Exotics Keeper Magazine November 2022

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK

The care and keeping of day geckos.

SCALING UP

What does it take to create the perfect enclosure for giant snakes? Keepers at Paradise Wildlife Park share their thoughts.

PEACOCK KEEPING

Although peacocks are instantly recognisable, there are a lot of things the average person doesn’t know about these flamboyant birds.

SPACE HOPPERS

Tim Baker, LVI Lead Keeper at Drayton Manor shares how the zoo managed to breed starry night reed frogs.

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MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY Peregrine Livefoods Ltd

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CM5 0EN

Print ISSN: 2634-4695

Digital ISSN: 2634-4688

EDITORIAL:

Thomas Marriott

DESIGN:

Scott Giarnese

Amy Mather

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We’re now into our third year of Exotics Keeper Magazine and what a time it’s been! To celebrate, we have launched a ‘highlights’ edition of Exotics Keeper Magazine, available on pocketmags and our website for new readers to get a taste of some of our oldest issues. You can find it at exoticskeeper.com/free-ek. This is a great opportunity for current subscribers to check out what you might have missed in the early days. We will also be discontinuing most of our oldest issues in the coming weeks (apologies if this has happened before the current magazine arrives) but if anyone is missing a copy and wants to grab a back issue, now is the time! Feel free to message our social media channels and we will check if there is any extra stock available.

This month’s content addresses some key husbandry topics, from ‘best practice’ for giant snakes to UV for birds. Unfortunately, both areas of exotics keeping seem to have some catching up to do, so we’ve highlighted an excellent example of an anaconda enclosure at Paradise Wildlife Park and outlined the reasons why indoor cage birds need UV lighting. We also have an unintentional Madagascar focus, as Tim Baker LVI Lead Keeper at Drayton Manor joins us as a guest writer to discuss how the zoo successfully keeps at breed starry night reed frogs. Simon Prentice at Phelsuma Farm also contributes some interesting tips for keeping day geckos.

This month welcomes the addition of our new recurring feature ‘Fish Science’ with Dr David Pool. Some of you may have seen Dave’s articles in the past. He is a Zoologist specialising in Freshwater Fisheries Biology with over 45 years of industry experience. Dave is a leading figure in the aquarist hobby and the new monthly feature aims to dive into the world of aquatics in an accessible way.

Finally, all being well, I will be visiting Madagascar later this month. My other true passion in life is travel and I frequently write reptile-focused travel blogs on my other channels. I hope to bring more of this to EK with regular social media posts and a full feature on the expedition in the coming months. This is just a trial, but I’d love to hear from our readers whether it’s something you would like to see more of.

Thanks!

Thomas Marriott Features Editor

Every effort is made to ensure the material published in EK Magazine is reliable and accurate. However, the publisher can accept no responsibility for the claims made by advertisers, manufacturers or contributors. Readers are advised to check any claims themselves before acting on this advice. Copyright belongs to the publishers and no part of the magazine can be reproduced without written permission.

Front

Phelsuma grandis)

Right: Giant Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma grandis)

cover: Giant Madagascar day gecko (

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EXOTICS NEWS

The latest from the world of exotic animals

August 25th 2022, after eight days it was relocated via radio-telemetry some distance away and was sighted flying and foraging with a flock of native parrots before its signal was once again lost. A second birds` signal was also lost, it left the release area on September 6th 2022, but the next day this solitary macaw fell prey to an avian predator only a few kilometers from the release site.

Paradise Wildlife Park

Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire have announced that their pair of Malayan black hornbills have successfully bred for a second time this year - which is unheard of in this species before. The first chick was parent-reared by female “Mulu” and male “Darwin” back in April, and now two more chicks are being reared. In European zoos there are 26 birds registered in the EAZA ex-situ breeding programme and these chicks are the only ones to be hatched this year within this programme.

Released Spix’s Macaws Died

Dr Cromwell Purchase, ACTP Director Brazil and Manager of the Spix’s Macaw Release Centre in the Caatinga announced the tragic loss of two released Spixs`s macaws.

One Spix’s macaw went missing on

Reintroductions are extremely challenging for any species, especially for one that was previously extinct in the wild. Although losses may inevitably occur, careful and meticulous planning and execution can help to greatly reduce or limit such. Indeed, losses themselves also present opportunities for continued learning and assessment of techniques and strategies. Dr. Cromwell Purchase explains: “What our results to date tell us is that the macaws are successfully adapting to the wild, the radio-tracking devices are working as designed, and our overall strategy has thus far proven sound and effective. The released macaws are gradually becoming independent; most remain together as a flock, and all are becoming increasingly adept at obtaining resources”.

It has since been announced that the second planned release of Spixs`s macaws will be around the 10th December 2022.

CITES 19th Meeting Conference of the Parties

Between 14th- 25th November in Panama City the 19th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties will take place to propose some changes. These include some upgrades of the

following species to provide greater protection, potentially moving them from Appendix 2 to Appendix 1 ; the red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga) , IndoChinese box turtle, Leith`s softshell turtle, (Common) hippopotamus, straw-headed bulbul and some South African populations of elephant. In addition, several reptile species are proposed to join Appendix 2 which aims to prevent further declines in their populations, some of these are presently freely traded by commercial reptile dealers, these include familiar species such as; Chinese water dragons, snapping turtles, mud/musk turtles, horned lizards and glass frogs.

Marwell Zoo

On the 27th September female white rhino “Sula” sadly died. The week before she had collapsed, but the keepers managed to get her up. She was 36 years old and had two calves at Marwell – one in 1999 and a second in 2003, she was a delight to work with, always friendly with the keepers, though she often used to push her old companion “Kiri” around a bit at times.

Photo, taken in 2007; “Kiri” with “Sula” on the right - with the straight horn © P. Irven

Seth Macfarlane, the creator of family guy and longtime supporter of ‘The Rainforest Trust’. The polka-dot patterned frog is a toxic species discovered by Dawn Recalde, a field technician of the EcoMinga Foundation. So far, four specimens have been found, all within just a few square meters of one another. “This is a very rare frog found only at high elevations in a remote part of our Machay Reserve (the subject of World Land Trust‘s “Forests in the Sky” appeal in 2015), so it took us these four years to find enough individuals to make a thorough description of it” writes Dawn in a blog post.

The patch of rainforest sits on a ridgeline of the Cerro Mayodormo, Ecuador. This secluded habitat is likely to harbour more unique species and The Rainforest Trust is continuing its work identifying new species in the region. Researchers are hoping to analyse the toxicity of the new species over the coming months.

Jurrasic Fossil Fish Found

A beautifully preserved, three dimensional, ferocious-looking fossil fish, has been unearthed from a Jurassic dig site, located on a grassy bank, behind a cow shed in the village of Kings Stanley just outside Stroud, in Gloucestershire.

The landowner, Adam Knight, had no idea his English longhorn cattle were grazing on top of a rich fossil seam, recalling a time, 183 million years ago, when his farm would have been lying under warm tropical ocean waters.

Mr Knight gave permission to prolific West Country fossilhunters Neville and Sally Hollingsworth, and a team led from the University of Manchester, to investigate the bank further. They said "when we prepared this fossil, revealing its bones bit by bit, it was amazing because we suddenly realised its skull was uncrushed”. A digger was brought in to extract hundreds more of the nodules, which were carefully cracked open to see what they held inside. The tuna-like predator, named Pachycormus, was encased in one of the many limestone nodules that were falling out from an exposed clay layer. There is particular interest because the specimens were extracted from a rare UK example of a time slice in the early Jurassic - the Toarcian Stage. It is known for exceptional preservation, including of soft tissues, and the team has a fish, for example, in which it is possible to see the stomach contents.

The intention is to stage a public display of the fossils at the Boho Bakery Café, which is close to Court Farm, in October.

New Frog Species Named After ‘Family Guy’ Creator

A new species of frog has been described in the Ecuadorian Andes. Hyloscirtus sethmacfarlani has been named in honour of U.S film and television creator,

Uplist for Jumping Rat

In the 1990s Jersey Zoo (JWPT/DWCT) became the first institution to commence a captive breeding programme which was very successful. However a recent assessment of wild populations of the Malagasy giant jumping rat by Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has estimated the current population to be down to approximately 5,000 individuals. A combination of their low reproductive rate, habitat loss, with degredation and fragmentation of their environment over many years, has led to a decline of around 88% between 2007 and 2019. As a result the species status has now been upgraded from Endangered to Critically Endangered.

©Dean Lomax

©JWPT

New Sloth Species Recognised

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is home to two separate species of sloth - with heads that look just like coconuts, new research reveals. Found in a small region of this coastal forest, maned sloths were previously thought to represent a single species – but it turns out that those in the northern section of this range are genetically distinct from those in the south.

The maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) was first described in 1811 – although British zoologist John

Edward Gray claimed to have discovered a second species in 1850, which he named Bradypus crinitus His assertions were later dismissed, with taxonomists agreeing that the specimen described by Gray was in fact B. torquatus, although this new study proves that B. crinitus does indeed exist.

Recently researchers conducted a morphological analysis of 24 maned sloths, some of which came from the northern states of Bahia and Sergipe, while the rest were from Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo in the south. Compared to their northern counterparts, southern sloths had flatter skulls, rounder jaws, and wider cheekbones. Genetic analysis of 55 maned sloths then revealed “substantial genetic divergence” between the southern and northern groups. Studying a group of collectively inherited mitochondrial genes, the researchers identified 86 mutational steps separating the two populations, and calculated that this divergence occurred around 4.24 million years ago. “Our integrative approach demonstrates that two species of maned sloth can be recognized: the northern maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) occurring in the Brazilian states of Bahia and Sergipe, and the southern maned sloth (Bradypus crinitus), occurring in Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo states,” say the researchers.

The two species’ ranges are separated by the Rio Doce River, which also acts as a dividing line between related species. However, the researchers are unable to say whether the river provides a physical barrier or if contrasting climatic and geographical features on either side of this marker are responsible for these phylogeographic breaks. However, they do note that the B  crinitus population on the southern side of the Rio Doce River would have been restricted to a “small climatically stable refuge,” and that confinement to this limited area may have contributed to the separation of the two species.

ON THE WEB

Websites | Social media | Published research

Each month we highlight a favourite website or social media page

THIS MONTH IT’S: HERPETOFAUNA OF MADAGASCAR

Dr Mark D. Scherz presents the current list of all described species from Madagascar. This list is regularly updated with new species descriptions, and also seeks to immediately take into account new taxonomic changes. In some instances, it includes notes on taxonomic changes, who they were made by, and their references. www.markscherz.com/herpetofauna-of-madagascar

Collated and written by Paul Irven.

SCALING UP

What does it take to provide optimal husbandry for giant snakes?

Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus)

The care and keeping of giant snakes is a contentious subject, particularly in the private sector. Not only do giant snakes require giant enclosures, but they also demand an immense amount of electricity and pose a genuine threat to human life. All these challenges can be overcome with the correct knowledge and resources but for most private keepers, these resources are well out of reach. Despite this, some species, such as reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus), are frequently kept in the UK. Others, such as green anacondas (Eunectes murinus) are less commonly kept but still occupy myriad private collections across the country. Whilst there is no innate distinction between the resources available to a zoo and the resources available to a private keeper, zoos often have much more funding and a necessity to present only the best husbandry practices to ensure a positive visitor experience. In this sense, zoos offer excellent insight into how giant reptiles should be kept.

Anacondas at Paradise Wildlife Park

Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne, Essex is home to Optimus, the UK’s largest on-display green anaconda. Optimus and recently introduced, Nina share one of the most renowned giant snake exhibits in the country. With a whopping 80 square-foot of floor space, including a 4-foot-deep pool, keepers at Paradise Wildlife Park have managed to house these goliaths in optimal conditions.

Green anacondas are the heaviest snakes on the planet. They have been the subject of various horror films and feature heavily in South American mythology. Reports of man-eating snakes are rife in pop culture and whilst unverified, are likely to have occurred in remote regions of the Amazon, where

native children play close to the river. There are, therefore, many benefits to displaying these otherwise fear-inducing snakes. “Green anacondas have been kept in zoos and private collections for many years now” explains Jennifer Bartlett, Reptile Section Leader at Paradise Wildlife Park. “There is a challenge for us is that not a lot of research happens on their wild ecology. They are considered ‘least concern’ by the IUCN but listed as ‘data deficient’. The big problem is in South America, they’re very widespread and they live in environments that are very difficult to track in the wild. A lot of collections display green anacondas, but because they live such a long time and get so big, they are often rehomed to other collections once they reach a certain size. We’ve had Optimus from a private collection at a very young age and

once she got to a certain size we hit that same crossroad. However, we chose to build something massive that would house her for the rest of her life.”

Green anacondas were previously ranched in South America quite often. Their distribution covers the entire Amazon region and as far South as Paraguay. As their distribution covers many countries, each with slightly different animal export laws, in-situ keepers could breed large numbers of the snakes and export them across the world to zoological collections and private collectors with relative ease. Nowadays, things have changed slightly and laws are more stringent. There are also four different species in the Eunectes genus, and more are likely to be described in the future.

Jennifer continued: “Anacondas are livebearers, they give birth to anything up to 30 babies in one go and because of that, most people that do breed them will struggle to house them all. Currently, there are no breeding programmes established for zoos, which isn’t a problem now but perhaps in 20/30 years we will find that there will be a shortage of green anacondas as display animals.” Green anacondas are also able to reproduce via facultative parthenogenically, which means females can reproduce by replicating themselves in the absence of a male. This was first recorded in the UK in 2014 by O’Shea et al but has more recently been documented in other collections across the world. So far, the parthenogenic births have only produced a small number of young (between three and five offspring) which is very few compared to a normal birth.

Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)

Creating paradise

Large constrictors, such as Burmese pythons (Python bivvitatus), boa constrictors (Boa constrictor) and to a lesser-extent African rock pythons (Python sebae) have historically been housed in proportionately small vivaria. Nowadays, particularly in the UK and Europe, that is changing. Although the popularity of Burmese pythons may have dropped, various social media platforms still show enormous, reticulated pythons (arguably the longest snakes in the world) kept in outrageously small enclosures. Although anacondas are never likely to reach the same commercial appeal as reticulated pythons, these worrying husbandry misconceptions may have far reaching implications.

“A lot of people underestimate the amount of space they need” added Jennifer. “We are firm believers that snakes should be able to fully stretch out. These snakes really do require their own building. Most private keepers can’t facilitate that, but there are some that can. Another major consideration is how powerful they are. Anacondas are typically quite docile, but they can be very unpredictable. You do need a second person in the room whenever you’re getting close to giant snakes. In our case, these are trained staff who know the procedure if the snake does bite.”

There are other obstacles when it comes to housing a

giant snake. Whilst some of the larger pythons reach similar sizes to green anacondas, their natural behaviours make them slightly more manageable providing a suitable enclosure can be maintained. The building that houses Optimus and Nina cost the zoo around £250,000 to build. As well as all the necessary lighting and heating, catering to the species’ aquatic behaviours is not only costly but demands a lot of time and effort.

We know they spend about 80% of their time in the water but there are myths out there too” added Jennifer. “Some say that once they reach a certain age, they will spend all their time in the water and that just isn’t true. Although it is rare to see them completely out of the pool, our huge female, Optimus will happily sit on the land. We will often catch her on the cameras moving around. They spend most of the day in the water and then perhaps every other night, they will come out, follow scents and explore then return to the pool before the zoo opens the next morning. They definitely appear to feel more secure in the water. They are a lot more timid than people realise. They can be inquisitive but as soon as they notice anything unusual, they will move as far away from it as possible. If we go in at different times, or if we feed them later in the day, they will be much more hesitant to feed. This makes it even more rewarding when we do see them being active and curious”

Burmese python (Python bivvitatus)

Wild conditions

Green anacondas are perfectly adapted for a semiaquatic lifestyle. Their eyes and nostrils are positioned slightly higher on their head to allow them to stalk their prey from beneath the water. They are primarily nocturnal and use flooded plains and forests to move long distances, undetected. This cryptic behaviour is extremely important to juvenile anacondas which are prey for a huge number of Amazonian species. “When we first moved Optimus in, you could tell she had never had a pool that was deeper than she was. It took her about three months to learn to swim. We added logs to make sure she felt secure, but you would see her latch onto the log with her tail. She would move around the pool but always gripping onto something with her tail. When we moved Nina in, she went to explore the pool and just instantly dropped in. So, she spent about 3 days gripping Optimus to make her feel secure while she was in there. Now she’s swimming great on her own.”

Allowing animals to enact their natural behaviours is the backbone of excellent husbandry. Over the years, a greater understanding of animal behaviours as well as new advancements in product design, have put a greater emphasis on welfare standards. Whilst it is possible to keep a whole plethora of animals alive and even breed them, good welfare standards require innovative enclosure design and technologies. Whilst the provision of UV lighting is now considered the industry standard for all reptiles and amphibians, providing this to a 15-foot snake can prove to be far more challenging (and a lot more expensive!)

“We have a 125kg sand filter with UV filtration and heating attached to the water supply. The enclosure itself has underfloor heating as well as backup heating. We can adjust this throughout the day so the heating moves around the exhibit over time to encourage more enclosure use. We have a misting system as well as a big UV lighting rig. This is supported by natural sunlight that comes through the back window, which helps with the day/night cycle. We cover all the basics but on a much bigger scale.”

Maintenance

As well as the initial financial output for establishing such a large exhibit, keepers at Paradise Wildlife Park have their work cut out when it comes to maintaining the species. Filters are cleaned once a week. The tank is back washed, and all urates and detritus are scrubbed away twice a week. The keepers do a full water change every three months. The substrate is spot cleaned constantly and a full substrate change happens each year. Safety is also a huge concern and the pool has been fitted with a duck valve, that allows the water to be drained very quickly. This is an important health and safety feature irrespective of whether the snake is in the exhibit.

Keepers practice de-sensitization techniques to get the snakes more familiar with the keepers. This is usually limited to touching the snakes with snake hooks as they walk past. Over time the keepers have managed to safely touch the snakes with gloves to get the animals more used to them. “Reptiles are very stoic animals” added Jenny. “When they’re more relaxed, they are more inclined

Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) at Paradise Wildlife Park

to show you when they are unwell.” The keepers are much more hands-on with their reticulated pythons than their green anacondas. This is because they generally spend more time on land and have slightly more predictable temperaments than the anacondas.

The anacondas also have an off-show area for their exhibit which is comprised of an 8 feet long vivarium that acts as a temporary isolation area for the snakes. “If we have an animal that isn’t well, or we need to monitor their diet or separate them for any reason we have an area where we can do that. If we also need to do any major maintenance, they can come into this off-show vivarium temporarily while we get the work done. They will come into this area on their own as well, so they have an area off-display if they want to be on display.”

Feeding

Feeding giant snakes can also present an issue. In the wild, green anacondas are known to feed on other apex predators including caiman (Caiman spp.) and jaguars (Panthera onca). More frequently, they will feed on capybara (Hydrochoerus) which can grow up to 1.3m and weigh in at 60kg. In captivity, this is very difficult to replicate. Large-bodied prey also poses a genuine risk to the health of the snake. A wild snake must feed on whatever sized prey it can hunt. During this time, they are vulnerable, especially when feeding within the water. Digestion can take up to three weeks and the animal will not need to feed again for several months. Zoos often choose to mitigate some risk by feeding smaller prey, more often. “We feed them all frozen foods” explains Jennifer. “Whole, XL Chickens, rabbits, rats and quails tend to be our go-to. We feed them once every month or so

but that depends on the amount and the size of the food they’ve had. When we first introduced Nina, we fed them both at the same time but in separate locations. When we strike feed, we only feed them in one spot, so they know ‘this is where I get fed’. We do also scatter feed, so we will make scent trails and leave prey items around, but it is more difficult to monitor that, especially with a new snake.”

Keeping giant snakes

Although giant snakes have been popular in herpetoculture since the exotics boom of the 1980s, people’s ideas on what constitutes ‘successful’ husbandry has changed over time. The limitations of resources, particularly in the private sector mean that keeping giant animals is often not viable. However, exhibiting these impressive reptiles can have serious conservation benefits.“It is so important to display these giant snakes” Jennifer added. “Not everyone can visit South America and see these animals in the wild, but a lot of people have seen horror films about these snakes. We want people to want to conserve them and not be terrified of these animals. It’s crucial to developing understanding. We used to do a lot of keeper talks pre-covid and the anacondas were one of the most popular. Allowing people to see them up close and see them swimming and enacting natural behaviours is so important.” While people remain fascinated by giant reptiles, they will always have an appeal to private keepers. It is therefore vitally important that a balance is struck between inspiring budding conservationists with educational outreach and providing the very best husbandry practices for these animals in captivity. This is not strictly limited to zoological institutions and Exotics Keeper Magazine will be covering the ambitious task of keeping giant reptiles in private collections in an upcoming issue.

African rock python eating an Antelope

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SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

The wonderful world of exotic animals

Prickly gecko (Heteronotia binoei)

Heteronotia binoei is a species of small, slender-bodied gecko from Australia. It is a highly adaptable species, occurring across most of the country including urban areas of Western Australia. This species is one of very few which reproduce parthenogenically, making them an excellent breeding project for beginner hobbyists and businesses alike.

Sometimes referred to as ‘Bynoe’s gecko’, the species gets its name from British naturalist, Benjamin Bynoe who was a naval surgeon on the HMS Beagle. This species, although nocturnal, can make an interesting observation animal. They will flicker their tails to communicate and when hunting. They also have welldeveloped vocal cords and can be heard clicking and calling throughout the night. Customers should be made aware that they can be extremely noisy and as a parthenogenic species will require consistent rehoming of offspring.

The prickly gecko can be found in a variety of habitats from arid deserts to tropical forests. This makes them an extremely hardy species and an excellent beginner species for those looking for a “hands-off” lizard. A 45cm cubed vivarium would happily house a pair of these lizards but a larger enclosure may be beneficial once they begin to lay eggs. Zone 2 UV lighting should be provided. An overhead heat source should also be provided to produce a basking spot of around 32°C. Although they will not frequently bask, a flood spot or CHE will allow for natural thermoregulating. There are currently no recognised subspecies of H. binoei (although island populations may eventually prove distinct), so providing a deep layer of arid substrate such as Bio Life Desert, alongside plenty of cork bark and slate, should provide a naturalistic setup that encompasses most of the species’ range. A bioactive setup would also work extremely well for these small lizards who will actively shelter amongst snake plants and cacti. Humidity should be kept reasonably low at around 50%, though irregular spraying will help create beneficial fluctuations and simulate wild conditions. A varied diet of suitably sized insect prey should be provided a few times a week.

FISH SCIENCE

With Dr David Pool

Wheat germ-rich foods have always been popular amongst koi enthusiasts as the winter months approach. Japanese koi keepers have used these foods for generations and hobbyists across the world have followed suit. In many cases, the reason hobbyists transition to a ‘winter diet’ goes unquestioned as the results speak for themselves. However, there is a rich science behind the importance of ‘wheat germ’ foods as temperatures begin to cool.

What is wheat germ?

Wheat germ is the name given to a small part of the wheat seed. It is the part of the seed that germinates (hence the name) and allows the wheat plant to start growing. The wheat germ is surrounded by the rest of the seed, which provides the initial food source for the growing seedling. To use this food source, the wheat germ has to be rich in certain vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids and proteins.

The benefits of wheat germ to Koi

• The rich and concentrated nutrients contained within wheat germ have many benefits when consumed by koi. For example, wheat germ is rich in:

• Vitamin E - This vitamin is important for protecting cell membranes, allowing the effective use of fats and improving the overall health and vigour of Koi. It is also important for the development of the reproductive organs and therefore benefits the fertility of the fish.

• Vitamin C - Essential for the efficient use of other nutrients and skeletal formation. In combination with vitamin E, it helps koi overcome problems associated with stress.

• Fatty acids – The important fatty acids contained within wheat germ are used to form the cell walls, improve the digestion of other nutrients and as a storable energy source. Wheat germ is particularly rich in linoleic acid, which is essential for tissue repair.

• Amino acids – Wheat germ contains Lysine, an important component of the diet to allow tissue repair and formation as well as aiding the immune system.

• Wheat germ, as an ingredient in a balanced nutritional food, has important benefits to people as well as koi. Health food stores have recognized these benefits to humans and sell large amounts of wheat germ in a variety of different forms.

Winter feeding for Koi

The nutritional requirements of koi vary considerably throughout the year, hence the need for different diets. For example, protein is necessary for growth, but can only be used at warm water temperatures (over 15°C). Therefore, in summer, we feed a high-protein food because the koi can use the protein to grow. Whereas, in winter, a lower protein food is sufficient because the koi are less active and not increasing in size.

Feeding protein-rich foods at low temperatures can even harm koi. Below approximately 10°C few if any of the proteins will be used for growth. Some may be used inefficiently to produce energy for movement etc, but the majority will pass straight through the fish. The resultant protein-rich waste can have adverse effects on the water quality as it decomposes.

In addition, the digestion of proteins into amino acids starts at the front of the intestine where the enzyme Pepsin gets to work. Pepsin works best in acidic conditions where the pH is 1.5 to 2. If a koi consumes a diet rich in protein and then the water temperature drops, the acidic stomach conditions, together with raised levels of Pepsin, can remain in the early intestine for a prolonged period. This can expose the koi to the risk of stomach ulceration and future infection.

To avoid these two problems, many koi keepers simply stop feeding their fish when the water temperature falls below 10°C. The theory is that the fish can obtain what little nutrition they require from within the pond and from their stored food reserves. Whilst this may be a possibility in a natural, planted pond, there is unlikely to be sufficient food in a koi pond. The fish would therefore have to rely on stored reserves in the form of fat and muscle tissue. Not feeding over a 3 – 4 month winter period would lead to the koi being thinner and weaker in the spring, and consequently more susceptible to disease attack later in the year.

Information for keepers

Koi should be fed during the winter. It is an important aspect of koi care and can help to keep them healthy and allow them to overcome the dangers of spring. The food should be vegetable based with a good wheat germ content. This will ensure the fish can utilize it as effectively as possible. As with all feeding, keepers mustn’t overfeed –a few sticks or pellets per fish is sufficient.

AN INTRODUCTION TO PEACOCK KEEPING

How to perfect peacock husbandry with Sussanne Chambers from Peacocks UK.

Indian blue (Pavo cristatus)

Peafowl were first bred in China as ornamental birds some 4,000 years ago and later introduced to Europe where they were considered a delicacy. The birds, originally from South Asia were exported and frequently bred by various cultures including the Romans, Mesopotamians, and Phoenicians. Nowadays, they are still frequently kept, but usually for sheer appreciation of their outstanding beauty. Even though peacocks are instantly recognisable, there are a lot of things the average person might not know about these flamboyant birds.

Species and varieties

There are three species of peafowl. The Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis) is a threatened species found only in the Congo Basin. Its unique appearance distinguishes it from the Asian species, as it does not have extremely long tail feathers but sports an impressive iridescent green/ blue plumage. The remaining two instantly recognisable species are the Indian blue (Pavo cristatus) and the green peafowl (Pavo muticus). The Indian blue peafowl can be found across the Indian subcontinent and the green peafowl, across Southeast Asia as far South as Java. Like many species found across archipelagos, the green peafowl has several subspecies, P. muticus spicifer P. muticus imperator and P. muticus muticus. Both blue and green peafowl prefer open deciduous woodland habitats, which has prompted the IUCN to list the green peacock as ‘endangered’ due to habitat degradation.

Although green (often referred to as ‘Java’ peafowl) are often available in the world of peafowl keeping, extensive captive breeding of the Indian blue peacock has now created a myriad of popular breeds and colour mutations. The United Peafowl Association lists 225 breeds of peafowl, however, most of these breeds are not available within the UK.

In 2011, Peacocks UK in Worcestershire imported the first rare breed peacocks to the UK. These breeds included Purple, Opal, Burford Bronze, Silver Pied, Cameo and White-eyed. Sussanne Chambers, Founder of Peacocks UK and known by many as the ‘Peacock Lady’ explains: “The breeds which are most popular within the UK are the traditional ones such as the Indian Blue. This is the peacock most people have seen wandering around when they visit

stately homes. However, the Black Shouldered peacock is very similar and some people think they are more beautiful. The male has a similar neck and tail to the Indian Blue, but the shoulders are iridescent black and stunning in the sunlight. The Black Shouldered peahens are cream and brown, which is also very pretty. Pure white peacocks, are also very popular. All these breeds are mutations of the traditional Indian Blue peacock.”

Breeders have also cross-bred the black-shouldered and the Java green peafowl, to produce a breed known as the ‘Spalding peafowl’. These are larger birds, with striking colouration that combines the iridescent colours of both species. Even the peahens exhibit a good amount of green iridescence in their plumage. As well as various domesticated breeds, new genetic mutations have produced some stunning pied varieties. ‘Pied’ generally

refers to a lack of pigment in some but not all of the animal's body creating patches of white with accents of greens and blues.

Sussanne continued: “For people looking for something a little more unusual, the subtle café o lait colours of the Cameo, the discreet grey with its flashes of emerald and navy of the Opal and the stunning khaki and gold of Burford Bronze peacocks are very alluring. The Silver Pied peacock is a combination of white, with the blue neck of the Indian Blue and silver and grey. The purple peacock has a purple neck and purple eyes within its tail. These rare breeds are now available in the UK through the creation of ethical breeding programmes.”

Peacock keeping is becoming increasingly popular and thus, rare breeds are becoming increasingly more available.

Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis)

Care and keeping

Peacocks have been kept in the UK for centuries. Often seen patrolling the grounds of large estates, they are often considered symbols of wealth and grandeur. However, peacock keeping is becoming increasingly more popular in rural communities and is no longer restricted to the upper classes.

Peacocks have very similar care requirements to other members of the Phasianidae family, including exotic pheasants and turkeys. There are generally two approaches to caring for these birds. Some opt for ‘free-range’ birds, while others build aviaries. Either way, an enclosure with a covered area is necessary to house peachicks and acclimatise the birds into a free-roaming lifestyle. Sussanne explains: “Originally peacocks were brought to the UK by the landed gentry from their grand tour to adorn their estates. Now, however, peacock keeping is not just for people with a large estate and acres of land.

Peacocks UK is one of the largest breeders of peafowl within the UK. Sussanne Chambers is a recognised UK peafowl expert and regularly comments on peafowl on radio and TV. Sussanne also appears in film with her peacocks, including appearances in Bridgerton and House of the Dragon. Visit www.peacocksuk.com to find out more.

A large garden is a sufficient space to comfortably keep and enjoy peafowl."

Peacocks have their own territories which may cover a garden or neighbouring garden, but in countryside areas with plenty of green space, peafowl can be kept successfully, provided they are given a secure shelter to roost that protects them from weather extremes and predators.

"Peacocks are one of the world’s largest flying birds" Sussanne added. "But it is a bit of an effort for them to fly due to their weight, a full-grown male will weigh on average 5.5 KG! Peacocks like to fly up to a landing place and then fly back down, they rarely fly for fun.”

“If you are planning on keeping peacocks, you will usually need to do some preparation beforehand, even if the new keepers would like to have their peacocks roaming free range. Initially, they will need to be kept in a pen or aviary for two to three months. During this homing period, it is important that the peacocks can see their surroundings so that they get an impression of the lay of the land and where their home is. Over time, the peafowl will get used to their new keepers and their surroundings. When it is time to release the peacocks, it is important to take it slowly. Initially, just one peahen or peacock should be released, leaving the others in the pen. As peafowl hate to be alone, they will hang around the pen where the other birds are still situated. Ideally, if you can get the first released bird back

Green peafowl (Pavo muticus)

into the pen then you can release the next bird, leaving the originally released peacock in the pen. Even when the peacocks have been released it is important to still care for them by providing access to food and fresh water. Peacocks can be trained to return to the pen in an evening to keep them safe.”

Peafowl should have access to a secure ‘homing’ aviary for the rest of their lives. Although they will happily roost on high perches which may be safe from predators, foxes will attack nesting females on the ground. Furthermore, the aviary will provide respite on cold, or rainy days which can lead to health complications or death in less-hardy varieties.

In the wild, peafowl will scavenge for insects, worms, seeds, and plant matter. As pets, they should be fed a good quality game feed which has a high protein content. As well as a staple diet of commercial game feed, they should receive treats in the form of peanuts, mealworms, fruit and vegetables, cheese and scrambled eggs. The health of a peacock is demonstrated in the mature male peacock’s tail. The healthier the peacock, the more feathers he will have and the larger the 'eyes' within the tail will be. Food types

An Introduction to Peacock Keeping

live in groups. Many people keep trios of one male and two peahens. While others prefer the prettier combination of two pairs. Preferably of differing colours. If space and budget allow, then a larger group of a combination of breeds will form an attractive addition to any garden.” Some considerations must be made once winter arrives, to protect the peafowl from harsh weather. These birds prefer a dry environment and so it is important to encourage all birds to go inside at night during the winter. Additional heating lamps may be necessary for Java green peafowl.

Although not everyone will have access to a garden large enough to house a group of peafowl, their straightforward care requirements mean that space limitations is the only major husbandry obstacle that most people will face. However, in some rural communities, peacocks can be a nuisance. They are loud birds that are unlikely to receive a warm welcome in densely populated neighbourhoods. However, this only lasts for a short period during the breeding season which usually lasts from March to July. There are also methods of quelling the peacock’s loud calls by adjusting their daylight cycles. Peacocks will typically call

Breeding Peacocks

Although peacocks can breed readily on their own given the right conditions, a few dedicated breeders are producing birds for the growing demand. By spending some time perfecting the formula for more obscure species and maintaining a personal log to produce healthy colour mutations, there is likely to be a much more diverse selection of peacock breeds available in the UK in the coming years. Sussanne added: “The Java as a breed is more flighty and easier to upset, they also take longer to settle into breeding groups. To ensure a successful breeding season we like to get the Java pen set up in November / December time. This gives the birds longer to get used to their breeding group and to settle in.”

“Java peafowl are early layers, and we consequently increase the protein in their diet earlier than the other peafowl breeds. In January, the birds go onto

Game Breeder feed with added protein from cat biscuits. The birds are also wormed earlier than the rest of the flock. It is so important to get the Java peafowl into peak physical condition before the breeding season. The healthier the peafowl is, the healthier the chicks will be.”

Peacocks UK sells many peafowl eggs for hobbyists to raise the chicks right from the egg. Peafowl hatch rates are poor compared to chicken hatch rates, but can be greatly improved by incubating them under a broody hen. By selling eggs to customers with hens, there is a much higher rate of successful incubation. This also allows Peacocks UK to ensure a steady supply of eggs throughout the breeding season, which generally lasts from April until August. The chicks that are hatched are reared for at least 6 weeks before being moved onto their new homes. Until then, the chicks are extremely vulnerable to cold

temperatures and require powerful artificial heating. This artificial heat is needed for the first few months of a peachick's life until the chicks develop their downy feathers to keep them warm. This is significantly longer than a chicken or a duck, which only requires artificial heat for around 4-6 weeks. Peachicks must also be transported in heated vehicles as any cold draft could seriously impact the birds’ health.

Peacock popularity

Peacock keeping has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. “During the pandemic, at Peacocks UK we saw an increased number of peacocks moving to new homes” added Sussanne. “This was possibly because people were spending more time at home in their gardens. Also, new potential owners had time to prepare the infrastructure required for peacocks to be kept safely in their new homes. Anyone in the UK can choose to keep peacocks, there

Javan green peafowl (Pavo muticus)

are no licences required by the UK government for keeping or moving peacocks.”

Although peacocks are likely to remain on the fringe of exotics keeping due to their large space requirements,

DID YOU KNOW

their striking appearance and regal nature will undoubtedly perpetuate their appeal for many years to come. Sussanne concluded: “Peacocks will enhance any garden and they are amusing pets to keep and will become

Peacocks can swim. Although they have almost no adaptions to an aquatic lifestyle and typically inhabit dry forests in the wild, several videos of peacocks swimming alongside waterfowl in ponds and lakes have surfaced in recent years.

Even though peafowl are the world’s largest flying birds and typically roost in trees, they will always nest on the ground.

Every year, just after breeding season, peacocks will shed all of their tail feathers. The process takes around two weeks and these feathers will begin growing back soon after.

A group of peacocks is often called an ‘ostentation’ while a group of peahens is called a ‘harem’. A group of peacocks and peahens is called a ‘party’.

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK

The care and keeping of day geckos.

Giant Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma grandis)

There are over 50 species of ‘day gecko’ belonging to the Phelsuma genus. They are brightly coloured lizards from the Gekkonidae family and are found across Madagascar and the neighbouring islands (Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion, etc). Most Phelsuma species are neon green with vivid blue and red patterns. As their name suggests, they are diurnal, highly active lizards. These characteristics make day geckos some of the most entertaining of all pet lizards and have prompted hobbyists to keep and breed a variety of species since the 1980s.

Species diversity

There is a lot of diversity within the Phelsuma genus. The largest of the species, P. grandis or the ‘giant day gecko’ can grow over a foot long, whereas the smallest, P. klemmeri rarely exceeds 10cm. Of the 53 species described at the time of writing, seven were newly discovered in the last 20 years (and even more subspecies have been named more recently). Many of these species are sexually dimorphic. Males typically growing larger than females and have distinct preano-femoral pores. They are usually vibrant lizards but will quickly change their colouration to become drabber if they are stressed. Although some day geckos are very adaptable and some thrive in human-inhabited areas, deforestation in Madagascar threatens many Phelsuma species. This is even more disastrous to island populations and has directly caused the functional extinction of several species within the last decade.

Not only do these lizards rely on delicate ecosystems, but in many cases, the ecosystem also relies on them. Day geckos are active seed dispersers and pollinators. They

will feed heavily on fruits and nectar and patrol reasonably large territories spreading these seeds across forests and built-up areas. Their ability to adapt to human infrastructure has brought many benefits from spreading wildflowers to controlling mosquitos and other biting insects.

Phelsuma Farm

Simon Prentice is a UK-based day gecko breeder in Somerset. He took on and developed Phelsuma Farm in 2015 from Toby Mace who had established the breeding project in 1988. In 2019, Simon opened Phelsuma Farm to the public for the first time, allowing visitors to view his Phelsuma breeding centre and collection. Simon told Exotics Keeper Magazine: “In the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, lineata, laticauda and grandis were commonly imported and wild-caught specimens would frequently show up at wholesalers and shops. This was with good reason – these species are the most abundant, widespread and adaptable of the Phelsuma. Fortunately, in one respect, this is no longer the case – Madagascan export

restrictions mean that stressed, parasite-laden wild animals are now rarely available. Now, I’m mostly focussing on high quality Phelsuma `grandis, Phelsuma cepediana, Phelsuma laticauda, Phelsuma klemmeri and a few other species.”

Day care

Day geckos are extremely fragile lizards and certainly not an ideal ‘pet’. Even the largest species are basically un-handleable. Like most lizards, day geckos will drop their tails if they are injured or restrained. Some species of day geckos take this one step further. Their soft and delicate skin can easily tear and in the case of P. grandis (and possibly several other species) chunks of skin can be removed completely

to help them evade predators. This means that extra consideration must be made to protect Phelsuma from unnecessary trauma. Keepers have reported anything from territorial disputes to aggressive feeder insects causing medically significant damage to their geckos. Despite this, their care requirements are reasonably straightforward and provided they are treated solely as an ‘observation’ lizard, almost all readily available Phelsuma species are easily maintained. They also make excellent observation animals and for those wishing to build a naturally planted slice of the Malagasy rainforest, day geckos are the perfect pet. Most day geckos have been recorded to live up to 20 years, with some of the larger species living even longer.

The first decision that a keeper is likely to make when selecting a day gecko species, is the size of the enclosure that they can provide. A trio of small neon day geckos (P. klemmeri) will happily live in a 30x30x60 terrarium. A giant day gecko, however, should ideally be housed in at least a 60 x 45 x 60cm glass terrarium. Whilst these dimensions are logically based on the size of the animals, the smallest species often receive the largest enclosures based purely on their unproblematic cohabitation potential. Often, keepers will house klemmeri with poison frogs in very large bioactive setups. Whilst a bit of maintenance is required, these communities tend to live amicably. Larger-bodied lizards such as grandis are generally more territorial, far more destructive and will

Neon day gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri)

make more of a mess down the glass surfaces so, are often kept in smaller easier-to-manage enclosures. Neither species are appropriate to handle and therefore, it is important that the keeper seriously considers which species is right for them.

Regardless of the size of the gecko, broad-leaved plants are required to give them places to hide. Smaller geckos will benefit from thickstemmed plants such as peace lilies (Spathiphylum), Sansevieria, and spider plants (Chlorophytum), as they can hide amongst the leaves. Broad-leaved plants such as Monstera, Epipremnum and Calathea will also provide valuable basking spots for larger species and create visual barriers for smaller co-habiting species. Another useful piece of décor is bamboo. Some species have been recorded only on dead or decaying bamboo. Whether this is because it may attract more insects, or because the darker colouration provides more heat, or simply that it’s easier to navigate remains a mystery. However, bamboo plays a fundamental role in the lives of smaller species such as klemmeri. It is extremely practical in a vivarium setting and can provide shelter for smaller species as well as provide basking platforms for all arboreal geckos. Clever positioning of vertical bamboo branches will allow the geckos to utilise possibly the most important aspect of their enclosure, zonal lighting.

Zonal lighting

Day geckos, unsurprisingly, need good-quality, full spectrum lighting that replicates the sun. Like all heliotherms, they require external sources to regulate their body temperature and having full control over when to warm up or cool down is a requirement for a lizard to stay healthy. In tropical, arboreal setups a ‘zonal lighting’ model is best applied. By adding overlapping, vertical bamboo poles from the top of the enclosure to the bottom, the gecko can pick and choose just how close they want to be to the light, without grasping onto the mesh. This should allow their entire body to receive the necessary UV and IR in short bursts as they require it, then move to a lower branch to remain warm without such high radiation exposure.

The use of a metal halide with a strong reflector will produce a powerful beam of light and heat which the animal can move closer to and further away from. This method of lighting will penetrate deep into the enclosure, preventing the animals from clustering around a preferred basking spot which can lead to aggression and stress. It is important to remember metal halides cannot be used with a thermostat, which means that they are not suited to small enclosures. Smaller enclosures require high output T5 UVB light and a basking spot lamp controlled by a dimming thermostat. A high output T5 can also be a great investment for keepers who are looking to light several smaller vivariums.

Where possible, the keeper should provide seasonality in their lighting. “Gradually changing the daylight cycle for a couple of months will halt mating and give breeding females a chance to rest and recuperate” explains Simon “A couple of degrees ambient temperature drop during the rest season, followed by a return to the slightly warmer ambient temperature should trigger mating behaviours as a new season starts.” New technologies in herpetoculture can be of serious benefit to day gecko keepers. Not only do they provide more accurate environmental conditions, but they can also give the keeper far more freedom. Simon continued: “Keepers must use the very best UVB light units and full spectrum LED lights for their setups. I would also recommend people move towards smart technologies. Day geckos require excellent photoperiods, so a wifi thermostat such as a Microclimate Evo Connected will make things much easier for the keeper. Breeders should also consider setting up motion detection sensors in their incubators with notifications on phone apps. This is useful and gives the keeper up-to-date information as well as reducing the risk of an escapee.”

In case of escape

Day geckos are fast-moving, fragile animals that can scale just about any surface. An escapee is a serious cause for concern. The keeper should always locate the position of the animal before

opening the door to the enclosure. The keeper should place their hands in front of the glass once the animal is located, to discourage it from accelerating forwards (which can certainly take people by surprise). However, it is not always that simple. Having kept and maintained hundreds of geckos in his time, Simon is no stranger to the odd escapee. He advises: “First, stay calm. This happens to the very best day gecko keepers. Smooth body movements will have a calming effect and the keeper should avoid sudden movements or noises. It is best to move only your eyes to scan for the lizard. Next, get someone else to keep an eye on the gecko while you reach for a long bamboo cane and an empty cricket tub. Close any open windows and doors. Once the room is secure, try to use the thin bamboo cane to coax the gecko to an open area of the wall and away from any nooks and crannies. Quietly, smoothly and confidently place the tub over the gecko taking care not to catch the gecko’s tail. If this does happen and the gecko drops part of its tail don’t panic as this will cause further stress to the animal. Finally, carefully slide the cricket tub lid under the tub, so the gecko is safely captured and ready to be returned to its enclosure.”

“The longer the chase continues, the greater the stress to the animal. You will need to learn when to leave it be and when to try later. Day geckos can learn the best hiding spots in the room and the longer it is left, the more confident and cunning the animal will become. If the recapture process lasts longer than a day, it is important to make sure there is a water source and food available and all doors and windows are kept closed.”

Breeding day geckos

Although some species of day geckos have been popular in captivity for many years, some obstacles make captivebreeding a challenging prospect. This has impacted and pre-determined the availability of many species in captivity. “The species from mainland Madagascar tend to be easier to work with as a breeder as they tend to be egg-layers” explains Simon. “Species such as giant day geckos (P. grandis), gold dust day geckos (P. laticauda), neon day geckos (P. klemmeri) and the lined day gecko (P. lineata) are all very popular for this reason. The more obscure species from the islands in the Indian Ocean such

as the Mauritian blue-tailed day gecko (P. cepediana) and the Mauritian lowland forest day gecko (P. guimbeaui) are often egg-gluers.”

Egg-glueing species produce eggs that can stick firmly to different surfaces and are very hard to dislodge. It is impossible to guarantee exactly where the eggs will be laid, meaning some eggs will never make it into the incubator and leave the hatchlings vulnerable to other hungry geckos. Egg layers, on the other hand, support their eggs until the exterior shell hardens up. Not only are egg-layers easier to work with, but if the breeder can transfer the eggs into an incubator, they can determine the sex of the offspring. Naturally, this allows them to fulfil demand and support their own breeding collections with more success.

Simon continued: “Those who are breeding egg-glueing species should always provide removable egg-laying items (such as floral tubes) that can be moved into an incubator. Some breeders will glue some mesh around the egglaying sites to protect hatchlings from the parents. Some people will leave the eggs to hatch in-situ and simply catch the babies before their parents devour them.”

The challenges presented by breeding large numbers of day geckos, when compared to other popular gecko species can be seriously off-putting for most hobbyists. At Phelsuma Farm, there are many other issues presented by breeding obscure and unique day gecko species. “Buyers always quite rightly want to see photos of the geckos they are buying” added Simon. “Try catching a good clear picture of a Phelsuma ornata or a Phelsuma cepediana, without the photo being blurred or the gecko escaping. It’s not easy. This makes the whole process of buying and selling day geckos a little more difficult than some other more easily handled and photographed species.”

“These things being said, the complexities and difficulties of breeding some of the more exotic Phelsuma day geckos are far outweighed by the experience of catching a glimpse of a Phelsuma borbonica, Phelsuma ornata, Phelsuma guimbeaui, Phelsuma inexpectata, or a Phelsuma robertmertensi. These to me are some of the most stunningly beautiful geckos on the planet.”

POPULAR DAY GECKOS IN CAPTIVITY

Giant Madagascar Day Gecko

Phelsuma

The giant Madagascar day gecko is the largest of the Phelsuma species. Previously considered a subspecies of Phelsuma madagascariensis, grandis is now thought to only inhabit a very small distribution in North Madagascar. Like its relatives P. madagascariensis and P. kochi, this species inhabits a variety of environments from deciduous forests to banana plantations and rainforests. Because of their adaptability, there are now populations on Reunion and Mauritius as well as in Florida and Hawaii. These animals will begin life with lots of elaborate red patterns across their dorsum but eventually, grow into an almost uniform green lizard with some spots and facial markings. Males can quickly turn aggressive towards females and must be housed individually.

Gold dust day gecko

Phelsuma

Gold dust day geckos are widely distributed across North Madagascar where they are abundant in high-humidity regions. They are very adaptable and considered one of the hardiest of the Phelsuma species in captivity. This species is medium-sized, widely available in captivity and exhibits many of the desirable traits of a day gecko. They are well-natured lizards and in the wild and will often become ‘tame’ as they enter peoples homes to feed on leftover fruits and the associated insects. They typically eat more insects than other species and can be more territorial than their smaller counterparts. The term ‘gold dust’ refers to their golden dorsum patterns.

Peacock day gecko

Phelsuma

The peacock day gecko is a common species from the lowland coastal forests of East Madagascar. There are three distinct subspecies, and all possess large dark spots on both sides of their body, which look like the eyes of a peacock feather. Some subspecies have two spots, while others have four. Genetic work on the populations in the Ranomofana region suggest that P. quadriocellata may be a species complex and there could be many more species to identify in the future. They are commonly found in mid-altitude rainforests, which is uncommon for a Phelsuma species.

Lined day gecko

Phelsuma

The lined day gecko is a widespread and abundant species that occupies the tropical climates of Eastern Madagascar. As such, there are numerous subspecies that have been described. Those from drier regions are much drabber than those from rainforests. The term ‘lined’ refers to the dark line that runs down their flanks. All subspecies are reasonably small, rarely exceeding 15cm in length. They are very adaptable and therefore, make excellent pets. However, availability of this species (and subsequent subspecies) has diminished greatly in recent years.

laticauda

lineata

grandis

quadriocellata

Standing’s day gecko

Phelsuma standingi

Far less popular now than they were in the 1990s, this species from Southwest Madagascar has intricate patterns across its entire body. It is considered a vulnerable species,

with unregulated collection and deforestation as the primary driving forces for its decline. Juveniles are born with strong banding that covers their green/blue base colouration. As the lizard ages, this banding breaks up into an almost reticulated pattern. Like many Phelsuma species, they are listed under CITES Annex II.

Blue-tailed day gecko

Phelsuma cepediana

P. cepediana is one of the more popular species from Mauritius. Their striking blue appearance makes it one of the most beautiful gecko species in the world and although they are challenging to breed in large numbers,

dedicated hobbyists have been working with this gem for some time. Although they are commonly referred to as ‘blue-tailed’ day geckos, they can go through ontogenetical colour changes depending on their activity levels and mood. This species is also the sole seed disperser of Roussea simplex and therefore plays a pivotal role in the ecology of Mauritius.

SPACE HOPPERS

Captive breeding the starry night reed frogs

by Tim Baker, LVI Lead Keeper at Drayton Manor

The starry night reed frog (Heterixalus alboguttatus) is one of the larger species of Heterixalus with females growing up to around 40mm SVL and males a little smaller at 30mm SVL. They are quite variable in background colour from pale yellow/ white through to blueish hues or dark purple-black. Variation seems somewhat dependent on temperature, light levels and time of day. Throughout these variable colours, they retain the yellow and black dorsal speckles. The ventral colouration is white/cream and the feet and lower limbs are orange. They occur in the East and South-East of Madagascar in low-mid elevation savannah, grasslands, degraded habitat and agricultural areas. They can be found sunning themselves in the day on exposed leaves, and at night they use a multitude of perching to hunt and locomote in their environment. This species breeds in small water bodies such as ponds and paddy fields. Considering their body size, they are capable of laying a surprisingly large number of eggs amongst sunken twigs and leaves, the details of which I’ll revisit later.

At Drayton Manor Zoo over the past 6 years, we have been working towards diversifying our herpetofauna collection which now stands at 64 species, of which 23 species are Madagascan. We chose the Starry night reed frog at Drayton Manor Zoo to increase species diversity in one of our otherwise conservation-focussed Madagascan-themed exhibits, holding critically endangered Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) and endangered Yellow-headed day gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri). It has so far worked out well, providing a diverse mixed exhibit that works for the species housed and for the interested viewing public.

Creating the perfect reed frog setup

The Starry night reed frogs at Drayton Manor are housed with Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) and Yellow-headed day geckos (Phelsuma klemmeri). Since the exhibit was created over a year ago, there have been no apparent issues with this set-up. The exhibit is around 150cm3 with numerous microhabitats provided by Madagascan ferns and reeds. Complex rockwork and bamboo provide lots of crevices for refugia and egg-laying sites, and a deep substrate with lots of leaf litter helps regulate relative humidity within the exhibit. The substrate provides the frogs with an option to burrow

away during the drier seasons too. Creating a successful mixed exhibit can come with its challenges and we are very careful in the decision-making process to avoid any potential issues such as predation or resource dominancy. Where we can, we like to create mixed exhibits that are accurate to the geographic region for the flora and fauna in them, so in this example, we have Malagasy flora and fauna mixed in a way that suits all the inhabitants but also is a great way of creating an informative biotope for guests when they visit. It allows them to learn about not only each species, but their natural history, ecology and relationships they share with other species from the natural habitat.

We have a mixture of plants in the exhibit, and we have tried choosing Madagascan plants where possible, to ensure they are relevant to the ecology and habitat of the species present. We have a fast-growing Madagascan sedge plant that the reed frogs like to rest on in the day, as well as some broader leaved plants like Madagascan stags horn ferns that act as daytime refugia and basking areas. There is lots of moss and low-lying ferns growing on the ground, which provides lay sites for the Mantella. The dead bamboo is what the Phelsuma klemmeri live on in the wild, and apparently are never found on the live bamboo so this was a consideration here too.

When we create mixed exhibits, we must ensure the presence of one species is not going to negatively impact another to make it successful. So, in doing this, we consider; useable space- is there enough space for all individuals to live, thermoregulate, feed, and locomote separately and all together? There needs to be a consideration for multiple, suitable, relevant microhabitat provisions for each species/individual and preferably each species within the enclosure occupies a separate niche to minimise resource competition/dominancy. Is there a size difference between species? Is there a predation risk? Are the climatic conditions suitable and relevant to all inhabitants, and not that conditions are optimum for one and ‘acceptable’ for another? We also consider the geographic accuracy of mixing species to make it informative for guests but also generally means if you are mixing sympatric species or species from similar habitats, in most cases, they require very similar climatic conditions and occupy different niches. Some of the other Malagasy mixed species exhibits we have done at Drayton include leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus henkeli) with tomato frogs (Dyscophus guineti), radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) with spiny-tailed iguanas (Oplurus cyclurus), day geckos (Phelsuma kochi) with giant water skinks (Amphiglossus reticulatus), and ground geckos (Paroedura pictus) with three-eyed iguanas (Chalarodon madagascariensis) and girdled lizards (Tracheloptychus petersii), to name a few.

Environmental conditions

Reed frogs, geckos and Mantella all occupy different niches within the exhibit and therefore rarely interact with one another (aside from the odd time a reed frog bounces down in front of a Mantella to take the food it was about to eat…but providing enough food is provided, this has never been an issue over time). The geckos usually occupy pieces of dead bamboo, higher up in the enclosure, as they would in the wild. They live amongst the cracks and crevices within the bamboo and this is where the eggs are laid, basking sites are found, and where the refugia are. The gecko eggs have so far, been incubated in situ. The Mantella live and breed amongst the leaf litter and moss within the enclosure at ground level. The reed frogs utilise the whole enclosure but are most active at night. During the day they are resting and therefore rarely interfere with other cohabitants. At night they are awake, moving around the enclosure hunting. They are small enough to not pose a risk to the other species in the enclosure and seem to live alongside them without incident. There is also a densely planted pond at the rear, that allows the frogs to swim and hydrate, and also probably helps to maintain ambient humidity levels. Temperatures and relative humidity during the day and night vary throughout the year to replicate what occurs in the wild habitat in Madagascar. There is a drier, cooler season followed by a warmer wetter season which aids breeding stimulation. In summer, it can get to 30-35C in

Developing tadpoles

A female reed frog about to spawn

the upper levels of the exhibit and 25-27C in the lower areas, whereas in the cooler season it may drop to 12-17C in the lower areas and 20-30C in the higher areas. Humidity is always higher at night than during the day, as it would be naturally in the wild and this aids passive hydration. In the drier seasons, it can drop to 40-50% during the day and in the wetter seasons, it's usually 70-80% during the day. The Heterixalus appear to need this prolonged dry period to generate eggs, as with regular spraying/higher humidity, they tend not to generate eggs in my experience.

Stars in their eyes

Back when we initially acquired this species, we got 2.2 young adults (two males and two females). The enclosure was a simply designed Exo-terra glass terrarium measuring 45x45x60cm, with no substrate, potted plants and thin branches for perching. This design allowed us to maintain good hygiene levels and also the opportunity to

periodically flood the base of the tank in future. We kept them like this off exhibit for an isolation period in line with our in-house biosecurity measures during which time they were kept quite dry, and I noticed the females were getting particularly ‘full’ with eggs, becoming visibly rotund. You could see the eggs through the skin laterally in front of the hindlimbs. At this point, they were out of isolation and I set up a simple closed-system rain chamber with a small pond pump, some piping and a spray bar mounted below the roof mesh and flooded the tank base. I mounted the spray bar to rain on around 50% of the furnishings and left the rain on constantly. By doing this, the frogs had a choice to avoid the rain and dry off if neededthis is something to consider because I have since noticed they are quite prone to bacterial skin issues if they are constantly wet in rain chambers for prolonged periods. Although we never observed any calling or amplexus, by the third morning of rain, the frogs had spawned. Based on the

quantity of spawn, we assumed both females had spawned- until we found one female still very big and hadn’t spawned. We had 11 separate clumps of eggs sunken below water level, anchored to sunken twigs, leaves, and other décor. Each clump had around 20-30 eggs and we experienced an estimated >95% fertility rate. Eggs were mostly uniform black colour, and some were 50:50 white:black. Some of the white:black eggs developed, but some were infertile. All the black eggs developed. Development in this species is fast! Eggs hatch within 5-10 days and the tadpoles consume the remaining infertile egg and jelly mass. This immediate consumption of infertile eggs makes it difficult to calculate exactly how many were infertile, but in total, we hatched over 300 tadpoles. We set up water tanks with a temperature of around 20C but after some initial losses, we increased the temperature to 24C. We took a little bit of time experimenting with what the tadpoles enjoyed feeding on, and through this, we had some

The Madagascar exhibit at Drayton Manor

Space Hoppers

husbandry. After around 6 months, the froglets were of a subadult size and some of the frogs we bred are now on exhibit with the rest of the adults. In total, we morphed around 200 froglets and they all survived to adulthood. We now have a nice group of 23 adults on exhibit, of mixed sexes and bloodlines, and the rest were moved to other zoological institutions in the UK. This species is rarely bred in both zoos and private collections, so it’s been really good to expand the holding in captivity.

Wild research

I travelled to Madagascar in 2017 and saw this species in Ranomafana village, which for any keen wildlife nerd, is awesome. The Heterixalus were found breeding in a reed-filled garden pond, with 4 - 5 other frog species. We also saw them on nearby fence railings, and in some dense riparian habitat that was just teeming with different species of frogs of different sizes, colours and ages. I took some temperature and UVI readings in the habitat, as well as habitat photographs to inform any future husbandry for various Malagasy species throughout the trip. All this data has been used to inform the husbandry decisions we have made at Drayton, alongside other published references and online data.

Advice for private keeepers

cannibalism of tadpoles by other, stronger tadpoles. We believe this should be avoidable in future with the correct food items available from hatching. In the end, they fed well on cucumber, natural algae growth in the tank, fish flake, spirulina, tree bark and magnolia leaves. Water parameters (NO2: 0, NO3: 0-50, GH: 14, KH: 6-10, pH 6.8-7.2, Cl:0) were maintained by regular daily water changes and waste removal, as well as feeding little and often up to 5x daily. The tadpoles were raised together in a 60L tub that was heated by fish tank heaters and maintained at 24C with a few degrees drop at night. Under these conditions, development was fast, the tadpole stage took around 70 days.

We were surprised at how much food the tadpoles ate, the appetite was seemingly insatiable. In comparison, a similar quantity of Red-eyed tree frog (Agalychis callidryas) tadpoles may consume 50-75% less food than the Heterixalus within a set time. It is impressive how many eggs come out of such a tiny frog species. The females are so swollen before spawning that they look more like tomato frogs than tree frogs.

Once the tadpoles had popped all four legs, they were removed from the main tank into smaller shallow dishes to morph out into small containment tanks. The containment tanks had damp paper towels and moss to aid in hydration retention. Once the froglets had absorbed all their tails, they were transferred into planted 45cm3 glass terraria with soil, leaf litter and moss. The froglets had large appetites just like the tadpoles and fed well on pinhead crickets and fruit flies within 24hrs of the tail being absorbed. I have heard of smaller metamorphs having to be started on springtails, but we did not have this issue and the variation may be due to differing tadpole

Starry night reed frogs can be described a bit like Flubber - they bounce from wall to wall with tireless energy and are very good runners too. This means the keeper must have their wits about them when entering the enclosure to avoid escapes. They also seem to benefit from a choice of microclimate. This way, they can choose to sit and bask in the open air on top of a leaf or other solid surface, but equally can reside in crevices or under leaf litter. Keepers must be extremely vigilant on the cleanliness of the tank, as bacterial issues can affect the frogs, especially in periods of higher humidity. I’d always recommend live plants over plastic. They are less of a harbour for bacteria and help maintain humid microclimates within the enclosure. Also, a nicely planted tank is very aesthetically pleasing but it does have to be functional for the animal before being pleasing for the keeper. We keep 25 in a large enclosure, but I’d say the highest density without affecting welfare and hygiene would be 10-15 adults in a well-planted 60x45x60cm glass terrarium. They certainly benefit from UVB exposure too. At Drayton Manor, we keep ours within 0-3UVI and this provision will also help the frogs stay on top of dermal bacterial issues.

About the Author

Tim Baker is the Lead Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates (LVI) Keeper at Drayton Manor Zoo. He has been keeping reptiles and amphibians since 2013. He works closely with species from Madagascar, Pantanal, southern Africa and the deserts of southwestern USA to maintain a diverse collection of species with a conservation interest.

A newly metamorphosed froglet

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KEEPER BASICS: ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AND BIRD HEALTH

Keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)

Birds are very closely related to reptiles. In fact, turtles and crocodiles are more closely related to birds than they are to lizards and snakes. We understand that most reptiles need UVB for physiological development and all reptiles will have some form of relationship with the sun. Whilst we might not understand this relationship completely, hobbyists still provide some level of UV to ensure that they are not denying their animals something which they would have access to in the wild. We understand that amphibians, mammals (including humans) and even invertebrates may benefit from UV exposure. However, there are some polarising views on the need to provide adequate UV for pet parrots.

Natural behaviours

Birds, particularly the brightly coloured parrots that are most popular in the pet trade love the sun. From budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) that cross huge expanses of desert in some of the most sun-drenched regions of Australia, to the toucans (Ramphastos sp.) that sit atop the canopies of tropical forests in Central and South America, wild birds are typically exposed to a lot of sunlight. They even possess a pineal gland, like that of many reptiles and amphibians, that can sense UV radiation which helps them establish periodicity in their day-to-day

lives. This determines when they should roost, feed, mate and enact various other biological functions. When birds migrate, it is typically triggered by changing photoperiods as opposed to temperature and humidity. As the days get shorter, many birds from temperate climates will take this cue to move towards the equator where the days are longer, and they have more time to feed and socialise. Even without analysing the biochemical role of sunlight in pet birds, it is important to consider that light plays a huge role in the day-to-day wellbeing of wild birds.

UV-B

Although light is essential for bird wellbeing, some argue that UV is unnecessary. The main justification for this claim is that UV does not penetrate feathers and thus the exposure to certain wavelengths is negligible. A quick look at parrot morphology will argue that parrots have evolved with this in mind. Species that spend a lot of time beneath a leafy canopy, such as macaws or African greys have far more exposed skin (particularly around the face) than those that inhabit sparser regions or sit atop the trees. Some aviculturists even theorise that captive parrots will pluck their feathers deliberately to expose more skin to make better use of limited ultraviolet light. Like reptiles, birds require vitamin D to synthesise calcium. Although fortified pellets will contain some level of both elements, UVB radiation is a catalyst in this absorption. Dr Karen Becker explains “Pet birds have a preen gland above the base of their tail that secretes oil. Inside this gland are vitamin D precursors which come out in the oil.” Birds generally spend a third of their day eating, a third of their day playing or napping and a third of their day grooming. When they groom, they spread this oil over their feathers. Dr Becker continues “when the oil is in direct contact with ultraviolet light the vitamin D precursors turn into vitamin D. As the bird re-grooms the oil they ingest that vitamin D which becomes active vitamin D for the kidneys and liver.”

There are some considerations the keeper must make before adding artificial lighting to their set-up. As birds are not ectothermic and do not ‘bask’, there have been relatively few studies into appropriate amounts of UV provision – especially when compared to reptiles. Too much UVB can have negative implications and cause macular degeneration, cataracts and blindness. This is because birds have developed highly specialised eye media to protect their sensitive eyes from overexposure to the sun’s radiation. It is therefore extremely important that hobbyists using a UVB lamp fix this at an appropriate distance from the top of the cage.

As bird cages often have diverse designs, a lamp that emits UVB horizontally and directly into the bird’s eye can be dangerous. Most lighting products aimed at birds only produce a small amount of UVB and UVA to cater for this. Keepers should not aim to estimate a parrot’s UV requirements based on their geographical range without significant scientific research to back these claims. Overexposure to blue lights can also adjust the sexes of chicks in breeding females and therefore using LED lights aimed at the aquatics market is also a potentially problematic move. Keepers looking to provide UV to their birds should always choose a bird-focused product.

Blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna)

UV-A

Birds can see UVA waves. Unlike humans which only see wavelengths within the ‘visible light spectrum’, birds can see far beyond this and many experts believe they can experience around 100 times the amount of colours that humans can see. They were some of the first creatures to develop colour-vision to aid them in selecting the ripest fruits and distinguishing edible berries from poisonous ones. This link between colour vision and UVA also explains why some birds possess dazzling iridescent plumage or develop intricate mating rituals to flash their feathers. Even popular pet birds such as budgerigars will glow magnificently under black light – a strategy that helps them find a suitable mate in flocks of up to a hundred birds.

Even if a parrot is kept in a bright room with plenty of natural sunlight it should still have exposure to full spectrum lighting. Neither UVA nor UVB can penetrate glass, meaning a pet bird that is kept close to a window is colourblind in comparison to the birds outside. This is a troubling concept for many keepers, especially at a time when energy prices are so high. As we cannot see UV, it is easily forgotten about. Therefore, unless the keeper has invested in a solarmeter, it is important to replace the UV emitting bulb each year to ensure maximum efficacy. Of course, the easiest way to provide well balanced, full-spectrum light is to take the bird outside. Even if this is only for a short period, a well-constructed aviary will allow the bird to stretch its wings and receive important UV exposure. Bird cages can be moved outside in the summer, but the keeper should be considerate that

many smaller parrots may find this restrictive and aerial predators such as birds of prey may increase stress levels, meaning the caged bird should be observed at all times. The keeper should start with 5-10 minute sessions and build this up over time. Adding shelter, such as a towel to three sides of the cage then slowly removing it as the bird becomes more confident is a good strategy. Those lucky enough to have space for an aviary can create a very basic setup to be utilised on the sunniest days, with some shelter and some sunny perches. Regardless of the method used, the bird should be able to transition between sun and shade at its leisure.

To UV or not to UV…

Although there is much to learn about the role of UV in avian physiology, current research suggests that the provision of small amounts of UVA and UVB is extremely beneficial to the wellbeing of pet parrots. Whilst constructing an outdoor aviary is preferable, it is not always an option for every keeper. Therefore, investing in a good quality bird-focused UV lamp can at least provide a beneficial substitute. Photoperiodicity is extremely important for birds’ wellbeing and all lighting fixtures should be run through a timer to provide a consistent and reliable day/night cycle. This aspect of pet care is often neglected, particularly for animals which are housed in living rooms and communal areas. Artificial lighting can be an excellent tool for establishing a routine for such intelligent birds, even if many benefits are still to be discovered.

Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)

FASCINATING FACT

Sea turtles in the UK

Six of the seven species of sea turtle found on planet Earth have been recorded in UK waters. The only turtle not to have been officially recorded in the UK is the Australian flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus). This species has the smallest geographic range of any marine turtle and rarely leaves the shallow waters of the Australian continental shelf. The most turtle to join the list of UK visitors is the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). An individual from this species (which is found most commonly in the Gulf of Mexico) washed up in Anglesey in 2016.

Other species of sea turtles are far more frequent visitors. Some argue that leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) should be considered one of the UK’s migratory species, as they visit British waters to hunt for jellyfish. Although they are most seen in late summer

and early autumn, they can be spotted year-round. There are around 15 sightings of these animals in the UK each year and that number is increasing. Leatherbacks are far more tolerant of colder temperatures than other sea turtle species and can be found across all but the most northern and southern oceans. Weighing in at almost one ton, only the largest leatherbacks migrate to the UK. Only the animals with the highest body mass can withstand the cooler temperatures of British waters. Around 84% of sea turtle sightings in the UK are leatherbacks and 12% are loggerheads (Caretta caretta). Sightings of both species are becoming more common each year. The remaining hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), green (Chelonia mydas) and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) are likely to visit UK waters by accident, however, all species are listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, awarding them additional protection as a British species.

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

ENRICHMENT IDEAS

Tarantula enrichment

Invertebrates are often neglected in the discussion around environmental enrichment. This is likely due to our limited understanding of their cognitive ability. Observational studies of even the most developed species can sometimes lead us to believe they have no brains at all. However, that is not the case and so enrichment should be a consideration for any invert keeper. For tarantula keepers, there are a few things that can be done that might improve the welfare of their pet spider.

Correct substrate

The substrate should be deep with a damp bottom layer that dries out as it reaches the surface. This is a no-brainer for burrowing species that require a subterranean hide, but it does not harm to provide a few extra inches for all species. Even arboreal species, when housed within a small enclosure will utilise most of the space within the terrarium. A deep substrate allows for better humidity control and more consistent conditions within the terrarium.

every few weeks to keep things fresh without disturbing the tarantula too much.

Sky hides

Most tarantulas are not very active and therefore, most keepers provide an adequate-sized terrarium that has room for a single hide. In the wild, however, some tarantulas will occupy hollowed trees off the ground. If the terrarium has enough space, using a waterproof sealant to attach a cork bark tube to an elevated position within the terrarium will maximise the usable space and provide interesting observations for the keeper. This can also break up any overhead lighting and add depth to the enclosure.

Decorated enclosures

Everyone has their own taste when it comes to establishing an enclosure. Basic setups are perfectly acceptable, but adding resin ornaments, artificial plants, hardscape and more can help the keeper learn more