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2007 REPTILES Article Index

An index of all the articles that appeared in REPTILES magazine during the year 2007.

Reptiles Magazine 1111
September 2009 Editor's Note
2013 REPTILES Article Index

Ask the Breeder

January: Scarlet Snakes and Anole Crossings: Scarlets can be tough to feed and thus breed. Avoid attempting to hybridize anole species.

February: Great Golden Geckos and Common Musks: Goldens can be tough to reproduce. Don't let the name fool you; stinkpots are wonderful turtles.

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March: Gray Treefrogs and Gecko Hybrids: These anurans are readily breedable in captivity. Hybridizing species is not recommended.

April: Louisiana Pines, Chinese Alligators: Louisiana offers minimal protection for ruthveni. Hobbyists should not expect to keep highly endangered herps.

May: Gray-Band Phases, Fire-Belly Breeding: What happens when a Blair's phase crosses with an alterna phase? These toads require cooling.

June: Different-Sized Mates, Hybrid Turtles: Will a female Cal king make a meal of her smaller mate? Can these box turtles be housed together without mating?

July: Nile Monitors, Fat-Tails: Nile monitors are difficult to sex and to reproduce due to their size and aggressiveness. Breeding fat-tails is straightforward.

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August: Carpet Pythons and Anacondas: Are the carpet pythons all one species? What's involved in breeding these giant snakes?

September: Environmental Factors, Sexing Sulcatas: Does providing better captive conditions improve breeding success? Can hatchlings be sexed?

October: Green Anoles and "No-Eyed" Turtles: How do you successfully reproduce anoles? What's the fascination with turtles without eyes?

November: "Carpondros" and Fence Lizards: Is this python hybrid real? How do you reproduce blue bellies?

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December: Grass Lizards and Jeweled Lacertas: Long-tailed grass lizards are a challenge to breed. Baby lacertas are fairly delicate.


Breeder's Choice

January: Tiger coastal carpet python.

February: Sunset boa.

March: Tiger-jaguar carpet python.

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April: Canary green tree python.

May: Albino red-footed tortoise.

June: Sun-tiger het albino reticulated python.

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July: Hypomelanistic boa.

August: White Out fat-tailed gecko.

September: Tiger double het albino and genetic stripe reticulated python.

October: Hypomelanistic Brazilian rainbow boa.

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November: Bearded dragon twins.

December: T-negative albino green iguana.


Herpetological Queries

January: Snake Locality, Unusual Bipes Dietary Fare: Herpers record their animals' origins to trace bloodlines. Worm lizards will eat fruits and grains.

February: Pyramiding, Albinism in Salamanders: Is a little protein OK for tortoises? Do albino salamanders occur?

March: Outer Banks Kingsnake, "Pet" Snakes: What makes this form different from L. getula? Snakes may be pets, but they still act on instinct.

April: Conservation Via Captive Breeding, Dead Snake: Why don't all reptile shows ban imports? What killed this corn?

May: Sexing Tips, Insurance Nightmare: Use the "notch technique" to discover the sex of your tortoise. Some insurance companies are canceling herpers' policies.

June: Colorful Survival Strategies, Macrocephaly: Snakes use their colors to their advantage. Some turtles display sexual dimorphism with enlarged heads.

July: Mistaken Boa, Scarred Herps: The Central American tree boa is the drab cousin of the Amazon tree boa. Herps are not deterred from mating by a specimen's old scars.

August: Sexing Snakes, American Crocodiles: Probing requires minimal pressure to be successful. These crocs are being reclassified as threatened.

September: Best Hot Collections, Burm Future: A variety of U.S. zoos have specialized in hots. More states are moving to restrict big constrictors.

October: White Ball Pythons, DOR Turtles: Several white morphs are on the market. Drivers increasingly kill herps on roads.

November: Disappearing Amphibians, Amel Sulcatas: Many factors contribute to the decline of frogs and toads. Have albino spurred tortoises ever been bred?

December: Wild Green Iguanas, Gator Turtles: What effect do feral iguana populations have? Were alligator snappers present in South Florida?


Into the Wild

January: Six Days in Two Valleys: Spring break in Southern California yields a variety of herps for this amateur field herper.

February: Quest for Giants: A globe-trotting herper joins an expedition in search of Rhacodactylus leachianus in the New Caledonian islands.

March: South African Snake Hunt: A native son returns to his homeland in search of pythons, mambas, cobras and more.

April: Catching the Drift: A veteran herper is called in to help with a drift-fence survey on a Florida wildlife preserve.

May: Searching for the Arroyo: The endangered arroyo toad endures in out-of-the-way California strongholds.

June: Trekking in the Namib: Peringuey's vipers and web-footed geckos abound in this ancient desert region.

July: The Brown Snakes of West Philly: These humble little snakes are true survivors in an urban setting.

August: Island Herp Adventure: A relaxing trip to Puerto Rico yields boas, coquí frogs and iguanas.

September: "Not Far" Herps: A seasoned traveler discovers how far he's willing to go to find Malagasy reptiles.

October: Desert Oasis: A hunt for scarce desert amphibians reveals a surreal surprise.

November: Worth Every Minute: Two herpers try to find nine California garter snake species in six days.

December: A Standout Safari: Herp hunters scare a baboon, catch snakes and spot frogs in South Africa.


Living With Reptiles

January: Change for the Better: A rescued veiled chameleon loses his grumpy edge and gains a friend.

February: Friends, Indeed: Her pals are afraid of her reptiles, but she says pythons are a girl's best friend.

March: One Perfect Day: A family trip to the New Jersey Pine Barrens yields surprise after surprise.

April: A Tortoise Tale: The memory of this scarred chelonian saved from the marketplace lives on.

May: Lizard Accidents: Quick wits helped this herp fan keep her western collared lizard alive.

June: Go "Setzlerman": A Texas science teacher has some fun while saving onlookers from a bullsnake.

July: Catch of the Day: A vacationing 14-year-old boy fishing off a dock nets more than he expected.

August: Herp Makeover: A basement eyesore becomes a haven.

September: Saving Sandy: One Illinois family helps its pet bearded dragon through a respiratory infection.

October: A Fired Up Kid: A Canadian boy's birthday present teaches him about the natural world.

November: A "Snow" Garter: A Maine herper finds at least one snake living up to the term "cold blooded."

December: Hello Freedom: A patient and resourceful four-spotted day gecko lives up to its name.


News from the Reptile Realm

January: Zoo Med Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary; California Pet Store Bill Vetoed at Last Minute; Rare Endangered Iguana Displayed; Crocodiles, STDs and Human Antibiotics; Snake Slows Traffic in Pennsylvania; Vietnam Vets Vs. Cane Toads; Distinguished Biology Professor Dies; T-Rex's Calci-Sand Turns 10; A New Name? Crikey!; Reptile Skins Seized.

February: Snakebite Research + Sri Lanka Trip = Fun; Cal Zoo Celebrates 30 Years; Mexican Garter Snake Denied Protection; Gila Saliva Is the New Wonder Drug; Lizard Whisperer Hits the Big Time; Jurassic "Monster" Fossil Found in Norway; Illinois to Restrict Reptile Imports; Save the Yellow-Legged Frog!; Croc Smuggler's Plan Is Foiled; Bindi, the Jungle Girl Debuts in January. 

March: Big Apple Foundation Raises Big Bucks; Cricket Farm Chirps Its 60th Birthday; Iguana Removal Considered in Florida; Gatorland Burns – and Reopens; Homeless Herper Seeks Shelter; Mark Bayless Remembered; An Exhibit Gone to the Frogs; A "Blob" of a Frog; EPA Helps Red-Legged Frog; Python Breeder on the Late Show.

April: Turtle Conference Expands to Four Days; Herp Website Reaches Half-Million Mark; Humans Could Be Turtles' Worst Enemy; Rarity Might Be a Double-Edged Sword; Single Snake Stymies Retail Giant; Global Warming and Extinction Linked; A Corporation That Loves Crocodiles; Amnesty Day; California Zoo Raising Endangered Frog; Study Suggests Evolutionary Fast Lane.

May: Commission Considers Exotic Pet Regulations; Lorica Gets Award; Mateless Komodo Dragon Reproduces; Extremely Rare Gecko Spotted; Gassy Sea Turtle Attracts Attention; Boys Help Snake Become State Reptile; Fork Tongue Quake Forecasting; National Frog Month; Super Salamanders.

June: Fluker's Accessories Go to Sun Seed Company; Exo Terra Announces Nactus Award Winner; Granddad Wrestles Anaconda Over Boy; Amphibian Ark to Battle Deadly Fungus; Aroused Male Iguana Gets Clipped; Remembering a Reptile Promoter; Zoo Hatches Northern Spider Tortoises; New Legless Amphibian Discovered; The Reptiles of Earl.

July: Hagen Gets Direct; Monsters to Be at the F.I.R.Expo; States Relaxing Alligator Restrictions; Taipan Species Discovered in Outback; Bag of Bufo Rewarded With Brews; Two-Headed Reptile Fossil Unearthed; Marine Turtles Have Internal Compass; Herp Crossing Guard; Political Pond Jumping.

August: Texas Considering Snake Permits; R-Zilla Best in Show; Bayou State Bringing Down the Ban?; Report: Official Overrode Scientists; Well-Traveled Snake Reunited; The Secret to Treefrog Stickiness; Loosing Limbs the Natural Way; Snake Rediscovered After a Century; American Venomous Snakes Illustrated.

September: New Turtle Harvesting Regulations in Texas; Herp Conservationists Recognized for Work; Florida Paving Over Gopher Tortoises; Experts Catch a Smooth Alligator; Turtle Swallowed by Dog Survives; Iguana Home Is Where the Heart Is; Nowhere to Run, Hop or Crawl; Pet Lizard Murdered; Salamanders Offer Glimpse Into the Past; "Harmless" Snake Kills.

October: Exhibiting Killer Looks; A Budding Herper; Hot Temperatures Make "Males" Females; CITES Announces Wildlife Trade Changes; Assault With a Deadly Snake; Adventurous Tortoise Takes a Trip; Floating Reminder of the Smuggling Trade; Snake Cult-ure; New Limbless Lizard?; Georgia Ecology Lab Staff Cut in Half.

November: Texas Snake Breeders Win Book Award; Zilla Wins 15 Awards; Florida Bans Common Pet Turtle; 2008 to Tackle Amphibians' Fate; Gas Goes in and Snake Comes out; Geckos and Mussels Inspire "Glue"; Pesticide Approval Irks Conservationists; Flushed Snake Found; Squamates Exhibit Coming to Houston.

December: Three-Day Permit Passes in Louisiana; ZuPreem Funds Pain-Relief Research; $15 K Raised for Bog Turtle Conservation; Gila Monster Saliva Is a Heal-ah; Famous Alligator Has Another Caper; Remembering Herpetologist Peter Vogel; Resigned Official's Decisions Reviewed; Habitats Via Satellite; Jurassic Croc Surfaces.


Reptile Retailer Spotlight

January: Prehistoric Pets, Fountain Valley, California.

February: LLLReptile and Supply Company, Oceanside and Escondido, California.

March: Regal Reptiles, Providence, Rhode Island.

April: Chicago Reptile House, Orland Park, Illinois.

May: Hoffer's Tropical Life Pets, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

June: Serpent Safari, Gurnee, Illinois.

July: East Bay Vivarium, Berkeley, California.

August: Exotic Pets, Las Vegas, Nevada.

September: Pets To Go, Elk Grove, California.

October: Incredible Pets, Melbourne, Florida.

November: Prehistoric Pets, Chino, California.

December: Twin Cities Reptiles, St. Paul, Minnesota.


The Turtle Chronicles

January: Keeled Box Turtles: Active and curious, these rare turtles need large pens.

February: Northern Redbellies: Big and beautiful, these turtles require lots of space.

March: Pangshura Turtles: Tent and roofed turtles are now rare in the pet trade.

April: Matty and Maddie: This pair of radiated tortoises goes back a long way.

May: Six-Tubercled Amazon River Turtle: This side-neck is widespread throughout the Amazon.

June: Spotted Turtle: These spotted beauties tend to stay small in size.

July: West African Mud Turtle: Although drab in color, these turtles are quite hardy.

August: Spiny Turtle: These turtles are truly distinctive but hard to acclimate.

September: Cagle's Map Turtle: This little map turtle is one of the most attractive.

October: Alligator Snapper: These turtles have an impressive size and bite.

November: Escambia Map Turtle: Like most map turtles, this one doesn't disappoint.

December: The Matamata: Odd in appearance and behavior, this is one bizarre turtle.


Veterinarian Q&A

January: Splitting Scutes, Fecal Checks: Separating scutes can be a sign of serious illness. Fecal exams are needed if feeding iffy food items.

February: Chameleon Eye Problems: Herps that refuse to open their eyes might have larger overall health issues.

March: Swollen Eyelid, Veterinary Care Cost: Swollen and cloudy eyes might reveal greater health problems.

April: Treating Abscesses and Mucoceles: These cystlike lumps form due to pathogens or substances becoming embedded in tissues.

May: Intestinal and Other Forms of Prolapse: Prolapses caught early are treatable and should always be considered a medical emergency.

June: Scale Rot and Mites: Mites can carry bacteria that cause sepsis, leading to massive infection.

July: Anorexia Signals Other Problems: From husbandry issues to medical conditions, many factors can contribute to a herp's lack of appetite.

August: Advancing Herp Medicine: Reptile vets have to go to extra lengths to prepare for treating herps.

September: Improper Shedding: Shedding problems, including retained eye caps, usually result from husbandry deficiencies.

October: Diagnosing and Treating NSHP: This disease results from husbandry and dietary deficiencies, including lack of vitamin D and calcium.

November: A No-Win Situation: Sometimes pet herps die, even when all involved do their best.

December: Senior Herps: Although part of the aging process, weight loss and inactivity are also signs of many illnesses.


Who's Who in REPTILES

January: Jerry G. Walls: This prolific Louisiana author shares his extensive herp knowledge with readers.

February: Bill Brant: This Florida business owner and political activist is still a snake guy at heart.

March: Mark O'Shea: This explorer and herper works to make a difference through venom research.

April: Whit Gibbons: A dedicated scientist, educator and reptile and amphibian conservationist.

May: Clyde Peeling: He built a zoo for reptile lovers like you.

June: Emmanuel Van Heygen: This Dutch explorer and researcher made his name with day geckos.

July: Ron Tremper: An innovative zoo professional turns into a successful reptile breeder.

August: Joe Marek: This president hugs herps, not babies.

September: Bob and Sheri Ashley: Love the one you work with.

October: Gary Bagnall: Innovative from the start.

November: Tell Hicks: This British painter is a natural – ist.

December: Russ Gurley: This turtle and tortoise breeder forges ahead in herpkeeping's newest frontier.


Features

January: 2006 Anaheim North American Reptile Breeders Conference and Trade Show; Gone to Uganda; The Emperor Strikes Back (Boa constrictor imperator); A Portrait of the Artist as a Herp Fan (Carl Pieter Brest van Kempen); Top Geckos (McIlwraith leaftail); REPTILES' 2006 Article Index; Species Profile: Chaco Tortoise.

February: Tomistoma's Last Chance; Peach-Throat Monitors; The Living Vivarium Series: Build Your Own Aquatic Habitat; A Misunderstood Snake: the Children's Python; The Lampropeltis Legend; Cuts From the 2006 Cutting Edge Reptile Contest; Species Profile: Chinese Fire-Bellied Newt.

March: Breeding Notes on the Spotted Pond Turtle; The Moorish Gecko; Australia's Tiger Snakes; Snakes in Medicine: From the Greeks to the FDA; Checking in at the Chicago NARBC; The REPTILES Ultimate Herpkeeper Contest; Curious Cone-Heads (lizard); Species Profile: Schneider's Skink; Treasure Islands (Bocas del Toro Archipelago).

April: Herp Conservation Organizations; Sea Turtle Survival; Big Lizards, Big Problems; Species Profile: San Francisco Garter Snake; Look Who's Going to Gabon!; Understanding the Acronyms; Manouria, Tigers and Bears … Oh My!

May: The Mad Tortoise Tour; Remember Rhinocheilus; Lighting for Our "Solar-Powered" Pets; Species Profile: Dragon Agama; The Living Vivarium Series: Tortoise Territory; Skinks With a Shimmer (Solomon Island iridescent ground skink).

June: Timber Trip of a Lifetime (timber rattlesnakes); Charismatic Crested Geckos; Herpesvirus and Testudo; Arabian and Saharan Sand Boas; Species Profile: Shingleback Skink; The Asian Box Turtles.

July: The Incredible, Edible … Worm!; Black Magic (black pine snake); Keeping and Breeding Clown Treefrogs; The Hydration Equation; Species Profile: Pig-Nosed Turtle; The Argus Monitor; Bring 'Em on Home; The Mussurana: Snake-Eaters of the Tropics.

August: Raising the Titan (Aldabra tortoise); Cool Chameleons (four-horned chameleons); Ultimate Herpkeeper Unveiled; Innovative Incubation; Herpetoculture: From Hobby to Business; Species Profile: Mangrove Snake; Genetics 101.

September: Rockin' Rankin's (dragons); REPTILES Goes to Texas; Carapace or Canvas? (painted turtle); Prevention and Treatment of Gout; The Living Vivarium Series: Tropical Getaway; Seeking the Ring-Necked Snake; Species Profile: The Tiger Salamanders.

October: Keeping and Breeding Leucistic Puff-Faced Water Snakes; 15th Anniversary Contest; We're Fine. How's Bayou?; Down the Mighty Amazon; Five-Lined Skinks: Scorpion Lizards of the Southeast; 15 Years of Sophistication; True Leaf Mimics (Solomon Island leaf frogs); Species Profile: Costa Rican Bird Snake.

November: "Dodo Island" Interlude (Mauritius); Blood Pythons: Past and Present; IHS Hits "Hogtown"!; A Look at the Genus Ctenosaura; Reptile Prolapses; Species Profile: Gray Treefrog.

December: Your Guide to Uros (Uromastyx); All Hail the Sailfin Dragon; Brookesia in Captivity; Species Profile: Fan-Footed Gecko; Captivating Giants (Solomon Islands prehensile-tailed skink); The Living Vivarium Series: Painted Desert. REPTILES