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Chat Week on Kingsnake.com ******************** MichaelRalbovsky: Are we ready to go? AskMichael: Michael is the owner/founder of Rainforest Retile Shows is one of the few people who have worked w/aa 23 crocodilians - Welcome Michael and lets get started AskMichael: Whats the population status of Crocodylus siamensis in the wild? MichaelRalbovsky: Its status in the wild is critically endangered...there are lots in farms and zoological ... between 2000 and 2500 maybe...a rough estimate. MichaelRalbovsky: next AskMichael: hat was it like working with Gomek MichaelRalbovsky: It was the most unbelievable experience anyone could have. MichaelRalbovsky: He was personality plus and I could talk about him all night. MichaelRalbovsky: YOu can't describe in words how beautiful and awesome this animal was. MichaelRalbovsky: next AskMichael: Whats the largest clucth of eggs you have ever had MichaelRalbovsky: It was 72 eggs out of a large, old female alligator MichaelRalbovsky: next AskMichael: micheal how was your drop of gators in florida did it go well this is chris MichaelRalbovsky: All were tested negative for disease and shipped to St.Augustine. MichaelRalbovsky: Alligator Park. MichaelRalbovsky: next AskMichael: how many alligator fatalities are there in the US every year MichaelRalbovsky: what exactly do you mean? MichaelRalbovsky: by car? MichaelRalbovsky: by what...exactly? jeffb: I think human fatalities AskMichael: Michael I think means human from 'gators MichaelRalbovsky: since 1948 when records were kept there have been 17 deaths that have been recorded. MichaelRalbovsky: there are alot of bites each year, but not alot of deaths MichaelRalbovsky: next AskMichael: What should I do if I find an alligator in my back yard MichaelRalbovsky: are you in the state of Fla jeffb: lets say yes MichaelRalbovsky: ok MichaelRalbovsky: the state has licensed alligator control officers that will handle it MichaelRalbovsky: give it wide berth, and call them. MichaelRalbovsky: next AskMichael: How many crocodilians do you work with daily MichaelRalbovsky: we have in our possession 32 animals right now MichaelRalbovsky: siamese crocs, chinese and american alligators, spectacled caymen and other types of crocidilians... MichaelRalbovsky: next AskMichael: which crocodilia is easiest to keep in captivity MichaelRalbovsky: although I dont believe that these animals should be kept by private parties in captivity because of their size and MichaelRalbovsky: safety issues...the american alligator is the easiest. MichaelRalbovsky: next AskMichael: michael whats the biggest animal you own MichaelRalbovsky: snake or alligator? MichaelRalbovsky: 17 foot Burmese Python MichaelRalbovsky: is probably the biggest that I have. MichaelRalbovsky: next AskMichael: Hi Michael...I've been to your house in Mass with the Davis's and you had a snapper turtle in a tank that used it's tongue to attract fish..What kind was it? MichaelRalbovsky: Alligator Snapping Turtle MichaelRalbovsky: next AskMichael: Is there any evidence to suggest that west nile virus might affect alligator or croc populations MichaelRalbovsky: good question, I haven't seen anything written in literature at this time. With disease you never know, but I will be keeping my eyes open for that. MichaelRalbovsky: Viruses like that are very rarely found in ectothermic animals MichaelRalbovsky: there are unexplained deaths of alligators in Florida and that may be why. Every possible cause should be investigated. next MichaelRalbovsky: next
MichaelRalbovsky: I would like everyone to know that if you wish to keep crocidilians as pets be sure to get permits, information, enclosures and barriers to keep these animals in, and away from others
AskMichael: Michael can you tell us about your education show you do? What is the most important thing that you are trying to educate the public about?
MichaelRalbovsky: we're trying to educate the public about the natural world to improve the quality of our lives
MichaelRalbovsky: and what that means is our lives are not satisfactory if we don't have proper housing, then the quality of life for animals would never get better if we don't try to do something for them
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: Have you ever been bitten while working in the field?
MichaelRalbovsky: yes
MichaelRalbovsky: by alligator
MichaelRalbovsky: puncture wounds
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: Michael, how do you keep your reptiles warm there in Massachusetts?
MichaelRalbovsky: import the weather from Fla
MichaelRalbovsky: we have special lights actually
MichaelRalbovsky: special heating system for our home
MichaelRalbovsky: to keep the animals warm
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: how was your trip to florida this is chris godino
MichaelRalbovsky: great trip!
MichaelRalbovsky: we got to talk to the powers that be at the St.Augustine Alligator Park...it was a great trip all round
AskMichael: any thoughts about the use of metal or ceramic spikes to protect small patches of rainforest?
MichaelRalbovsky: Could you clarify that?
MichaelRalbovsky: I have never heard of that.
MichaelRalbovsky: education will protect them
MichaelRalbovsky: the only way to protect the rainforest is through education.
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: We're working on a second book with Dr.Britton on the captive care of crocodilians, we are examining the protocols various institutions are using in housing, care, safety.
AskMichael: What are some of your 'safety' protocols when dealing with your crocodilians?
MichaelRalbovsky: that could take all day. Let's see...
MichaelRalbovsky: most of what we do here is take the animal from their enclosures to our program
MichaelRalbovsky: for safety we use barriers that the animal can not climb
MichaelRalbovsky: or double barriers that they cannot climb
MichaelRalbovsky: no one handles the animals unless they are trained by myself
MichaelRalbovsky: so that they can't hurt anyone.
MichaelRalbovsky: For more information on this, go to: www.rainforestreptileshows.com
MichaelRalbovsky: please email us at the website
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: Can crocodilians be trained and do they show signs of complex behavior
MichaelRalbovsky: Of course
MichaelRalbovsky: we can train an alligator to climb a ladder and slide down a slide, but why do that?
MichaelRalbovsky: they do show complex behaviors.
MichaelRalbovsky: nest
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: of the 32 animals in your current collection what is the largest? I would presume living in Mass. would prevent the keeping of many really large specimens
MichaelRalbovsky: yes it does keep us from keeping really large specimens.
MichaelRalbovsky: thats why we have an agreement with the Saint Augustine Zoological park
MichaelRalbovsky: we rotate the animals we have and the largest one is five feet.
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: What type of diet do you feed your "pets" ones? Does it differ then the ones you would feed at the farm?
MichaelRalbovsky: at the alligator farm we fed Nutria which is south american muskrat
MichaelRalbovsky: in MA we feed rats, mice, chicken supplemented with calcium and vitamins
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: What's the most unusual thing that has ever happened to you while working with the aligators
MichaelRalbovsky: the most unusual thing is that we had an alligator at the farm named Big baby Huey who would not eat
MichaelRalbovsky: many vets looked at him
MichaelRalbovsky: we went back to see him and he climbed over the fence at us
MichaelRalbovsky: and it took all we had to keep him in the enclosure
MichaelRalbovsky: because he hadn't moved in 13 months.
MichaelRalbovsky: or eaten anything in the 13 months
MichaelRalbovsky: he was 14 feet
MichaelRalbovsky: of alligator coming over the fence at us!
MichaelRalbovsky: we managed to manipulate him back into the enclosure.
MichaelRalbovsky: Next
AskMichael: Do you have photos on the net of your enclosures?
MichaelRalbovsky: no, we don't.
MichaelRalbovsky: we will have an alligator and a crocodilecam on our website, however.
MichaelRalbovsky: www.rainforestreptileshows.com
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: this question is from Paul and Frank, you probably would remember us, we see you all the time whenever you are in Brookfield CT. My question is, whens the next time you are coming back! also, anyway I could get your email addy, so we can all go to the next NY show?
MichaelRalbovsky: Of course I remember you!
MichaelRalbovsky: I was just in CT 2-3 weeks ago
MichaelRalbovsky: and I don't know when I am coming back...we are only working locally in the month of December
MichaelRalbovsky: You can contact me through my site : reptileman@rainforestreptileshows.com
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: Michael, do you still do the programs for PetCo? If so, what area of the country do you cover?
MichaelRalbovsky: We have expanded our programs for Petco to cover the entire east coast from Maine to Fla
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: how expensive is it to keep, house, and care for such a large collection
MichaelRalbovsky: it runs about 3000 dollars a month just on animals, not house expense.
MichaelRalbovsky: that includes vet bills, feeding, heating...and it could even be higher than that at times.
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: I think I got all of them in the que - anyone have another question?
AskMichael: I know that home depot is the number one in the lumber industry for selling products from rainforests (both legal and illegal). For this reason I do not shop at home depot. Where is a good sorce for lumber/cage supplies for those of us that want to preserve the rainforests and yet have a need for lumber?
MichaelRalbovsky: You really have to be diligent about asking these companies where they get there wood from.
MichaelRalbovsky: We buy professional cages.
MichaelRalbovsky: made from recycled plastic
MichaelRalbovsky: you can't clean wood as well.
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: when and why did you first get involved with crocodilians?
MichaelRalbovsky: have you got a couple of years?
MichaelRalbovsky: lol
MichaelRalbovsky: it actually started growing up in Fla
MichaelRalbovsky: growing up around the animals
MichaelRalbovsky: and loving reptiles in general
MichaelRalbovsky: and I started working for the alligator park
MichaelRalbovsky: I'm allergic to animals...
MichaelRalbovsky: Mammals, I mean
MichaelRalbovsky: :)
MichaelRalbovsky: lol
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: I believe one of the southern states was going to have an alligator hunt..Did this happen? Or has it been stopped?
MichaelRalbovsky: Alligator hunts are very common in most southern states where alligators are common
MichaelRalbovsky: I think in the state of Fla hunters are allowed to take 5 alligators, during the hunting season.
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: how many shows do you do a year
MichaelRalbovsky: between 2500 and 3000 a year
MichaelRalbovsky: we go to 17 different states
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: Whats the largest animal you have in your collection?
MichaelRalbovsky: 17 Foot Burmese Python would be the biggest
MichaelRalbovsky: a beautiful animal.
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: What's your opinion on the future for the Siamese Crocodile?
MichaelRalbovsky: Well, its been eradicated from most of its range
MichaelRalbovsky: there are probably a couple thousand left
MichaelRalbovsky: they are not seen much anymore in Thailand
MichaelRalbovsky: They are doing crocidile reintroductions in Thailand
MichaelRalbovsky: to find out more look for the Crocidile Specialist Group
MichaelRalbovsky: on the internet.
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: What states do alligators occur in?
MichaelRalbovsky: alligators occur in 11 states in the US...
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: how many animals do you own
MichaelRalbovsky: About 225, but it varies from month to month depending on how many confiscations we get
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: What was your first reptile?
MichaelRalbovsky: it was a Burmese python...when she died she was 15 feet long
MichaelRalbovsky: back in 1992
MichaelRalbovsky: next
MichaelRalbovsky: I had her 20 years or so, btw.
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: do you have an animal you favor over the others?
MichaelRalbovsky: Chinese alligators
MichaelRalbovsky: We have them on loan from the Bronx Zoo
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: it sounds like your animals rule the house, where do they make you live?
MichaelRalbovsky: they make me live in the office! :)
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: Michael, are you familiar w/"Tractor" the big 'gator at former Ross Allen's Alligtor Town in Lake City, Fla?
MichaelRalbovsky: no, but I had met Ross Allen many years ago
AskMichael: His status?
MichaelRalbovsky: what is the status of the big gator
MichaelRalbovsky: or Ross Allen?
AskMichael: gator I think he meant
MichaelRalbovsky: I don't know, really...one of the largest in the country is housed at the St.Augustine Alligator Park. It is about 14 feet
MichaelRalbovsky: or so.
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: Ever tamed any species of Croc?
MichaelRalbovsky: well, they can be tamed to a certain extent.
MichaelRalbovsky: as far as feeding them, but not as far as being next to them.
MichaelRalbovsky: there is no way you could do that.
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: youmentioned you feed mice, rats, and chickens, and nutria. What other foods would be appropriate for gators/crocs
MichaelRalbovsky: any type of trout, pallapia fish,
MichaelRalbovsky: next
AskMichael: have you ever been seriously injured by a croc?
MichaelRalbovsky: close calls, but never seriously injured by a crocodile
AskMichael: Thank you MIchael for joining us tonight
AskMichael: this was an interesting chat
MichaelRalbovsky: I got beat by a pool vacuum pole by Gomek
MichaelRalbovsky: but not too seriously.
AskMichael: We appreciate your time
MichaelRalbovsky: Thank you very much for having me
AskMichael: Thank you all for joining us :)
MichaelRalbovsky: Good night, and thanks very much
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