Mick - Turtles - Exotic Pets - Animals/Pets

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Expert Profile: Mick

Expertise: NO PRIVATE QUESTIONS. I can answer questions related to various aspects of the husbandry of Chelonia ( turtles & tortoises ), selection, field ID (N. America, esp. in Texas and the SW), legal aspects of various species, and intermediate level medical care. I am a recognized reptile rescuer, listed with Melissa Kaplan @ anapsid.org, and rescuenetwork.org, and a subscriber to the International Veterinary Information Service. I do most of my own in-house veterinary care. I am most experienced in Chelonia with North American box turtles; though I have experience also with common aquatic turtles ( sliders, cooters, map, etc. ) and smaller tortoises ( Russian, Greek, Red Foot, etc. I am somewhat familiar with G. sulcata as well). I am not aware of any turtle/tortoise 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.WARNING:READ "Instructions to Questioner" BEFORE ASKING YOUR QUESTION. IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS I WILL DELETE!I WILL NOT BE ADVISING PEOPLE ON HOW TO TREAT SERIOUS OR EMERGENCY HEALTH PROBLEMS ANYMORE, WHERE YOU SHOULD OBVIOUSLY SEE A VET, EXCEPT FOR IMMEDIATE NECESSARY LIFE SAVING PROCEDURES OR TEMPORARY MEASURES UNTIL YOU SEE A VET. I AM NOT HERE TO HELP YOU AVOID A VET BILL! Thank You.

Experience in the area
I am an amatuer 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 13 Horned Lizards ( 10 rescues ), 9 Box Turtles ( 7 in rescue ), 1 Tortoise, 1 Red Eared Slider ( rescue ), 2 Leopard Geckos, 1 Golden Gecko ( rescue ), 1 African Wall Gecko ( rescue ), 4 Mediterranean Geckos, 2 Bahama Anoles ( rescues ), 1 Ca. Kingsnake, 1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa, 1 Bullsnake, 5 Fox Squirrels ( in rescue ), and 1 Budgie.

Organizations
Co-Founder: Wichita Falls Reptile Rescue http://freewebs.com/wichitafallsreptilerescue Founder: Horned Lizards YahooGroup http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/hornedlizards Member: Horned Lizard Conservation Society

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

Education/Credentials
20 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.

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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.

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Recent Answers from Mick

2009-01-01 Sleeping: Russian tortoises spend about 9 months of the year in hibernation or estivation, so this is normal. Do not force it to do anything. Check to make sure your temps and other habitat preferences are right...

2009-01-01 How do I care for an Indian Black Turtle (Melanochelys trijuga): Unfortunately, most of my expertise in turtles is limited to domestic North American species, and some land tortoises from around the world. I would assume that much of the care information for this species...

2008-12-31 RES and painted Turtle?: In regard to your RES, it is doubtful he is "just a smaller RES". There is probably a reason if you have had him a while and he is small. The size you indicate is along the lines of a 1 year old. If he...

2008-10-07 does he want out: Maybe you should provide more background before expecting some kind of miracle answer nitwit. How is someone to know your house lay out or where you live? You didn't even say what state you were in, and...

2008-10-06 greenear slider: I'm pretty sure there is no such thing as a green eared slider. I'm sure you mean red eared. Could be something to worry about. Could be an impaction, egg binding, or partial prolapse of some kind...