Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

Two questions for you...

(1) Can anyone recommend a good herp vet in Philadelphia PA? I have a 12 year old uro who needs a thorough check up - I got him before there were easy to find forums and fact sheets, so I admit he didn't always recieve informed care. He seems healthy enough, I just want to have him checked for vitamin deficiencies/metabolic problems, etc.

(2) I've never been completely sure what species I have - from all the pictures i've seen, he looks most like the Mali, but he's completely black (charcoal grey? belly too) except for a single bright yellow freckle that shows up on his hip when he's warmed up. Is this what they're calling the Ebony these days, or is he just unusually dark for a male? Definitely a male though, based on the femoral pores & wax secretion. I got him when he was 4-5 inches head to tail, and even then he never had the typical juvenile coloration. just curious.

I used to live in Allentown, PA and I had a great Vet I used for my Uros for a few years by the name of Michael Wenninger. It looks like he moved practices so he is now north of there. Here is a link to his practice info.

http://www.herpcenter.com/reptile-vet-finder/pennsylvania-reptile-vet-listings-36/michael-wenninger-dvm-94/

Also about your Mali, I have 2 Males that I have had for at least 7 years. Both were high color and pattern yellow years ago and now are both completely black. One has a faint yellow stripe pattern and the other one is all black. I have a current photo of Lestat below who is all black now. That said I have a 3rd male who was kept at all the same temps, conditions etc and he has kept his yellow pattern. I actually have him about a year longer then the others.

My female malis have all maintained their colors though.