a turtle free-roam the house? You can not in any way shape or form meet the proper husbandry requirements for the animal in a home environment... ?



Well, considering he has complete access to a fresh water supply and is fed a balanced diet. He get outside time for some of his UV needs and requires much less than most turtles. Snappers are not a basking turtle, they do on occasion but as a rule don't. His growth weight and rate is very good and he's been given a clean bill of health at the Vet. I also have a friend who has been rescuing and raising snapping turtles most of his life. He has seen my set-up and stated everything looks good. Tanks plastron is checked every couple of days for any abrasions, which he's never had.
The turtle is alert and interactive and showing no signs of stress or other issues.
Is is nature? No, but nature doesn't always supply the best living conditions for animals. They simply adjust to what they've been given.
Any suggestions you might have that would improve upon what I am giving Tank would be greatly appreciated.

[Millinex]

As long as you are actually making strides to provide him with some natural elements. Such as the fact he should have an area fully allowing him to submerge and whatnot. No harm there in my book.

Most people who have free roaming herps have no proper areas for basking/dirt/water etc etc, such as iguanas treated like dogs. Then the owner wonders why they died so early in life- without thinking about the fact they never gave it enough humidity, food, UV exposure etc.

[ConcinusMan]

How does one justify letting a turtle free-roam the house?

Normally I would agree with you, but in this case, tank is safe, comfortable, healthy as a horse, and growing fast. No harm, no foul.:cool:

[Millinex]

Normally I would agree with you, but in this case, tank is safe, comfortable, healthy as a horse, and growing fast. No harm, no foul.:cool:
Doesn't change the fact that 99% of reptiles kept and allowed to free-roam in a home environment do not have proper conditions. Naturally one should be weary of any free-roaming reptile and asking a lot of questions. ;)

[kibakiba]

Well honestly, it's Steve's turtle. Steve always tries to provide the best for his animals, why would it be any different with his turtle? I'm sure tank enjoys not being cooped up in an enclosure that doesn't work.

[ConcinusMan]

Rufus. Silly dog.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5729/dscn3689large.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

Does he always where that shirt? :D

I like Rufus.

[ConcinusMan]

Doesn't change the fact that 99% of reptiles kept and allowed to free-roam in a home environment do not have proper conditions. Naturally one should be weary of any free-roaming reptile and asking a lot of questions. ;)

A friend of mine has been doing that for nearly 20 years with 3 turtles he has, and they're fine. They spend the summer outside in their own pen with a pond in it, and spend 8-9 months of the year in the house, free roaming. They have their food dish by the wall just like a dog, and a basking spot near the wood stove. They do just fine, and don't wander off. As long as tank has access to a warming spot, water to soak in, etc. I see no reason why he wouldn't thrive.

[ConcinusMan]

Does he always where that shirt? :D

I like Rufus.

He has a medical condition that caused him to have seizures (controlled pretty well with phenobarbital) and caused him to lose is hair. Everything under the shirt is completely bald so yes, he needs to wear the shirt. In winter to keep him warm, a light shirt in summer to keep him from sunburning.

It's funny, if I take a fresh shirt from the laundry, he knows it's his and gets all excited wanting me to put it on him. cute as heck to see. He does the same thing if I bring home a new one. he knows its for him and gets excited.:)

[d_virginiana]

A friend of mine has been doing that for nearly 20 years with 3 turtles he has, and they're fine. They spend the summer outside in their own pen with a pond in it, and spend 8-9 months of the year in the house, free roaming. They have their food dish by the wall just like a dog, and a basking spot near the wood stove. They do just fine, and don't wander off. As long as tank has access to a warming spot, water to soak in, etc. I see no reason why he wouldn't thrive.

I know of of people who have 'free-roaming' tortoises, tegus, or iguanas that technically have an enclosure, but due to their large size are often allowed to roam about and interact with their people. I've actually seen dog-lot like fences recommended for some of the larger tortoise breeds provided that their owners live in an appropriate area so that their pets can roam a larger space.

It can be done right, like I'm sure it is in Tank's case, but I can see how it's very easy to do wrong as well.

[RedSidedSPR]

He has a medical condition that caused him to have seizures (controlled pretty well with phenobarbital) and caused him to lose is hair. Everything under the shirt is completely bald so yes, he needs to wear the shirt. In winter to keep him warm, a light shirt in summer to keep him from sunburning.

It's funny, if I take a fresh shirt from the laundry, he knows it's his and gets all excited wanting me to put it on him. cute as heck to see. He does the same thing if I bring home a new one. he knows its for him and gets excited.:)

That IS cute. I didn't realize he actually DID need to the shirt...

[infernalis]

How does one justify letting a turtle free-roam the house? You can not in any way shape or form meet the proper husbandry requirements for the animal in a home environment... ?


Careful with those words... Tank is better cared for than MANY animals could ever wish for.


Doesn't change the fact that 99% of reptiles kept and allowed to free-roam in a home environment do not have proper conditions. Naturally one should be weary of any free-roaming reptile and asking a lot of questions. ;)

That much I have to agree with. Just look at the junk on youtube..

[snakehill]

My last snake (eastern king named Elvira) had her own bedroom!:D

[RedSidedSPR]

say what?

[snakehill]

I'ts true! When she was cold she would go sit by the heat grill or sit under a dome light that I had set up. She liked hiding under blankets too!

[RedSidedSPR]

.She just free-romed the room? On the floor, etc? That is pretty darn frickin' awesome.

[snakehill]

Absolutely!

[RedSidedSPR]

cool! You were able to keep up with all her needs? Tthats awesome

[infernalis]

I have hundreds if not thousands of free roaming snakes in my yard.

[RedSidedSPR]

Wow, really? ME TOO!!

[StrangeCargo]

New to the board...figured I'd post a few random pics of animals I currently own. Enjoy!

Graham

[Millinex]

I know of of people who have 'free-roaming' tortoises, tegus, or iguanas that technically have an enclosure, but due to their large size are often allowed to roam about and interact with their people. I've actually seen dog-lot like fences recommended for some of the larger tortoise breeds provided that their owners live in an appropriate area so that their pets can roam a larger space.

It can be done right, like I'm sure it is in Tank's case, but I can see how it's very easy to do wrong as well.
Unless you live in the south, where your house is hot/humid all the time, a house is not a suitable home for a tegu or iguana under any circumstances.

[guidofatherof5]

Tank had a full meal of fuzzies yesterday and went to bed early.
Here he is late in the morning getting up. This is his favorite blacket.
It usually takes an hour for him to get up and hit his water. He likes to stretch out and look around before.
This is also the time when the kids get down and greet him with a leg rub of neck scratch.
I would also say that Tank is potty trained. Not that I trained him but he always hits his water when he's got to go.
This is a once in a lifetime experience with Tank.
I've had snappers before but they never allowed all this hands on time. They also didn't seek me out just to hangout.
I wish you all could meet and experience this wonderful animal and member of our family.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/tank101.jpg

[d_virginiana]

Unless you live in the south, where your house is hot/humid all the time, a house is not a suitable home for a tegu or iguana under any circumstances.

The person I was talking about lived in the Orlando, FL area at that time, so his were probably okay. I've never kept lizard-type animals of any sort so I don't really know much about them.

[Spankenstyne]

"Blaze Phase Goins" Kingsnake eggs I got early this morning. 17 in total which surprised me since never even skipped a meal including last Sunday, and didn't appear to be large enough to have more than just a few eggs in her. I figured 4 or 5 max based on her size and that she's a first time mom..

Boy was I wrong haha..

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/spankenstyne/Colubrids/goinieggs1june242011.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Nice looking clutch.

[drache]

very nice - congrats

[infernalis]

Congrats....

[snakehill]

I had 1 Argentine Tegu and 2 Columbians and they did very well without alot of heat and humidity. Who knew?

[Hornets23]

Very nice! Love, love, LOVE the copperheads!

[StrangeCargo]

Very nice! Love, love, LOVE the copperheads!

Thanks- Those are genetic hypo Broadbanded Copperheads. Pictured is a normal, hypo & super hypo broadband. Copperheads are beautiful creatures!

[Chondro788]

Yeah that light Copperhead, is it a caramel or T+ albino? It is amazing!! :eek: And I'm really jealous of the Gilas as well!! Awesome animals, you just need some thams in there!! ;)
-Jason

[Millinex]

I had 1 Argentine Tegu and 2 Columbians and they did very well without alot of heat and humidity. Who knew?
Where did you live, what diet where they fed, and how old did they get? No, 5-10 years is not a long life for a Tegu. I highly doubt they did "very well" and saying so is only proving the fact you must know very little about Tegus.

[guidofatherof5]

If you're not going to wait for an answer to your questions than why ask the questions in the first place?

You've decided to pass judgement and sentence on someone you don't even know.
Not very professional or polite. In my opinion.

[snakehill]

First of all Who said anything about 5-10 years? Perhaps you should learn how to read! I'm not going to answer any of your rude questions! Why don't you go on the tegu forum if you are such an expert?:mad:

[ConcinusMan]

Getting heated in here. Maybe that will create the right conditions for your Tegu.:rolleyes:

[kibakiba]

I gotta agree with Steve. Highly unprofessional and very rude. Snakehill didn't say anything that would have called for such a rude response.

[snakehill]

Thanks guys!:(

[kibakiba]

Just ignore him, he seems to enjoy posting snide remarks to anything he doesn't agree with, which is many things.

[snakehill]

That's a little hard to ignore!;)

[ConcinusMan]

Not trying to take sides here but I still have an opinion.


I had 1 Argentine Tegu and 2 Columbians and they did very well without alot of heat and humidity. Who knew?

The fact is, these animals, especially the columbians, have been known to be found in very dry habitats. And yes, of course, they can tolerate temperatures that are much lower than they should be kept at.

A garter snake can live quite some time at 50-60 degrees and be "fine" but that doesn't mean our husbandry isn't wrong if we do keep that way.

[kibakiba]

Well, you could block him if you get really bothered by it.

[snakehill]

I'm not saying that they had no heat sources available! Of course they did! I'm just saying that they weren't kept in Tropical conditions!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

ohhhh. my... god... you literally just blew me away with 3 pictures. THAT'S supposed to be impossible. The scaleless TX rat... that INCERDIBLE corn... and those copperheads... those are all snakes that are in my top 10 most beautiful snakes on the planet list :D

my favorite venomous snake is the copperhead. Such beauty and grace... they are a wonderful snake. That's why I chose to make a copperhead as my first venomous sculpture.

[d_virginiana]

Wow. Those copperheads are just astounding. And I didn't even know scaleless snakes existed!

[StrangeCargo]

Yeah that light Copperhead, is it a caramel or T+ albino? It is amazing!! :eek: And I'm really jealous of the Gilas as well!! Awesome animals, you just need some thams in there!! ;)
-Jason

Hey Jason...we're calling the light animals Hypos. It's been proven out as a simple recessive trait. Breeding 2 of the hypos produces some of teh "super hupos" (the very very very light ones). I've bred an adult male "super hypo" to a hypo female- hopefully she's gravid...I'm really excited to see soem more light colored babies.

Here are 2 pics of my adult male "super Hypo" taken by the breeder whom I bought him from (Robert E. in East Texas). His photography skills are much better than mine! :)

[StrangeCargo]

ohhhh. my... god... you literally just blew me away with 3 pictures. THAT'S supposed to be impossible. The scaleless TX rat... that INCERDIBLE corn... and those copperheads... those are all snakes that are in my top 10 most beautiful snakes on the planet list :D

my favorite venomous snake is the copperhead. Such beauty and grace... they are a wonderful snake. That's why I chose to make a copperhead as my first venomous sculpture.

Awwh- Thank you so much! I have a small group (3.3) of the Scaleless Texas Rats (2.1 are mature and the female laid her first clutch this year- eggs cooking as we speak).

Copperheads are very underrated. My love is rare rattlesnakes.... Here are a few pics of White phase Speckled Rattlesnakes... you kinda have to see them in person to really appreciate them BUT these are mind blowing critters.

:)

[StrangeCargo]

Wow. Those copperheads are just astounding. And I didn't even know scaleless snakes existed!


Thanks Lora! Yep, a handful of scaleless snakes out there (Scaleless TX Rats, Scaleless Yellow Rats, Scaleless Corns, Scaleless Western Diamondbacks, Scaleless Puff Adders, etc.) BUT you rarely see them for sale and when you do they are $$$.

They still have belly scales (for crawling) and misc random scales. They eat fine, shed fine, etc... I give them humidity shelters in the cages- it helps with shedding BUT I do that with my regular snakes as well. They feel really cool- kinda soft/silkyish...hard to describe. Heres a few more pics of different Scaleless Texas Rats I own!

[StrangeCargo]

Very nice! Love, love, LOVE the copperheads!
Thanks Christa! Everyone that comes over and sees the collection falls in love with them. I lucked out on that project- it was started by a herper buddy of mine out here in Texas from an oddball wildcaught central Texas broadbanded copperhead. He's worked on them for years and has brought the project through a few generations. He purchased a new house and needed some cash so I was able to buy a few (well 1.2) of his colony. This will hopefully be my first year breeding them. They were cycled and introduced. I never observed copulation BUT I work out of town alot and have been letting them cohabitate for the past few months. A bunch of my other hots have been breeding...the nonvenomous all dropped eggs mid may... Hopefully it'll be a great year for production.

[StrangeCargo]

I have 2 buildings for my collection. The first is a smaller one that I keep all my adult colubrids in. I can cycle the building's temps (brumation, etc) and it works very well. The other is a newer building I recently remodeled. It houses babies, holdbacks, subadults, tropical stuff and most of my hots.

Here's a few pics of the cages/racks/etc.

Now y'all can see why I could use a a few garters in display tanks to liven things up a bit!

:)

[StrangeCargo]

And a few more...

[Hornets23]

Very nice...those super hypos are amazing!

[Stefan-A]

Other pets go here:

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/167-other-pets-non-garters.html

[Millinex]

If you're not going to wait for an answer to your questions than why ask the questions in the first place?

You've decided to pass judgement and sentence on someone you don't even know.
Not very professional or polite. In my opinion.
Someone brags about keeping 3 Tegus in a less than suitable environment. He's blatantly admitting to awful husbandry and failing to provide the proper conditions for his animal. The animal suffered if it wasn't kept in the right conditions, I have no reason to be polite to someone who throws basic husbandry out the window.


First of all Who said anything about 5-10 years? Perhaps you should learn how to read! I'm not going to answer any of your rude questions! Why don't you go on the tegu forum if you are such an expert?:mad:
75% of people who make statements like yours are like "yea my tegu lived to 8 years!" which in reality, is an extremely short life span for such an animal. If you come to a forum and start bragging about poor husbandry expect someone to call you on it, regardless of what type of forum it is.

If I where to suddenly post about how I kept my iguana in a desert enclosure I would expect someone on here to call me on it- because it is BASIC husbandry that people should know and correct. I'd be pretty upset if everyone was like "lol garter snake forum who cares about your iguana and its suffering" It's a herp, something we all have a common interest in, regardless of species.


I gotta agree with Steve. Highly unprofessional and very rude. Snakehill didn't say anything that would have called for such a rude response.
Anyone who goes around bragging about poor husbandry needs to be called out for it. I could care less if you think it was unprofessional or rude. Bad husbandry is unacceptable.


I'm not saying that they had no heat sources available! Of course they did! I'm just saying that they weren't kept in Tropical conditions!
They live in tropical areas and do BEST in tropical areas. Just because the tegu can survive outside of the optimal temperature/humidity ranges doesn't mean he should be kept like that 24/7! If you are not providing high humidity/proper temps 85%-90% of the time than you are failing at taking care of the animal, and shouldn't own it in the first place.

[ConcinusMan]

Alright then guys. Let's not go down this road again.

Wait until I'm in the mood for a good pointless argument so I can participate.:p

Arguing on the internet: Like mastur*** with a cheese grater. Mildly amusing, always painful.

[snakehill]

You know it is my opinion that you are a POMPOUS know it all! I was reading your posts and I saw that you referred to chickens as creatures that possess reasoning abilities. I have lived on a farm long enough to know that you KNOW NOTHING about CHICKENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would say a GARTER SNAKE is much smarter than a CHICKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

[guidofatherof5]

Millinex,
Ever thought about helping someone rather than trashing them?
Seems like if someone isn't as knowledgeable as you they're not worth your trouble.
I'm sure you've made some mistakes along the way, as all of us have.
Might be better to educate as a way to help future reptiles and their owners.