Promotion, Care and Enjoyment of Reptiles and Amphibians through Education

Transcription

1 HERPUTOPA NEWSLETTER Promotion, Care and Enjoyment of Reptiles and Amphibians through Education AUGUST 2012 Estab 1998 Vol 7 ssue 6 """#$%%&"&''&'()*$%(+,-$(*.#-,/#&01,'(230$'$(+-,2*&-* ::;<66="#$#%&'()*$+#,")-.,/01213 COMMTTEE 4;<6>:<?7@&'*A;&2B$2CDEFGEHGHgarthfay@bigpond.net.auJ>K<4;<6>:<?7L'&2-(+?&*A&2$(%CDMNEGOCOE 6<K;<78;P9,'(%%(4(/Q'$RS(CDCMCOMCO7;<86T;<;9.22(U"(('+DEOEEDD4TV9>K5LL>K<;4A$%$)U"(('+ DEOEEDD?<W69<77<;<:>75;L&.6/$*ADEGODFFD4TV9>6X<;4A$%$)U"(('+#487;5?YZ<?@;>LL>7X6 MEETNGS: First Monday of the month at 7.00 pm (excluding January, April & October) Fairy Meadow Community Centre: Guest Park, opposite Woolworths corner Princes Hwy and Cambridge Ave, Fairy Meadow AT EACH MEETNG - Lucky Door Prize, Sausage Sizzle $2.00, Drinks $1.00, Free Tea and Coffee 454,67)*4,8)- Monday August 6 th 2012 Colin South - with 35 years of experience, Col will take us around the world on a Reptile odyssey, particularly turtles. A few surprises will be guaranteed. Monday September 3 rd 2012 Rob Ambrose - Rob is a professional snake catcher, who has a passion for venomous snakes. Come and hear about one of Rob s favourites, the Red Belly Black Snake. A must for the enthusiast. Monday October 8 th 2012 There will be no meeting on this night, as we will have our annual picnic day at Shoalhaven Zoo, formerly known as Nowra Wildlife Park. Nick, Trent and the staff always make us feel welcome and it is only a short scenic drive from the llawarra. Entry and food is free to members, so don t miss out on this special day. DATE TBA Monday November 5 th 2012 Darren Earnshaw -4"6+*4-)9$*+,:/ How good was that? Brad Walkers talk for our July meeting was totally educating from beginning to end. Brad has many facets to his life including, teacher of Zookeeping at Richmond TAFE, being a rep for Kritter Krumble ( reptile substrate), a professional python breeder, partner with Anthony Stimson with the WildExpo shows and an author. Brad giving his presentation at the last meeting. The day after our meeting Brad travelled to Coffs Harbour to design a wildlife park for the Big Banana, he has also been a valued judge at our annual reptile shows. Brad started his talk showing us scenes from his trips to North Queensland,the reptiles and other fauna he found in the rainforests. With his unique style, Brad clearly described how all animals live in harmony until some outside influence, such as the cane toad upsets that harmony. He also showed us many facets of his reptile husbandry with his python breeding. One photo showed a female carpet python with and incredible 54 eggs, of which 53 hatched.

2 That must be a record. New Species: Bumblebee Gecko Strikingly Striped Brad explaining the road to being a Dr of Herpetology. The 3 rd part of Brad s talk was dedicated to the members wanting to make a career from animal keeping, showing and care. He clearly explained step by step the courses necessary to achieve this and create a fantastic future in zookeeping etc. t is always a joy having Brad Walker with us as a speaker. A natural teacher, we are always left better reptile keepers because of his visits. Thanks mate 0;<=>?;@>A;B?;?C;DE Melissa Swift and Jacob De Salis. Membership Fees Your membership fees are due in August. Due to our strong financial position, our fees will remain the same as last year. Single Member is $20 and Family Membership is $30. Yearly fees are due in August. Direct Deposit to the following account. LLAWARRA REPTLE SOCETY NC BSB: ACCOUNT: Please put your member No. in the xxx field for your identification. 7A( Q0/Q%(Q(( S(-B,,2 \&20+ >+%&2R] ),++$Q%. *A( 2(" +)(-$(+[,2%. A,/(# 4A,*,S'&)A-,0'*(+.;,Q('*L$+A(']T6@6 Christine Dell'Amore for National Geographic News, Published April 23, 2012 The latest buzz in the reptile world is a new "bumblebee" gecko species discovered in Papua New Guinea. Dubbed Nactus kunan kunan meaning "bumblebee" in the local Nali language the black-and-gold striped animal belongs to a genus of slender-toed geckos, a new study says. That means "these guys don't have the padded, wall-climbing toes like the common house gecko or the day gecko in the car-insurance commercials," study co-author Robert Fisher, a biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center in San Diego, said in a statement. n 2010 Fisher was searching for invasive brown tree snakes on Manus sland (map) when locals brought him two specimens of the odd-colored animal, which appears to live nowhere else. t's unknown how many of the roughly 5-inch-long (13-centimeter-long) geckos exist, or if the species is threatened, according to the study. New Gecko Has Rare Coloration The evolutionary impetus for the bumblebee gecko's colors is unknown, though the banded pattern likely helps the lizard hide on the rain forest floor. Only one other species in the Nactus genus sports colors other than dull brown: Nactus galgajuga, a "striking" blackand-white striped species that lives in northern Queensland, Australia, said study co-author George Zug of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. n fact, genetic research revealed that N. galgajuga's closest relative is the bumblebee gecko, said Zug, whose study was published April 4 in the journal Zootaxa.

3 rssn 1836-'1 188 rt tl t, t, j rtl g; Zug and colleagues expect that more new gecko species will be discovered on Manus sland, which few scientists have explored. La Sierra University herpetologist L. Lee Grismer, who wasn't involved in the study, said via , "What's really amazing is that the [locals] knew... all the time being that the specimens were found in their houses. "t just goes to show that we cannot stop looking anywhere and everywhere." F#-/)*4GH*J1K&1 8R+"$%%,2%.&))(&'1,'E/,2*A+ Womas Blonde Macs Albino Darwins Mark Rats & Mice- live or frozen Breeding pair of stimsons Female adult B&G Jungle Garth Children's pythons- 2 pairs Macquarie short neck turtles Saw shell turtles 4", 5", 6" shells Frank Baby turtles Bob Northern Velvet geckos (4) $80 Levis male 6 months $100 Small ($14) & large ($30) snake hooks Sue & Tim July 2012 For Sales Diamond Python Hatchlings Broome Stimson Python Hatchlings Wheatbelt Stimson Python Hatchlings Garth Long Necked Turtles Craig rlll JrJ illrrtril - ". i:,3,if*..; rj fr *' l u.l ;.:* ;.-t ii f l tr ^,il.rfl' 1J-r-r aj)t it tl rl ii r*" : _t /i -f ') -i Water Dragons - Males $70.00 BHP Male $ x Baby Cunninghams $80.00 for both Julie {1?Jr ii rjli tf U ).,, 'l..rtojts... big appeall frr* {*r;{r*j r'fys{v$ $r*r3 {"rr,.fr {ss*}fj Short Necked Turtle 2 x pairs Childrens pythons Frank ;,r4fl Scales & Tails $8 Available at each meeting and at Garth s lilililllilffillililjlilill.?b Members Notices: A&T Custom Cabinets-custom built reptile cabinets in all sizes true_b27@hotmail.com For all you Own Custom made Reptile Cabinets Carmelo

4 +**)0)--)"46F##8/ Shop1, 138 Terry Street Albion Park Phone: % off reptile accessories to all RS members (not foods) * Crickets & Woodies $5.50 each * *Enclosures *Substrate * Heating Lighting * Artificial plants the paper "Rivaling the World's Smallest Reptiles: Discovery of Miniaturized and Microendemic New Species of Leaf Chameleons (Brookesia) from Northern Madagascar" published by PLoS One; Brookesia tristis, Brookesia confidens, Brookesia micra, and Brookesia desperata. The species were collected between the years 2000 and 2008 in the Montagne des Français, Ankarana, Nosy Hara and Forêt d'ambre regions of Madagascar, and each species shows clear differences in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences that separates the species, with an extremely high genetic difference that the scientists say indicates a very old lineage divergence. According to the researchers, Brookesia micra reaches a maximum size of 16mm (slightly more than half an inch) in males, not including the tail and 30mm (1.1 inches) total length for both male and female, which ranks it as one of the smallest fourlimbed animals in the world. New Species of Madagascar Dwarf Chameleon Brookesia micra ranks as one of the smallest four limbed animals in the world. February 16, 2012 The researchers collected the slightly larger Brookesia tristis, Brookesia confidens, and Brookesia desperata species in the rainforests and dry forests of northern Madagascar at night and during the rainy season, using torches and headlamps. Brookesia micra were found to be active during the day on the ground in an area of eroded limestone boulders and dry forest leaf litter. t was also found at night roosting on branches in very low vegetation areas. The research paper details the genetic and physical makeup of each species and suggests that geographical disparity can cause "island dwarfism" and may have contributed to the extreme miniaturization of Brookesia micra, though it is uncertain. A dwarf chameleon species has been discovered in Madagascar that is so tiny that a juvenile Brookesia micra can walk on the nail of an adult human fingertip. Scientific researchers Frank Glaw, Jörn Köhler, Ted M. Townsend, and Miguel Vences discovered the chameleon, (Brookesia micra), while searching through leaf litter on the islet of Nosy Hara. n all, four species of leaf chameleon were detailed in Reptile keeping books available at the meetings at a good members discount

5 Egg-Eating Snake Species Discovered in Cambodia The Cambodian kukri (Oligodon kampucheaensis) snake has curved rear teeth to hold and help swallow eggs. July 16, 2012 works with Fauna & Flora nternational (FF) discovered the snake with Dr. Lee Grismer and Dr. Jenny Daltry. Cambodian science was smashed under the Pol Pot regime, and only now are we picking up the pieces. t gave me a great sense of pride to both discover and describe this species, and to name it in honor of my country, Thy said in a statement released by FF. Most kukri snakes are dull-colored, but this one is dark red with black and white rings, making it a beautiful snake. The kukri snake is a rainforest species that eats eggs as its principle food source. t has rear curved teeth that apparently are similar in shape to a Nepalese knife known as the kukri, hence the name. According to FF, the snake is under threat due to habitat loss and land conversion, and is the second reptile FF has described in Cambodia in A new species of egg-eating snake has been discovered in the Cardamom Mountains in south west Cambodia. The snake, named the Cambodian kukri (Oligodon kampucheaensis) was named after the country in which it was found. Neang Thy, a Cambodia Ministry of Environment officer who 22-FOOT, 2500 POUNDS The village called the Army for help, because they were losing people HANES GLASS - DAPTO 298 Princes Highway, Dapto PHONE FAX MOBLE foot, 2500 pounds The village called the Army for help, because they were losing people K5J<;>?@7X<65T7XK5867L5;899 64<K>897P.*Domestic Specialists * Laminated Glass *Table Tops Shower Screens. Framed Mirrors. Rear view Mirrors "#$%&'()*$+,-./,&0$'-$#-1'-2#&#1$3.4'&1$*5#6.#*$ 7'1$+,/,('8'9:,*$;-2#3#*$<,,= f snakes and lizards are your bag, you're in luck -- the LA Zoo is opening a new home for reptiles and their scaly ilk. open to the public starting March

6 Course chain to study herpetology Brad Walker Once completing TAFE courses or straight from High School Undergraduate degrees (Yr 12 or bridging course required for entry) Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Biological Science Bachelor of Zoology Bachelor of NaturaL Science Bachelor of Animals Science Upon completion of an undergraduate degree (2 options) Honours year eg) Bachelor of Zoology (hons) entry into an honours degree generally requires a certain gradepoint average to gain entry). An honours degree is an intense year of study that incorporates a major research project that culminates in the production of a thesis. At the conclusion of an honours year, depending on the grading (Class 1, Class2), it can fast track entry into a Doctor of Philosophy (PHD). Those achieving Honours Class 1 generally receive a full funded postgraduate scholarship for the 3 year duration of a PHD program. Postgraduate Courses Masters Degree entry can be straight from an undergraduate degree or upon completion of an honours degree. Masters degrees can be by research or coursework programs. Many masters degrees in wildlife ecology can have an extensive field based program. Masters courses are very popular for those wanting to become field research ecologists and consultants. Examples of Masters Degrees to become a wildlife ecologist include;- Master of Science in Wildlife Health and Population Management University of Sydney Master of Wildlife Management Macquarie University Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) This is a major degree program that trains individuals in becoming professional independent researchers with a high level of quality and originality. A typical PHD involves an extensive research investigation (generally 3 years) in an original unique area of study that culminates in a major published thesis. People who undertake this gruelling program desire a career in scientific research. Many PHD graduates become academics at Universities who both lecture undergraduate subjects, train more postgraduate students and seek research grants and funding to conduct original research. Successful academics not only teach but have a strong research component and publish in prestigious worldwide scientific journals. Some examples of PHD thesis in Herpetology include; Dr Christopher Schell Ecology and life-history variation within a population of the frog Limnodynastes Tasmaniensis (Anura: Myobatrachidae) from a remnant woodland of the Cumberland plain in north-western Sydney Professor Rick Shine Ecological studies on Australian elapid snakes Associate Professor, Professor Researchers that have built up an internationally esteemed research profile can be promoted to the status of Associate Professor or Professor in their chosen field. The criteria for promotion may vary from institution to institution but often involves numerous years of high level research publications and grant achievements. A Professor is a world recognised expert in their field of research. eg) the field of herpetology Professor Rick Shine University of Sydney Associate Professor Bryan Fry University of Queensland