Blood & Short-Tailed Pythons

Blog #4 (Blood's & Short Tail Pythons)

1. Blood & Short Tailed Pythons by Kara & Ryan Norris

2. From the Reptiles Magazine Online, March 2014.

3. I chose this article because I know we have Bloods in the Reptile Room, but I haven't handled them much, so before I decide to handle more I want to know more about their behavior. 

4. I liked how the authors of this articles are trying to change the reputation of the bloods. Bloods are known as aggressive, high maintenance and big eaters. All of these traits actually come from the way these pythons are brought up. Most bloods are hatched from a mother that is wild-caught. After they hatch they are exported and sold through the reptile trade and may be handled in correctly. These pythons are subjected to a lot of shipping stress and become agitated easily.

5. I learned that a lot of bloods actually are prone to getting respiratory infections which is new to me. When looking to purchase a blood you want to look for a solid, plump and alert python. A blood with prominent backbones, slack skin and wrinkled scales may indicated that this snake has health problems. You can tell when they have an infection when they are huffing or gurgling. Watching for open mouth breathing is also an indicator of these problems. 

6. The only questions I have for bloods is I'd like to know where the Bloods we have at school came from! A breeder? Pet store? I'm curious :) Our bloods are actually pretty calm though.

7a. Yes, personally I'd think about getting a blood. I like the way pythons look and feel. Although, I would want a well behaved blood. Thrashing and aggressive snakes aren't very fun.

b. Bloods can range between $100-$550.

c. Bloods are available at http://bloodpythons.com/cms/ for between $300-$500 and at http://www.metalmonkeyexotics.com/blog/?cat=8 for unnamed prices.

d. There are over a dozen color morphs of blood pythons! 

e. Morphs like albino are more highly priced around $500-$600 or even more.

f. Albino Blood (top) & Lavender Albino Images are to the left --> 

g. Yes, these snakes are endangered due to their precious skin color.

h. No permit is needed to care for bloods.

i. No controversy in caring from bloods either. 

8. A cage that is 10 inches wide by 15 inches long by 5 inches tall is typical for a blood. They like temperatures in the 80's and sometimes like to soak in their water bowls. Bloods may be difficult to feed at first as hatchlings, but like to eat pinkies and rats for the bigger bloods. 

9. This animal is considered a intermediate animal because of their moodiness and their difficult feeding habits. 

10. The most interesting thing about the bloods to me is their beautiful skin and how many morphs there are of them. They are beautiful and I'm glad we have some to handle in our back room! 

Giant Day Gecko's

Blog #3 (Giant Day Gecko's)

1. Giant Day Gecko's by Jonathan Klarsfeld

2. From Reptile's Magazine Online, posted in March 2014.

3. I chose this article because the unique color of this gecko attracted my eye. The gecko is bright teal/green with reddish spots. Plus, I don't know a whole lot about geckos to begin with.

4. What I liked about this article is that this is the gecko that is modeled after the "Geico Gecko". These lizards are described as one of the most beautiful lizards in the world. I also liked learning that these lizards can get up to a foot long! Hence, their name "Giant" gecko. Females tend to be 2-3 inches smaller than the males though. I'm absolutely in love with their crimson spots and neon green skin though.

5. I learned that these Geckos come from Northern Madagascar and live in the tropical regions there. They can be found in pet stores, from breeders or at expo's ranging in prices from $45-$250. The average life span is 6-8 years, but they have recorded some living up to 20 years old! These geckos like to be housed with someone of the opposite gender because males tend to fight and females will reject each others company. These geckos are also great in health and are less prone to most diseases with their strong immune functions.

6. The only question I would have after reading this articles is if these geckos would ever exceed 1 foot in size...

7a. No, I wouldn't want to purchase one because it says in the article that they don't enjoy handling that much. I'm more of a hands-on reptile lover :)
b.These geckos range from $45-250 dollars.
c. One cool website that has them is - http://giantdaygecko.com/index.html. They list them in between $45-$500. They most expensive are called blue bloods which have a teal-ish tint to them. Another website that has them is http://www.backwaterreptiles.com/geckos/giant-day-gecko-for-sale.html. They list them for $75 and you can choose the sex of your lizard, but are blind to picking the color scheme.
d. There are 2 morphs - Crimson & Blue Blood.
e. Crimson's cost around $45-$250, Blue Blood's are more expensive ranging from $250-$600.
f. Images of the crimsons are above^ & Blue blood's are to the right.
g. No, they are not endangered.
h. No, you do not need a permit to keep this type of gecko.
i. No controversy with them being kept in captivity either -

8. These animals like a terrarium that is preferably 24 inches tall, 24 inches long, and 12 inches wide. Bamboo is a cage favorite of theirs. They also like UVB lights to give them positive nutrients that benefit their health. These temps range from 72-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Commercially, these geckos are opportunistic eaters. They will eat anything from fruit, crickets, wax worms, cockroaches and mealworms.

9. I would consider this a beginner animal because they don't need much, but basic food and a nice terrarium. Although, it kinda sucks that they don't like to be handled that often.

10. The most interesting thing about this animal is their vibrant colors and that the Geico Gecko is modeled after them!

Keeping The Green Anaconda

Reptile Blog #2 (Green Anacondas)

1. Keeping The Green Anaconda by Jordan Russel

2. From Reptiles Magazine Online, Posted in February, 2014 

3.  I chose this article because I have never seen a green snake before and want to know more about the anaconda species. 

4. I like how this article included that the species of Anaconda's is glorified by the media. Media has named them as horrifying killers when really they are gorgeous creatures with unique constrictor color features. I also like how they included that females are normally larger than male anacondas. Adult size also varies tremendously from 7-14 feet long.

5. I learned that there are 4 types of Anacondas. These include the green, yellow, dark spotted and bolivian anaconda. Most of these anacondas are found in European countries and on islands. Male anacondas average at 7-9 ft. long & females average from 11-14 ft. long. The bolivian anaconda though only ranges from 5-6 ft long. Food items for the Green Anaconda include mice & rat pups. They should eat every 10-14 days. Also, as they age and grow prey size is recommended to get bigger. 

6. Questions - Can Anacondas actually swallow people and digest them properly? Does it back up there digestive system and kill them? Why did the media put just anacondas in the light of being so terrifying? 

7a. NO. I wouldn't purchase an anaconda because they are huge and really not meant to be pets.

b. Hatchlings cost around $140, where an 8 footer would be about $500. 

c. The green anaconda can be purchased on Backwaterreptiles.com and Undergroundreptiles.com. On Back Water they are listed at $500 and Underground listed as $200. Links - 

http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Keeping-the-Green-Anaconda/

http://undergroundreptiles.com/shop/green-anaconda/

d. Yes, 2 morphs of green & yellow.

e. Green Morph - $200-500 Yellow Morph - $200-$750 (top picture is yellow, bottom is green!)

f. --->

g. Yes, they are endangered.

h. Yes, you need a license agreement to own and care for an anaconda. 

i. No, no controversy. 

8. This animal requires a large cage, some kind of cage with 2/3 land and 1/3 water, eats large animals such as rats.

9. This is an expert level animal to keep because of it's size/weight and that its endangered. 

10. The most interesting thing about anacondas is that they can grow up to 40 ft long and that they thrive in the water in the rainforest basin. No other snake can get a huge as these can! 

The Pyxis Tortoises

Reptile Blog #1 (Pyxis Tortoises) 

1. The Pyxis Tortoises by Darrell Senneke

2. March 2006 Issue of Reptiles Magazine

3. I chose this article because I wanted to learn more about Tortoises and different species. (Pictures to the left) 

4. I liked the detail of this article about Pyxis Tortoises. They are "small & beautiful madagascan tortoises". I liked that the author included that they are very attractive with yellow and light brown areola encircled by black bands. The author also included beautiful pictures of these tortoises in his article which matched his description perfectly. 

5. Pyxis Tortoises are only found on the island of Madagascar. They measure up to 6 or 7 inches in total length and have 2 main species. Pyxis are found in environments with a very wide climate range. They experience temps between 45-100 degrees. Pyxis Tortoises diet consists of food high in fiber and calcium. They eat things such as leafy greens and fresh vegetation.

6. Questions I have - What's the tempermant of these tortoises? Are they more aggressive and territorial or friendly and laid back?

7a. No, I wouldn't keep this tortoise as a pet because I don't think I could give it the cage environment it needs or the attention.
b. Current marked prices for this type of tortoise is $450.
c. These tortoises are sold on Tortoise Forum. The prices they are asking are 2 for $900, 3 for $1300 & 4 for $1700. Because these are considered "rare hatchlings" this was the only vendor I could find. Here is the link - http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-25433.html 
d. No morphs
e. -
f. -
g. Yes, they are extremely endangered due to slash and burn agriculture in native habitats back in Madagascar where they are found.
h. Yes, you do need a permit because they are a critically endangered species.
i. No, no current controversy.

8. These tortoises love to eat a variety of leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and mushrooms especially. They can endure all sort of temperatures from 45-100 degrees, but prefer to be kept warm. Unlike most turtles, they don't require much room and don't mind small spaces to curl up in.

9. I would consider this animal an intermediate animal because it only needs a small space and has a simple diet, but it is endangered so you would have to be really cautious and take care of it nicely.

10. I think the most interesting this is its spider like pattern on it's back. No other tortoise has anything similar to it with the bands. They are also only found in Madagascar which is pretty cool.