 Expertise: NO PRIVATE QUESTIONS. I can answer questions related to various aspects of reptile husbandry, selection, field ID (esp. in Texas and the SW), legal aspects of various species, and intermediate level medical care on most species. 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 (turtles&torts) with box turtles and common smaller tortoises (I am familiar with sulcata as well); and in Squamata (lizards & snakes) with everything from Anoles, Geckos, Beardies, and Monitors, to venomous snakes. With snakes, my primary expertise is in Crotalids (rattlesnakes), but I can answer a broad range of questions about colubrid and boidae snakes; such as kings, milks, corns, pythons, & boas. 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. READ "Instructions to Questioner" BEFORE ASKING YOUR QUESTION.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.
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. I have a yahoogroup dedicated to the conservation and husbandry of Horned Lizards. 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 ( sliders, cooter, map, etc. ), tortoises, monitors, many other smaller lizards, and with some colubrid snakes. I am currently the caretaker of 13 Horned Lizards, 9 Box Turtles, 1 Russian Tortoise, 1 Red Eared Slider, 4 Leopard Geckos, 1 Golden Gecko, 1 African White-Spotted Wall Gecko, 4 Mediterranean Geckos, 2 Bahama Anoles, 1 Ca. Kingsnake, 1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa, 1 Bullsnake, 5 Fox Squirrels, 1 Eastern Cotton-tail, and 1 Budgie.
Organizations
Co-Founder: Wichita Falls Reptile Rescue http://freewebs.com/wichitafallsreptilerescue
Founder: Horned Lizards YahooGroup http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hornedlizards
Member: Horned Lizard Conservation Society
Publications
The Horned Lizard Husbandry Manual - self published 26 pages of care information.
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. |