Author Archive

Posted on June 30, 2010 - by admin

Spencer’s Monitor

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Varanus spenceri or Spencers Monitor

When well fed, spencers monitor can become quite bulky. But when times are lean, Spencers Monitors can tolerate quite severe emaciation. Adults of this species eat lizards, snakes, large insects, and small mammals. Juveniles will eat smaller insects, such as grasshoppers, and small reptiles like geckoes and skinks. Living in the drought-prone Black Soil Plains of arid Australia, these animals have had to become accustomed to a Feast-or-Famine lifestyle – gorging when food is plentiful during a rainy spell, then surviving on their stored fat supplies when the going gets tough. (more…)

Posted on June 29, 2010 - by admin

Spotted Tree Monitor

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Varanus scalaris or Spotted Tree Monitor

This specie is found in northern Australian tropics.

Posted on June 29, 2010 - by admin

Caring For Australian Freshwater Turtles in Captivity

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Freshwater Turtles: An Introduction

Turtles are one of the most appealing animals of the reptile kingdom. There are no “effort free” animals to keep as pets, and freshwater turtles are no exception. Along with the pleasure of owning a turtle comes the responsibility to provide the best possible care for it that you can. Their survival is in your hands! If basic guidelines are followed, then your turtle should thrive in captivity and may even breed for you. Freshwater turtles are renowned for their longevity and provided your pet remains healthy, may live thirty to seventy-five years in your care. This point should be taken into consideration before purchasing freshwater turtles to begin with. You may be choosing a friend for life!

Most Australian freshwater turtles are very timid and shy, but within time will loose their fear and become accustomed to you and will recognise where their food comes from. There are many stories of keepers being amused while watching freshwater turtles in their aquatic enclosures, and some go as far to say that they each freshwater turtles have their own recognizable personalities. (more…)

Posted on June 28, 2010 - by admin

Mertens’ Water Monitor

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Varanus mertensi or Mertens Water Monitor

Mertens Water Monitor is an aquatic lizard. The word goanna is often used for these and other Australian species of lizard with a forked tongue. The word Goanna originates from South America. These monitors love to bask on rocks,
logs, and branches that are overhanging the water. If the animal becomes alarmed, the water is a close and safe haven for the animal to retreat to. Their tail is flat like a paddle, which is used for swimming, and sometimes herding fish into areas that make catching easy. Mertens Water Monitor can remain submerged for up to 30 minutes. (more…)

Posted on June 28, 2010 - by admin

Road Testing Aussie Pythons

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A Short Guide To Snake Selection

Text & Images (except where indicated): Doc Rock

Australian Pythons: Southern Cross Reptiles

Introduction

Since I can remember, the late summer and early autumn months have been traditionally the busiest time for python sales in Australia. It is a period when young newly-bred pythons are starting to feed and breeders are keen to reduce their cleaning and husbandry responsibility by selling the fruits of the last 12 months labour. (more…)

Posted on June 27, 2010 - by admin

Mangrove Monitor

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Varanus indicus or Mangrove Monitor

Did you know…

• The mangrove monitor is one of Australia’s most beautiful goanna species.
• Mangrove monitor live along the coast of northern Australia.
• Mangrove monitor lizards are also found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and the western Pacific islands.
• Mangrove monitor eat fish, crabs, insects, birds, mammals and other reptiles. They will also dig up and eat turtle eggs.
• Female mangrove monitor lizards will lay their eggs in a burrow in soil, or in the rotting centre of a fallen tree. (more…)

Posted on June 27, 2010 - by admin

Keeping Advice Sheet

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Venomous Snakes

• Southern Death Adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) — Maximum length 100 cm. Category 5.
• Desert Death Adder (Acanthophis pyrrhus) — Maximum length 75 cm. Category 5.
• Pilbara Death Adder (Acanthophis wellsi) — Maximum length 70 cm. Category 5.
• Western Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) — Maximum length 160 cm. Category 5.
• Mulga Snake (Pseudechis australis) — Maximum length 300 cm. Category 5.
• Spotted Mulga Snake (Pseudechis butleri) — Maximum length 180 cm. Category 5.
• Dugite (Pseudonaja affinis) — Maximum length 180 cm. Category 5.
• Gwardar (Pseudonaja nuchalis) — Maximum length 100 cm. Category 5.

NOTE: All species listed here are dangerously venomous snakes and are listed as Category 5. only the experienced herpeculturalist should consider keeping any of them. One must be over 18 years of age to hold a Category 5 licence. Maintaining a large elapid carries with it a considerable responsibility. Unless you are confident that you can comply with all your obligations and licence requirements when keeping dangerous animals, then look to obtaining a non-venomous species instead. (more…)

Posted on June 26, 2010 - by admin

Perentie Monitor

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Varanus giganteus or Perentie Monitor

The Perentie Monitor is Australia’s largest, and indeed our largest lizard. Its scientific name, ‘Varanus giganteus’ literally means ‘giant monitor’. As they get to a length of 2.5 metres and a weight of 15 kilograms, it’s easy to see why this name is well deserved. At this size, Perentie monitor lizards are able to prey on animals such as rabbits, and even small kangaroos. Their powerful claws make them a formidable predator. Their strong, whip-like tail can also be used as a weapon. As an aggressive display, a Perentie monitor will distend its neck pouch and make a loud hissing noise. (more…)

Posted on June 26, 2010 - by admin

Care Sheet: Children’s Python

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Introduction on Childrens Python

This care sheet is for beginners and covers the basic maintenance of this group of pythons. You should join your local herpetological society, where you can meet others and obtain more detailed information on the keeping of these pythons.

The term “childrens python” is used to describe a group of small, rock dwelling pythons known as Childrens Python (Antaresia Childreni), Small Blotched Pythons (Antaresia Maculosa) and Large Blotched Pythons or Stimsons Python (Antaresia Stimsoni). Contrary to popular belief these pythons are not known as Children Python because it is the snake for children but because Antaresia Childreni was named after Mr. J.G. Children, an English naturalist. The Eastern Small Blotched Python and Childrens Python are most commonly bred by reptile keepers and hence most readily available, although Stimsons Python is also sometimes available. (more…)

Posted on June 25, 2010 - by admin

Keelback Snakes

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Tropidonophis mairii or Keelback Snakes

Keelback snakes are non-venomous snakes that love to eat frogs, tadpoles and lizards. Unlike most other Australian animals, keelback snakes can eat baby cane toads. They appear to be immune to low doses of cane toad toxin. This species, also know as the freshwater snake is very widespread, and variable in colour. Keelback snakes shelter and forage under debris, especially fallen timber and bushes; under clumps of vegetation, and even in the water. (more…)