i've had a young dragon for about 2 months now, and i like everything about him except he detests being handled. If I move my one hand slowly toward him I get threat displays and then flight, bedding flying, slamming into the glass walls, etc. I have to kind of corral him with both hands until I can trap him between my cupped palms, and then I have to pin his tail with a finger if I want him to stay on my hand, otherwise he leaps. Is this correctable? he seems to want to crawl up on my shoulder, but I haven't let him because i'm afraid he'll jump and hurt himself. he's about 8-9 inches long, very active cricket hunter, window watcher, and bather. any recommendations? I'm fine just watching him, but I had hoped, given what I've read, to be able to hold him. karl

own two rubber boas in Pennsylvania? Fr0glet has infected me with the desire for these precious-seeming snakes and if anyone has the appropriate laws handy, I'd like to know if I can purchase them for private pet ownership. I don't know where to start looking for the appropriate laws and permits. If I'm just being lazy and uninformed, please point me in a direction. Thanks.

I have been talking with your member SnakeKing and discussing maybe getting a leopard gecko for my son. So was looking for information, tips and such. He's 8 and has been wanting an Iguana, but I won't go with anything that will get that large. I don't know where to even purchase one here locally and have gotten some good tips from SnakeKing...also going to email the president of the herp society. Thanks all!

Well, I've decided to take the plunge. Once I sex my PTS (in the next month or 2 when he moves to Indiana) I will be in the market for a suitable mate. So I decided to start doing my research now. What I want: A healthy adult or subadult C. zebrata (will consider a juvenile, but would prefer older) that is captive bred, not merely captive born. What I don't want: To buy from someone with no references, that I've never heard of. This is where you all come in. Can anyone here recommend a breeder that they've had good experiences with? I value the opinions of the regulars (and some of the irregulars) around here, so advice will be listened to closely. My other option is to adopt an unwanted pet. Understand please, I am not looking for a give-away animal. I am willing to discuss payment terms with someone who simply no longer has room/time/energy for their healthy animal. I am located in Indiana and would prefer not to ship if possible. For those who don't know me: I've been keeping reptiles for 12 years, and have worked as a zookeeper in the reptile house of an accredited zoo. I've had a PTS since '98 who is happy and healthy and is currently my only herp (so I have lots of time to lavish attention on her/him). Thanks for your help folks! -Z

How can you tell?? Is it length or what??

I had two leos hatch out last night and much to my surprise - one had only a nub of a tail! I have never seen this before, is it common? Will it grow? My own knowledge makes me think that it won't. Boy, will this one look funny! The other hatchling is just fine and both are very lively. -- gloria - only the iguanas know for sure

1.0.0 Hi-yellow Leopard gecko 1.0.0 Bearded dragon 1.0.0 Albino green Burmese python 8ft+ 0.1.0 Colombian Boa 8ft+ 5 Ball pythons 1 Blood Python 16 rodent eating E Hognose snakes 0.1.0 Cockatiel 1.0.0 Parakeet I'm not shipping. Come and get them. My wife will show them. The big snakes are real sweeties. Good bye. later, Pete Teach someone the Golden Rule. [link]

Hi, How do I keep my turtle warm at nights? My understanding is that I can't use the incandescent light source. What heat source could I use? Can nocturnal reptile light bulbs be used for heating? Is this their major function? BigFish.

Please tell me if my snake has set a world record or something? I bought my red tail boa in mid-April and have been feeding her one medium sized mouse a week. She was 38" when bought, and has been growing at about 1/2" each week and is now 43" long. Here is the odd thing... she has never pooped at all in three months and she has eaten 14 whole mice during this time. I checked for lumps near the rear to spot possible constipation, but none were ever noticed. Finally, last night she pooped big time, and I mean big big time. It's as if an elephant took a dump in my snake's enclosure! Sorry if this sounds gross, but that's what it was like. I know it is not normal for snakes to go three months without pooping. Has anyone else had this experience for such a long time? -- David

a silly idea i had was to put a little water feature in with my corn snake ... i know it would increase the humidity so thats a plus. it wil evaperate fast thats a minus any good or bad points anyone can think of? overheating , fire risk, ?? damage to snake?? i dunno does anyone else have 1 in their viv?? -- Graeme " Daddy to a baby Carolina corn snake "Heshe" ~

I acquired a pathetic throw away yesterday. This time, a sick Honduran Milksnake. He is breathing terribly and has mucous in his mouth (mouthrot). I saved him from a man who had him in an aquarium with no heat and terrible environmental conditions (crap in the water bowl and all over the cage). He's beyond the molt stage with his old skin intact and he's struggling to shed. When I pick him up, he opens his mouth to breath about every 5-6 seconds. I've never had a snake this sick, and he appears to be on his last leg. Any suggestions to accommodate him until I get can him to the vet on Monday are appreciated. Spit

I've just noticed dozens of little white nymphs running around in the roach tank!!! The can only have been born in the last hour or so and I'm wondering if they'll be ok in with the adults? Anything special I should feed them or do with them? It's the first time I got newborns! Julian ... you're a daddy LOL! Chloe

Arghh I'm infested with fruit flies and don't know how to get rid of them. They first appeared a couple of weeks ago in my roach tank where some fruit had rotted down but now they're everywhere, even attacking my fresh fruit that we eat ... YUK!!! I've put all the fresh fruit in the fridge now and removed any old fruit bits that the herps were eating but they're still hanging around in swarms. How can I get rid of them? I have no herps that eat fruit flies and couldn't catch them easily even if I did. Chloe

Why snake got bitten a couple of time down it's body by a rat I was feeding it. A few scales have been lost and I was wondering if these will heal or whether my snake will be scarred? Thanks - Sol

Hi everybody, I was thinking of going to this show, but would have to take a plane trip down to Florida. My biggest concern is how the airplane security personnel would deal with me bringing creatures back. Whats the best and safest way to bring my critters back home with me on a plane with minimal irritation? Thanks much, Kevin