The Monitor

January, 2008

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, Jaunuary 16, 2008
Park Ranger Buzz Burchill from DeSoto Park
7:00 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!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and WILL have a wonderful New Year!!

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 was our annual Christmas/Holiday party and slight auction. We had two digital cameras for raffle, as well as a printer and t-shirts. The food was excellent and plentiful, the fellowship fantastic and everyone seemed to have a good time. We were finished and cleaned up before 9:00 PM. Thank you to everyone who helped, schlep, set up, and clean up. (Just a note, I schlepped less on the way out than on the way in and that is a good thing).

*****Thanks for continued prayer for my sister, she is still in Calvary Hospital in the Bronx for pain management. I will be heading north soon to be with her.

*****My list for guest speakers is getting thin and time seems to fly by so quickly and I can't seem to keep up. If you know of anyone or see someone interesting, please let me know.

*****Continued thanks to Donnetta Hester who agreed to make the monthly calls. This really helps me a lot. Thanks again.

*****I checked the Florida League of Herp Societies, and still the same info. Luckily, our info is up there nice and clear and CORRECT. That's all we can expect at this point. I wrote to Victor asking about it, I will let you know.

*****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).

*****We have been invited to participate in the 2008 Year of the Frog by hosting a Frog Watch USA training event. This event allows frog enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to go out and gather information about frog and toad populations. This programs has volunteers from around the country to go out and listen for 3 minutes after sunset for frog and toad calls, identify and report the data to a website. Volunteers cam go out and listen at their convenience for as many times as they are able. The most successful and accurate Frog Watchers are those that had a formal Frog Watch USA training led by an educator and herpetologist. If we agree to host a Frog Watch training, we will be send a training packet, with helpful info including powerpoint slides, flyers, sample schedules, etc. There is also an activity guide and toad related activities for children. There National Wildlife Federation is also launching a yearly frog watching snapshot day on the first Saturday in May, the 3rd. This day will be devoted to listening to frogs and toads and trying to get as many people out frog watching on one day as possible. I will get more information on this program, and if we decide to get involved, we have to sign a Frog Watch USA workshop Facilitator Commitment form (the commitment part makes me nervous, but maybe I will have John sign the form). I just received this email but I will call this week and report back at the next meeting.

*****I also just received an email from Karen Malo at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, FL requesting volunteers for a workday to Plant a Beach on Saturday or Sunday, February 9 & 10, 2008 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM to help plant native dune plants such as sea oats, railroad vine and others which are critical to building a dune system helping to prevent erosion. If you are interested in helping out, I will have the information at the next meeting.

*****The Tampa Reptile & Exotic Show will be held March 8 & 9, 2008. We usually get a table there and need volunteers for the show so. Alex did not charge us for the banner in lieu of a donation to the club which would have been around $100. I think that was a fair deal. He also does not charge us for the table. Keep this weekend open. The fall show will be September 27 & 28, 2008. These are always a lot of fun and it's nice to make new contacts. We also get an opportunity to sell snake bags and reptiles magazines, which helps us financially. That is why we can afford to keep our dues at $15 per year and we do not have to scramble around doing fundraisers all over the place, so think about volunteering for the show not just at our table, but for wherever Alex needs you.

*****31st annual All Florida Herpetological Event will be held in Gainesville on March 29 & 30, 2008. I checked their website and they still have not listed their speakers yet. (I guess they are having the same problem I am getting speakers).

*****I just want to add continuing thanks to Carrie for keeping up with the website, I know that takes a lot of work with many frustrations. But she does an excellent job and it shows. Thanks Carrie.

January 1 ~~ Donna Donner
January 7 ~~ Frank Matzelle
February 5 ~~ Buzz Burchill

Happy Birthday to you!

*****I know we have new people attending our meetings, but I have not received any new birthdays. You can drop me an email at iguanadoreen@hotmail.com and let me know so I can add the list.

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

*****Have a herpy day!! Doreen~~

Speaker Recap By Carrie

Since last month was the Christmas party, I asked Michele if she had an extra article that I could put in place of my article.

So here it is folks...Michele's article on Dystocia!

Dystocia

Egg-binding or Egg Retention:

Egg-binding occurs when a female cannot pass the mature eggs formed in her reproductive system. Egg-binding occurs most often in first time breeding females, females who have previously retained eggs, and females bearing infertile clutches. Captive reptiles are less active compared to their wild relatives. As a result, they lack the muscle strength or tone to get all the eggs into position for laying and expelling them in a timely matter. It is not uncommon for captive reptiles to retain the last egg or two from the rest of the clutch, although the rest were expelled with ease.

Other causes for egg-binding are:
An anatomical defect in the female causing an obstruction.
An overly large or malformed egg, or one that is not positioned correctly, is broken, or joined to other eggs.
Poor condition of the mother from poor muscle tone; causing the female to become exhausted before she completes laying all the eggs.
Improper nesting site. (especially in lizards)
Improper temperature or incorrect humidity and/or improper light and light cycling.
Malnutrition (low blood levels of calcium) or obesity
Dehydration
Stress
Hormonal or infection of the reproductive organs and/or kidney disease.
Breeding animals that are too young or too old, or not in good condition, or excessive breeding.

Signs of egg-binding may differ by each species.

Snakes: In many cases, some eggs may be laid, but there remains a swelling around the tail area. This may be hard to determine in large, well muscled snakes such as pythons. Snakes may be egg-bound for days without showing any abnormal signs. Some will show birthing efforts however, are unable to produce an egg.

Chelonians: Egg masses almost impossible to detect by the inexperienced; and the presence of one or more retained eggs may not even be felt. The females show few signs that they are egg-bound. Some become depressed, have swelling around the cloaca or show breathing problems.

Lizards: Normal gravid lizards may appear to have swollen abdomens and may not eat; however they remain alert and active. Lizards that are egg-bound rapidly become depressed, inactive and lethargic. This is a serious condition and could result to death in several days.

Diagnosis:
In most cases x-rays or an ultrasound will be taken to determine the size, shape, number, and location of the retained eggs. Keeping an accurate history is very important for the female. Including the date of mating, dates of shedding and how long ago the signs appeared.

Treatment:
It is important to determine the cause prior to treatment. If the signs are mild, the treatment is conservative, with correction of the nesting site and substrate. For snakes and turtles who have already laid some eggs, unless an obvious abnormality is found, treatment is usually withheld for 48 hours. If the female produces no eggs within 48 hours, additional treatment is begun. For lizards, treatment should begin immediately. Never try to treat egg-binding yourself, always take your reptile to an experienced reptile veterinarian. There are 4 main courses of treatment: physical manipulation, hormonal stimulation, removal of the egg contents (ovocentesis), and surgical removal of the eggs.

In a lizard, if there are many eggs and there is no intention of breeding her, the reproductive tract can be removed along with the eggs. This will prevent recurrence of the problem in the future and also is a much faster procedure requiring less anesthetic time and easier recovery. The reproductive tract is very thin and delicate, making it very difficult to suture back together. Females that are in good health should make a full recovery and will be able to lead normal lives. If the reproductive tract is kept in tact, she will be able to breed again.

Prevention: Proper husbandry and nutrition is the key. Only animals that are in peak health, condition, size and correct breeding age should be used for breeding.

It is very important to provide the appropriate nesting location, substrate, temperature, and humidity for each species. Cages should be located in a quiet area and be of adequate size with appropriate furnishings to allow females room to move about and maintain muscle tone. Proper nutrition, plus proper mineral intake are essential.

Many female lizards, such as iguanas, can produce eggs without the presence of a male. So, isolating the female from the male will not prevent the condition.

Spaying female reptiles is not a routine procedure at this time, it is an issue to ponder for those animals kept as pets where there is no intent to breed. Such a procedure might improve their life and eliminate egg-related disorders. As veterinary medicine advances, reptile surgeries such as this will become more common.

References:

www.peteducation – Egg Binding in Reptiles by Holly Nash, DVN, MS

www.triciaswaterdragon.com - Dystocia, Egg-binding/Fetal Retention

www.provet.co.uk/health/diseases/reptilesdystocia.html - Provet healthcare information, "Dystocia (or Egg-binding) in Reptiles

http://www.anaspid.or/dystocia.html - Dystocia in Reptiles "Egg-binding/Fetal Retention" by Melissa Kaplan

Michele's Musings

Reptile Shedding

Normal shedding (ecdysis) is a necessary process for growth and is a sign of proper health, nutrition and humidity. All animals shed their skin at regular intervals. Humans do it on an ongoing process, we shed 1.5 million skin cells every hour with a new skin surface every 28 days or so. Snakes shed in one piece, most lizards and amphibians shed their skin in patches.

Just as turtle & tortoises (terrestrial & aquatic) are anatomically different from other reptiles, so are their sheds. A quick spray with water or a chance to wallow in a shallow pan of water is all that is need to help shed their skin. Do not let species from an arid climate do a lot of soaking. If provided a constant source of soaking water, they will stay in it to the point of shell rot. Some species of tortoise and other terrestrial chelonians in the wild; will burrow under plants where moisture may be retained.

A healthy lizard will shed every 4-6 weeks; and will complete the shed within a week or two. Juveniles will shed more often. An unhealthy lizard will take much longer to shed. Iguanas and some other lizards with moveable eye lids will puff out their eyes in the days before their head starts to shed. This can be a bit alarming since they can puff them out 2 - 3 times their normal size. Lizards in the wild will seek out rocky crevices or burrow into sandy ground where moisture remains. In captivity, they need to be provided with either a patch of sand or other damp substrate, or a humidity hide box, or by providing water for soaking, or spraying with declorinated tap water. You can get water dechlorinator drops in any aquarium supply store. There are expensive vitamin & moisturizing sprays available, but they are not necessary and are more of a waste of money.

As different areas get closer to shedding, gray or white patches will appear. Everything comes off, including the skin over their ears and spikes along the back. In a few days you will notice them rubbing their heads against any handy surface. Some lizards will eat their shed. This should not be a problem as long as their environment is kept sanitary. Never pull off skin that is not ready to come off. Pulling off the skin before it is ready can damage the not fully formed keratinous scales growing in the new skin layer beneath the old. This can injure the new skin layer causing future shedding problems and making them more vulnerable to mites and other skin problems. Part of your weekly examination should be to check toes, tails and spikes to ensure they are clean. In iguanas and some other lizards, the skin covering around the nostrils may not come off. As the next shed nears you may hear a whistling sound as it breathes. After the next bath, work at this area to remove any retained skin.

A healthy snake will shed about once a month. A snake about to shed is referred to as being "in the blue". The signs you will see before a shed is the skin becomes dull, eyes become cloudy or bluish and will increase in nervous behavior because they can't see. After 3 or 4 days the eyes become clear again and the snake seeks rough surfaces to rub on and these should always be provided for your snake. Shedding will progress from nose to tail and will take anywhere from 7 to 14 days. Never handle a snake that shows signs of an impending shed or is actively shedding. Snakes will generally not eat during a shed.

Soaking for smaller snakes in a plastic rubbermaid container works well. A plastic container with a lid and a hole cut out of the top (wide enough for the snake to get in & out) will act as a water hide where the snake can feel safe & secure while soaking. Never have the water too deep, otherwise your snake could drown. For larger snakes a clean plastic garbage can, bath tub or child's swimming pool works well. Place your snake between layers of damp towels with room to move in and out of the layers. This movement will help slough off their skin. Once complete, the shed should be removed and the snake checked for a complete shed including eye caps. Retained eye caps can be very dangerous for your snake. They can harbor dangerous bacteria as well as make it difficult for your snake to see. Removing them is not difficult, but make sure you know what you are doing, otherwise you may permanently damage the snake's cornea. Anytime you suspect problems, consult with your reptile veterinarian.

It is common for growth to slow down during the winter months. During this time of slowed growth and reduced food intake, reptiles will often not shed. If your lizard is not shedding and it is not the winter slow-growth period, then there is a problem. You need to check the humidity levels, diet and if your lizard is under stress. Slow growers should be seen by a reptile veterinarian to ensure they are not suffering from bacteria infections, parasites or other medical problems.

Husbandry Techniques for an Incomplete Shed:

When a problem shed occurs, or one that is slow to start or finish, you need to figure out why it is happening and correct the problem. There are many reasons for the shedding process to be incomplete. The most common cause is related to poor husbandry and/or nutrition. Or it could be a symptom of another problem like mites, bacterial infection of the skin or other health problems. Your veterinarian can guide you in the proper treatments once the underlying problem has been found. Humidity is very important for reptiles with requirements varying from species to species. Check what your pet's requirements are and make sure you have a reliable method to monitor those humidity levels. Incomplete sheds can often be fixed by adjusting the humidity during the pre-shed and shed period. Overall adjustments may need to be made from time to time depending on the season. Reptiles that are under stress may also have an incomplete shed. Other tank mates and any sudden changes can cause stress. If you find it is a stress situation, relocate their tank/cage to a quieter room or separate any tank mates and try not to over handle your pet.

References:

www.animaldiscovery.com/guides/reptiles/snakes/shedding.html - Animal Planet Reptile Guide

http://www.anapsid.org/shedding.html - Melissa Kaplin's Herp Care Collection - Reptile Skin and Shedding"

- Encylopedia.com - "It's Not Easy Being Green."

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibian.html - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - "Amphibian"

Book: "Green Anoles - Selection, Care & Breeding" by Ray Huniziker.

Stupid Jokes

Yup, here are some cute jokes that you can impress your friends with. Just don't tell them where you got them from!!

Q: Where do frogs keep their money?
A: In a river bank!

Q: What kind of bull doesn't have horns?
A: A bullfrog!

Q: What jumps up and down in front of a car?
A: Froglights!

Q: Why doesn't Kermit the Frog like elephants?
A: They always want to play leap frog with him!

Q: Why was the frog down in the mouth?
A: He was un hoppy!

Q: Why is a frog luckier than a cat?
A: Because a frog croaks all the time but a cat only gets to croak nine times!

Q: What's a toad's favorite ballet?
A: Swamp Lake!

Q: What's green and can jump a mile a minute?
A: A frog with hiccups!

Q: Why did the lizard go on a diet?
A: It weighed too much for its scales!

Q: What do you call the English Toad Prize giving ceremony?
A: The Brit Awarts!

That's enough for now...

Carrie

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