The Monitor

December, 2007

From the Editor's Desk

Newsletter Material

This is YOUR club. The more you give into it, the more you will get out of it. Your opinions, suggesions and submissions are welcome. You may submit articles by email before the 10th of the month to luvcatz5@aol.com

President: Logan Randolph
Vice-President: Michele Patton
Secretary: Carrie Gardner Treasurer: Doreen E. Saccardo
Chairman of the Board: John Soto
Editor: Carrie Gardner
Co-Editor: Doreen Saccardo
Field Trip Chair: Doreen Saccardo
Webmaster: Carrie Gardner
Administrative Assistant Alexander Peters

NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
HOLIDAY PARTY!
6:00 p.m. Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Clearwater, FL 727-462-6024
~~~~~~~~DON'T MISS IT~~~~~~~~

Alton of Smelt Feed and Pet Supply is donating a #15.00 gift certificate every month for our raffle. His store is located at 4116 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605, 813-248-2359

If you would like to receive the League of Florida Herpetological Societies newsletter, it is now online. You can contact Victor at . Make sure he has your correct email address and don't forget to mention that you are affiliated with the Suncoast Herp Society.

Web Page info: Calendar page is updated all the time as is Adoptions and Advertisements.

If you would like to receive updates on the website via email, please scroll down to the bottom of the home page and join Yahoo! Groups. Choose to receive email or daily digest. I send out an email to the list every time a change is made.

If you have photos you would like added to the "Club Photos" page, please email Carrie to have them added.

Carrie's Notes

IMPORTANT INFO ALERT!! If you go to the Adoptions/Advertisements page on our website, you will find info on a place that takes in unwanted large reptiles (iguanas, tortoises, etc.). They are located in Nebraska, but assured us that they have the proper facilities and permits. They will even help with shipping costs. If you know of anyone who needs to find a home for a big reptile, please give them our website information.

Hidey Ho fellow herpers!

SPECIAL NOTES ABOUT CHRISTMAS PARTY...PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PARTY BEGINS AT 6:00 P.M. INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 7:00 P.M. We will provide the main dish (usually ham), and drinks. And if everyone could bring something to eat, that would be great!! Doreen likes to push for chocolate (and I don't mind chocolate either) but we're trying to get more of a mix with stuff that is for the meal, and stuff that is for desert!

We are excited to be raffling off two digital cameras at the party as well...along with the memory cards.

Please forgive any mistakes I may make this month in the newsletter...I had a deviated septum repaired on December 5th, and I'm still dealing with pain while typing!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for living in this country

REPTILES OF SPECIAL CONCERN: I called FWC about the reptiles of special concern...there are 6 animals: reticulated python, Burmese python, African rock python, amethystine python, green (not yellow) anaconda, and the Nile monitor. As of January 1, 2008, you must have a permit to own the above mentioned animals. The permits are combined with the Venomous animal application on FWC. The cost is $100.00, and this is whether you have one or 100. Dealers MUST see the permit before selling an animal to a person, and the Dealer is responsible for keeping records of who they sold what too (in other words, you should have documentation of the name, address, permit #, etc. and what animal you sold too). Also in effect Jan 1. is microchipping reptile of special concern that is over two and a half inches in diameter. That will be enforced on July 1, 2009 more strictly.

RED-EARED SLIDERS: As of right now, there is no rescue for red-eared sliders. However, I spoke to Jenny Novak from FWC and they are working on an adoption network for hopefully the beginning of next year. As of right now, they only option available for unwanted turtles is euthanizing.

The Reptile Shack - I discovered a wonderful reptile store on Hwy. 92 East in Lakeland. They have everything you can imagine...water monitors, gila monsters, and they even had a western diamondback and an eastern diamondback! If you're interested in checking the place out, it's The Reptile Shack, 3632 US Hwy. 92 E, Lakeland, FL 33801. Their phone number is 863-606-0223, and their hours are Tues-Sat: 11-6; Sunday 12-5. They also take in unwanted reptiles.

Doreen's Column

Hi there~~~

*****Last month the guest speaker was John and Laura Paner from Croc Encounter. Look for Carrie's recap in the newsletter.

*****This is going to be the "THANK YOU" section. First of all thanks for the cute get well card. How perfect were two chocolate chip cookies that said take two and call me in the morning and especially that it was signed by everyone at the meeting. Secondly, thanks again to everyone conducting the meeting in my absence. Thirdly, thank you for continuing to pray and your concern for my sister. She is having some difficulties with pain due to the cancer spreading, but the doctor is still hopeful that they can get rid of everything. I have been going up to COLD New York to help her with things and I might be going again soon. (I personally am trying to wait until Spring, but if she needs me, I will be there).

*****Thanks to Donnetta Hester who agreed to make the monthly calls. So you will be hearing from her this month. This really helps me a lot. Thanks again.

*****Xan is doing an excellent job in being a greeter and handing out the forms to the new people. He also helped with the raffle. All these things seem little, but they really do help me a lot and I appreciate the enthusiasm.

*****The Florida League of Herp. Societies newsletter will be electronically generated and on the website from now on. I miss the newsletter in print. I still have not seen the newsletter on the computer. Every time I search, the site says, "still under construction." Vic is requesting articles, and photos to be submitted. His email address is victorb@viperfx.com. Make sure he has your correct email address and don't forget to mention that you are affiliated with the Suncoast Herp. Society.

*****Kirk Burness is a new member and he wants to know if there is a list of members with what they have so other members could get info on specific problems or situations for different reptiles or to trade data with them. We don't have a specific list, but if you would like to send Carrie your name and your area of expertise, we can make a section in the newsletter to include that. Right now we have a section called "members willing to help" but I know that it is antiquated and has not been updated in a while. So submit your stuff everyone, time to make yourself known!!!!

*****December 19, 2007 will be a Christmas/Holiday party. Please note we will start an hour earlier at 6:00 PM so we can get to the eats right away. The club will provide the main course, which will be ham. We will also provide the soft drinks, ice, and disposable plates, napkins, cups, etc. We are asking that everyone bring a side dish or dessert, (and a side order of chocolate for me). We will have a few big ticket items and do a small auction, but our main focus will be on FOOD, FUN, FELLOWSHIP and CHOCOLATE. And to get me in the holiday spirit, I might bring my Twisted Sister singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" DVD again. I might even have the whole Twisted Christmas CD by then as well. So you surely don't want to miss this month. If you have stuff you want to bring for raffle or auction, please do, but our BIG auction/fundraiser will be in February. I have already started gathering snake bags for the reptile show in March so that month will be a big money maker for us as well.

*****Buzz Burchill will be our guest speaker in January. He is a ranger at Fort DeSoto Park and will talk about the different areas of the park, the animals, rules and then focus on the reptiles that are known in the area. He will discuss future plans for the park and the effect on the animals in residence. He's got lots of awesome pictures so don't miss this meeting.

*****February 20, 2008 will be our BIIIIIG auction. Please try to solicit items from your local pet stores and favorite vendors and clean out your garages to get rid of those reptile items you are no longer using (to make room for more reptile items you won't use throughout the year).

*****I know this is far in advance, but the 31st annual All Florida Herpetological Event will be held in Gainesville on March 29 & 30, 2008. I will post more information as we get closer to that date.

December 14 ~~ Iguana Doreen
December 15 ~~ Sandy Agee
December 15 ~~ Michael Spears
December 17 ~~ Byron Kindig
December 19 ~~ Linda Tromley
December 27 ~~ Chester Tromley
December 27 ~~ Jeanie Cyphers
January 1 ~~ Donna Donner
January 7 ~~ Frank Matzelle

Happy Birthday to you!

*****If you would like to be on the birthday list, let me know when your birthday is.

*****Thank you to all who do their part for this club. That is what makes our society the GREATEST in the league.

*****Have a blessed Christmas and a herpy holiday!!! Doreen~~

Speaker Recap By Carrie

Last month's speakers were John and Laura Paner from Croc Encounters. If you've ever been to the Tampa Reptile and Exotic Show, then you've probably seen them . . . and their mascot, Dusty. Dusty is a sulcata tortoise who walks around with a donation box on his back. He is quite the character. They also have a booth where you can pose with a crocodilian for a picture.

Croc Encounters began unofficially in Buffalo, NY, where John and Laura took in crocodilians and gave talks to local groups about responsible care for them. Eventually, they wanted to start a rescue and decided the best place to start one would be where the alligators live. They purchased 22-acres near the Tampa Fairgrounds and filed for nonprofit status. And then they began to build up ponds and grounds. They hope to open it to the public in 2008, complete with an education pavilion.

They take in all crocodilians, as well as other reptiles. They have tortoises, large snakes, tegu, and other lizards. The animals come from a variety of sources, such as zoos, who are changing exhibits, animal shelters, and people who have pets that they can't handle anymore. A lot of the animals, especially the alligators, seem to come from the Northeastern part of the country. It doesn't matter where they are from, John and Laura take in all animals.

The one place that they don't seem to get a lot of animals from are the nuisance trappers. They get more money by having the alligators trapped killed, then they would if they donated them to Croc Encounters. It's really sad if you think about it. Most people don't realize that when they call a nuisance trapper for an alligator, the animal is usually destroyed.

Which comes to Croc Encounter's primary mission: EDUCATION! People move down here all the time, and want the water front houses, not realizing that any freshwater will have an alligator or two in them. They then call a trapper to catch the alligator, even if it isn't being aggressive, because of their dog and children going near the edge of the water. That animal is destroyed simply because it lived in the same area as someone who doesn't know better.

If you are going to live on the water, then you should also expect to live with alligators. Humans and alligators can coexist in peace with each other as long as you take time to learn about alligator behaviors, Understand that dogs and cats are considered prey food for alligators, and keep them either inside (for cats) or on a leash around water. That is just common sense. There are other animals that pose a significant danger to dogs and cats besides alligators. As humans, we really have to learn to live with animals that are in our area naturally.

Okay, enough of my soap box speech. Crocodilians have been around for 200 million years. They are amazing creatures who combine their ancient instincts for survival with their cunning to survive in today's world. They remain relatively unchanged since then. However, habitat destruction and hunting have reduced their numbers. Out of 150 original crocodilians, 23 are now left. Those are separated into three distinct groups . . . alligators/caiman, crocodiles, and gharials. Alligators and caiman have broader snouts than their crocodile counterparts. However, gharials have long slender snouts made to catch fish and are quick to bite. While all of the 23 species are threatened or endangered in some way, the most threatened are the Chinese alligator, the Philippine crocodile, the siamese crocodile, and the gharial.

There are some species that are being reintroduced into their habitats but the results aren't in yet. Human populations, habitat destruction, hunting, and pollution still endanger their chances of survival.

The Paners have had some interesting rescues. Including Jo-Jo . . . a male alligator whose only contact with water came when his owner took his morning shower with him. The poor guy didn't really know how to swim and it took quite a bit of wiggling. Another alligator found her way to a neighbor's house where the police were called. I believe this is Penelope, and she is Jo-Jo's girlfriend. Another rescue was in a pool in the basement. The animal shelter people told them that the gator was very large, however, he was half of what they expected. There two brothers (I believe that they are siamese alligators) that lived all their lives together, but when they came to Croc Encounters, one (I think his name was Buck) took all the food away from his brother and wouldn't let him swim around. They had to be separated, and now the smaller brother is catching up in size to his big bully brother.

They also brought in some animals. A hatchling alligator, a beautiful broad-snouted caiman, and a REALLY fat red tegu. Apparently the owners before saw fit to feed only hot dogs to this poor guy. Since his move to Croc Encounters, he has lost weight. Ironically, John told me that they received a lot of animals that were overweight and not taken care of well by a vet technician's school. You would think that they would know how to take care of these animals, since they are teaching others to care for them.

John and Laura do an amazing job with Croc Encounters, and we look forward to the day when we can have a field trip there!

Michele's Musings

Editor's Note...this is part 1 & 2 of Michele's article on shedding.

Interesting facts about Reptile & Amphibian Skin, Ultraviolet Light & Shedding:

For my next topic, I wanted to research what makes reptile and amphibian skin so unique compare to other animals. This ended up being a very large topic. So I divided my article into 3 parts. The Part 1 is about reptile & amphibian skin layers and how they function. Part 2, (which will be in next month's newsletter) is about ultraviolet light and why it is important to reptiles. Part 3 (which will be in the following month's newsletter) will be about the shedding process and proper husbandry techniques for shedding problems.

Skin layers:

Reptile skin has 2 principal layers, the dermis (which is a deeper layer connected to blood vessels and nerves) and the epidermis (which consists of up to 7 sub-layers of packed cells forming the outer protective coating). The 7 epidermal layers are: the stratum germinativum (the deepest layer of living cells that have the ability of rapid cell division), there are 6 layers that form the "epidermal generation" of old & new skin. There is a clear layer and lacunar layer, which mature in the old skin as the new is forming. The alpha layer, the mesos layer and the beta layer consists of cells in the process of becoming keratinized with the production of two types of keratin. These cells are being transformed into the hard protective skin. Finally there is the oberhautchen layer which forms the toughest outermost layer of keratinized, dead skin. Ultraviolet light reaching these cells has to come through the outermost layers of the epidermis first. The epidermis in each reptile species varies widely in thickness and pigmentation.

Amphibian skin has only 1 or 2 cell layers of keratin. When a new layer forms beneath the old one, frogs peel off the outermost layer and eat it in order to retain some important rich proteins. It requires a considerable amount of energy to produce new skin. Eating the shed skin is a way to reabsorb those important nutrients. (I'm glad us humans don't need to do that.) Frogs have a unique way of shedding compared to reptiles. Most aquatic frog skin comes off every now and then. Other species of frogs can look downright alarming when they shed. They will get into a weird crouching position, and look like they are bloating up and then will appear to cough. That is the frogs' way of stretching themselves so that the old skin will come off.

Amphibian skin provides a protective coloring, a way to absorb water and oxygen from their environment, and a defense against the weather and predators. Amphibians get their diverse coloration to both pigment granules in the upper layer of skin and specialized pigment-containing cells called chromatophores in the skin's lower layer. Many amphibians change their skin color by concentrating the various pigments in the chromatophores. This helps them to adjust their body temperature, it also acts as camouflage. Amphibian skin takes in oxygen through a network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. Most adult amphibians have lungs for breathing air; however most frogs rely mainly on their skin for oxygen. Frogs have a 'seat pouch', an area on their bellies which is designed for water absorption. Several types of salamanders have neither lungs nor gills and obtain all their necessary oxygen through their skin. Some species of frogs have special glands that produce a waxy substance. This is produced in the mucous glands; it helps to keep the skin moist and healthy. In some frog species these mucous glands can produce toxic substances to keep predators away. Toads have thick, warty skin that keeps water inside the toad. During a drought, several species of frogs and toads burrow underground and stop shedding their skin. The skin layers build a water-locking cocoon. These special traits enable adult frogs and toads to live their lives out of the water.

Because water and air so easily flows into and out of amphibian skin, amphibians are much more vulnerable to pollution in water and air then any other animal.

What is (UV) Ultraviolet Light?

Light is part of a spectrum called the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes: Gamma Rays, X-Rays, ultraviolet and infra-red radiation, microwaves and radio waves. The human eye can see radiation with wavelengths from 400 to 700 nanometers (nm) and so we refer to this as "visible" light. UV light has a shorter wavelength than visible light and cannot be seen by humans; although many animals, including reptiles that have vision that extends well into the UV range. UV light is not a specific thing, but rather a range of wavelengths decided upon by scientists. Ultraviolet light is divided into three categories: UVA, UVB & UVC.

UVA (320 - 400 nm): is an important component of sunlight and is supplied in small amounts by ordinary household incandescent light bulbs and by lighting referred to as "full spectrum" light. Larger amounts are supplied by all special UV lamps. UVA is part of the visible spectrum for reptiles; they see colors and patterns differently from us because of this extra dimension to their vision. Some reptiles rely upon UVA light to identify individuals of their own species by their UVA-reflective patterns. Many plants and insects also have distinctive UVA reflective patterns which enable reptiles to recognize them. Reptiles exposed to UVA light show increased social behavior and activity levels. They are more inclined to bask, feed and breed as UVA light has a positive effect on the pineal gland. The pineal gland is a light sensitive organ just below the brain which responds to the increase/decrease of daylight with the changing seasons.

UVB (280 - 320 nm): is found in natural sunlight. UVB is blocked by most glass and plastics. It is not provided by normal household lighting or most "full spectrum" lights. However, nowadays there is an ever expanding range and improving of lights that can supply UVB for your tank. There is growing evidence that reptiles can actually detect UVB, whether it is visible to them is uncertain. Many species of reptiles, in particular diurnal lizards that bask in full sunlight, utilize UVB radiation to facilitate the photo biosynthesis of pre-vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) in the skin. If such reptiles are deprived of this particular wavelength of UV radiation, they are at risk of developing vitamin D deficiency, which may be manifested as metabolic bone disorder, a crippling and often fatal disease seen in larger lizards such as iguanas and bearded dragons. The range for UVB varies from county to country.

UVC (180-280 nm): is harmful to living cells. It is naturally filtered from sunlight by the ozone layer and is never required, nor shall be permitted in artificial lighting.

All living things on the surface of the planet are exposed to UV light to some extent. Diffused and reflected UVB will penetrate into deep shade and even nocturnal creatures may be exposed to small amounts while hidden in their daytime homes. Lizards which are normally exposed to high levels of UV light, like bearded dragons, have shed skin which lets only a small amount through its deeper layers. This barrier would sever as a protection. Species that would receive lower levels of UVB in their environment like geckos; have shed skin which lets a higher percent of UVB light through.

All reptiles need gradient heat and part of their normal behavior is spent moving in and out of the warmth to maintain a healthy body temperature. Some reptiles are sensitive to UV light gradients and will actually move in and out according to their vitamin D3 requirements. In captivity, it is important that the UV light is placed close enough to the warm basking spot so that a reptile can obtain heat and UV light together.

If given a choice, the reptile will choose the warmest & brightest spot. If the UVB light is not as bright or is placed in a cooler spot, the reptile will not benefit from the UVB rays.

Rainforest species such as some types of chameleons avoid any such high exposer to UVB. They need UVB at much lower levels. Their skin is much more sensitive and manufactures all the vitamin D3 that they need from brief periods of basking in early morning and late afternoon shade. Leopard geckos and house geckos are traditionally considered to require no UV lighting in captivity. In the wild however, they do receive small amounts of UV radiation through UVB light coming through their daytime retreats. Recent research has discovered that the skin of house geckos is extra ordinarily sensitive to UVB light. Very low levels of UVB can enable large quantities of vitamin D3 to be produced in the skin. In captivity this would suggest that although their diet can normally provide all the vitamin D3 they need, very tiny amounts of daily exposer to UVB might be beneficial if the diet was lacking. If they˘re already are receiving maximum safe levels of vitamin D3 in dietary supplements, there might be a risk of vitamin D over-dosage.

Traditionally, nocturnal and crepuscular snakes are thought to not require UV light. However, some research has been found that show some snake species: the Diamond Python, Indigo snake, some aquatic species, Rough and Smooth Green snakes, and other arboreal and diurnal snakes may benefit from low levels of UVB light in captivity. There is no study that shows snakes would not be able to utilize it for vitamin D3 synthesis. However, most snakes are sensitive to excessive bright artificial lights and should be avoided. The relationship between skin permeability and the amount of sun to which the reptile exposes itself does not seem as straightforward in snakes as it does in lizards. For example, Garter snakes are diurnal and often seen basking in morning sunlight in a wide range of habitats. Skin from the back of the snake would appear to transmit a similar proportion of UV light as that of the back of a leopard gecko. The skin on the belly of the garter snake was even more translucent. The skin of boas and pythons, with normal pigmentation, is much more protective. The skin of albino and patches of unpigmented skin in piebald morphs permitted a higher percentage of UVB than compared to normal pigmented skin.

All fluorescent tubes degrade with time. Their UV spectra output will shift, and overall brightness will decrease before the bulb burns out. In general, you should replace the tubes about every 6 months. Refer to the manufacturer's specifications to be sure.

Ciao!

Carrie

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