Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So.. Today a friend of mine gave me a copy of the Alterna Reptiles magazine we discussed a few days ago.

The aticle is titled Breeding Gray Banded Kingsnakes, and as we suspected it was written by the Merker's.. The segment is kind of short 2 pages including 4 photos and a few advertisments, but at least alterna got some play in a herp magazine.. In my opinion it's been WAY too long!

~ Mike Russo

Even though I know squat about breeding Gray Bands, I agree about it being a pretty vague article. In my opinion, most of their breeder/keeping articles are very vague and missing key husbandry tips. I'm guessing that they cut alot out to save space because there have been some accomplished breeders writing the articles so I'm sure its the editor. I have been a subscriber to Reptiles from the very beginning and I have to say that the magazine in my opinion, went down the drain big time. I almost pulled the plug on the subscription a few times now. Just my opinion though. Anyway Mike, you should write the next one, LOL. Mike Panichi
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honesty is my only policy

Mike,
Dell (terryd) and I have been discussing this very issue for some time now. It seems like all of the articles in REPTILES have been "dumbed up" in the last few years, and I've seen some blatant misinformation published. If not for the eye-candy effect it has, I'd pull my subscritpion, too.

On another note, how are the pales?

-Cole

Wow is it funny to hear someone else say that. I have been [bleep]in and complaining to my wife for a few years now about that magazine. And you are one hundred percent right.......if it werent for a few pages of good photos, it would be gone already. I liken it to the kids magazine called Highlights. Its really formatted the same way. I have written letters which were never answered. Maybe this year I will pull the plug. Anway, the Pales are great. At least we have the forums to get some info. Thanks alot. Mike Panichi
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honesty is my only policy

And take a few steps to either bring it up with the detail it is missing or just shift all the way to something cheap but shiny.
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___________________________
Herp Conservation Unlimited

I haven't bought very many issues over the past few years. I was wondering if they've done a reader survey lately. I do like the magazine, but don't find that much applies to me. It's neat, for example, to read about some exotic species that only a three people in the US are working with. But unless I'm planning on becoming the fourth person to work with that species, the article is of little use to me. It seems to me that quite a few articles focus on things like that and not on information that is of value to the mid-level herper (which I'm guessing is their target demo).
What do you guys think?
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1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Girlfriend, Caucasius Mexicana, Fiancee Phase

It is neat to see herps that are considered rare from time to time. Something you don't see in the average pet shop. But a majority of the articles should apply to "average herpers" with colubrids, boids, pythons, turtles, frogs, etc...

Even though I don't have one (anymore) I really liked the article about uromastyx.

Best Wishes,

Steven

I think my favorite article was last year's about buying herps at expos and safely transporting them.
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1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Girlfriend, Caucasius Mexicana, Fiancee Phase

Reptiles Magizine seems like it has been going down hill the past few years, I was glad to see the articles and photos on gray-banded kings, seems like the first article in a while that I've read. I usually just thumb through, and nothing as caught my eye in quite awhile,so I just end up throwing it on the shelf. I don't think I'll reorder when my subscription is up in 2009 and I've been subsribing for about 5yrs.

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R.Bichlers Colubrids
http://www.webspawner.com/users/rbichler/index.html

In the article, it basically says that Alterna are easy. Hatchlings are easy to deal with etc... I disagree with that statement. Hatchlings are not easy to get feeding, this is what makes them challenging. If you happen to collect one from the wild it does not always adapt and may never feed well.

I think it would have been more accurate for the article to advertise them as... "Alterna A Worthy Challenge For The True Reptile Enthusiast". With statements like, "Hatchlings may be difficult and require patience to get feeding..."

Just my .02

Best Wishes,

SXO792

I'll definitely take a look at this issue.

On the whole, though, I don't really see what niche the magazine fits into. Most of the species they feature are way too rare or exotic for the novice, while the majority of the information is a bit too basic for more advanced keepers. I did enjoy it quite a bit a few years ago when I was in my 20s. I guess I'm more interested in practical information, like some of Bob Clark's articles over the years. A good comprehensive article (or series) on genetics (basics, advanced, specific morphs/combos by species) would be handy. The latest info on popular species and subspecies would be nice, as well as healthy debates/discussions (such as whether brumation is necessary for successful breeding, and how different species may differ in this regard). A "Build your own habitat" section would be cool, with plans for racks, terrariums, cages, etc.
Perhaps even a color-coding system throughout the mag to tell herpers, at a glance, what level of experience each article is meant for.
Personally, I've probably gotten more information from the forums and articles on this site and related sites than I've ever gotten from Reptiles magazine.
I'm not trying to dis the magazine--I do buy it sometimes--just sharing my thoughts.

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1.1.0 Hondurans Het Amel
1.1.0 Hondurans Anery, Het Hypo
0.1.0 Honduran Hypo
0.2.0 Pueblans
1.0.0 Thayeri MSP
0.0.1 GBK Blair's Phase
1.0.0 California King
0.0.1 Speckled King WC
0.0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1.0 Ball, Normal
0.0.1 Sulcata
0.1.0 Girlfriend, Caucasius Mexicana, Fiancee Phase

I read with great interest all of the comments on this thread. To answer some of your concerns, our article on Breeding Gray-banded Kingsnakes was written for the majority of people working with this species. Our guidelines for the article were to keep the article under 1250 words. This makes it difficult to discuss in great detail the mechanisms for captive propagation of Lampropeltis alterna. That said, the techniques we outlined in the article, although not specific in some of your eyes, are strategies we have employed for the past 30 seasons. Over the years, we have produced hundreds of baby Gray-banded Kingsnakes using the exact strategies discussed in this article. I am virtually positive that 90 % of the people breeding L. alterna employ similar strategies in their breeding programs. Like most people working with this species, we are continually working on new techniques, such as Vitamin D3 supplementation, to see if breeding success is enhanced. We did not have enough information at the time the article was submitted to include this information, although preliminary results indicate it may be a very good strategy. If, as was stated by some of you, we left out some major breeding strategy, please let me know and I promise it will be in the next article!

I would also like to address one of the false comments made by people on this thread. At no point did we state that baby L. alterna are easy to keep. I re-read the article to make sure that we did not make that statement. If you still believe that was stated in the article, I suggest that you to re-read the article carefully and you will see our implication of the difficult nature of raising baby Gray-banded Kingsnakes. I agree that L. alterna may be difficult as babies; the strategies we outlined in the article are ones we use to get most of the babies feeding.

Finally, like it or not, Reptiles Magazine is the only widely published reptile and amphibian magazine for hobbyists published in the United States. At one time, there were up to four different magazines; one by one, they all succumbed to low readership. The magazine is an ally when it comes to pointing out new laws counterproductive to all of our interests. I know HCU is also there for us, but the more “tools” in our arsenal, the more likely we will be able to continue keeping herps legally. If you feel you have something to offer, submit an article….Thanks a lot for the comments; I really do appreciate them! gmerker

What is a comment... It is an opinion about something, story or otherwise.

Here is a definition pulled from the first weblink during a google on "Define Comment".

Definitions of comment on the Web:

remark: a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief; "from time to time she contributed a personal comment on his account"

With this said, it is inaccurate to say "False Comment". The comment was made by me, and was a true opinion of what I took from the story.

The best thing to do is for everyone to read the article and form their own opinion. I encourage everyone to read reptiles magazine. If that magazine goes by the wayside, then we are left with nothing.

You will still hear me say "Thanks" to G. Merker for a good article.

Best Wishes,

SXO792

I just got my copy today in the mail. I have only browsed the article but I did notice on page 31 there is a little "Info" bubble at the bottom which says "Feeding graybands is rarely a problem, especially with the adults. A mouse diet is good for maintaining good body weight for adult L. alterna, and most feed readily on the rodents."
I think they were probably paraphrasing? I can see how that might be a bit misleading to a newbie. I think reptiles is a very good publication but it does lack some of the nuances and details, and takes a less personal approach than the Vivarium of old.

I am glad you saw the same thing. Not trying to dis anyone, especially not G. Merker.

Just givin the ol'e dos centavos.

Steven

I have not seen the article yet, so my post is based only on my personal experience with alterna over the past 15 years or so. Like most of you, I fight with a few stubborn feeders every year get them all feeding. After many years of doing this - I gave up the fight. Of course, I try them all on pinks first. If they do not feed by the third attempt, I go straight to mediteranian gecko. They are all over my house, my friends houses, my families houses...they are everywhere. Several years ago I started putting out hollowed out gords with damp spagnum moss inside. I place them in my garage and storage buildings or anywhere I see a dark spot. They lay eggs all summer long in these gords and I collect and hatch them. I freeze 200-400 a year as hatchlings. If I get an alterna that refuses to eat mice - they get geckos until they switch over on their own - usually after hibernation. I also hibernate babies that are tough or lizard feeders. They almost always come out of hibernation feeding on mice - usually live pinks at first. There are ALWAYS a few that just will not feed. They die. Not much you can do about it. One thing I see often is that an alterna that eats lizards grows bigger and faster than many on mice. Again, an observation - not written in stone. I no longer scent pinks. I have also collected alterna that never would eat mice unless you catch those little tribal mice you see on the roads at night while collecting. An alterna that will only eat lizards and is wild caught - will always eat those little tribal mice from the wild. It has something to do with their scent because I have also scented white mice with these wild ones and the alterna ate it.

As for Reptiles Magazine - they are good, but they spread the articles too thin - like the alterna article that was limited to 1250 words. You cannot begin to even get into alterna in 1250 words. And while I apllaude Mr. Merker's effort - his hands were tied from the word go ! Reptiles Magazine should trim the fat, make fewer articles longer and more informative. If they don't - they may go the way of the other mags.

gtrslinger:

This is very good information....I too have had the occasional wild-caught alterna not feed on domesticated mice (actually 2/50 or so)....the first, was an animal from Sanderson. Rick Staub suggested I try frozen, then thawed mice on him. The trick worked and that animal fed on those for another nine years until he died of old age. The second is my Hueco alterna from three years ago. This animal steadfastly feeds only on lizards. Last summer, I discovered he would readily feed on Peromyscus mice. I am pretty sure I will be able to switch him over to domesticated mice once I find some more young Peromyscus mice. I am wondering if the mice you are referring to are also deer mice.

As for the word limitation, I am pretty sure I could have expanded to more words. I just didn't ask to be honest with you....the article addresses breeding basics...and I felt 1250 words would be enough...

Thanks for the input....gmerker

The mice he's referring to could be either deer mice or pocket mice . . . regardless, native wild mice typically "smell right" whereas domestic "house mice" don't always.

Troy