To respond to both posts (excuse any incoherency as it is after midnight here in the Kingdom):



Concerning my writing style, it is only the use of proper English; the separation of ideas demands the use of a new paragraph, as it does in most other languages, at least the six that I have learned. Rules of writing on a topic or writing a paper also dictate that you must bind your ideas together or it is ineffective. It may also have to do with the fact that I teach English and German part time.



As to the statement “I am not just an academic,” “just” is meant as “not only.”



No, I do not know who you are; I took what you wrote in posts and assumed that you were telling the truth. Sometimes I am gullible in that respect.



I never tried or desired to breed monitors or any other species of reptiles. My interest has been solely the individual species and its observation. That being said, I do desire in the future, now that I no longer have to constantly deploy around the world, to breed my pair of V. bengalensis nebulosus, which are disappearing from this part of the world much too quickly. By the way, I do like your term “life events” and agree that observation of all “life events” is important to the overall understanding of species. I just never looked at it that way before.



I believe Samsun asked about the references concerning accelerated growth and maturation. The one that first came to mind concerning Boids were Richard A. Ross M.D., M.P.H. and Gerald Marzec’s writings from the Institute for Herpetological Research. There are also many others concerning problems that tortoises suffer when artificially accelerated growth rates are introduced; those are far too numerous and much too easy to track down. If you want more examples of other reptiles, I am sure that I can find them for you. Those were the only ones that popped inside of my head right away.



Back to “life events,” yes, I took that part out of context, if that is what you were referring to, as well as that is what you do for your living; however, in another recent post (investigation), you did say it was your business. (Business is commercial activity engaged in as a means of livelihood) Business was your word, not mine. As far as what to do with the offspring, giving away is exactly what I intend to do with any V. bengalensis nebulosus offspring that mine produce. It will be part of a re-introduction of species program that I am hoping to establish here in coordination with the Thai Zoological Organization.



I did not question your success, only the one aspect, which you pointed out I took out of context anyway. I believe that I even applauded you on your reproductive efforts and if you are breaking longevity records, publish them, like I said, they would be a first. By the way, good point about the female Varanids. Longevity records generally state species type, but not always sex and also true that many were kept solitary.



As far as the “life events” are concerned, I never really looked at it in the way that you made your argument and you now have sold me on that aspect. Could that be a paradigm shift? I am definitely capable of changing my belief when presented with a logical argument. I would not look for your term “life events” in any publications in relation to a functional lifespan, not because it is not catchy, but deals with intangibles. Science is often cold in that respect.



Again, I applaud your success and wish you much success in the future. You also said that this success was arrived at with a staple diet, not a rodent only, bird only or insect only diet. Limited variety it is, but still variety. I agreed earlier that that is good advice to the new keeper until he learns more about his species. I offer a greater variety, which does offer more nutrients. Isn't that what this entire thread started with? As for Samsun’s comment on birds, I think that you can figure that one on your own; unfortunately there are people out there that I am sure you have met that never considered that. I am constantly talking to people here that have young Python molurus bivittatus and only feed them chicks.

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