Turtles/Expert Profile

Expertise

NO PRIVATE QUESTIONS! YOUR QUESTION WILL BE REJECTED IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE THE INFO REQUESTED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS!. I can answer questions related to various aspects of reptile husbandry, field ID (esp. in Texas and the SW), legal aspects, and intermediate level medical care on most species. I am a co-founder of Wichita Falls Reptile Rescue (TX), founding member of The Society for Horned Lizard Preservation, a member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Assoc, and a subscriber to the International Veterinary Information Service. I do most of my own veterinary care in-house. I am most experienced in Chelonia (turtles&torts) with box turtles and common smaller tortoises; and in Squamata (lizards & snakes) with everything from Anoles, Geckos, Beardies, and Monitors, to venomous snakes. I am most known for my expertise with horned lizards (Phrynosoma). With snakes, my primary expertise is in Crotalids (rattlesnakes), but I can answer a broad range of questions about various species. I am not aware of any reptile related question, in general, that I would not be able to provide some reasonable answer for. I have a direct style and may tell you something you did not want to hear; but the welfare of the animal comes first with me, and I will always reflect that position in my answer.

Experience in the area

I am an amateur herpetologist, with 20 years experience in reptiles. I am a reptile rescuer and subscriber to the International Veterinary Information Service. I have medical and scientific resources available, and have had to learn herp medical care over the years. I am not a vet, but I read from the same materials and have had to correct a few in the past, as it related to reptiles. My specific area of expertise is in Chelonians ( primary- Box Turtles ), Phrynosoma ( Horned Lizards ), and Crotalids ( primary- Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes ); though I have some knowledge and/or experience also with aquatic turtles ( primary- Red Eared Sliders ), tortoises ( primary-Sulcata and Horsfieldii ), monitors ( primary- Savannah ), many other smaller lizards, and with some colubrid snakes.

I am currently the caretaker of 14 Horned Lizards, 17 Box Turtles, 3 Red Eared Sliders, 1 Green Iguana, 2 Texas Spiny Lizards, 1 Bullsnake, 2 Checkered Gartersnakes, 2 Eastern Ratsnakes, 1 Albino Great Plains Ratsnake, 2 Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes, 1 Leopard Gecko, 2 River Cooters, 3 Fox Squirrels, 5 Pocket mice, and 1 Budgie. Previously: Leopard Geckos, Golden Gecko, African White-Spotted Wall Gecko, Mediterranean Geckos, Bahama Anoles, Ca. Kingsnake, Brazilian Rainbow Boa, Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Russian Tortoise, Savannah Monitor, and Eastern Cotton-tail rabbits.

Organizations

Co-Founder: Wichita Falls Reptile Rescue http://freewebs.com/wichitafallsreptilerescue Founder: Horned Lizards YahooGroup http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/hornedlizards Member: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Assoc.

Publications

Horned Lizard Husbandry - self published care sheet. Wikipedia entry "Horned Lizards" - contributed to a majority of the content.

Education/Credentials

25 years of field and captive husbandry experience.

Past/Present Clients

I was requested to provide my care sheet on the Desert Horned Lizard-Phrynosoma platyrhinos, for the Montreal zoo. My manual is currently used by several other zoological institutions in N. America.

What do you like about this subject?

Chelonians can make very interesting and entertaining companions. Though they are considered the most "primitive" of reptiles, they tend to be the most intelligent, in some cases rivaling the intelligence of canines. They can be trained/conditioned in many ways, and can learn to identify shapes, colors, and situations.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

To make the general public more knowledgeable and respectful of the plight of turtles and tortoises in decline due to collection, loss of habitat, and otherwise coming into contact with civilization. To promote the general welfare of Chelonians, and to challenge the average reptile keeper to better their husbandry knowledge.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Some reptiles can be conditioned/trained, and many species of tortoises may rival the intelligence of canines. Some, such as tortoises and Iguanas, are very social and can recognize individual persons. Pain in reptiles is misunderstood by the average person because they cannot whine or whimper, and may not react as expected; however, they do feel pain.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Reptiles are not suitable pets for children, and knowledge of average buyers is usually lacking. Reptiles are not considered cuddly, so are commonly mistreated or kept in improper conditions even in chain pet stores which claim to put animals "first". Everyone jumps through hoops when a bunny or kitty is in a cold or unclean habitat. Hardly an eyebrow is raised in these places for the reptile.