Archive for the ‘Australian Reptiles’ Category
Posted on July 27, 2010 - by admin
The Wonderful World of Water Dragons
DISPLAYS THE IMAGE URL SPECIFIED IN THE CUSTOM FIELD
Water Dragons
by Michael Spears
In the fall of 1995, I was browsing at a local pet store that had a rather large selection of reptiles (for small town in Mississippi, that is). There were iguanas, bearded dragons, various common geckos, savannah monitors and large constrictors, but one lizard seemed to beg for my attention. It literally came to the front of the enclosure as if to say, “Please buy me.” It was an interesting lizard, with a roosterlike crest, half inch spines running from the top of the head to almost the end of the stub tail, big eyes and puffy jowls. This was the first time I’d ever seen the magnificent Asian water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus). (more…)
Posted on July 25, 2010 - by admin
Carpet Pythons in Captivity and Nature
DISPLAYS THE IMAGE URL SPECIFIED IN THE CUSTOM FIELD
Carpet Pythons – these Australian beauties weave a spell over all who see them.
Carpet Pythons In The Wild
by Charles Acheson
Australian carpet pythons are unquestionably popular pythons among the general public, and most Australians have at some stage seen one of them in the wild. Usually, these people can recollect seeing one while on holiday – often, unfortunately, as roadkill. Throughout much of Australia, people in the countryside report seeing carpet pythons on ceiling beams in old sheds, in chicken roosts or even draped over their balconies. (more…)
Posted on July 24, 2010 - by admin
Leopards and Beardies
DISPLAYS THE IMAGE URL SPECIFIED IN THE CUSTOM FIELD
Long considered your best bet if you’re a beginner, leopards and beardies remain favorite pets.
By Joe Hiduke and Bill Brant
Younger readers of reptiles may be surprised to know that few captive-bred lizards have been available in the recent past. While there are far more species and specimens available now than there ever have been, those species, that have been with us the longest are still among the best pet reptiles. (more…)
Posted on July 23, 2010 - by admin
Venomous Snakes: Steer Clear
Most Top End’s venomous snakes are not considered deadly.
by Graeme Gow
The northern half of Australia is home to many species whose bite requires medical treatment – so it is wise to steer clear. (more…)
Posted on July 19, 2010 - by admin
Frog In The Throat for Eastern Green Snake
DISPLAYS THE IMAGE URL SPECIFIED IN THE CUSTOM FIELD
It ain’t easy bein’ green – especially when there’s a mother of an eastern green snake hanging off your backside.
Yes this little frog was a dead certainty to croak, but not without a struggle.
He knows instinctively that serpents, particularly the eastern green snake, like to attack from the front and wrap their fangs around the head. Notice how froggie’s got his front toes firmly attached to a reed to prevent the enemy from turning him and getting a head!
Eastern Green Snake and its Struggles
He has also flattened himself out in a last ditch attempt to dissuade the eastern green snake from going ahead with the meal. But the wide-mouthed snake seemed determined to dine on frog in any shape. Anyway the frog didn’t give a stuff after a while when the paralyzing poison of the eastern green snake took effect.
These snakes should come out here and work in a Queensland cane field for a while and see how they like it with a toad in a hole. The eastern green snake don’t know how easy they’ve got it over there in Europe.
Posted on July 19, 2010 - by admin
Ferocious Crocodiles
DISPLAYS THE IMAGE URL SPECIFIED IN THE CUSTOM FIELD
Crocodiles come in different forms but they are pretty all the same, sharp teeth, ugly head, and pretty skin.
Of all the crocodilians including alligators, caimans, garial, false garial and crocodiles, Crocodylus Porosus is the largest. Where do they live? Right here in the land downunder. That’s right; the saltwater or estuarine crocodiles, the world’s largest, still calls Australia home.
We also have the freshwater crocodiles – Crocodylus Johnstoni – taken from the Johnstone river in Queensland where they were discovered. They are called freshies and are less aggressive than the estuarine croc. they feed primarily on fish and some small rodents. No! this does not mean you can walk up and pat them. They live in fresh water, rarely grow over three metres and are basically passive, when left alone. They are unlikely to stalk you, however, will bite if annoyed, threatened or if they have young. (more…)
Posted on July 3, 2010 - by admin
Care Sheet: Water Dragons
DISPLAYS THE IMAGE URL SPECIFIED IN THE CUSTOM FIELD
Introduction
This care sheet is for beginners and covers the basic maintenance of the Eastern Water Dragons (Physignathus leseurii).
You should join your local herpetological society, where you can meet others and obtain more detailed information on keeping these lizards. Water dragons are very hardy animals and one of the best dragons for beginners to keep as long as a few important guidelines are followed. These cover cage size, lighting and diet. (more…)
Posted on July 2, 2010 - by admin
Eastern Bearded Dragons (Pogona Barbata)
DISPLAYS THE IMAGE URL SPECIFIED IN THE CUSTOM FIELD
Eastern Bearded Dragons Care Sheet prepared by Sue Davis
The most important thing to remember if keeping eastern bearded dragons outdoors, is to provide an escape-proof enclosure with plenty of high perches and basking spots, offer plenty of food and let lizards do the rest.
Eastern Bearded Dragons belong to the Agamidae family and average snout to vent length in adults is 25 centimeters. They have a well-developed “beard” and a strongly depressed body. The inside of their mouth is usually bright yellow. There are many colour variations from grey, yellowish-brown, brown, to reddish-brown etc. Mature males develop a dark grey to black beard and a pale green to blue tinge on the forehead. (more…)
Posted on July 1, 2010 - by admin
Eastern Blue Tongue (Tiliqua Scincoides)
DISPLAYS THE IMAGE URL SPECIFIED IN THE CUSTOM FIELD
Eastern Blue Tongue Care sheet prepared by Sue Davis
Blue tongue lizards are native to Australia and New Guinea and will live happily in your backyard and are helpful by eating snails and other pests in the garden. They will eat canned cat food (not fish varieties), soft fruits, tomatoes, apples, mushrooms, chopped green vegetables, mince meat and thawed frozen pinkie mice. They will also lap water from a shallow dish and like a hollow log or similar hide box to hide in. (more…)
Posted on June 30, 2010 - by admin
Spencer’s Monitor
DISPLAYS THE IMAGE URL SPECIFIED IN THE CUSTOM FIELD
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…)
