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Reptiles/Expert Profile

Donna Fernstrom

U.S.

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Expertise

My particular focus is on snakes and lizards, but I have a decent smattering of knowledge of turtles and crocodilians as well, plus the experience to get relevant information quickly if I don't have it on hand in my brain. I can answer questions on captive care, diet, breeding, incubation of eggs, starting hatchlings, and more. I am particularly experienced with ball pythons, Lygodactylus geckos and other small lizards with similar care requirements, leopard geckos, and garter snakes.

Experience in the area

I am a professional breeder of ball python morphs, Lygodactylus (dwarf) geckos, and mourning geckos. I have begun working with Irian Jaya carpet pythons, and plan to expand to include more gecko species in the future. I also have a background breeding leopard geckos, and have kept several other species of small lizards, snakes, and a water turtle.

Organizations

Nebraska Herpetological Society (nebherp.org)

Publications

I have many care sheets published on my own website.

Education/Credentials

High School Graduate. Extensively self-taught due to high interest in wildlife and reptile care.

Awards and Honors

Fauna Classifieds board of inquiry Good Guy Certification

What do you like about this subject?

Reptiles are fascinating animals, and I hope to help others do well with their pets.

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

I plan to expand my breeding facilities and work with more species.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Lygodactylus williamsi can be maintained on commercial crested gecko diet for extended periods of time.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

The CDC would probably like none of us to have animals in our homes, but their requirement that pregnant women get rid of reptiles is uncalled for. Cleaning up after them is less dangerous than preparing raw chicken.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

User	Date	K	C	P	Comments
Jake	05/21/12	10	10	10	Thank you so much for your help
Lanne	05/18/12	10	10	10	Very helpful, and made me more at .....
shay	05/05/12	10	10	10	Thank you for ur fast response! And .....
Loretta	05/04/12	10	10	10
Lauren	05/04/12	10	10	10

Recent Answers from Donna Fernstrom

2012-05-18 Big Eaters (ball python & hatchling corn snake):

You did the right thing, as corn snakes do not eat insects--not at any stage. So, they were not feeding it at all--they were just harassing it with crickets. In fact, the only insectivorous snake that

2012-05-18 Big Eaters (ball python & hatchling corn snake):

> > Question: > Having been told by my father that there are no stupid questions...here it goes... > > I have two snakes. A juvenile ball python and a hatchling baby corn snake. I was told not to be

2012-05-13 feeding a young leopard gecko:

You don't have to, but some geckos will appreciate having a free-choice calcium source. If you do, use a calcium supplement that does not contain vitamin D3. For regular dusting, use a supplement containing

2012-05-12 feeding a young leopard gecko:

Be sure that crickets are calcium-dusted, as they are too high in phosphorus. (Roaches may be lower, but should still be dusted for a growing gecko). In most cases, a reptile will not eat immediately

2012-05-05 Why do lizards like hair?:

Hair isn't something that lizards would normally encounter, so it's really not possible to say what her fascination is. It may be that its movement catches her eye, and she is looking for bugs, lol.

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