Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It's a rainy day, I'm caught up on office work at the wildlife center, so, I just thought I would see what you all are working with besides Drys. So, I'll kick start it:
- Eastern indigos....just can't get them out of my system; still my all time favorite herp
- Black headed pythons - a cool python with an indigo personality
- tri-colored hognose snakes - coolest hog on earth
- rubber boas - just because!
- gila monsters - my all time favorite lizard
- bushmasters (L. stenophrys)- the scariest snakes I have ever worked with....a pissed of bushy is a very humbling experience
- eastern massasaugas (S. catenatus)- our most precious rattlesnake in the U.S and my favorite rattler....in my opinion
- grand canyon rattlers (C. abyssus)- a bright pink abyssus is one of the neatest rattlers on earth
- Midget faded rattlers (C. concolor)- fell in love with them when I first read Carl Kaufeld's book
- Arizona Black rattlers (C. cerberus)- just a real impressive rattler
- Tiger Rattler (C. tigris) - was my first rattler that I caught in Arizona and I've been hooked every since
- australian knob tailed geckos (N.levis) - COOL gecko with big deer-like eyes....guys, these are lady magnets (the puppies of the reptile world!)
- Henkel's leaf tailed geckos - bizarre, funky, weird gecko that is a blast to watch and work with
- Western Fox Snakes: my favorite colubrid of N.E. Illinois; one of the most underrated colubrids as pets (and my favorite)
- Smooth Green Snakes: pretties snake of my region; nothing is prettier than a brilliant green snake
WISH LIST PROJECT: 1) Gray's Monitors!! We are trying to raise some funds to acquire a small group that has become available. 2) Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata)...just a cool snake native to my area that has disappeared 3)Kirtland's Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)...another native that I don't think has been successfully bred in captivity

Nothing like having some focus in a breeding program eh?! Lets here what you all are into!

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I'm stuck at work and taking a break from work so what better time to post....This years proj':

Eastern Indigos-See Robs comments

Black head pythons-Again, see Rob's comments

Mussuranas-Super cool constricting colubrid

Madagascar Tree Boas-A viper like head and as mellow as you could want.

Beaded Lizards-probably too soon and I don't even know if I have a true pair.

Rob, I am jealous about the bushmasters... you already know that though and you're probably sick of hearing it. My mussuranas are excited about your geckos and any babies you might get. They think geckos are tasty They think any reptile baby is tasty... they'd probably even do a number on the bushmaster babies pretty soon.... heh heh heh heh (evil laugh)

Doug T

>>It's a rainy day, I'm caught up on office work at the wildlife center, so, I just thought I would see what you all are working with besides Drys. So, I'll kick start it:
>>- Eastern indigos....just can't get them out of my system; still my all time favorite herp
>>- Black headed pythons - a cool python with an indigo personality
>>- tri-colored hognose snakes - coolest hog on earth
>>- rubber boas - just because!
>>- gila monsters - my all time favorite lizard
>>- bushmasters (L. stenophrys)- the scariest snakes I have ever worked with....a pissed of bushy is a very humbling experience
>>- eastern massasaugas (S. catenatus)- our most precious rattlesnake in the U.S and my favorite rattler....in my opinion
>>- grand canyon rattlers (C. abyssus)- a bright pink abyssus is one of the neatest rattlers on earth
>>- Midget faded rattlers (C. concolor)- fell in love with them when I first read Carl Kaufeld's book
>>- Arizona Black rattlers (C. cerberus)- just a real impressive rattler
>>- Tiger Rattler (C. tigris) - was my first rattler that I caught in Arizona and I've been hooked every since
>>- australian knob tailed geckos (N.levis) - COOL gecko with big deer-like eyes....guys, these are lady magnets (the puppies of the reptile world!)
>>- Henkel's leaf tailed geckos - bizarre, funky, weird gecko that is a blast to watch and work with
>>- Western Fox Snakes: my favorite colubrid of N.E. Illinois; one of the most underrated colubrids as pets (and my favorite)
>>- Smooth Green Snakes: pretties snake of my region; nothing is prettier than a brilliant green snake
>>WISH LIST PROJECT: 1) Gray's Monitors!! We are trying to raise some funds to acquire a small group that has become available. 2) Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata)...just a cool snake native to my area that has disappeared 3)Kirtland's Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)...another native that I don't think has been successfully bred in captivity
>>
>>Nothing like having some focus in a breeding program eh?! Lets here what you all are into!
>>
>>Rob Carmichael, Curator
>>The Wildlife Discovery Center
>>Lake Forest, IL
>>-----
>>Rob Carmichael, Curator
>>The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
>>Lake Forest, IL

Doug, those geckos would be one expensive meal! I can't wait to see the mussies I got from you grow up. Their appetite is really kicking in full gear (a big thanks to my keeper Gavin Brink for spending a lot of time with them)....a full grown mussie would definitely do a number on a young bushmaster but they better not miss their target. I definitely have a Mad. Tree Boa on my wish list (I'm jealous too!). Once our beadeds grow up we'll have to talk about sex ratios and perhaps a swap depending on what each of us have.

>>I'm stuck at work and taking a break from work so what better time to post....This years proj':
>>
>>Eastern Indigos-See Robs comments
>>
>>Black head pythons-Again, see Rob's comments
>>
>>Mussuranas-Super cool constricting colubrid
>>
>>Madagascar Tree Boas-A viper like head and as mellow as you could want.
>>
>>Beaded Lizards-probably too soon and I don't even know if I have a true pair.
>>
>>Rob, I am jealous about the bushmasters... you already know that though and you're probably sick of hearing it. My mussuranas are excited about your geckos and any babies you might get. They think geckos are tasty They think any reptile baby is tasty... they'd probably even do a number on the bushmaster babies pretty soon.... heh heh heh heh (evil laugh)
>>
>>Doug T
>>
>>
>>>>It's a rainy day, I'm caught up on office work at the wildlife center, so, I just thought I would see what you all are working with besides Drys. So, I'll kick start it:
>>>>- Eastern indigos....just can't get them out of my system; still my all time favorite herp
>>>>- Black headed pythons - a cool python with an indigo personality
>>>>- tri-colored hognose snakes - coolest hog on earth
>>>>- rubber boas - just because!
>>>>- gila monsters - my all time favorite lizard
>>>>- bushmasters (L. stenophrys)- the scariest snakes I have ever worked with....a pissed of bushy is a very humbling experience
>>>>- eastern massasaugas (S. catenatus)- our most precious rattlesnake in the U.S and my favorite rattler....in my opinion
>>>>- grand canyon rattlers (C. abyssus)- a bright pink abyssus is one of the neatest rattlers on earth
>>>>- Midget faded rattlers (C. concolor)- fell in love with them when I first read Carl Kaufeld's book
>>>>- Arizona Black rattlers (C. cerberus)- just a real impressive rattler
>>>>- Tiger Rattler (C. tigris) - was my first rattler that I caught in Arizona and I've been hooked every since
>>>>- australian knob tailed geckos (N.levis) - COOL gecko with big deer-like eyes....guys, these are lady magnets (the puppies of the reptile world!)
>>>>- Henkel's leaf tailed geckos - bizarre, funky, weird gecko that is a blast to watch and work with
>>>>- Western Fox Snakes: my favorite colubrid of N.E. Illinois; one of the most underrated colubrids as pets (and my favorite)
>>>>- Smooth Green Snakes: pretties snake of my region; nothing is prettier than a brilliant green snake
>>>>WISH LIST PROJECT: 1) Gray's Monitors!! We are trying to raise some funds to acquire a small group that has become available. 2) Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata)...just a cool snake native to my area that has disappeared 3)Kirtland's Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)...another native that I don't think has been successfully bred in captivity
>>>>
>>>>Nothing like having some focus in a breeding program eh?! Lets here what you all are into!
>>>>
>>>>Rob Carmichael, Curator
>>>>The Wildlife Discovery Center
>>>>Lake Forest, IL
>>>>-----
>>>>Rob Carmichael, Curator
>>>>The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
>>>>Lake Forest, IL
>>
>>
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

3:30 am and someone cannot get snakes out of their mind. Not to keep outing a humble alias...but thank you Rob.

I came in here after feeding and cleaning a few snakes. My Cribo has decided to kick it into Dry feeding mode after a year of whimpy shyness. But the real reason I came in this forum was to see if anyone was possibly talking about Mussuranas.

What a pleasant surprise

Gavin, get some sleep!!...no dozing on the job today

>>3:30 am and someone cannot get snakes out of their mind. Not to keep outing a humble alias...but thank you Rob.
>>
>>I came in here after feeding and cleaning a few snakes. My Cribo has decided to kick it into Dry feeding mode after a year of whimpy shyness. But the real reason I came in this forum was to see if anyone was possibly talking about Mussuranas.
>>
>>What a pleasant surprise
>>
>>
>>
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

When my Eastern Indigos get old enough I will try to breed them.

I hiked across the Grand Canyon many years ago and I was lucky enough to see two Grand Canyon rattlesnakes in the wild. I was impressed by the pink coloring and by their non-agressive nature.

Well, I am not really trying anything this year other than good old fashion Cottonmouths. Hopefully i can get some babies out of P.K. Most of what I keep (GA native) cannot be legally bred so i am focusing on just getting the obscure one's established. The Mud Snakes (normal and anery) are doing great and taking scented rat pinks. Since their prey is also protected in GA, I had no choice. Queens are also on my list as well. I found a nice juvie and an adult a couple months ago, but could not keep them legally. Maybe one will show up at an out of state show.

The permits for breeding couperi just came in recently so I am still trying to find animals and get them approved by DNR. DNR prefers me to get couperi with lineage which can be traced back to GA. I think Bigfoot may have a pair, but finding him is just as hard as GA Locale couperi.

My unicolor will be ready to go next year. Just have to find her a boyfriend.

B W Smith
Southern Reptile Education
www.reptileeducation.com

Others:

Ball Pythons: My first snake was a BP and I love them. I know that some don't like all the BP hype, but I just love the animals. I have a spider male and a pastel female. My goal is to make bumblebees. I could care less if I ever sell one, I just want to make one for myself

BCI: Not sure how long I will be keeping these as they are gonna have some legislation in Ohio that might make it costly.

Corns: Good ole okeetee corn snakes. My 4 year old's buddy is "his" 3 year old yearling corn snake. He's a monster, already 3' and over 250g.
Hardest project.......
Feeding project: Getting these BT Cribo babies to eat something besides feeder fish lol

John