Exotics Keeper Magazine - January 2024

NEWS • BORNEO FOREST SCORPION • KEEPER BASICS • LUNGLESSNESS • CARDINAL TETRA www.exoticskeeper.com • january 2024 • £3.99

KING OF KINGS

Mattia Fieramoschi and Augusta Sacchetta discuss breeding various subspecies and localities of the king rat snake.

AN(T) INSATIABLE HUNGER

A guide to better understand the dietary requirements and other factors when caring for horned lizards (Phrynosoma spp.).

THE EK MAGAZINE SURVEY

In 2023, EK ran an enormous survey to learn more about exotics keeping in the UK. Here is what we found out…

HERE TODAY, GONE TOMATO

We catch up with Misa Kralova, a breeder from the Czech Republic, to learn the secrets of breeding tomato frogs (Dyscophus).

CONTACT US EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

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About us MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY Peregrine Livefoods Ltd Rolls Farm Barns Hastingwood Road Essex CM5 0EN Print ISSN: 2634-4709 Digital ISSN: 2634-4689

EDITORIAL: Thomas Marriott DESIGN: Scott Giarnese Amy Mather .........................

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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 cover: King rat snake (Elaphe carinata) Right: False tomato frog (Dyscophus guineti)

H

appy New Year! We’re already cooking up some big plans for EK as we head into 2024.

From in-situ research into how our popular pet reptiles live in the wild, to new ongoing features from some of the hobby’s most well-known voices, this year is shaping up to be special already!

This issue is also particularly special as we get to share our first insight into the results of the EK Survey. This survey was a huge project aimed at improving animal welfare standards by learning more about the breadth of species currently kept in the UK. As I write this, the report itself is a little further away, but rest assured the fully comprehensive document will be available soon.

We’re starting the year strong with a selection of in-depth explorations into the successes of private keepers.

From providing optimal nutrition to lizards with specialised diets to breeding striking localities of rarely kept snakes, this issue focuses on herpetoculture in all its glory.

As always, we would love to hear your thoughts on our magazine.

Is there a particular topic we need to cover? A recurring feature you enjoy or miss? An author, keeper, or breeder we just need to speak to? Feel free to tell us over email or through social media.

Once again, Happy New Year and thank you for continuing to support Exotics Keeper.

Best wishes, Thomas Marriott Editor

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EXOTICS NEWS

The latest from the world of exotic pet keeping.

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HERE TODAY, GONE TOMATO:

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The return of captive-bred tomato frogs.

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FLASHBACK FEATURE: TEACH A MAN TO FISH...

How sustainable fisheries in the Amazon are saving the planet.

Time to share what we found out in our 2023 survey.

AN(T) INSATIABLE HUNGER:

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KING OF KINGS:

58

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SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

Focus on the wonderful world of exotic pets. This month it’s the Borneo forest scorpion (Heterometrus longimanus).

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THE EK MAGAZINE SURVEY REPORY

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ietary requirements and D husbandry of horned lizards.

We look at breeding king rat snakes.

KEEPER BASICS:

Creating an arid bioactive enclosure.

FASCINATING FACT Did you know...?

Exotics News

EXOTICS NEWS The latest from the world of exotic animals

the Amarumayu Movement, a privately funded organisation dedicated to conserving species native to the Amazon River basin. The group have overseen the release of around 23,000 individuals of the species, which is listed as Vulnerable.

Podocnemis unifilis

Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtles released

©Conrad Hoskin

Thousands of yellow-spotted river turtles (Podocnemis unifilis) have been released on the shores of the Peruvian Amazon River as part of efforts to conserve the embattled species.

More than 3,000 of the turtles were released in the San Jose de Lupuna region, with the assistance of local children, as part of a breeding programme that aims to maintain the species.

Yellow-spotted turtles are omnivorous, with distinctive yellow markings, and can be found across much of northern South America. They favour calm waters, basking on riverbanks of large rivers and streams. The turtles lay between twenty and forty eggs, with babies taking just over two months to hatch.

The most recent batch of turtles released had a reduced incubation period due to an extreme heatwave that has hit the region. Droughts and high temperatures caused experts to reduce the incubation period to forty-five days, with the typical duration somewhere between sixty and seventy-two days.

The conservation programme is run by

Lyon’s grassland striped skink rediscovered

The Lyon’s grassland striped skink (Lerista sp.) has been rediscovered in Queensland, Australia after being deemed extinct for almost forty years.

In a statement, Conrad Hoskin, Associate Professor at James Cook University, said: “The skink was last seen in 1981 and was feared to be extinct. To find it again after 42 years, and at several different sites, is exciting. We now need to assess its full distribution and habitat requirements.”

Dr Hoskin was part of a wider team responsible for the survey which saw the skinks rediscovered. The team, made up of scientists from Queensland Museum and James Cook University were conducting surveys commissioned by the Resilient Landscapes Hub of the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program, aiming to find highly threatened reptiles across Queensland.

The expedition was led by Dr Andrew Amey, from Queensland Museum Network, and aimed to find three

species of skink in the Mount Surprise Area, around 300 kilometres outside Cairns.

Dr Amey said: “These lizards are all hard to find and seldom seen. Two are part of a large group of skinks in the genus Lerista, which are only found in Australia and have adapted to sandy soils by reducing their limbs to essentially swim through the soil.”

“It shows that parts of Australia such as grasslands and open woodland that are grazed by cattle can still host important biodiversity.

“It was an exciting moment to find all three skinks, but to find the Lyon’s Grassland Striped Skink was an amazing discovery.”

Allobates femoralis

Poison dart frogs reproductive habits

New research has shown that individuals of the Allobates femoralis poison frog species, which differs from their relatives in that they are not poisonous, reproduce using strategies determined by their character traits.

The same research, conducted by the University of Bern, also revealed that these traits are present even in the tadpole stage of development and remain largely consistent throughout the individual’s lifetime.

What’s a snakes favourite subject at school?

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JANUARY 2024

Exotics News

collect such a concentration of red blood cells into one organ and avoid experiencing blood clots.

The studies showed that the different tendencies of individuals, such as boldness, aggression or eagerness to explore, dictate their reproductive strategies. A wild population of poison frogs on a river island in French Guiana were studied by the research group, led by Eva Ringler, Professor and head of the Division of Behavioural Ecology at the University of Bern.

This aspect of the mechanism has intrigued scientists and is now being studied as part of efforts to prevent blood clots in other animals and humans, potentially paving the way for a major medical breakthrough.

Dr Ringler said: "The situation of this river island gives us the opportunity to work with free-living amphibians at the population level in a delimited area. On the one hand, we can investigate how individuals differ from each other in terms of their behaviour. On the other, we can use genetic methods to assess individual reproductive success, and relate these measures to those of other individuals in the population.”

©Jeffrey Streicher/Natural History Museum

The team found that, while personality determined reproductive strategy, no particular trait was more successful than another regarding reproduction. Instead, context was found to be a more influential factor, with different traits proving beneficial in different situations.

Tiny frog species found in Mexico

"The two studies demonstrate the importance of considering individual differences in ecological and evolutionary research. They also provide important insights into the mechanisms that both generate animal personality and maintains it over evolutionary time," said Ringler.

Six new species of frog, all less than two centimetres long, have been found in Mexican forests, with one claiming the title of Mexico’s smallest frog.

Craugastor candelariensis is the smallest of the new finds, measuring only 13mm in length at maturity. For each of the newly described species, their tiny form makes them ideal prey for a range of other animals.

Tom Jameson, a researcher at the Department of Zoology of the University of Cambridge, is a lead author of the paper describing the frogs. He said: “With millions of these frogs living in the leaf litter, we think they’re likely to play a hugely important role in the ecosystem as a source of food for everything else, from lizards to predatory birds.”

The frogs were found by a team of researchers from both the University of Cambridge and the University of Texas at Arlington, with plenty more to learn about the enigmatic new species.

“These frogs live in the dark, humid leaf litter of the forests, which is like a secret world – we don’t really know anything about what goes on there. We don’t understand their behaviour, how they socialise, or how they breed,” added Mr Jameson.

Glass frogs’ transparency explained by new research

Scientists have discovered the biological mechanism that allows glass frogs to develop the transparency that gives them their name.

All six species are what is known as ‘direct-developing’ frogs, emerging from frogspawn as fully-developed frogs, rather than as tadpoles. The range covered by many of the species is minute, with some inhabiting a single hillside.

Studies have shown that individuals of the species can ‘hide’ up to ninety per cent of their red blood cells in their liver, giving them an almost transparent appearance as they sleep.

The effective defensive measure requires a feat rarely seen in any animal; the ability to stop the flow of red blood cells around the body’s tissues and still survive. The process is made more remarkable by the fact that glass frogs can

Hisssssstory!

JANUARY 2024

This places them at considerable risk, with their small habitat at threat from the effects of climate change, and they are threatened by the fatal Chytridiomycosis fungus. The research team hope to work with the Mexican government and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to protect the species.

Prefer to get a quote than a joke?

Visit britishpetinsurance.co.uk

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Exotics News

Lacerta agilis.

Sand lizards returned after fires

Following a devastating fire on Winfrith Heath in Dorset, sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) are being reintroduced to a nature reserve, in efforts to reinstate the population.

further 150 set to be released in the coming months. The lizards have been bred in captivity by DWT to conserve the species, while they carried out work to make the devastated habitat viable for the returning reptiles.

Growing to around 20cm in length, the brown-coloured lizards are found throughout the UK, mainly in Surrey, Dorset, Hampshire and dunes in Merseyside.

Steve Masters, ecologist at DWT, said: “Our nature reserves are at the heart of our ambition to recover some of our rarest UK species and habitats.

Since a fire decimated heathland the size of two football pitches in April 2020, the species has not been seen, prompting Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) to begin its reintroduction efforts.

“We've monitored the site closely to assess the condition of the habitat, before deciding reintroduction is the right thing to do. Sand lizards are an iconic species of our heathland ecosystems, and it is amazing to be part of their return.”

So far, twenty-four sand lizards have been released, with a

Written by Isabelle Thom

ON THE WEB

Websites | Social media | Published research

Each month we highlight a favourite website or social media page THIS MONTH IT’S: SPECIES+ Species+, developed by UNEP-WCMC and the CITES Secretariat, is a website designed to assist Parties with implementing CITES, CMS and other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). Species+ provides a centralised portal for accessing key information on species of global concern. www.speciesplus.net

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HERE TODAY,

GONE TOMATO The return of captive-bred tomato frogs.

False tomato frog (Dyscophus guineti)

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JANUARY 2024

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Here Today, Gone Tomato

T

he tomato frogs of Madagascar are some of the most striking semi-fossorial frogs on the planet. Characterised by plump, red/orange bodies and wide eyes, these Anurans of the genus Dyscophus have seen bouts of popularity in captive collections. Since Malagasy government stopped legal exports in 2019, the availability of tomato frogs plummeted due to the fact they are notoriously difficult to breed without intrusive hormone procedures. Now, hobbyists across Europe are starting to unravel the mysteries behind breeding these charismatic frogs. We caught up with Misa Kralova, a breeder from the Czech Republic to learn the secrets of breeding these frogs.

Dyscophus

The Dyscophus genus is made up of three species. The “true” tomato frog (Dyscophus antongilii), the “false” or Sambava tomato frog (D. guineti) and the Antsouhy tomato frog (D. insularis). All three species are closely related but have distinct morphological differences. D. antongilii is the most vibrant of the three. It typically has uniform bright orange or red colouration. It is found in the Eastern rainforests of Madagascar, stretching from Andasibe,

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northwards. The false tomato frog has the smallest distribution of the three species and in some regions, is sympatric with D. antongilii. It is easily distinguishable by the lateral stripes that run from the animal’s eyes down its torso. False tomato frogs are generally also less vibrant in colouration with more yellowish-brown tones.

Finally, Dyscophus insularis is found in western Madagascar and is thus, more adapted to drier habitats where it can be found localised to marshes and streams. Its appearance JANUARY 2024

Here Today, Gone Tomato

14 days old

34 days old

is similar to both other species, possessing patterning like guineti but more striking colouration like antongilii.

All species are plump, semi-fossorial frogs that are finely tuned to seasonal rains. They are archetypal Microhylids and feed on a wide range of invertebrates. Their semifossorial habits made them a once-popular species of frog. However, these animals soon met their competition in the form of horned, or “pacman” frogs (Ceratophrys cranwelli). Both species breed far more successfully with the administration of hormones, something that many hobbyists did not have access to. The “pacmans” were bred in large numbers on farms in Taiwan and the USA, where the humble tomato frogs were generally exported and infrequently bred in captivity. This meant that when Madagascar banned all commercial exports, the Pacman frogs were far more widely available, diminishing the tomato frog’s exposure and demand.

JANUARY 2024

63 days old

Breeding tomato frogs

“I have a personal connection to these frogs,” said Misa, who has been working with Dyscophus since 2015 and bred the false tomato frog (D. guineti) with hormones in 2017. “It’s quite normal that people will use hormones to breed difficult frogs, but I personally felt ashamed when I did, back in 2017. I didn’t think it was that ethical. Some of the animals would die from time to time and while I don’t think this was a direct result of the hormones, you do have to use quite large doses and it just didn’t feel right.”

Misa had previously managed to encourage the frogs into amplexus naturally but unfortunately never received any eggs. Her colleague also managed to get 10 pairs of frogs into amplexus by transferring them outside during a storm, but again, never received any eggs. Eventually, Misa found that one fundamental change to her husbandry practice changed her success rates.

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Dyscophus guineti (left) Dyscophus antongilii (right)

The importance of diet

Originally, Misa’s frogs were fed almost exclusively on gutloaded, vitamin-dusted crickets with occasional feedings of dubia roaches. “They like the crickets, they strike on them and eat them easily,” she said. “But, these frogs spend a lot of their time buried and become more active at night and after rain. They’re also chubbier than a lot of other frogs so I started to think, surely they should be fed chubbier foods.

That’s when I made the switch to earthworms.”

Misa continued: “You can see in the faeces, it’s much drier with bits of legs and things when fed crickets, but it looks healthier when the frogs are fed soft-bodied prey, so I think the frogs are using it differently.”

Misa now feeds her adult and subadult tomato frogs twice a week and almost exclusively on earthworms and snails with their shells removed. However, she has noticed that there is a great deal of variability between the dietary preferences of the adults and the juveniles. “The babies will strike at crickets like crazy, but they aren’t too interested in earthworms” she explained. “It’s not until they reach about 4 or 5cm that they will eat earthworms. As they grow, they begin to feed more aggressively and will fit as much as they can in their mouths. Because of this, I feed my tomato frogs in water, rather than on their usual substrate.”

General husbandry and breeding

Tomato frogs are reasonably straightforward to care for and require very similar care to Pacman frogs. A low-wattage UVB bulb above a reasonably humid glass enclosure with a few inches of natural blend substrate and a water bowl will meet the most basic requirements of this species. Tomato frogs require a similar setup and environmental parameters to Pacman frogs. However, they will benefit from slightly increased humidity and more

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space and décor to explore.

Tomato frogs are best kept at around 23 – 27°C with an ambient humidity of 60 – 70%. However, it can be beneficial, particularly for “true” tomato frogs (D. antongilii), to provide cooler, drier periods in the winter.

Nighttime temperatures should also drop slightly and can reach +15°C with no ill effects. The substrate should be kept moist and should be easy for the animal to bury itself into, such as BioLife Forest. Additional patches of moss and leaf litter, with robust plants and cork bark, will make an interesting and enriched environment for these frogs.

The breeding process

Misa first bred the species, without the use of hormones, in June 2023. Her first successful attempt had one pair of frogs producing 40 tadpoles. Whilst this may be an amicable start for some species, what happened next blew her away. “The second female ended up producing over 3,000 tadpoles! It was amazing to see” said Misa. “Whilst copulating, it took the female over 50 minutes to run out of eggs! We keep our frogs in huge PVC enclosures, and it was full of eggs.”

After having seemingly cracked the difficult part, Misa had to tackle the raising of tadpoles. Luckily, the water hardness in her hometown of Prague was perfect. She used tap water that had been rested for 24 hours for the entire tadpole-raising process. “A friend of mine tried this and his tadpoles died within 10 days”, warned Misa. “There are three different water suppliers in the Czech Republic.

Where he lives, his water is different and we’re sure this has had a direct impact on the tadpoles. Of course, there are things he could do such as osmosis that might make the water better for the tadpoles, but I think you just need to be lucky to be in an area with good water.”

JANUARY 2024

DID

YOU KNOW Tadpoles

Starting metamorphosis

Of the 3000+ tadpoles that hatched, only one was black. It is, at the time of writing, over three months old, whereas most tadpoles metamorphose after four weeks. This unique tadpole has hind legs, but has seemingly stopped developing and could represent a rare case of neoteny in tomato frogs.

hard way that when they sit on each other, they become poisonous to each other. We noticed that these animals would be less active and unresponsive to turning them on their back. Now, we wash them regularly if they are housed together. There is a certain point in their development where this toxicity increases drastically. It’s super important to clean the substrate often, keep them in large enclosures that are not overcrowded and ensure the enclosure is always well-ventilated.”

Even the average Dyscophus tadpoles have unusual feeding behaviours that must be catered for. Unlike Pacman frog tadpoles, they do not have fullyformed mouthparts and therefore cannot digest solid foods. This means the food must be crushed into a very fine powder and mixed into the water itself. Algae, pellets, flakes and meat, including other dead tadpoles, are indigestible to tomato frog tadpoles.

Misa continued: “Sometimes when you feed other tadpoles, they will go to the bottom or the top of the water towards the actual food. What Dyscophus do is they swim around and just filtrate it gradually. If a tadpole dies, it isn’t eaten, which is unusual for tadpoles.”

“We decided to buy an old coffee grinder and crush fish food into a very fine powder. It worked really well and let us raise thousands of tadpoles.

Obviously, this created more issues…”

The market

Despite tomato frogs being once very popular, there are numerous challenges that breeders face when trying to move their animals to other collections. The first challenge is, of course, raising 3,000 young froglets to an age that they are appropriate to move on. Although young tomato frogs are not cannibalistic like their Pacman counterparts, they are toxic.

In the case of false tomato frogs, communally kept froglets can eventually poison one another through their skin as they develop their toxic secretions. “Young frogs tend to huddle together in groups. We found out the JANUARY 2024

Once the frogs have been successfully housed and raised, the breeder will inevitably look towards moving the animals to other collections. This can create its own challenges. False tomato frogs are CITES listed, which restricts the movement of animals into international markets. “I understand CITES is a good thing” added Misa.

“But, getting the paperwork means you have to house the frogs for at least three more months than you would need to with non-CITES-listed species.

It makes you think ‘Should I really do this again?’ because it’s difficult to keep thousands of frogs for that amount of time.”

“In Europe, you can quite easily find homes for a few hundred frogs, but a few thousand are just not needed. I also think amphibians tend to be less popular than reptiles. People may want three or four frogs, but there are fewer people out there looking for them.”

Misa concluded: “When I post pictures of tomato frogs, people do comment saying they haven’t seen them in years. People know them! I mean, they’re cool frogs! Big, bright red frogs, with golden eyes, they’re great.

I think they have more personality than the Pacmans. It was a personal project of mine to be able to breed these frogs without hormones and I am very proud to have achieved this!

Even though it’s been tough, it’s great to see more of these frogs available across the UK and Europe.”

Title

There are three species of tomato frogs belonging to the genus Dyscophus.

Tomato frogs can be found all over the lowland tropics of Madagascar, on both side of the country.

Tomato frogs are highly toxic and use ‘aposematic colouration’ to warn predators of their toxins.

When threatened, these frogs will puff up their bodies to appear much larger to potential predators.

The false tomato frog (D. guineti) is only found in primary forests, whereas the true tomato frog (D. antongilli) can be found in humanaltered habitats including gardens with ponds.

Since the true tomato frog was listed as CITES Appendix 1, the false tomato frog was collected in greater numbers. Today, Madagascar has closed all exports of fauna except in special circumstances.

All tomato frog species are listed as Least Concern by 11 the IUCN.

Title Species Spotlight

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT The wonderful world of exotic animals

Borneo forest scorpion (Heterometrus longimanus) The Borneo forest scorpion is one of the smaller members of the Heterometrus genus. Like their larger cousins, these are some of the hardiest scorpions available in the trade. The name ‘Longimanus’ means “long hands” which refers to their other common name, the “long-clawed forest scorpion.”

Borneo forest scorpions reach a maximum size of around 12cm and are uniformly black. Their bulky pedipalps and glossy colouration mean they can be misidentified as young Emperor scorpions (Pandinus imperator). However, forest scorpions are much more aggressive.

Borneo forest scorpions have straightforward husbandry requirements. They must be kept reasonably warm (24 – 28°C) in a humid environment (70-80%). Glass terrariums make a more visually appealing alternative to plastic tubs, but both are suitable. This should be filled with at least a few inches of a naturalistic substrate such as BioLife Forest or SpiderLife and topped with several layers of leaflitter.

This should allow the scorpion to burrow as they would occasionally in the wild.

There is little research into the impact of UVB on invertebrate wellbeing, but providing a low-UVB T5 bulb above the enclosure will help mimic daylight hours, while a cork bark tube will offer refuge if the scorpion wishes to hide.

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www.pro-rep.co.uk

JANUARY 2024 SEPTEMBER 2023

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Title

TEACH A MAN

TO FISH…

How sustainable fisheries in the Amazon are saving the planet.

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FLASHBACK FEATURE Title

JANUARY 2024

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Teach a Man to Fish…

T

he Rio Negro fishery in Amazonas, Brazil exports huge numbers of fish for the commercial pet trade.

It has been operating since the 1950s and until recently, has exported at least 20 million fish each year.

This is less than half the amount it was exporting during the fishkeeping boom of the 1960s. These statistics are likely to send shudders down the spines of any conservationist, but in the 1990s Conservation Scientist, Scott Dowd along with researchers at the University of Amazonas began assessing the sustainability of this seemingly impossible surplus of fishes. What they discovered stunned them.

History of the cardinal tetra in Amazonia

The cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is one of the most popular species of tropical fish in the aquarist hobby.

It was first described by Herbert Axelrod in 1956 after being discovered in a small section of the Rio Negro, close to Barcelos, Amazonas. With its vibrant red and blue colouration and peaceful schooling behaviour, the cardinal tetra was the perfect candidate to join the influx of aquariums being established by hobbyists throughout the 20th Century. Over time, this popularity continued to grow and the exportation of tropical fish became big business in the region. Fishermen relied on this business to feed their families and still today almost 60% of all income in

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Barcelos is directly linked to the exportation of tropical fish for the aquatics industry. A vast majority of these fish are cardinal tetras. Since reliable data began being collected in 2006, cardinal tetra made up 68.8% of the total number of fish exported from the state of Amazonas. At the time, 126 different fish species were exported, making cardinal tetra the most popular species by a long shot. In 2015, 200 species were exported from Amazonas, but cardinal tetra continued to make up a whopping 56%. Whilst the number has fluctuated each year, cardinal tetra have always made up at least half of all fish exported from Amazonas for the pet trade.

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Teach a Man to Fish…

Sustainability

“Project Piaba began in the early nineties” explains Jacqueline Anderson, Education Materials Coordinator at Project Piaba. “Our Executive Director Scott Dowd was originally interested in visiting Brazil for a fish collecting trip. He became exposed to the cardinal tetra fishery in the Rio Negro and was blown away by the number of fish being exported. As a conservation scientist when you hear that 90 million fish are being exported per year you think ‘hit the brakes’, there’s no way that could be sustainable.”

Scott joined a researcher at the University of Amazonas and turned his focus towards the fishery. “What they found was that this number wasn’t changing. Also, a lot of fish possibly weren’t counted as they didn’t go through the hub at Barcelos. In fact, data suggests any number between 40 million and 150 million fish could have been exported in the early days of the fishery” adds Jacqueline.

It was here that they discovered that the fish populations JANUARY 2024

are related to the flood and drought cycles of the river itself. Jacqueline continued: “The Rio Negro is a blackwater river, meaning it is slow-moving, has a lower pH and has far fewer nutrients than a whitewater river.

When the river expands, there is a monumental change.

The river can rise by anything from four to ten meters.

When the water level goes up and into the forest, there are all these new food sources for the fish. Most of the carbon in the river comes from the forest itself. All the little nuts and berries and fruits and leaves that are falling into the river are now food for the fish and with the expansion of space it is now perfect for cardinal tetra, hatchet fish (Gasteropelecus sp.), rummy nose tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus) and all these pretty little fish that live in the forest. They now have all this extra habitat and leaves and branches to hide in that aren’t available in the dry season.

So, they respond to this new habitat by spawning. They spawn a lot and basically every time it rains. These babies then grow up fast.”

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Title

When the floods recede and the dry season returns, many of the fish wouldn’t otherwise make it back into the main population. When those fish are caught, they do not affect the breeding stock for next year. This presents an opportunity for people to collect the fish which provides a livelihood and an incentive to protect the forest. “It is an anticipatable source of income every year” added Jacqueline. “This is unlike timber harvesting, slashand-burn farming, illegal gold mining, etc which is only there once and then the person must make their money somewhere else. Those things can’t exist in the same place as the fishery, so it’s created the ultimate ‘not in my backyard’ conservation opportunity as people begin to think ‘anything that disrupts the fish, disrupts my family and my livelihood.”

Fishermen on the Rio Negro have harvested fish for 70 years, sometimes spanning three generations. The methods that are used today are almost identical to how they were in the 1950s. As the flooded areas are far too shallow to drag trawling nets through, fishermen paddle through the forest in canoes equipped with small handheld nets. This ensures that the sustainability model outlined in the 50s remains intact and the habitat is not disrupted at all.

Protecting the rainforest

The Rio Negro Fishery is comprised of 46,000² miles of rainforest. Not only does this protect hundreds of endangered species, but it also sequesters 7.6 billion metric tons of carbon each year, making it globally significant in the fight against climate change. The commerce of wild-caught fish is the catalyst for the forest's protection, but it is the people of Amazonia that protect it.

Unfortunately, many of the people that live along the Rio Negro cannot access data on the changes in the global market. This is where Project Piaba steps in.

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Project Piaba is operated by a small group of American and Brazilian volunteers. It does not buy, export, or sell fish. Instead, it supports the fishery through education both in-situ and ex-situ. The organisation has worked with the fishery by sending veterinarians to assess the supply chain and improve the handling practices of these fish. This not only prevents mortalities but also provides a more reliable source of income. Internationally, Project Piaba assesses the global market for cardinal tetra and feeds this back to the fishermen who have seen a serious drop in demand for wild-caught fish since aquarists first managed to breed cardinal tetra in captivity in the early 00s. Across rural Brazil and much of the Amazon, people are threatened with food insecurity. They must turn towards agriculture or infrastructure development to earn a living, which can be very destructive, and the increased number of captivebred tetra is having a serious impact on local confidence to earn a living from the fishery.

Jacqueline continued: “In most cases, the market changes are driven by people who think they are protecting the environment by buying aquacultured fish. In this case, the fishery is having to compete with bio stock that is produced somewhere else. The fish that are produced somewhere else don’t put any money back into the economy, they don’t provide any sustainable income for the people who live in the region, and they don’t protect the habitat.”

Sadly, one of the major challenges that Project Piaba faces is that of public perception. “A lot of the time in conservation science, people want to put the environment in a little box to protect it, but you cannot divorce the environment from the 3.8 million people who live there” adds Jacqueline. “Those people need ways to support themselves and their families. If you’re threatened with food insecurity or poverty you will do whatever it takes to support your family. You cannot take people out of the equation.”

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Teach a Man to Fish…

In the 1970s anywhere from 40 to 150 million fish were exported from the fishery. In 1999 this number dropped to 22 million fish and remained fairly consistent for almost a decade (even rising in 2006 to 26 million fish). However, in 2009 this number dropped drastically to 2.7 million fish. This number changed due to market demand, rather than the number of fish available in the fishery. Jacqueline added: “This was an a-ha moment for many people who had been fishing for generations. Their grandparents supported their parents by fishing for cardinal tetra, and their parents supported them by fishing for cardinal tetra but all of a sudden, they cannot support their kids in the same way. The people who were doing the fishing and involved in the fishery at its base didn’t necessarily understand why people weren’t buying the fish anymore.

Captive bred vs wild caught

In most cases, particularly in the reptile-keeping hobby, captive-bred animals are preferable to wild-caught animals for a whole host of reasons. However, there are no proven ‘boom and bust’ population cycles in which wild-caught reptiles can be harvested without having some form of impact on the wild populations. However, that is not to say that with ongoing research, there is no capacity for the sustainable harvesting of other animals.

For example, many frog species produce huge amounts of spawn to account for mortalities throughout the growth cycle. If 70 years of data proved that a certain amount of spawn could be collected sustainably, there would be a plausible argument to bring these animals into captivity to strengthen the genetics of a captive population and provide income for keepers of the forest. Sadly, this data does not exist and the Rio Negro Fishery is perhaps the only example with longstanding and irrefutable evidence justifying its sustainability.

Wild-caught animals have historically encouraged local people to protect wild areas that may be at risk of deforestation. Yet, without significant research to guide the number of animals collected (particularly for those in high JANUARY 2024

demand with high price tags), captive-bred animals generally provide a safer alternative. Unfortunately, the Rio Negro Fishery faces the opposite problem. They must compete with captive-bred animals to ensure the preservation of the habitat and thus, the survival of the species.

Jacqueline explains: “The fish that are bred in captivity are sort of like super fish. They were born in captivity, they’ve lived in an aquarium their whole life, they haven’t gone from a pH of 3 to an aquarium of 7 and they eat flake foods and know what they are. They are generally healthier, more robust aquarium fish. This is why we need to make the wild-caught fishery competitive against the aquacultured market.”

Project Piaba sent a team of vets on an expedition to the Rio Negro to identify problem areas which might affect the health of the fish throughout the supply line. By tracking the fish from the moment they are caught to the moment they are introduced to the aquarium, the vets were able to identify any issues which might make the fish less appealing than their captive-bred counterparts.

Jacqueline continued: “They identified a few problems which helped us develop our ‘best handling practice’ guidelines. For example, nutrition was a big issue. It’s hard to keep good quality fish food fresh in places that are 105 degrees and 100% humidity. Food does go bad, so we’re working on ensuring that this food remains as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Also, when you scoop a fish up in a net and it damages its slime coat, that is a problem for the fish but not immediately. This happens a few weeks down the road when it catches a bacterial or protozoal infection that it wouldn’t otherwise be susceptible to. For years, the people who were capturing the fish never saw those problems arise.”

Project Piaba also formed a cooperative of fishermen called Ornapesca. It allows fishermen to come together and discuss their practices and has facilitated in-situ training programmes. Veterinarians have also played an instrumental role in authenticating the geographic indications of cardinal tetra. This will allow aquarists to

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Title

Peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris) identify an ‘authentic’ cardinal tetra from the Rio Negro and add value to the wild-caught fish. In many cases, it is easy to identify a wild-caught cardinal tetra from a captive-bred one. “A lot of people mistake cardinal tetras for neon tetras, but they’re a different fish from a different river system” explains Jacqueline. “Neon tetra have a blue stripe on the top and a red stripe on the bottom that goes halfway across their body.

Cardinal tetras have a blue stripe on the top and a red stripe on the bottom that goes the whole way down their body. When that fish is healthy and conditioned and the lights have been on for a few hours, they are very striking. They’re like little swimming jewels. If you look at a wild-caught cardinal tetra it will blow your mind.

Not that the farm-raised fish aren’t beautiful, but they’re not like those found in the river. Wild cardinal tetra look almost holographic. They have these bright shining eyes and striking colours that are crucial for communication in a blackwater environment. They don’t quite look like that in captivity. If you can support the health of the wild animals, they certainly look far more striking than captive-bred individuals”

Plenty more fish in the Rio There are 250 commonly recognised species of aquarium fish that come from the Rio Negro region. As well as cardinal tetra, angelfish, discus and freshwater stingrays are also collected from the river and exported by the fishery but in far fewer numbers.

As they do not breed as prolifically as the tetra, they must be carefully managed. However, as higher-value fish, they still represent an important aspect of the fishery even though

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they are exported in smaller numbers.

Freshwater stingrays, for example, only produce one or two pups a year so the fishermen must be very selective with which ones and how many can be removed to ensure that there is ample breeding stock for the following year.

Fortunately, these species have been exported by the fishery for decades and even with new technology to monitor fish populations, the fishery remains sustainable.

Jacqueline continued: “Recently, Brazil went from having a ‘whitelist’ (a list of fish species that are allowed to be exported) to a ‘blacklist’ a list of species that are not allowed to be exported. This has allowed for far more freedom in the exportation of sustainably sourced animals. At a local level, Brazilian authorities are very supportive of the fishery. This is likely because the environmental agency IBAMA has known the fishery now for around 80 years and therefore understands how to assess and work with the institution.”

Despite a good amount of support from Brazilian authorities, some challenges are out of the fishery’s control. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there are no longer direct flights from Manaus to the USA. Instead, flights must stop at Panama City or Sao Paulo which adds another day of transit for the exported fish.

Whilst Project Piaba can educate the fishermen and those transporting the fish to the airport, it is far more difficult to pass this information on to airport officials. This, combined with the fact that the fish are confined in temporary accommodation for a further 24 hours means higher levels of stress for the fish which can materialise as health defects further down the line.

The future of the fishery

Because the number of fish that are being exported has dropped so low in recent years, many local people are beginning to turn to other ways to make money. “We are seeing that a lot of fishing families are now beginning to pivot towards sport fishing” explains Jacqueline. “There are a lot of peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris), which are one of the big fish in the river, that are worldrenowned for sport fishermen. I don’t know what the future holds for that.

I am quite hesitant to be supportive because it’s a different kind of resource management. I noticed a huge difference in the amount of trash in the river, the number of people around and the kind of things that are going on. If people do want to continue living how their families have lived for generations, then this influx in sport fishing is certainly changing that. Is this a good thing for the environment, or a bad thing? We don’t know yet.”

The Rio Negro Fishery offers a unique look at the global benefits of the pet trade. Whilst unregulated aspects of the exotic pet trade can be very detrimental to the ecology of various habitats, it is important to consider data-led research before assuming that the harvesting of wild animals is a heinous crime. Illegal trafficking poses numerous welfare concerns and unregulated trade can damage localised populations of animals, but there are sustainable, regulated ways to introduce animals into captivity that benefit the species long-term. There will always be ethical considerations when harvesting animals, but if the harvesting of animals does not compromise welfare, directly supports the oxygen we breathe and protects hundreds of endangered species from habitat destruction, perhaps it’s time to rewrite the narrative.

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Title

NutriRep™ is a complete calcium, vitamin & mineral balancing supplement with D3.

It can be dusted onto all food sources including insects, meats & vegetables.

No other supplement is required.

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AN(T) Title

INSATIABLE HUNGER: Dietary requirements and husbandry of horned lizards.

By Benjamin Dragantha-Fabian

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or decades, Phrynosoma sp. have been imported as wild captures. Few keepers manage to rehabilitate these animals, which are usually severely weakened and dehydrated from the transport. Providing appropriate care or even breeding them still poses significant challenges for many keepers, which is why they are considered difficult, if not impossible to maintain. Despite being advised against keeping the species, my journey with these small Iguanids has allowed me to understand the various cogs and gears that must operate together like clockwork to ensure the successful keeping and breeding of Phrynosoma spp. This article aims to serve as a guide to better understand the dietary requirements and other factors when caring for horned lizards.

Introduction to horned lizards

There are around 20 recognized species of horned lizards (Phrynosoma spp.). These lizards are primarily found in North and Central America at varied altitudes, with their distribution ranging from the southwestern United States down to Mexico. They occur in deserts like the Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, and Chihuahuan Desert and tend to occupy areas of loose soil and sand, dry riverbeds, grasslands and shrublands, as well as dunes and volcanic areas.

In the wild, these animals are exposed to extreme

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temperature fluctuations between day and night and throughout the seasons. Temperatures can reach up to 50°C during the day and drop to as low as -5°C at night.

Their habitats are steadily decreasing due to environmental changes and agricultural development.

As well as a loss of suitable habitat, the introduction of non-native invertebrates such as the fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta and Solenopsis richteri) is also thought to hurt wild populations.

Since January 2023, all Phrynosoma species are protected JANUARY 2024

An(t) Insatiable Hunger

Benjamin Dragantha Fabian is a herpetoculturist from Germany with a fascination for the Phrynosoma genus. He has kept reptiles for 24 years and began breeding horned lizards in 2000. To this date, he has kept and bred 7 species of Phrynosoma.

A wildlife biologist holding a desert horned lizard in Joshua Tree National Park. under CITES and need to be registered. Their availability was at the time of the pandemic already slim and with the new restrictions, they are impossible to import. As a result, the prices are very high.

With few people dedicated to breeding them and a halt on wild-caught specimens, distinct bloodlines are currentlyvery precious.

Replicating the sun

The lights in a horned lizard enclosure should be bright and well-thought-through. Phrynosoma are categorized in Ferguson Zone 4 (UVI 4.5-9.5). For my enclosures, I have a mix of different light sources to replicate the natural spectrum as closely as possible. For a 120cm x 60cm x JANUARY 2024

60cm enclosure, I use: 1x 24W T5 12% UVB, 1x 22W LED bar, 1x 50W Metal Halide, as well as a Spot bulb and LED Spot 36W to increase the IR, UVA and visible light levels.

The basking zone should be the brightest and hottest section (42°C - 45°C) and the cooler side should drop quite drastically in temperature to around 25°C - 28°C. The intensity of light within the right spectrum is also responsible for many hormone-based functions. During the summer months, I place my animals in a large box, equipped with sand and stone slabs, outdoors. They stay there during the day until I return them to the terrarium in the evening. The "real" sunlight promotes the health of the animals, and the keeper is rewarded with the beautiful natural colours of their animals.

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An(t) Insatiable Hunger

Enclosure design

Horned lizards are very active and require a large enclosure. The minimum recommended size for an adult pair or trio (1.1 or 1.2) of Phrynosoma platyrhinos (the most popular species in captivity) is 120cm x 60cm x 60cm.

I base my enclosure design on habitat data and photographs sourced online. For my setup, I use stones and driftwood, dry grass and plants from their habitat such as sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), various Agave and Cacti. The stones should be stacked up on bricks and secured, so the lizards cannot dig them out and be buried under them. This allows them to partially bask.

Horned lizards are masters of camouflage. Their markings and colours have evolved to mimic the environment’s substrate so that predators cannot spot them. They will flatten themselves to blend in with their surroundings. The dorsal stripe of P. cornutum and P. solare mimic dry grass in the substrate. P. modestum, just curls itself in and mimics a small rock. It’s important to incorporate their evolutionary perks in the enclosure!

For the substrate, I study the markings and colours of my horned lizard's back and mimic that with stones, gravel and a play sand/organic topsoil/clay mix. The substrate level should range from 10cm to 20cm.

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Understanding ants

Phrynosoma spp. are considered dietary specialists. A high percentage of their diet consists of ants. This percentage varies between the species from 48% to 98%. Feeding ants is essential for their proper care as there is no genuine alternative to ants. While some horned lizard species can temporarily survive on other insects such as bean beetles, an extended period without ants in their diet negatively affects the health and behaviour of these creatures.

In their natural habitat, these small Iguanids spend most of their day searching for food. A Phrynosoma platyrhinos, for example, can eat over 200 ants in a day. Their specialization in ants, coupled with their efficient ingestion and utilization of this food source, distinguishes them as a unique subfamily within Squamata. Almost their entire body seems adapted for ants.

Horned lizards have a specialized tongue tip secretion, like Chamaeleonidae, that creates a sticky surface to capture prey during feeding. They usually don't puncture their prey, except when it's too large to swallow. Instead, they swallow it whole and alive, using their secretion to keep it in place until digestion is finished.

Horned lizards are exceptional, perhaps even unique, in their consumption of highly toxic invertebrates, especially harvester ants from the Pogonomyrmex genus JANUARY 2024

Phrynosoma platyrhinos

(Formicidae), as a significant part of their diet.

Harvester ants like Pogonomyrmex have strong mandibles used for cutting plant material and defending against predators, including horned lizards. These ants have stingers that break off in their attackers, injecting a potent toxin. Horned lizards are less sensitive to this venom due to a plasma factor that neutralizes it. However, prolonged and frequent exposure to the ant's venom can be lethal for horned lizards as well.

In the past, it was wrongly thought that Phrynosoma lizards needed ants to control their stomach acidity.

This misconception led to feeding them crickets with pharmaceutical antacids, causing mouth injuries and death. This incorrect advice is still found in some YouTube content, even from popular creators.

Over time, it was discovered that in certain areas, ants eaten by horned lizards produce minimal to no acid. The importance of ant acid in their diet is unproven; instead, other components of ants like fibres, proteins, and water is beneficial. Ants also contain albumin, which transports essential nutrients and are rich in vitamins. A single ant contains 584 amino acids but no carbohydrates. In blood serum, albumin is responsible for transporting calcium, essential fatty acids, cortisol, and binding toxins for excretion.

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The consistent availability of ants, even in hot weather, makes them a suitable food source.

Harvester ants, which horned lizards commonly eat, consume plant material, suspected to generate formic acid. This low gastrointestinal pH helps maintain gut flora and protect against infections. Horned lizards gain additional moisture during the breakdown of formic acid through gastric acid, which catalytically hydrolyzes it into water and salt. Horned lizards gain soluble nutrients from the abdomen of the ants they eat through intestinal secretions, without the need to further digest the chitin of the remaining exoskeleton. This is why the bodies of ants are almost intact when found in horned lizard faeces.

Further digestion is unnecessary and would not enhance the efficiency of the digestive process.

The digestion process is efficient for desert-dwelling horned lizards, allowing them to meet their needs without slowing metabolism. However, they must consume large quantities for these benefits.

Frequently used feeder insects such as crickets and mealworms have a thin, widespread chitinous exoskeleton.

Chitin is a durable, slow-degrading polysaccharide polymer that demands considerable energy for metabolism to break down. This substance hinders the usual digestive processes and gut movement in horned lizards.

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An(t) Insatiable Hunger

Regal horned lizard (Phrynosoma solare)

Fatty prey in reptile diets

Triglyceride fats in fatty insect prey need to be broken down during digestion before they can enter the bloodstream for use or storage. Saturated fats in these triglycerides, commonly found in animal sources, require more metabolic effort to break down, particularly when they contain a high number of carbon compounds.

Reptiles like horned lizards have lower metabolic activity because they are ectothermic. Feeding them a constant diet of fatty prey is counterproductive because it can lead to lethargy and reduced energy conservation, similar to what crocodiles or snakes experience after large meals.

Horned lizards, on the other hand, do not require this period of lethargy when they consume a significant proportion of ants. They can easily convert the nutrients from ants into energy without a significant effort. This is why horned lizards have evolved to consume a large quantity of ants, facilitated by their relatively large stomachs. Compared to ants, other feeder insects, like crickets, roaches, and worms, burden horned lizards' organs during digestion due to their high fat and salt content. In summary, it's generally advisable not to offer crickets, roaches, and worms to horned lizards.

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Species variation

Mexican horned lizards eat fewer ants than desert-dwelling species, likely due to the milder climate in Mexican highlands providing a more varied food source. Research shows a trend of fewer teeth in ant-eating species as the proportion of ants in their diet increases. This adaptation is seen in a drop in tooth count from 24 in P. ditmarsi to 16 in P. solare. Their specialized diet has led to significant changes in their feeding system.

Diet

Most horned lizards originate from the deserts of the southwest US where it is difficult to find any insects other than ants. In enclosures where these insects are abundant and unable to escape, it's much easier for horned lizards to catch them. However, this unnatural practice should not be encouraged in captivity.

While Phrynosoma stalk grasshoppers or Isopods and capture them quickly, they sit calmly in front of an "ant hill" and leisurely lick them up. Phrynosoma are very good hunters. P. platyrhinos wiggles with its tail tip while stalking its prey which looks funny but interesting. One of my Phrynosoma cornutum males jumps at isopods, a JANUARY 2024

An(t) Insatiable Hunger

behaviour I’ve never seen before with other horned lizards even in the same genus.

During the summer months, I feed my animals exclusively on ants. Suitable ant species from our region are the black garden ant (Lasius niger), the yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus), and the red garden ant (Myrmica rubra). These ant species are not protected in my area, but it's essential to ensure you do not feed protected species.

In addition, I keep several Farms of European harvester ants (Messor barbarus) and started a farm with the native Pogonomyrmex barbatus. Those are just as “snacks” or backups since it’s not possible to feed all my animals with just ant farms.

With practice, ants can be easily collected by scooping them from their nests into containers like canning jars or small buckets, and then offering them to the animals in shallow dishes. Even in snowy conditions, ants can be found by digging deep enough.

It's crucial not to harm the nests to maintain a sustainable food supply.

To ensure sustainability, it's advisable to alternate between multiple nests and clean, unpolluted areas.

Depending on the species, I supplement my diet with feeder insects that I consider “good in moderation” such as bean beetles (Acanthoscelides obtectus) which contain a high fibre count. All insects except freshly collected ants should be gut-loaded and supplemented! Other Insects I offer from time to time are small Locusts, Isopods and Drosophila.

Phrynosoma sp. should be fed in the morning or during the last 4 hours of the evening, as it aligns with their natural hunting behaviours.

Water and supplementation

enhances the well-being of the animals and prevents deficiencies like rickets or osteomalacia. I use a vitamin + mineral mixture in powder form, which is sprinkled on the feeding insects. Since we need to provide a good UVB source there should be no vitamin D3 in the supplement. It's important to note that excessive vitamins can be as harmful as a deficiency, so supplements should be used with care. Ants from nature do not need to be enhanced, as they contain everything that Phrynosoma requires.

Winter dormancy period

Successful breeding of Phrynosoma can be an indicator of good husbandry. Breeding requires seasonality and seasonality is important for the wellbeing of the lizards.

The breeder must choose to breed their animals 1 year in advance.

From mid-October, I reduce the photoperiod from 10-12 hours to 8-10 hours. I also stop offering any food. This gives the animals time to empty their digestive tracts and prepare for the upcoming winter rest. Normally, food is digested by the animals within 1-3 days, and ants are usually digested within a day.

However, after the last feed, I give the animals two weeks with standard lighting, to empty their stomachs. Undigested ants can rot and lead to death. Then, I reduce the lighting duration by 15-30 minutes daily and turn off additional heat lamps.

When the photoperiod drops to 4 hours, the animals begin to bury themselves. The animals are removed from the terrarium and placed individually in the overwintering boxes. The boxes are filled with dry play sand and gravel as a drainage layer, which serves as an excellent substrate for overwintering. Excessively damp substrate during hibernation could lead to fungal growth, potentially resulting in the death of the animals. The boxes are placed in a room with a lower temperature (12-16°C). There, the animals stay for a few days before being transferred to a wine cooler at 8-10°C for approximately 4 – 5 months of hibernation.

Horned lizards require regular access to drinking water.

I spray my enclosures each week with a spray bottle to hydrate the plants. The lizards will then lick droplets from the walls and décor. Phrynosoma cornutum can absorb the water with capillary action and transport it directly to their mouth through narrow spaces in their skin like the thorny devil (Moloch horridus).

If you can brumate the animals within the enclosure, males should be separated from females. This is because males are usually first to become active in spring, so it gives the females time to rehydrate and awaken without stress before the breeding season starts.

For direct care, I use a standard pipette to drip lukewarm water on the snout of my animals. The animals lower their heads and lick up the water droplets.

The lizards will usually become more active in March.

I keep them in their winter boxes whilst they acclimate to the temperature. They are then reintroduced to their terrarium, and over 1-2 weeks, the lighting and heat lamps are gradually returned to their regular settings.

Regular supplementation of vitamins and minerals JANUARY 2024

Breeding and reproduction

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Egg chamber

P.coronatum male drinking

One crucial aspect of care after the winter rest is providing the animals with an ample water supply. Water must be continuously available to them. A few weeks after a successful winter rest, the animals begin courtship. During the initial days, they sniff and lick each other's cloaca to obtain essential information about gender and readiness for mating. The typical head-bobbing behaviour serves for identification among the animals. If everything aligns and the females have already developed follicles, the animals initiate mating.

Additionally, activated charcoal is mixed with the substrate to prevent spoilage of the eggs. The eggs are incubated in a standard incubator at 26-29°C with a relative humidity of approximately 90%. Young lizards typically hatch after 45-60 days.

During this process, the male latches onto one of the female's hind horn-like spines and tucks its tail under the female's. The actual mating lasts for approximately 5-10 minutes. After a successful copulation, the female must repeatedly reassure or sometimes forcefully drive away the male since it continuously attempts further mating.

Rearing hatchlings

After a gestation period of 2-4 weeks, the female lays its eggs (depending on the species, clutches can range between 2 and 40 eggs). To do this, it digs a 20 - 30 cm tunnel in the sand until it reaches suitable conditions. It is essential not to disturb the female during this process.

During this time, females are highly sensitive and react to almost any external interference. The digging process is halted if the disturbance is too significant. While they may resume work at the same spot later, repeated interruptions can lead to egg retention. Egg-laying can last up to half a day and often continues through the night. After egglaying, females usually guard the egg chamber, so eggs should be retrieved the following day.

The eggs are incubated in containers of 3-4 cm of (2-4mm) vermiculite. The substrate is moistened with water until it is damp but does not drip when squeezed by hand.

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With proper care for the female, successful mating, and optimal incubation, the hatching rate is usually between 90-100%.

The nursery setup can be similar to the parent animals' terrarium. Newly hatched Phrynosoma have a high water requirement in the first few weeks of life, which must be met. After a few days, the animals start consuming ants.

I recommend using the rather calm Lasius flavus (yellow meadow ant) for this purpose since they do not spread as much in the terrarium, which could cause stress. Over time, the offspring can be offered the same diet as the adult animals in an appropriate size. It's essential not to skip regular vitamin and mineral supplementation.

Is a horned lizard right for you?

For me, it was absurd to see people putting so much effort into an “ant-less” diet instead of just going out and gathering them. You can find ants almost everywhere.

With a cup or small container and a spoon they are easy to collect and feed. If you can’t provide a solid source of ants and proper conditions, you shouldn’t attempt getting a horned lizard, sooner or later they will simply die. I hope this article helps to understand the necessity of different aspects of care for horned lizards.

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KING OF KINGS:

BREEDING KING RAT SNAKES

By Mattia Fieramoschi and Augusta Sacchetta.

JANUARY 2024

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King of Kings

T

he king rat snake (Elaphe carinata) is a beautiful species of Colubrid from eastern Asia. Sometimes referred to as the “keeled” rat snake, these beautiful snakes have striking scale patterns and are highly variable. Breeders Mattia Fieramoschi and Augusta Sacchetta of “Colubra” in Belgium have been breeding reptiles for over 20 years. In this feature, they discuss the “king” of their collections…

Augusta Sacchetta and Mattia Fieramoschi are professional herpetoculturists from Italy that have specialised in Colubrid breeding for over 20 years. Since moving to Belgium in 2018, their company “Colubra” is now the largest Colubrid breeding facility in the country.

Morphology

Elaphe carinata is a large, non-venomous oviparous snake.

They are strong and robust members of the Colubridae family and are also known as the ‘Stinking Goddess’ due to the very pungent musk odour that they release from highly developed post-anal glands when threatened.

Aesthetically they are fascinating snakes, with bright colours, which in the natural phase, give a strong contrast between yellow and black as adults.

This species of snake is characterized by incredible ontogenesis; the young specimens are almost unicolour with light brown shades and some black already in the scales, but absent of yellow tones, which will begin to change towards the first year of life. This colour change

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starts to show up some yellow, followed by an increase in black colour. Because of that, it is impossible to know how they will develop in colour as adults. The amount of black and yellow can vary based on the amount of these colours present in the parents.

There are some ‘high yellow’ selections which are incredibly beautiful, with a high amount of yellow and not as much black as in the common colouration. They can also show some white in the scales which gives them a brighter colour.

The head is elongated, typical of Elaphe spp., with a round eye with brownish iris, that can be different based on morphs, and the pupil is round to vertical oval and black JANUARY 2024

King of Kings

Normal E. carinata coloration

A yearling of E. c. carinata male from Fujian province in the normal colour. Their body is quite thin compared to their length, which can reach 250cm as adults (more common to find adult specimens of 160-180 cm in captivity, with a life span of around 15 years.

Subspecies and distribution

The E. carinata group is composed of 3 subspecies and their distribution expands in China, North Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan: • Elaphe carinata carinata • Elaphe carinata yonaguniensis • Elaphe carinata dequenensis • Elaphe carinata yunnanensis JANUARY 2024

E. c. carinata is the most common of the 3 subspecies. Its range is composed of many different localities, some still unknown and not officially identified. They have diurnal and nocturnal habits, live in shrubby and wooded areas, as well as in agricultural areas, and are often found in open fields, meadows, rice fields and even farmhouses.

One of the most beautiful subspecies, is the endemic one of Yunnan region (China), for this reason called E. c. yunnanensis. They are characterized by a more compact body, adult specimens hardly exceed 170 cm, and by a band pattern that can be extended throughout the length of the animal, unlike the normal one which has a pattern banded up to about half the body. Another important characteristic of this locality is the colouring, where the

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Terrific Tarantulas and How to Keep Them

Example of pre moult alopecia in Brachypelma hamorii tarantula ©Benjamin Kennedy

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King of Kings

Pink adult E. c. yunnanensis female

Head scalation details of E. c. yonaguniensis

yellow (normally present in the common colour phase) is totally absent (so is possible to identify this locality as axanthic, which means the total or partial absence of xanthophores, responsible for the yellow colour), replaced by a brown or black colour; the scales on the head are also dark in colour, from black to brown to dark grey. Some E. c. yunnanensis specimens have visible iridescences on the larger scales of the head and neck.

carinata can be dangerous as they can snap very fast to strike the face! If threatened, the king rat snake gives off a very loud murmur and they will not hesitate to bite and release their pungent smell.

In the Yunnan region, the subspecies E. c. dequenensis, is also widespread, extending the distribution to the region of Sichuan (China). It is not uncommon to find specimens in nature where E. c. yunnanensis locality and E. c. dequenensis hybridize, giving life to a mix of patterns and colours typical of the Yunnan region. Normally E. c. dequenensis, lives on the higher altitudes, while E. c. yunnanensis are found on the hills of the region. The appearance of E. c. dequenensis is very characteristic.

The pattern on the head is formed by asymmetrical dots, while the colour ranges from brownish grey to opaque yellow, with characteristic narrow black bands on the body pattern, which can either extend to the end or remain up to the middle of the body (we don’t know if this banding pattern present on the whole body is due to hybridization or is typical and characteristic also of this sub-species and not only of the E. c. yunnanensis locality).

E. c. yonaguniensis is an incredible subspecies of king ratsnake, with natural but bright and vibrant colours.

The shape of its head mirrors that of the king cobra. It is distributed in Japan, but a slightly different variant is also found in Taiwan, often confused with E. c. carinata. They don’t have a bright yellow colour, unlike E. c. carinata, but during ontogenesis, they can show some yellow on the large scales of the head and of the sides of the neck.

In their adulthood, their colour tends to be light brown with cream-coloured shades on the neck that may have a dull yellow.

Behaviour

King ratsnakes typically have a very defensive character.

We have noticed that this behaviour can occur in wildcaught specimens as much as in captive-born specimens.

For this reason, it is important to have a good knowledge of handling aggressive snakes. The bite of an adult E. JANUARY 2024

In the terrarium, these snakes are most active at night.

They tend to hide in burrows during the day, especially when there are people around, and they prefer to explore at night when there are no disruptive noises. This behaviour also occurs in the mating season, so it is not easy to catch them copulating.

Housing in captivity

Adult E. carinata require very big enclosures due to their size. Our adults are housed in terrariums of 150x60x50cm.

In the breeding season the females live with the males for a couple of months but is better to keep them separately for the rest of the year since they are ophiophagous and cannibalism is possible, even if it is not common in the wild.

They like to dig and climb on branches. We use soil mixed natural blend of coconut peat, cork hides and some branches. Misting is important, we provide it twice a week, or daily if they are in shed. Hides are also very important, so we have one cork hide in the cold zone and one in the hot spot (more humid).

They need ambient temperatures: 22 - 24°C in the cold area. This is important for king ratsnakes, because they get stressed if they are kept too warm for too long. However, during the day they like a couple of hours of basking, which is provided in our terrariums with a 60W ceramic lamp that gives a range in the basking zone of 29 - 32°C. At night, all temperatures drop by a couple of degrees.

Fresh water is always available, in a box large enough to allow them to fully bathe.

Feeding

When it comes to feeding, adult specimens are very voracious animals. In the wild they will feed on other snakes (hence the name 'king' rat snake), even venomous ones like cobras and kraits, as well as birds and rodents. In captivity, they will pounce on any prey item offered to them.

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January, when they come back from a range temperature between 5 and 13°C to 15 - 20°C again for another week before getting back in their usual enclosures.

After a week, if they are not in the shedding process already, we offer the first small meal.

Females often come out of the cooling period already with follicle development. Because of this, we introduce the males before the first shed.

Once a male smells a female’s pheromones, breeding is all he wants to do, that’s why some males will refuse to eat for the whole breeding season. Mating will go on for a month or until we are sure that the females are gravid. Then, we separate them again.

Some specimens from Chinese Food Farms arrive in captivity in situations of serious obesity; very often these specimens will refuse food for many months, trying to absorb excess fat deposited along the entire length of the body. Some of our animals that arrived obese have carried out a fasting period of 6 to 10 months.

Once the females ovulate, they will go into pre-lay shed.

This process can take up to two months from the first mating. After three to four weeks, the females are ready to lay 5 to 20 eggs. This number is highly variable depending on the size of the females, the quantity of food the females received, and on the temperature and duration of the cooling period.

Young newborns may have some difficulty being weaned with thawed mice, preferring lizards, snakes or live food, but normally, after a cold winter, they will wake up very hungry and easily eat on thawed prey in early spring.

It is possible to mate without hibernation and produce a good number of fertilized eggs, but the cooling period is always suggested for their health. Normally at the age of three years, if the weight is at least 900g, the females are ready to breed. We noticed follicle development also in smaller females of 600-700g, but we decided to not breed them to avoid the issue of dystocia. They absorbed the follicles in a couple of months suggesting that the female of this species can be receptive up to 50 days. The follicles can reach 35-50mm!

Breeding

Incubation

E. carinata should be subjected to a two month (three in total with a period of transit before and after) cooling off period at 5 - 15°C during the winter. This period starts for us in mid-October, when they get their last meal before the winter, and normally smaller prey than usual. After the last meal, they will be kept without food for three weeks so they can empty their digestive system and then are moved into their winter boxes. They are kept at 19 - 22 °C for 1 week, and temperatures are reduced until midNovember. They are kept cold and dark until the end of

When the eggs are laid, we incubate them on perlite substrate, in hermetic box without holes. We tried different temperatures and humidity levels during the last years: In the season 2016, we incubated at 29 - 30°C. After 54 days the first one popped out. 7 of 9 snakes had spiny malformation out of the eggs.

In the season 2018, we incubated at 27°C with 90% humidity for the whole period. After 59 days the first E. carinata clutch

E. carinata hemipenis

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JANUARY 2024

Some Issues Are More Than Skin Deep

100% NATURAL PEST CONTROL TAURRUS® is a living organism (predatory mite) that is a natural enemy of the snake mite (Ophionyssus natricis).

TAURRUS® mite predators are very small, measuring less than 1mm as adults. They are able to live for several weeks and reproduce in the areas where they find their prey. Despite its small size, the TAURRUS® predator acts aggressively and is able to attack and kill preys 3 to 4 times larger than itself.

Once released, the microscopic predators will actively seek and consume parasites. Once eliminated, the predators disappear naturally. The mode of action requires several days. After introduction of TAURRUS®, pest populations should be monitored: at first it will stabilize, and then gradually decline. In heavy infestations, several releases may be needed to eradicate all parasites.

JANUARY 2024

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King of Kings

Genetic mutations of colours

E. c. carinata has a large variety of colours and genetic mutations. Unfortunately, many of these have never been bred in captivity. Therefore, there is no scientific evidence for many of these colours that can prove their recessive, dominant, co-dominant or simple locality genetics. We can, however, have a general idea about the different genes already reproduced in captivity, some more common and others still undergoing genetic tests.

Normal E. carinata female of adult size

E. carinata clutch collecting one popped out. The snakes that were in the bottom part of the clutch (in contact with the perlite), reported some spine malformation, while others were perfectly developed. In the season 2019, we made incubation at 25°C, adding humidity only when required and the eggs were drying a bit. After 67 days the first one popped out.

All the snakes were perfectly developed.

Based on those cases, lower temperatures are the best for this species. We fixed for them our incubation at 25 - 26°C and 50-70%RH. Another factor we noticed during those years of breeding, is that the spine of the babies is very sensitive, some knicks can appear later in the first months of life if very hard manoeuvres are carried out for the popping, or if the snake itself will push hard against the walls of the box.

For this reason, it is very important to place babies born in small boxes with hiding places, where they can feel safe and not try in every way to escape by rubbing along the walls of the box, thus causing injuries to the spine, which are often of small size; very important is to remember that these micro lesions are not disabling at all, healthy born snakes will continue to eat and shed, and grow regularly; in most cases these knicks disappear within a year, or small lesions can remain over time but not affect the snake in any way, even during the reproduction of the females.

Normal wild type: Black base colour, with yellow that occurs in the large scales of the head and neck and differentiates the bands from the pattern. Genetically it works as a dominant trait.

High yellow adult E. carinata female High yellow: Characterized by a greater amount of yellow than black. The scales are mostly yellow with black outlines. Genetically, it is possible to select based on the amount of yellow, but due to the ontogenesis is not easy to predict which baby from a clutch will be less or more yellow than others.

Yearling of E. carinata high black female

Albino E. carinata hatchling

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High black or black tail: Black is predominant and yellow is limited to some scales around the bands of the pattern and on the head, with a completely black tail.

JANUARY 2024

King of Kings

brown/reddish iris, and a hypomelanistic colour on the scales, with unchanged yellow and with the presence of grey (almost purple like the lavender) to represent what it would have been black in its wild form. As a baby, they have a uniform colour but are visibly lighter than a wild type.

This morph is genetically recessive, and not compatible with T-. Many people confuse this T+ morph with the hypomelanistic morph.

E. carinata of Zebra morph Zebra or Tiger: Normally has a thinner band pattern than the wild type, up to the end of the body. We don’t know yet if this gene is co-dominant, dominant or recessive.

Stripe: Some have squares between two lines that create a mosaic pattern, others have random lines that may be present for half the body with a patternless end, or stripe extended over the entire length of the body. This gene appears to be recessive, but it still takes a few years to test babies born from a wild-caught stripe parent.

Granite: Absence of lines or bands along the entire length of the body. We don’t know yet if this gene is co-dominant, dominant or recessive.

Hypomelanistic: Melanin is present in its complete form but in a reduced quantity. This involves a reduction of pigment compared to the wild type, as well as in the T+ morph, but in this case, the reduction of melanin is also present in the eye, making the pupil ruby and the iris brown with grey/pink shades. There seem to be several strains of hypomelanism, but it is not yet proven whether they are compatible or not, or whether it is simply a selection based on the basic wild-type form that differs in the amount of yellow and black.

Leucistic: This morph gives a partial loss of pigment that affects the skin, and the scales but not the eyes.

The Elaphe carinata leucistic normally lose all the pigment on the skin and scales except for the yellow, which can appear with the ontogenesis on the head and the back; the animals affected by leucism hatch white, eyes have black pupils and blue/grey iris.

Albinism: albinism is found, with many other reptiles, in the forms of positive tyrosinase (T +) and negative tyrosinase (T-).

Grayish Anery E. carinata Adult Albino E. carinata female T-. a) T- is the classic form of albinism. The animal will have a red iris, a red pupil and a yellow body that may have a lighter white or yellow colour to characterize what would have been black in the ancestral form. Baby albino E. carinata are born completely orange, transforming with ontogenesis into ever clearer specimens up to yellow. This morph is genetically recessive.

Anery: Anerythrism is a lack of erythrism pigment, which is responsible for the red colour. In E. carinata it seems that there are several strains of this gene, not compatible with each other, or not yet genetically tested, but with the common characteristic of having grey iris in the eye.

Brown and all red pigments are not present. An anery strain is born completely grey, with grey eyes and black pupils, to then develop with ontogenesis a colour very similar to the wild type (black and yellow with grey eyes).

This strain has been proven already and is recessive.

Adult Albino E. carinata female T+ b) T+ causes a decrease in melanin to the scales and skin, but not to the eyes. In this way phenotypically, an E. c. carinata T+ will have a normal eye, with a black pupil and JANUARY 2024

Another possible variant of Anery E. carinata

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King of Kings

Lavender E. carinata Lavender: For the first time we bred a new colour of E. c. carinata. Initially, we thought that it was a T+ specimen a bit different in colour, so we let him mate with a T+ female. The unexpected result gave us all normal colour babies, which means he is not a T+ but a new gene, we gave it the name Lavender due to the nice pale purple colouring.

Axanthic: The axanthic E. c. carinata has a typical pattern of the normal form, but without any yellow colour. It is replaced by white scales between the black ones. This gene is proven to be recessive, and the babies will hatch with a normal baby colour, but with ontogenesis, it will not develop any yellow.

Melanistic: There are very few completely black specimens, without distinctions between pattern and basic colour, absence of any pigment, even in the eyes that are completely black without distinction between pupil and iris. There are no such specimens bred in captivity at the moment.

Scaleless: The scaleless gene also exists for E. carinata.

The snakes found in nature of this form, appear without scales except for the belly. It is a recessive but not easy to breed. Some specimens were born in captivity in China, but not all of them have reached adulthood. E. carinata is a snake that takes its name from the typical carinate scales and seeing them in the form without scales is not the most beautiful show for this species.

We kept all the babies of this mating and in a couple of years, we will prove his genetics.

Lemon yellow: This is a new gene found in China in the wild. The animals have a total absence of red pigments, but they do present yellow and silver eyes, which might suggest that this is another form of Anery. The babies hatch white with silver eyes, and a very little pattern on the neck, the ontogenesis brings them to a beautiful silver colour as adults, and the neck and the head can present yellow shades.

Conclusions

We can definitively say that E. carinata is an extremely fascinating snake, with a strong and extremely clever temperament. It is a very robust species but must be bred with care and respect for its behaviour and needs.

We hope in the future to have more and more litters in captivity and that less and less animals are captured and imported from Asia.

Adult E. c. yunnanensis female

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JANUARY 2024

You Little Ripper!

THE EK MAGAZINE

SURVEY REPORT

JANUARY 2024

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The EK Magazine Survey Report

I

n 2023, Exotics Keeper Magazine ran the largestscale survey of exotic pet keepers to date. After creating a robust online platform with a drop-down menu of species and basic personal information questions, the team embarked on a mission to paint the most accurate picture possible of exotics keeping within the UK.

Why?

Animal welfare is underpinned not only by the knowledge and ability of the keeper but also by the systems surrounding them. Product development, industry stability, laws and regulations all have a direct influence on animal welfare standards. Recently, the concept of “positive lists” to regulate which species can and cannot be kept has come into serious consideration within UK and European political discussions. These lists can be to the detriment of animal welfare, forcing trade underground, preventing animals from receiving veterinary treatment and restricting access to reputable husbandry advice. Some parties believe this is a price that existing animals and keepers must pay to curb bad husbandry and unsustainable harvesting of wild animals. Others perceive it as an exercise in futility, a disaster for zoological study and an infringement on the freedoms of pet keepers because

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of personal ethics and opinions. However, both parties generally agree that we do not have enough information to make an educated proposal on how these animals should be kept.

Exotics Keeper Magazine set out to initially discover the scope of species being kept in the UK. By having a thorough list of species already kept in the UK, both parties (for and against positive lists) will be better informed to make the right decisions. However, Exotics Keeper Magazine discovered far more than the intended goal. We have learned about trends in species popularity, demographic representations of keepers and animal densities in different regions and have established a valuable means of communication to conduct further research into the hobby.

JANUARY 2024

TOP 10

LIZARDS

PFMA Number of Households with Taxa: 1.8%

1. Central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) Keepers: 2,346 Animals: 3,709 Estimated keeper population (UK): 209,803 2. Leopard gecko (Eublepharis m. macularius) Keepers: 1,757 Animals: 3,356 Estimated keeper population (UK): 157,128 3. Crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) Keepers: 911 Animals: 2,688 Estimated number of UK keepers: 81,471 4. Yemen chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) Keepers: 237 Animals: 289 Estimated keeper population (UK): 21,195 5. Panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) Keepers: 200 Animals: 727 Estimated keeper population (UK): 17,886 6. Gargoyle gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) Keepers: 166 Animals: 402 Estimated keeper population (UK): 14,485

Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

How?

The EK Survey was first opened to participants on the 15th of March 2023.

It was promoted via three primary methods: social media, mailing list communications and reptile live food (insect) tub stickers. Before launch, we gathered support from leading figureheads within the industry including associated brands, groups, societies, and businesses. We made sure to work with a broad range of supporting organisations to reach a wide variety of keepers.

Several reptile shops also shared details of the survey to their own JANUARY 2024

mailing lists and displayed in-store information on the survey. This, again, helped capture an unbiased group of reptile keepers.

The “sticker campaign” saw 800,000 stickers printed and attached to tubs of live foods, which were sent to stores and via live food delivery services. Alongside this, 40,000 stickers were attached to bags of naturalistic substrates (encompassing ProRep’s CrestieLife, TortoiseLife & SnakeLife) to reach more keepers).

We would regularly update social media channels with our survey

7. Spiny-tailed monitor (Varanus acanthurus) Keepers: 141 Animals: 268 Estimated keeper population (UK): 12,610 8. Mourning gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris) Keepers: 126 Animals: 1,780 Estimated keeper population (UK): 11,268 9. Rankins dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni) Keepers: 98 Animals: 138 Estimated keeper population (UK): 8,764 10. Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) Keepers: 91 Animals: 158 Estimated keeper population (UK): 45 8,138

TOP 10

SNAKES Title

PFMA Number of Households with Taxa: 1.4% 1. Royal python (Python regius) Keepers: 1011 Animals: 4,286 Estimated keeper population (UK): 70,322 2. Corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) Keepers: 889 Animals: 2,301 Estimated keeper population (UK): 61,836 3. Western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) Keepers: 313 Animals: 936 Estimated keeper population (UK): 21,771 4. Common boa (Boa c. constrictor) Keepers: 157 Animals: 301 Estimated keeper population (UK): 10,920 5. Central American boa (Boa imperator) Keepers: 102 Animals: 471 Estimated keeper population (UK): 7,095 6. Brazilian rainbow boa (Epicrates c. cenchria) Keepers: 92 Animals: 156 Estimated keeper population (UK): 6,399

When assessing the traffic we received from various sources, we discovered that 51% of participants engaged with the survey via a QR code from a live food label, 29% from social media, 18% from email campaigns and 2% from other sources. Therefore, just over half of the data was collected from keepers that have at least one insectivorous species in their collection or visit a brick-and-mortar store where live foods are displayed.

Demographics

6,465 unique individuals filled out the survey from within the UK. Of those unique individuals, 5,652 kept reptiles and/or amphibians (the rest only kept invertebrates or other taxa). In total, we recorded 39,673 individual reptiles and amphibians representing 944 species being kept in the UK. Amongst all participants, the mostrepresented gender was female (51%).

This pattern was true for all groups of taxa except snakes, where males were most represented (49%) possibly because a greater percentage of non-binary and non-disclosed gender identities also kept snakes.

The most-represented age was 23.

However, the “average” age of a survey participant was 34. Chelonia keepers are generally the oldest group of keepers, whilst lizard keepers represent

Snake keepers, on average, kept the greatest number of animals per keeper (6.6) whilst tortoise keepers were more likely to keep a single animal (with an average of 2.5 turtles or tortoises per keeper). Each other group averages between 3.7 and 5.7 animals per keeper.

Using a model created by the Pet Food Manufacturing Agency (PFMA) that adopts their data on the number of households with exotic pets multiplied by the average number of animals a keeper in the UK has, Exotics Keeper Magazine estimates that there are roughly 7.2 million reptiles and amphibians being kept in the UK. This estimation shows a stark difference from the estimated numbers of previous studies and has prompted data-sharing between EK and the Federation of British Herpetologists to critically assess these numbers.

Species data

Lizard keepers made up the highest number of participants (4,985 with some also keeping other taxa). 378 species were recorded from 18,658 animals. Of these, the top three most popular species, central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) and crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) made up 53.4% of total animals recorded. Mourning geckos (Lepidodactylus lugubris) also made up a large percentage of “total individuals” making them the 4th most “populous”

Gender split total

8. Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) Keepers: 76 Animals: 238 Estimated keeper population (UK): 5,286

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9. Mexican black kingsnake (Lampropeltis nigra) Keepers: 69 Animals: 92 Estimated keeper population (UK): 4,799 10. Burmese python (Python b. bivittatus) Keepers: 58 Animals: 91 Estimated keeper population (UK): 46 4,034

the youngest group.

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7. California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) Keepers: 77 Animals: 186 Estimated keeper population (UK): 5,356

results and tailored posts towards keepers of species that may be underrepresented within our broader outreach campaigns.

Female

Male

2887

Non disclosed

Non binary JANUARY 2024

TOP 10

Title

AMPHIBIANS PFMA Number of Households with Taxa: 0.5% (Frogs and Toads) & 0.3% (Newts and Salamanders) 1. White’s tree frog (Litoria caerulea) Keepers: 205 Animals: 592 Estimated keeper population (UK): 5,093 2. A xolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) Keepers: 126 Animals: 321 Estimated keeper population (UK): 1,878 3. Pacman frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli) Keepers: 126 Animals: 171 Estimated keeper population (UK): 3,130 Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) pet lizard, but the 9th most popular amongst “individual keepers”. In all categories, there were disparities between the highest number of animals represented in the survey and the highest number of keepers representing those taxa.

Snakes were the second-most speciesrich group in our data. We counted 1,995 keepers and 286 different species. Colubrids proved to be the most popular subcategory (1320 keepers), followed closely by pythons (1156 keepers). This shows that most snake keepers keep a range of species and supports our findings that the

average snake keeper maintains over 6 different animals.

The survey also captured invertebrate species data. Invertebrates were the most diverse group of exotic pets with 489 different species recorded. The least diverse group was crocodilians, which comprised three species, dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus), American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris).

The most popular reptile kept in the UK, according to our data, is the bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with

Total number of species

47 31 80

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6. Giant African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) Keepers: 53 Animals: 78 Estimated keeper population (UK): 1,317 7. A mazon milk frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) Keepers: 49 Animals: 146 Estimated keeper population (UK): 1,217

9. Oriental fire bellied toad (Bombina orientalis) Keepers: 28 Animals: 239 Estimated keeper population (UK): 696

378

Frogs & Toads Newts & Salamanders Turtles Lizards Snakes

5. Red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) Keepers: 53 Animals: 167 Estimated keeper population (UK): 1,317

8. Brazilian horned frog (Ceratophrys aurita) Keepers: 29 Animals: 50 Estimated keeper population (UK): 720

122 286

4. Blue poison frog (Dendrobates tinctorius “Azureus”) Keepers: 68 Animals: 235 Estimated keeper population (UK): 1,689

Tortoises

10. Ornate horned frog (Ceratophrys ornata) Keepers: 27 Animals: 35 Estimated keeper population 47 (UK): 671

TOP 10

CHELONIA Title

PFMA Number of Households with Taxa: 1.2% (Tortoises) & 0.6% (Turtles) 1. Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) Keepers: 353 Animals: 669 Estimated keeper population (UK): 21,046

2. Horsfield’s tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) Keepers: 271 Animals: 428 Estimated keeper population (UK): 16,157 3. Musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) Keepers: 97 Animals: 226 Estimated keeper population (UK): 2,892 4. G reek spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo g. graeca) Keepers: 72 Animals: 152 Estimated keeper population (UK): 4,293 5. Red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) Keepers: 69 Animals: 168 Estimated keeper population (UK): 4,114 6. A frican spur-thighed tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) Keepers: 67 Animals: 138 Estimated keeper population (UK): 3,395 7. Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) Keepers: 46 Animals: 72 Estimated keeper population (UK): 2,743 8. Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata) Keepers: 31 Animals: 64 Estimated keeper population (UK): 1,848 9. M ississippi map turtle (Graptemys kohnii) Keepers: 25 Animals: 43 Estimated keeper population (UK): 745 10. Yellow-eared slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) Keepers: 24 Animals: 82 Estimated keeper population (UK): 48 715

2,346 keepers maintaining the species.

However, the most popular according to the number of individual animals, is the royal python (Python regius).

Although our survey captured over 1,000 more bearded dragon keepers we found that royal python keepers kept, on average, 2.6 more individuals, than bearded dragon keepers kept.

Both species are considered solitary animals, showing that royal python keepers are more likely to have a collection of animals as opposed to bearded dragon keepers.

Population Estimates

Using data collected by the PFMA, Exotics Keeper Magazine has been able to estimate the population of each species and their keepers in the UK. Each category or sub-Category has a % of households who keep these animals based on the PMFA pet-keeping data.

From here, we take the % of each category and multiply it by a total number of households in the PFMA data, just over 28 million.

Using the EK data, we know the percentage of the species by keeper, relative to the total number of keepers.

For example, the Bearded Dragon is kept by 44% of all keepers based on those who entered the EK survey.

So, we take the household data and multiply it by our species % to get the estimated keeper population. Finally, based on the average number of species per person, we multiply by the keeper population to bring us the total estimated animal population.

Exotics Keeper Magazine estimates that there are around 209,000 bearded dragon keepers in the UK. These keepers may keep an estimated 331,000 bearded dragons. The second most kept species, according to our population estimates would be the leopard gecko. Our data indicates that around 157,000 people keep leopard geckos in the UK, totalling over 300,000 animals.

With a lower percentage of households keeping snakes compared to lizards, royal pythons (the most populous species by number of animals in our survey) are estimated to be the third most popular reptile kept in the UK. Our data indicates around 298,000 royal pythons are kept in the country, by a comparatively modest 70,000 keepers.

Further critical assessment of these numbers would be required to fully determine their accuracy. Commonly kept species will be more likely to be represented in both EK and PFMA

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The EK Magazine Survey Report

data, resulting in more accurate estimations. Whereas species that are less represented within both sets of data may suffer inaccurate predictions. For example, the PFMA data states that 0.3% of households keep salamanders, whereas 1.8% keep lizards. Using this formula, our results state there are 6,171 Madagascan ground geckos in the UK, but only 4,785 axolotls. This, in our opinion, may represent an anomaly. This may also be the result of a dynamic industry and highlights the necessity of studies such as the EK Survey.

A changing world

The data that we have collected could be interpreted in a myriad of ways.

Without historical data it would be impossible to quantify trends exactly, however, there are several notable examples of widespread choices leading to more manageable welfare standards.

Broadly speaking, the data seems to show that dwarf varieties of most large constrictors, such as Boa imperator and island localities of Malayopython reticulatus are more popular than their larger cousins. Similar trends can be seen with lizards. Green iguanas are now far less popular than they once were, whereas crested geckos and ackies monitors are kept in good numbers.

Category

Average per Person

EK Estimate

Snakes

6.6

2,608,873

Lizards

3.7

1,891,883

Turtles/Terrapins 4.0

682,203

Tortoises

2.5

851,635

Frogs/Toads

4.8

679,747

Newts/ Salamanders

5.7

478,727 7,193,068

Musk turtles are the most-kept species of turtle according to our results. They typically grow to a fraction of the size of red-eared and yellow-bellied sliders that were once the most popular pet turtles in Britain. These two subspecies of Trachemys scripta were banned in the UK in 2016. Yet, the yellowbellied slider remains the second most popular species in terms of number of animals kept (82). The National Centre for Reptile Welfare data shows that sliders present a major problem, as their “illegal” status prevents them from being rehomed. Our data shows that turtle keepers are also amongst the oldest demographic of exotic pet keepers and may be more likely to

need to rehome their animals. This could provide a compelling case for re-assessing how we address invasive species.

The full report

Exotics Keeper Magazine is currently working on developing a more detailed report for publication. We hope that the data can be used to develop a universal understanding of exotic pet keeping in the UK and perhaps encourage similar projects in other countries.

Please visit www.exoticskeeper.com/ eksurveyreport for updates on the full report.

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KEEPER BASICS:

CREATING AN ARID BIOACTIVE ENCLOSURE JANUARY 2024

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Creating an Arid Bioactive Enclosure

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espite most pet reptiles coming from arid locations, the ‘arid’ bioactive setup is still seen as a daunting challenge for most pet keepers.

In truth, arid bioactive setups can be just as simple to create as their tropical counterparts if the keeper follows a few basic principles. The main challenge comes with the choice of the vivarium. However, even the most basic wooden vivariums can be turned into impressive bioactive enclosures with just a few simple modifications.

Preparing the vivarium

As with tropical bioactive setups, the term ‘arid’ is reasonably broad. An ‘arid’ bioactive setup can be adapted to create interesting habitats replicating anything from dry deciduous forests to barren sand dune habitats.

The keeper must have a strong idea of what they hope to achieve before embarking on a build. Although many will associate ‘bioactive’ with hand-constructed backgrounds, geographically correct flora, and interesting décor, for a setup to be ‘bioactive’ it only requires a flourishing clean-up crew. It is important to know the limitations of an enclosure before starting a build, particularly if you are planning on upgrading an existing enclosure.

Glass terrariums – Glass terrariums are the easiest to

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work with. They are ventilated from the front and the top and therefore it is generally quite easy to build foam backgrounds. The keeper can also utilise all space within the enclosure without it interfering with the electrical components. They do not require any additional ‘waterproofing’ as they already have a solid base which can create a subterranean reservoir. However, heat retention is poor. They are not the most efficient enclosures to keep arid species in and they are also very limited in space, particularly for larger reptiles such as bearded dragons.

Wooden vivariums – These are often the ‘go-to’ for arid species. They hold heat exceptionally well; they are affordable and are available in larger sizes. Unfortunately, the keeper must install a ‘bio-basin’ into the bottom of the JANUARY 2024

Palmato Gecko (Pachydactylus rangei) enclosure to hold the reservoir of water without damaging the woodwork. This can be in the form of a waterproof sheet, or by applying a sealant to the entire base. The more area covered with sealant the better protected the enclosure will be from humidity damage. Some wooden vivariums also have ventilation holes at the back of the enclosure. These should not be blocked with artificial backgrounds as this will prevent airflow and increase humidity.

PVC/Zen Habitats – There are now new vivariums available that combine the benefits of both wood and glass enclosures. Those with mesh tops allow the keeper to install any kind of background they see fit. If they are made of PVC they are also unlikely to be damaged by humidity although a basin should be installed to stop flat-packed vivariums from leaking.

Background, base and drainage layer

Creating a background for arid enclosures can be more complicated than that for tropical setups. In tropical enclosures, a foam structure, coated in silicon or resin and covered in coir is perfect. In arid enclosures, the keeper must create a robust artificial rock structure. Luckily, there are plenty of products on the market to assist in this, but it does require some artistic flair and dexterity with a paintbrush.

Many keepers will opt for an artificial rock wall comprised of multiple layers (almost like the face of a canyon). This is surprisingly simple to create. Simply layer up some polystyrene sheets, glue them together with silicone and carve them into the correct shape. Adding little grooves to the front of the polystyrene sheets will help create a naturalistic look. These can then be securely attached to the back wall of the enclosure. At this point, additional expanding foam can be used to fill in any cracks and add some additional details. Although there are various DIY products available on the market, the ProRep Terrascaping Series offers the perfect tools to complete the next phase.

Texturing compounds can be added to the foam background to add texture, but this stage is optional. Next, the sealing resin must be used. This is extremely important JANUARY 2024

for anyone using a wooden enclosure and will essentially prevent water from getting into the woodwork of the vivarium. This will be visible, so a ‘sealant pigment’ should be mixed into the resin to achieve the desired colour.

Additional paint may be used for detailing, but the keeper should select a paint with “zero VOC.” Spray foams, silicone, texturing compounds and sealing resins will all take time to cure. Do not move on to the next stage until the last stage has fully cured. Information on curing times should be available on the product. For DIY products that are not necessarily marketed toward vivarium builds, leave some extra time before introducing animals to the enclosure.

When it comes to adding the base layer, the basic goal is to ensure that no water can escape into the woodwork.

Naturally, glass terrariums require no modification.

Wooden vivariums may need a waterproof liner put down. Alternatively, a good coating of sealant will prevent water from escaping. Once the basin has been created, a drainage layer can be added. There are many different products out there. In arid setups, larger clay balls such as BioLife Drainage or Exo Terra’s Bio Drain work great as they give plenty of room for plants to root into a water source. This should be filled with water before proceeding. One of the main problems people face when creating an arid bioactive setup is to water their plants from above. Most desert plants have evolved to root deep into the soil to reach moisture. Having a damp substrate, or watering excessively from above can cause the plants to rot and lead to flooding. This makes humidity control very difficult. Instead, there should already be some water in the drainage layer when the plants are introduced to the substrate.

A sheet of mesh should be used to create a barrier between the drainage layer and the first layer of the substrate.

As many arid setups use a lot of sand in their substrate composition, the use of Lucky Reptile’s Hydrofleece will help divide the drainage layer from the substrate and should catch even the tiniest of particles to prevent them from falling through and contaminating the water.

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Mother-in-laws tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Substrate and plants

Although the keeper should be aiming to imitate the desert environments that their pets experience in the wild, a multi-layered approach to the substrate will aid in plant growth and make everyday maintenance much easier. The bottom layer, closest to the drainage layer should contain some nutrients for plants and be relatively absorbent. This requires some soil and coir and therefore a substrate such as BioLife Desert is the perfect combination. Additional soil and coir can be added to the lower levels to help the plants root quickly into the setup. Plants should be added at this stage before a final top layer of substrate is added to provide the finishing touch. This should be determined by the species being housed. For example, a bearded dragon may prefer a sandier top layer, while a leopard gecko might benefit from a clay-based top layer. Adding a few fragments of cork bark between the main substrate and the top layer will provide refuge for the clean-up crew.

Plants must also be carefully selected. Bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), savannah monitors (Varanus exanthematicus) and Uromastyx (Uromastyx sp.) will easily trample or dislodge plants. Burying snakes can also easily uproot surprisingly robust plants and therefore, only the sturdiest plants should be used for these species.

A technique to mitigate any damage caused by largerbodied reptiles is to either leave the plants within their pots (meaning the keeper can easily reinstall them) or to wait for several months for the plants to become fully rooted. Be aware, this can take up to 6 months to have a full-fledged setup. If a juvenile bearded dragon is introduced to the enclosure, it will grow alongside the plants and therefore only a few months are needed to allow them to root. However, a fully grown bearded dragon will destroy all but the hardiest plants if they are introduced to a newly established setup. In some cases (especially when housing a partly herbivorous reptile) adding plants with the expectation that they will need replacing can be beneficial. For example, Opuntia cacti (sometimes called ‘prickly pear’) is a calcium-rich cactus that can be bought from most reptile shops. It is an ideal food for bearded dragons, tortoises and Uromastyx and can be bought by the ‘pad’. Instead of chopping the pad into bite-sized pieces, it can be planted in the soil for the animals to graze on at their leisure. This is extremely naturalistic, reduces waste and saves space in the fridge.

Established plants will also continue to grow and provide additional food over time.

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For some species, an arid bioactive enclosure offers the perfect opportunity to add tall grasses. Carex grass is perfect for leopard gecko enclosures and helps break up the overhead grow lights. Snake plants (Dracaena sp.) are excellent for arid setups, particularly those housing small terrestrial lizards. Many desert-dwelling geckos will shelter between the robust leaves. LED grow lights are essential for healthy plant growth, particularly in a concealed wooden vivarium. Although they are not as important to the animals’ physiological development as a UVB-emitting lamp, a very bright 6500K LED light will help to simulate the intense brightness of the desert sun.

Many hobbyists encounter issues with establishing plants in a bioactive enclosure. The best way to achieve success is to always have access to the drainage layer. Using a length of tubing that feeds directly into the drainage layer will allow the keeper to water their plants effectively. Most arid plants have evolved a ‘tap root’. This is a root that grows quickly and as deep as possible to gain access to water that is trapped deep beneath the ground. This is where they will receive the majority of their water from. Excessive watering from above can damage desert plants.

With so many arid plants to choose from, selecting the perfect one for your setup will take a bit of trial and error.

Cacti and succulents are likely to be the best choice, particularly for smaller-bodied animals that cannot destroy them. Adding edible plants in areas that the animal cannot reach, will ensure they have a good opportunity to grow. Many zoos will install edible plants in an ‘out of reach’ area within an exhibit and leave them to grow. As the plants trail down to a feeding ledge, the animals can gorge themselves on the fresh vegetation without entirely killing the plant. If a keeper has the opportunity to do this within their enclosure, it can add some excellent seasonal enrichment. Ensuring that the animals are always well fed and feeder insects are removed from the enclosure after one day, will also prevent any plant losses.

Bright, indirect light is best for most arid plants. An LED lighting bar, combined with a UVB tube should provide ample light for plants to grow. These are classed as indirect light sources and should fill the entire enclosure with light. Direct light sources, such as spot bulbs or metal halides may cause the leaves of the plants to scorch. Most plants should be planted in a bright area of the vivarium, but far away from any basking spots.

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Title

Porcelio incanus.

Décor

Décor choice is largely subjective and will change depending on the species being housed. For example, leopard geckos will require lots of slate and other hides that hold heat, whereas a bearded dragon will need a sturdy piece of driftwood to provide a basking perch. Rocks can be very heavy and so combining real slate with good quality fake rocks will provide interesting hides and climbing opportunities whilst still allowing the keeper easy access to the entire enclosure. Although a bioactive setup is designed to allow waste to desiccate and fall into the substrate where it is disposed of by the clean-up crew, it is a good idea to choose décor that can be easily removed if necessary.

In tropical setups, the keeper can easily spray an excessive amount of water to wash décor in-situ and the humid environment means that the clean-up crew will likely access all areas of the enclosure. In an arid setup, the cleanup crew will be mostly restricted to the substrate and lower levels of the tank so the keeper should consider positioning décor that allows any faeces to fall into the substrate once it dries out.

Other items of décor can be fixed into the background. For example, fixing a cork bark tube off the ground in a corner of the enclosure can make for an interesting arboreal hide for Colubrids or royal pythons. One of the major benefits of creating an arid bioactive enclosure is that natural décor is unlikely to rot or degrade like it would in a higher humidity environment. However, this also poses some challenges. Even in an arid setup, organic matter is a key component to maintaining a successful

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micro-ecosystem. As wood will take much longer to decay, leaf litter is essential to feed the clean-up crew when detritus is low. Having plenty of leaf litter will help support the clean-up crew, create microclimates, and provide some enrichment for the inhabitants as they hunt their prey amongst the vegetation. Adding small chunks of cork bark embedded into the lower levels of the substrate will also provide a humid area for the clean-up crew to hide and breed. Leaf litter and cork bark can be buried into the substrate if the keeper prefers to have a sandier surface layer.

Choosing the right clean-up crew

Although most isopods and springtails typically thrive at higher humidity, there are a lot of creative choices for an arid clean-up crew. Feeder insects such as Morio worms and Dubia roaches make an excellent clean-up crew.

Morio worms can be introduced into the substrate, where they will bury into the soil and break down any organic matter. For bearded dragons or adult leopard geckos, these worms make an excellent snack and although the keeper may need to replenish them sometimes, they provide a naturalistic feeding method. Dubia roaches may also reproduce within the enclosure and create a small colony. Not only does this provide an ongoing food source, but it also means that any leftover vegetation is consumed by the baby roaches, further reducing the need to spot clean.

Of course, springtails and isopods are the traditional clean-up crews used in

most bioactive setups and they are just as efficient in arid enclosures. Because they are so small, they are likely to be ignored by most commonly kept desert species making them very reliable.

The key here is to select the right species. Of the commonly available isopods on the market, most thrive in high-humidity environments. Usually, a short conversation with a local reptile shop can help identify which species should be used and, in most cases, this will be the granulated isopod (Armadillium granulatum). This species is native to Spain and occupies areas of high humidity within an otherwise arid environment. This makes them ideal for arid setups as they’re tolerant to a range of temperatures and humidity and generally very hardy. Other good choices include Greek isopods (Armadillidium officinalis), serrated isopods (Porcellio dilatatus) and variable isopods (Porcellio incanus).

These are less prolific and therefore likely to cost more, but can easily become established within an arid bioactive setup.

Additional tips and maintenance

The enclosure should be lightly sprayed in the morning to replicate the morning dew that is commonly found in desert environments. This is a much healthier way of watering the plants (in addition to replenishing the drainage layer) and will provide a humidity spike that should gradually reduce throughout the day. Each species will have slightly different humidity requirements, which should give the keeper an indication of how often they should provide a morning mist.

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Bioactive Enclosures

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Fascinating Fact

FASCINATING FACT Lunglessness

A

mphibians are highly adept at absorbing oxygen through their skin. This is why amphibians are typically found in humid or moist environments.

However, some amphibians take this adaptation one step further and absorb all their oxygen through their skin, reducing their requirement for lungs to such an extent that they have lost them entirely.

There are examples of lunglessness in all three amphibian orders. Perhaps the most well-known are the lungless salamanders of the family Plethodontidae, comprised of 400 species.

However, there are also two lungless caecilians and one lungless frog.

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JANUARY 2024

Title

Cover that's fit for a King!

We offer exotic, dog, cat and horse insurance, as part of the Petcover Group. Contact us at exoticdirect.co.uk or call 0345 982 5505 and quote ‘Exotics Keeper’.

JANUARY 2024

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