RHJ 8

LA FERME TROPICALE IN FRANCE: A GOOD EXAMPLE OF RESPONSIBLE HERPETOCULTURE

Oleksii Marushchak

RHJ content editor, Oleksii Marushchak, describes the accomplishments of the largest herpetocultural retail establishment in France, La Ferme Tropicale. Owner, Karim Daoues, has made his childhood dream a reality, and by following and promoting the principles of Responsible Herpetoculture over La Ferme Tropicale's 30-year history, has turned it into the premiere reptile and amphibian retail and educational establishment in the Country.

NOTES ON THE HUSBANDRY OF KING RATSNAKES

Mattia Fieramoschi and Augusta Sacchetta

Belgian herpetoculturists Mattia Fieramoschi and Augusta Sacchetta provide a detailed discussion of the biology, natural history and herpetoculture of the king ratsnakes (Elaphe carinata ssp.). Information includes a description of four currently recognized subspecies, along with regional variations and various captive produced color morphs. Details on husbandry and reproduction are provided and are accompanied by a multitude of color photos. This article will be greatly appreciated by anyone interested in working with these beautiful and impressive snakes.

THE MASOALA RAINFOREST PROJECT

Rayane Vuillemin

Rayane Vuillemin describes for us the history of the Masoala Rainforest Project in Zürich, Switzerland. Opening in 2003, this ambitious project created an immersive facility where visitors could be surrounded by wildlife and natural habitat in a 30-meter high and hectare wide exhibit that replicates a part of the Madagascan rainforest. Containing a rich diversity of vertebrate and plant taxa from Madagascar and nearby regions, this facility, and the process of its creation was a massive undertaking. Take a look and learn more about the creation and management of this fascinating project.

THE AHH/BHS CONFERENCE ROUNDUP

Thomas Marriott

Editor of Exotics Keeper Magazine in the United Kingdom, Thomas Marriott, provides an account of his attendance at the British Herpetological Society and Advancing Herpetological Husbandry annual conference at the Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire, England, UK. Thomas gives a brief overview of the venue, presentations and associated activities of this two-day event that included a host of renowned and fascinating speakers, and a visit to the Drayton Manor Zoo.

HERPING IN IRAN

Bryan Minne, Laura Ruysseveldt

Herpetological Education and Research Project (H.E.R.P) members, Bryan Minne and Laura Ruysseveldt share the challenges and rewards of herping in Iran. Iran has a reputation of being difficult for outsiders to travel to, but motivated by the unique diversity of reptiles and amphibians that occur there, the H.E.R.P team did everything in their power to make it happen. All their effort, the challenges they overcame, the close calls they experienced, and more, all paid off, as they were able to see and photograph some of the Country's most beautiful reptile and amphibian species, including the famous spider-tailed viper (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides)!

KEEPING AND BREEDING THE NORTHLAND GREEN GECKO

Luc Jacobs

Experienced herpetoculturist, Luc Jacobs from Belgium provides us with interesting information on the New Zealand geckos in the genus Naultinus. Beginning with a brief overview of the major gecko groups in New Zealand, Luc provides specific details of the genus Naultinus including a brief description of the species and their ranges. Luc shares with us his personal passion with the northland green gecko (Naultinus grayi) in herpetoculture. Sharing his experiences with captive husbandry details on caging, diet, growth rates and reproduction are provided. This article is a unique opportunity to learn about this group of geckos that is little known outside of New Zealand.

DISEASES IN AMPHIBIANS: KNOW – UNDERSTAND – TREAT – PREVENT

Leandro Bergmann

Private breeder and nature conservationist, Leandro Bergmann from Germany, provides detailed information on the major viral and fungal diseases of amphibians, how these pathogens spread to private collections, and what effects they can have on the species in captivity and in the wild. Leandro shares a number of references for more information along with helpful methods one can use to prevent these pathogens from invading your collection, and how you can treat your animals should such an invasion occur.

KEEPING AND BREEDING YUCATAN CASQUE-HEADED TREE FROG

Michaela Kralova (courtesy of Exotics Keeper Magazine)

Michaela Kralova, a private breeder from the Czech Republic, shares the techniques she developed for the herpetoculture of the Yucatan casque-headed tree frog (Triprion petasatus Cope, 1865). Providing details on the natural history of this truly bizarre looking species, Michaela describes how she emulates the conditions they experience in the wild, and how these techniques have resulted in the successful production of thousands of offspring of this unique species.

TORTOISE FARMING IN THE MASCARENES

Jim Pether, Photos by the author

Jim Pether tells the story of the La Vanille Crocodile Farm on Mauritius that Owen Griffiths and his wife Mary Ann opened in 1985. Over the years, their farm has not only expanded to property on Rodrigues but has grown to help preserve the Madagascan Nile crocodiles as well as become one of important reserved populations of Aldabra, radiated, and even plowshare tortoises. Learn how they have further been experimenting with reestablishing the tortoises along with a wide variety of native Mascarene plants grown in their own nursery to help start the restoration and re-wilding some of the most devastated islands in the world.

МУ EXPERIENCES WITH EGYPTIAN TORTOISES

René Nieland

After searching for a tortoise species that would fit well with his accommodations and resources, René Nieland, a private breeder in Germany discovered one of the smallest tortoise species in the world, the Egyptian tortoise. René describes his techniques for maintenance and reproduction of this species, going into great detail on all aspects of the care for this species, from providing the correct environmental parameters, to feeding, reproduction, to the incubation and raising of the offspring. Could be recommended as a must read for serious hobbyists.

ADELINE ROBINSON ART – MASTERPIECES INSPIRED BY HERPS

interview with Adeline Robinson

RHJ's Dmitri Tkachev interviews Adeline Robinson, a talented artist from the USA. Adeline tells the story of how she developed a passion for reptiles and amphibians as a child, and how that passion inspired her to pursue an education and career in art, that organically led her to create a multitude of herp inspired pieces, and ultimately to open her own business, Adeline Robinson Art.