RHJ 5
THE TIME FOR RESPONSIBLE HERPETOCULTURE EDUCATION IS NOW
Philippe de Vosjoli
As we all hear, there is frequent news of ever increasing threats to the hobby from misguided regulations, and pressure from animal rights groups and politicians. In this article from Philippe de Vosjoli, the importance of increasing the communication of the positive benefits of Herpetoculture to conservation efforts and our culture in general, to a broader audience than just those of us who greatly enjoy and work with these species is discussed, and the importance of doing so to the survival of our hobby.
TRICOLORS OF THE GRAN CHACO: A NATURALISTIC HUSBANDRY APPROACH FOR XENODON PULCHER
Roy Arthur Blodgett
Roy Arthur Blodgett provides a detailed account of his methods for the husbandry of tricolor hognose snakes (Xenodon pulcher) in naturalistic vivariums, and what the benefits are to this species that result from his methods. He demonstrates, through his long term success with this species, a novel approach to the husbandry that could prove adaptable to a wide variety of taxa.
NOTES ON HERPETOCULTURE OF SOUTHERN ANGLE-HEADED DRAGONS
Asher Nicholls
The southern angle headed dragon (Lophosaurus spinipes) is a small to medium sized agamid lizard from the dense canopied coastal rainforests of Eastern Australia. In this article Australian herpetoculturist, Asher Nicholls, discusses his techniques for the successful acclimation, husbandry and reproduction of beautiful species, and encourages others to work with them to preserve them in the hobby for generations to come.
KEEPING AND BREEDING OF ARMADILLO GIRDLED LIZARD IN CAPTIVITY
Ivan Neizhko, Oleksii Marushchak, Shane Albrecht, Francois Busson, Lydie Devost-Verger, Luc Jacobs, Rob Nixon
Though never available in abundance due to its low reproductive rate, the armadillo lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus) is one of the most well-known of the South African girdled lizards, and has been present in the hobby for decades. Several methods for long term husbandry and breeding of this species are examined through a review of the techniques used by seven well renowned herpetoculture specialists. They each describe their differing, but equally successful approaches for the husbandry and reproduction of this species, providing alternative approaches that will help new keepers of this species find what methods work best for them.
HUSBANDRY AND BREEDING OF FIRE-BELLIED TOADS
Markus Harzdorf
The familiar Oriental fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis) is just one member of a small, but diverse genus of Old World anurans, each with its own unique and fascinating characteristics. Private herpetoculturist, Markus Harzdorf, discusses the taxonomy, natural history, husbandry and reproduction of several members of the genus Bombina, and provides a look at the methods he uses to house, feed and reproduce these beautiful species.
WRITING EXOTICS KEEPER MAGAZINE
Thomas Marriott
With the Similar Mission and goal to RHP, of providing quality information on the herpetoculture of a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians, Thomas Marriott describes his adventures in creating and publishing one of Europe's most recent and successful magazines supporting the hobby of herpetoculture.
NEVER-ENDING TREASURE: SUSTAINABILITY IN THE EXOTIC PET TRADE
Ivan Lozano
Ivan Lozano describes an established and novel approach to the conservation of Dendrobatid frogs that simultaneously provides a source of legal, ethical, healthy, captive bred animals for the herpetoculture community. This is an approach that could easily be used as a model for many of the other reptile and amphibian species we admire.
AT THE AGE OF SIX I ALREADY HAD REPTILES AS PETS, AT THE AGE OF TEN, I BRED SNAKES FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND THEY WERE VIPERS – INTERVIEW WITH LYDIE DEVOST-VERGER
Lydie Devost-Verger, Dmitri Tkachev
RHP's own Dmitri Tkachev interviews French herpetoculturist Lydie Devost-Verger who described her story, likely similar to many of our readers, of being fascinated by reptiles and amphibians since early childhood, and of following her passion throughout her life to become one of the most successful lizard keepers in Europe.
HUSBANDRY AND BREEDING OF INDIAN STAR TORTOISE IN BION TERRARIUM CENTER
Ivan Neizhko, Oleksii Marushchak
RHP experts, Ivan Neizhko and Oleksii Marushchak provide a review of the methodologies for the herpetoculture of Indian star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) at the Bion Terrarium Center in Kyiv, Ukraine. Details on the natural history, native range and habitats are discussed, and detailed information of diet, housing and captive reproduction is provided. This information will be valuable for anyone who is hoping to be successful keeping this beautiful species.
KEEPING AND BREEDING OF DOMERGUE'S LEAF CHAMELEON
Michael J Nash
Michael Nash, a herpetoculturist from the USA, describes his approach for the acclimation, feeding, long-term maintenance, and reproduction of the tiny Domergue's leaf chameleon (Brookesia thieli) from Madagascar. Despite its diminutive size, Michael demonstrates through a description of his methodology, that this species is not necessarily as delicate as one might assume. As long as some basic parameters are established and followed, multigenerational success with this tiny gem can easily be achieved.
HERPETON 2019 REVISITED
Philippe de Vosjoli
Modeled after the herpetological/herpetocultural conferences of the 1980's and 1990's, RHP's Philippe de Vosjoli describes his motivations and philosophy for the creation of the Herpeton Conference that was held in San Diego in 2019. The huge effort he and many others went through to put on this event paid off as the conference was a great success and received rave reviews by all in attendance. Planning for a follow up event for 2020 was well under way, but the COVID pandemic hit early that year and the second event was not to be. While the future of this event is in question, perhaps this article will inspire others to help make it happen again.