Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those of you who have e-mailed me about posting pics of the new additions here they are …………

This is Cecil

and his mate who we haven’t thought of a name yet.

They are Pine Island leachies and around 3 years old. Of course I can’t leave out our little Magoo who we got in Jan. Sucker is growing fast, eats like a pig to!

Last but not least one of the many reasons I have been busier then usual……

Found the poor little guy on the ground hiding under some leaves. His two other siblings mostly likely pushed him out of the nest (which barely fit the two of them). But that’s nature, easier to ensure the survivor of two hatchlings then three. So I took the little thing home and we have been hand feeding it around the clock. Around every 20 min she cries for food so it’s a lot of work, but we have done it a few times and released them, so we quite enjoy it. The pictures above are all taken within a 3 week period, so you can see how fast she grew. Only problem is I really haven’t had time to find out what species she is, any bird watchers out there who know . Anyway just thought I would share hopefully she will be ready to go in another 2-3 weeks, she already flies quite well .
-Mike

Very nice mike! When you get eggs, let us know. I have been curious how big they are(the eggs). I'm guessing Crow on the bird. I tink they lose the reddish feathers as the grow and molt. Paul Meyer, had a nice sexed pair at White Plains for sale. I could have bought them by the end of the show but I resisted the urge. Maybe after this season winds down, I will hunt for more leachies.
-Bill
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

Already had a clutch but she laid them too early and of course were no good. Most likely stress from the new environment, I have hope for the next batch. As for the bird def not a crow, it would be 5 times the size and wrong beak shape, etc. I think it is in the swallow family going off what the adults looked like and how they hunted. Extremely fast birds which can hover almost like humming birds for short periods. I really got to look it up…lol.
-Mike

They look great Mike
Thanks for posting them.
I need to take some pic's soon.
Bill how many Leachies you have?

DragonChuck

2 unsexed between 7-8 months old. They are also Pine Island morph.
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

I have a pair of Nuu Ana

Charlie

A while back you told me they where Isle E’s. How similar to PI’s I am not sure, but could be minor differences such as color, shape, size, etc. It would be more evident once they get older however.
-Mike

I always said I had Nuu Ana's because the person I bought them from said that's what they are. He showed me the parents and they were awesome. But like you said in time when they get older and there colors come out then we'll know how they really look. They say as they get older they get more beautiful.

Chuck
Have you gotten the e-mail's I sent you?

They are Isle E., but they are the same subspecies as PI's. You can breed them together if you are not a locality purist.
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

You are right the island forms are all the same subspecies, but some should really be reclassified because of their differences(which can be alot). Reptile taxonomy is not perfect and it is always changing and under debate. Any leachie can be breed together because they are the same species, but I am a locality purist as you put it. Some of these island forms are going extinct or might already be due to introduced species and we should try our best to preserve them instead of cross breeding and loosing them forever.
-Mike

Great geckos

Not sure about the bird..thought at first maybe a robin, but it lacks the bars baby robins have...then I noticed the tail feathers in the last picture and I have to say it is some sort of swift or swallow. Best thing to do is watch the nest and try and get pics of the adults. It will be easier to identify the adults than the chick. Looks like you are doing a great job on the chick though. Deffinitely looks happy

Hi Mike
What size tank are they in? You use 2x4 for perch?

DragonChuck

They where both in a 29 gallon but I separated them after she laid those bad eggs and copulated with the male again. Now they each have their own 29 gallon which is perfect for a single leachie (remember these are PI’s smaller then the GT’s). I am building a larger cage now which will be 2’x2’x4’ (L x W x H) and use it when I pair them up during the breeding season. That 2”x4” has already been replaced with a nice large piece of bamboo, but they do work well and I could have used it indefinitely. My cresteds and aurics all actually have large wooden dowels for perches.
-Mike

Hi Mike

I would like to meet you some day at a White Plains Reptile show. You seem like a very cool person to meet. I might have seen you around and even talked. I been going to the show's for a long time. But anyway your pair are sure beautiful. Hope all the best with them. You haven't had them fight when you put them together?

Chuck

Chuck,
No problems with fighting so far and the original owner never had a problem. Island forms usually live in higher population densities so they are more tolerable of each others presence. The GT’s however I hear are harder to pair up.

I only get a table once or twice a year, but I am always there getting supplies. We will have to meet up at the next one .
-Mike

Ok Mike,
You held out on us for so long, but it was for a good reason.....so we'll forgive you. Seriously though, those are some mighty fine leachies, I wish you luck with them. And Magoo is also a PI locale correct? You might wind up with a pretty little trio of PI leachies.
And as far as the bird, I give you my utmost respect, it truly shows your devotion to all creatures. (Just don't let your leachies near him, or it might become a quick snack.....just kidding)

Well, congratulations, and good luck.

Ian

Ian,
Yeah Magoo is a PI, hopefully I will have to change his name in another year. It would be pretty sweet if I ended up with 1.2 . Oh and thanks for the kind words as always, there is no greater satisfaction in this world then helping out an animal in need, whether its scales, feathers or fur. I live for it .
-Mike

Where do you live by the way, Im just curious since you have birds droping in on you LOL.

Jack

np

I want him back !!! lol
great job.... looks like he's coming along nicely.....
how much they change from birth....

PMHerps

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thanks Paul
PMHerps - Captive Bred Reptiles
PMHerps.com

Paul,
Great to here from you , he/she really is turning out great and I couldn’t be happier. I will have to e-mail you some more pics when I get the chance. Thanks again, and hopefully I’ll stop by and say hi at the next show . If anyone is looking for some really nice leachies add Paul to your list .
-Mike

Really great pictures. The bird is definitely a barn swallow. It is the only member of the swallow family with that red breast. I am really impressed that you have raised them by hand.
Tanya

Tanya,
Thanks for the nice comments . I came to that same conclusion on the species of bird she was after looking through some of my text books, im glad you confirmed it for me . We have raised a few abandoned birds, mostly sparrows, but they are all an extreme pleasure to raise up and release. She is pretty much ready to go now and it’s just a matter of the weather getting a bit better. Don’t want to release her in the middle of bad storms. As always tho it’s going to be sad to see her go .
-Mike

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Life is what happens when you are making other plans.......