GECKOTIME: Brumation article

My few pennies on brumation here: http://www.geckotime.com/gecko-brumation/

And a previous word on my experience so far with the naultinus grayii here: http://www.geckotime.com/naultinus-grayii-the-northland-green-gecko/

Above is another writing in a British reptile keeping magazine from your's truly! 

WEEK 36!!! This week is getting dedicated to the almighty Ball Python!!

Some question my decision for this week as to why I chose the "ohh so prevalent" ball python? Well, first off, this python has so many color morphs, and color pattern variations that the opportunities are limitless in regards to color schemes and genetic combinations.  And secondly, a HUGE part of the reptile industry is in the trade of this one species, and the Python regius is a multi-million dollar 'pet trade' or more so applicable 'investment species' now-a-days. And of course some of the morphs are hands down just incredible looking, even if you aren't a morph lover. Personally, I am tired of going to a reptile show and walking around to see that 50% of all vendors are ball python breeders, but hey, there must be a massive demand for these guys or those vendors would not continuously be at the shows. Well, here are just a few examples of some basic morphs......

WEEK 35, This week is the Cyrtodactylus elok!!!

OK, so here we go again with the species of the week. And this week after much inquiry and speculation I have nominated the Malaysian Bent-toe gecko as an appropriate candidate to add to the list. This gecko is quite rare in the wild, and also in captivity. The animals in captivity are mostly imports, yet there are a few individuals that have had success in producing some F1 animals and this is really what we need to push for. These geckos are just incredible looking! Their tail is so cool, and their eyes, and pattern are just amazing! A truly voracious predator that likes to predate either in the decaying leaf matter or up on some wood.  It is very interesting how they can cling to the glass of their tanks despite having claws, but they must have toe pads (lamellae) as well. A lot more research needs to be done with this species, and therefore I am trying to raise awareness of these amazing beings here on the RDR blog. Enjoy.....

WEEK 34!!!! Oh, yeah, here we have the 2nd amphibian of the series, Neurergus kaiseri, also commonly referred to as the Kaiser newt!

You know what they say right?  "No newts is good newts!"  But this newt is breaking headlines these days.  These newts grow to about 5 inches, sometimes slightly larger. Their incredible pattern and coloration make them one of the most sought after newts on this earth. They originate in a small section of Iran that is said to be about 10 square Kilometers, and illegal pet trade markets have turned them to an endangered specie which is listed as a CITES I animal!  If you aren't aware, this CITES listing makes their international transportation extremely tricky and very regulated. Animals can be set up either in an aquatic fashion or in a terrestrial like enclosure with hides. My animals enjoy eating black worms, bloodworms, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, fruit flies and their larvae, pin head crickets, maggots, and of course krill.  When they get a bit larger I will offer them little earthworms and it would be nice to even get them on pellets. 

WEEK 33!!! 19 left after this one! This week I'm presenting you with a primitive specie of gecko the Aeluroscalabotes felinus/dorsalis a.k.a. the cat gecko

Well, these are some interesting creatures right here, that's for sure. These animals come from several different areas including, but possibly not limited to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Thailand, and I believe Cambodia as well. This being the case there are several phenotypical variances between the animals from certain locales and there is also some talk about this specie being separated into several rather than just the one, but I am no expert on scientific nomenclature so let's just move on with all that here-say as it is neither here nor there. Right here, right now, we are concentrating on some broad, and general info on the species, and more importantly, yes indeed, you guessed it, some pictures.  Well, from the little I know of these geckos, there are a few variations in the size of the animal, as well as the pattern, and the eye color.  The two that command respect and special recognition are the rare Johor silver eyed, and an animal which is a bit larger than the average cat geckos, the Borneo green eyed variety. All of these animals are very unique, not only in their appearance (prehensile, curled tails, the way they sleep like a house cat, and their retractable claws) but in their slow movements, and their behavior in general. They are for me a cool little project that I am always looking to learn more on and for that reason they are here on the countdown....enjoy the pics!!!

WEEK 32 already? This week is another African gecko....Colopus kochi !

OK, so you question what is this whole African gecko thing that's going on over here at the Raw Dog Ranch you say? Well, simply answered it comes down to the fact that I have had my eye on these animals for a while, and have decided to branch out from the traditional Aussie species which is really getting me amped up!!! I call these guys the snoop-dogs (or snoop doggy dogs for all you old school cats out there ;) of the gecko world! You may think, hmmmm, why would the O-dog call these that? The fact here is as follows: One, this gecko is a tall and lanky like snoop, and two, they are African-American!  Just kidding ;)  And three, they seem to walk with a swagger which shows attitude, and they are from the desolate, abandoned gravel fields of the namib where they are adequately evolved to live in such a harsh terrain, similar to the ghetto of the Long Beach projects. The ghostly appearance of these geckos is absolutely frightening, and since their eggs take anywhere from 1.5 - 2 years to incubate makes them the longest incubating egg species of any reptile!!! 

WEEK 31 !!! This week is another Namibian Gecko God, the red eyed Ptenopus carpi!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR fellow herpers!!!! And Wow, this gecko is simply amazing!!! I just cannot believe how cool of a gecko these are, this is another specie from the Skeleton Coast of Namibia. They come from the desolate, barren landscape also where last weeks highlighted gecko came from. These guys are fairly small and are known for their loud chirps that they shout at night. And without further adieu` . This specimen is a red eyed version of the ptenopus carpi. Enjoy!!!