Chat Week on Kingsnake.com
Friday, December 13, 2002
Richard Bartlett
Herping in Peru

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AskRDB: Welcome to our 2nd and last Chat of the evening

AskRDB: our Guest tonight is renowned and prolific herp writer, author, photog.Mr. RD Bartlett

AskRDB: Welcome RD

rdbartlett: Thanx Bill, it's good to be here

AskRDB: Dick, I understand you're off to Peru next week..what will your mission be, Sir

rdbartlett: We are leading a tour group pf herp photographers

AskRDB: (Dick when you finish a response, could you type next please)

rdbartlett: will do next

AskRDB: Can folks herp Peru and bring back a few or is it like Costa Rica

rdbartlett: no herps are allowed out. photos only next

AskRDB: What is your favorite herping adventure? And why?

rdbartlett: that's too lengthy, but we have a lot of fun on all. next

AskRDB: how long will you be in Peru?

rdbartlett: 2.5 weeks. next

AskRDB: is it hard to find Peruvian boas in the field?

rdbartlett: not at all. it is hard to find LARGE peruvian rts though. next

AskRDB: Do you use a 33mm camera or a digital camera when you are out herping on trips?

AskRDB: 35mm...sorry

rdbartlett: the old standby a 35 mm. next

AskRDB: Can I ask which brand name

rdbartlett: canon eos. next

AskRDB: do you see many dart frogs in Peru

rdbartlett: a great many, but not all are colorful. next

AskRDB: Have you experienced any of the political unrest we sometimes hear about here..ie certain areas you wouldn'tcan't go in

rdbartlett: the political problems are in the mountain provinces. we have never had any kind of problem. next

AskRDB: What is your favorite lens to use on your camera for the best close up shots?

rdbartlett: a 105 macro. next

AskRDB: Is there one particular herp you'll be looking for to photo

rdbartlett: did you get the answer about the emerald palm snake? next

AskRDB: no, sorry, Dick

rdbartlett: i was aske what we'd be hoping to see, and it is the emerald palm snake. next

AskRDB: Dick, from reading your articles you seem to miss seeing what you want to see in the Trans-Pecos. Let me know when you are coming back and I'll offer my guide services to you.

AskRDB: (John Hollister)

rdbartlett: thanx so much. I will! next

AskRDB: do you own any animals personaly

rdbartlett: yes-- quite a few, incl some radiated torts weve had for more than 50 years. next

AskRDB: Have you had any rough experiences in the field

rdbartlett: Ive been VERY lucky. Never a major problem. next

AskRDB: Do you have to rough it in the field camping out or do you have pre planned areas where you stay?

rdbartlett: in today's world you're never far fom a hotel...except in Peru

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: whats next after Peru?

rdbartlett: we're already working on updating an amazon herp book that's just about to appear.. so that and Mexio are all that are in the plans. next

AskRDB: RD, I saw your post on the field collecting forum. What's the scoop with the tokays, are they restricted to Dade Co or have they been spreading, maybe Broward Co?

rdbartlett: they are in dade, broward, and lee counties

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: are there tarantulas or scorpions in peru?

rdbartlett: Absolutely both - several kinds

rdbartlett: none have caused fatlaities to my knowledge

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: What experiences have you had with different boas in Peru?

rdbartlett: We have all of them but the emerald tree boa at this time

rdbartlett: maybe next trip

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: were you able to make the Oregon herp trip this past summer and how did it go?

rdbartlett: have found

rdbartlett: we did

rdbartlett: it went rather well but not as well as hoped because of drought

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: will you be doing a feature article on the OR trip in Reptiles mag?

rdbartlett: several parts have already been submitted for the column

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: can scorpions and tarantuals in peru be found anywhere other than the bush?

rdbartlett: they have definietly been found on our sleeping platforms

rdbartlett: we always check our shoes tho

rdbartlett: we had 1 person that got bitten pretty badly

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: whats the most venomous snake you may encounter or have in Peru?

rdbartlett: because oi the amount of venom dispensed in a bite, the bushmaster

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: Dick, do you still need pics of Thamnophis sirtalis dorsalis? I didn't have time to check the Rio Grande area of NM much this year, but I should this coming spring. (Chris Newsome)

rdbartlett: no I do not... thank you

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: Do you have a site where people can view some of your photos?

rdbartlett: unfortunately not at this time - web site in developement

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: do you own any monitor lizards or have you seen croc monitors in the field

rdbartlett: no he does not own monitors and has not seen croc monitors in the field

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: How do the native people of the different countries you go to react to your presence?

rdbartlett: they react well. no problems. next

AskRDB: What kind of Dispositions have you encountered in Argentine Boas?

rdbartlett: foul. next

AskRDB: how do u check ur shoes properly in case of scorpions? I heard that u can hold the shoe upside down and tap it then they'll come out, but how do u make sure that there is NONE in there?

rdbartlett: knocking the heel sharply against the floor has always worked. next

AskRDB: Is there one venomous snake you look foward to photog. in Peru..either you haven't seen yet or enjoy the most?

rdbartlett: the little hog-nosed viper and the speckled tree viper, bothrops hyoprora and bothriopsis taeniate respectively. next

AskRDB: Do you have to use a lot of insect repllent in field/Peru?

rdbartlett: almost none. the mosquitos are worse in my FL backyard. next

AskRDB: how can one book a Peru tour w/you

rdbartlett: check www.amazon-ecotours.com. next

AskRDB: whats the most common herp seen in Peru

rdbartlett: there are several geckos, and almost always a fer-de-lance or two each night. next

AskRDB: You are quit an inspiration. What schooling does it take to get started in this field?

rdbartlett: absolutely nothing but the desire to do it. & thanx. next

AskRDB: how do u make sure that u do not get ticks on u when ur in the bush?

rdbartlett: good question. now you've got me wondering. we get chiggers (lotsa fun) but never a tick. next

AskRDB: outside of scorps and spiders are there any other bugs you have to be really careful about coming in contact with?

rdbartlett: the scorps and spiders aren'te really a problem. we look forward to seeing them. no anazonian peru is a very safe place

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: sort of a herp question: but is the food good in Peru or takes getting accustomed to?

rdbartlett: the food is GREAT. don't go down there expecting to lose weight-- at least not on one of our tours!. next

AskRDB: Do you need any special vaccinations for a trip to Peru?

rdbartlett: some are suggested but check w/local health dept

AskRDB: is there any probs w/malaria?

rdbartlett: no not in the area we go

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: is the U.S. dollar strong there..i.e. are items fairly cheap?

rdbartlett: yes items are very cheap

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: what equipment should one bring on a trip to Peru - field equip.

rdbartlett: hook, flashlight, replacement bulbs, lots of batteries and a desire to be ther

rdbartlett: of course a change of cloths is rewccomended as well

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: what's the weather generally like down in Peru?

rdbartlett: its reverse from th US ...

rdbartlett: December is like June in miami

rdbartlett: June is like December in Miami

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: What speed film do you like to use when photographing in the field?

rdbartlett: habitat ISO200 - closeups ISO 50

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: are there certain months not good for expecting to see herps in Peru?..ie cold etc.

rdbartlett: Every month we have been has beeb fruitful

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: whch times of the year will you be leading tours to Peru and what lengths of per

rdbartlett: June and December for either 1-2 weeks as clients pre3fer

rdbartlett: check our web site for particulars

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: Do you ever dine on Herps when in Peru? Or are they on loacl menus?

rdbartlett: Yes they are on local menus

rdbartlett: no he doesn't dine on them

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: have you ever gotten in a bad position with any herps you were observing?

rdbartlett: no

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: is there one herp you look forward to when inPeru

rdbartlett: Emerald Tree boa is always highj on everyones list

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: what's the most interesting thing that's happened to you while out on one of your Trips?

rdbartlett: Every trip is a new and interesting experience - no one thing has been most exciting

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: what kinds of tortoises have you observed in Peru?

rdbartlett: ther are only 2 and we have only seen the yellowfoot in the areas we go to

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: how rare is it to see an Emerald Tree Boa there?

rdbartlett: For us very... We have not seen one up to this point in time

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: what's the most unusual or rare herp you have found on an outing?

rdbartlett: most unsual - the slender caecilaen

rdbartlett: rare - velvety lancehead Bothrops brazili

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: Will you be doing much field herp'n in the U.S. this summer?

rdbartlett: tyes - trips planned to Appalacians, Texas and Arizona

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: when you were in Oregon last summer, what was the herp you foud that you really wanted to see/photo

AskRDB: the one herp

rdbartlett: numbers of rubber boas thanks to ricard hoyer

rdbartlett: richard

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: what has been teh most exciting place you've field herped inside the United States?

rdbartlett: they have all been exciting in their own way - no one stands out

rdbartlett: above the others

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: What time slots will you be in the Appalacians and what particular herp looking for?

rdbartlett: looking for a number of salamanders to photograph for the field guide to easetern amphibians

rdbartlett: should be there in the May time frame

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: what will your next book be about or do you know yet

rdbartlett: 8 books coming to press art this time

rdbartlett: next book will be field guide to eastern reptiles

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: will any of the pics for books be advertised on Kingsnake.com

rdbartlett: yes they will be in the kingsnake.com bookstore

rdbartlett: when they bec0ome available

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: How difficult is it to find and photograph salamanders? Any species in particular that's given you problems?

rdbartlett: there is no problem finding the salamanders. it's just getting to where they are next

AskRDB: folks I think we have another 10 mins of chat, post your questions to me

AskRDB: Is there a particluar sally in Apalachia you wanna photo

rdbartlett: the shenandoah salamander

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: have youo ever observed galopogas or aldabra tortoises in the wild?

rdbartlett: only have time for 2 more

rdbartlett: no I have not

rdbartlett: next

AskRDB: Earlier you said Canon eos. What would be a descent model for a beginning photographer?

rdbartlett: No particular model, just the best you can afford

AskRDB: Well we are up on our time tonight and a very special thanks to Dick Bartlett for having to deal w/the comp probs and still come back in

rdbartlett: sacrafice bells and whistles for qualiy

rdbartlett: check second hand camera stores...

AskRDB: Also special thanks to JeffB for assisting Dick

rdbartlett: their is some nice equip[ment and knowledgable peopl

AskRDB: Again, thanks so much Dick and next time (yes we will ask you again) will be much better for you!

AskRDB:

rdbartlett: thanks to everyone for such interesting questions

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