Reptiles, June 2006, Black-Headed pythons

Reptiles, may 2011, King of the Mountain

Reptiles, February 2006, Diamondback Terrapin

Diamondback terrapins are phisically variable turtles, they have different shell patterns, skin color. Also they have large back hind feet so they can swim through strong tidal currents, and have better mobilty in water (webbed Feet). They have strong claws for climbing riverbanks. Dimondback terrapins are medium sized turtles. They have A grayish black carapace, and plastron is usually yellowish or greenish gray. They have white skin thats patterned in black and gray, also they have markings unique as human fingerprints. Male Terrapins are about 5 inches long, and females are about 9 inches. Terrapins live more than 40 years old. They are found in brackish water, saltmarshesand lagoones along the atlanticand golf coasts from New York to Texas. Adult terrapins need at least a 60 gallon tank waith a large basking area, and should have a heat lamp that keeps temperatures in the 80's (F), the water temperature should be at 78 (F). Providing captive terrapins with saltwater is important (1/4 cup of salt per 20 gallons of water). Good filteration is essential to maintaining their health. Dimondbacks are addapted for eating hard-shelled pray; aquatic snails, crabs, small bivalves, Also eat carrion, fish, marine worms, and plant material. In my opinion dimondbacks would be somthing fun to have in the house, with a huge tank to keep them in, and make somthing amuzing inside the tank so its not jus water with a log in it. They shouldnt cost much to take care of aswell.

Reptiles, March 2011, The other BOA

Dumeril's boas. They are found in the islands of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, just off the eastern coast of Africa. Theirs also other two species of boid snakes that share the island as well, the Madagascarground Boa (B.madagascariensis) and theMadagascar tree boa (B.manditra). The Dumeril's Boa are found in dry scrub and thorn bushes, dry forests, and near human developments. Often live in caves and crevices, heavy brush, leaf litter and abandoned mammal burrows. Also they make their homes near a permanent source of water. In the wild their diets are almost anything they can hunt down or find (to catch); small mammals, birds, and even lizards. Practically no boas are imported from the wild. They are medium sized and have a stocky build, which means it’s powerful, so you must handle them with percussion. Adult sizes range from 4 to 6 feet. Boas can array of colors, such as peaches, tans, browns, grays, green, reds, and mahogany. A cage is a good idea for this kind of snakes (4Lx2Wx14inch.T); this should be a good cage size for a adult Boa, with plenty of space. They need cool temperatures of 75 (F) and warm side of 85 (F) in its cage, but they spend most of their time on the cool end. Their diets can consist of mice, rat’s guinea pigs or rabbits. A good feeding regimen consists of one appropriate sized food item every 7 to 10 days. For adult, sized Boas feed them every 10 to 15 days. Always provide fresh water, it’s a must. Overall I wouldn’t want a Dumeril's Boa in my house because it’s a pretty good sized snakes which I don’t think I could be their for it at all times when needed, and its a dirty job and clean after them. 

Reptiles, June 2006, The Southern Hognose Snake

 I chose to write about this reptile artical because i wanted to learn more about the Southren Hogsnakes. I like this article because it provided many information of where their found and what they find to eat. It also provided many pictures so you can get an idea of what they look like. Also everything was in deapth detail. , and It wasnt a boring article.  I've learned that you can find them in notrth america, west of the mississippi river to the rocky mountains and from above the canadian border to below the mexican border. They also are a small snake, and come in different types of colors. Hognose snakes are not that hard to maintain as well. I quetioned myself asking if theis snakes are extinced. i wouldnt want to purchese one because im not the biggest snake guy out their but i like handeling them. the current market price is from $50 to $250 depending on the morphs. heres a site; http://www.hognoses.co.uk/?cat=4. Their are 4 different color morphs. They are not endangerd in the wild. Their are no special capativity with theis snakes at the moment. The care requirment sare making it a safe home, an appropriate cage for its size, fresh water and food, just some little maintence because theis snakes are a beginner pet to keep. The most interesting thing about this snake it the little sharp tip on the front of their nose.

Reptiles, November 1999, Anaconda attack guidelines

Gaboon Viper

I read an article on the Gaboon Viper by: Gregg Madden.

The gaboon viper is one of the top 5 deadliest snakes alive. You can fin the the gaboon viper in high grasslands and dense forests in All of Africa. The gaboon has 2 inch fangs makes them the biggest in the world.Gaboon vipers are hard to take care of, but if your a serious breeder there a cool snake,Everything must be perfect for the snake!. Make sure no Glass aquariums or opeing tops keep it in a 9x5 cage and atleast 85degrees. These snakes usely feed often so if its not fed in about two weeks the snake gets sick and dies.

Sun Beam Snake!

Sun beam snakes are pretty much one of the best looking snakes you can find in south east Asia. It's a breath taking snake "i would say", The sun beam snake gets its name from its scales there very glossy. The sun beam spends some time in the rice paddies, but most of the time its under ground. The snake have a pointy head and a thin snake to make its way around under ground " you ask me i think that's pretty cool". The sun beam gets up to 2 feet, some might say that's small but this snake can eat a lizard,or another snake and of course other small mammals. The snake can be stressed out EASILY! from the stress the snake can get blisters on the skin eww! Some might think its a illness but its not its from the stress the snake is getting, with the right antibiotics that can be fixed.These bad boys are hard to breed but if you choose to keep one make sure you have a 3Lx2Wx12H cage for this beautiful snake, It's also comfortable with humidity because its from southern Asia it needs at least 80% in the cage. Alot of work to keep these snakes in good shape in my opinion i wouldn't like to have one of these but some people still liek them, overall There a pretty cool darn snake.

Hot Herp Saftey

      The article i read was called Hot Herp Safety by: Jessie Black, it talks about how you should take care and be careful with venomous snakes such as the "king cobra". The tips Jessie gives in his article are very good,and we use most of the same things as he says in our Project based science class. If you own a cobra or some other venomous snake, A good idea would be to give the cobra a hide box, they love small tight dark spots and its also good when your cleaning the cage. NEVER! come at a cobra fast when doing something in the cage, Murphy's law says "anything that can go wrong will go wrong".Top opening cages are not such a good idea, custom built cages are much better with faster  snakes. When opening the cage to Feed the snake or take out old skin, the best thing to use is tongs and make sure your crack the cage ope a Little bit only enough room for the snake to get its food.Make sure you have a extra cage or better a extra bin to put the snake in while your cleaning the cage. Jessie black covers a big thing in his article, make sure on your snakes cage you have a label saying " WARNING! snake is venomous and will bite". If bit by a cobra make sure you have sources to anti-venom drugs to save your life, E.Rs o not carry anti-venom so make sure you have sources to some and bring it to the E.R with you don't inject yourself. Remember don't get a venomous snake if you cant Handel it.

Green Anaconda

       The green anaconda is most familiar to people as the largest snake in the world. It has been recorded to be 7.9 meters long(25.9 Ft).It lives in south America in the swamps, it's a non venomous snake the way it kills its prey is by the strong muscles it has, it suffocates it till the heart stops pumping blood. There very good climbers so it's a good technique they use, hiding in the trees and sneaking up on the prey. The snake can eat large mammals if it gets the chance, if the snake can get ahold of a white tail deer, thats a large meal and it can go up to a year after that without eating. John Thorbjarnarson an environmentalist describes the anaconda as a "secretive" snake, you never know were it is and the mood it has because of its abilities. These anacondas can probably feed on mice or rats, but they wont get nothing out of it thats like humans eating a peanut, and it's not good enough to feed our hunger. Green anacondas need wild boars, deer, turtles and chickens. The green anaconda is obviously Green it runs with black blotches on its body with a yellowish head. when the anacondas try to mate they do it in the rainy season it takes about 6-months for the  process, to get to the females the males have to put up a slow motion wrestling match the females make them do, it takes up to 4 weeks the stronger males usually beat the larger females,but if not they pick a male that can defend the family. When the female gives birth its about to 12 eggs and the baby snakes are about 2 feet long. Remember Anacondas aren't very mean to humans but when there hungry they'll squeeze the organs out of you.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZVVh9oEQKw&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Feeding Ball Pythons

   Ball pythons are very cool and calm snakes, they really enjoy being handled by humans and don't freak out. These pythons can feed on a regular bases, once a week maybe once a month depends on the snake, but if you see your snake not trying to eat don't be too concerned they go threw these phases. some of the reasons they wouldn't be eating would be the snake is maybe trying to shed, its maybe sick or stressed out even it could be the cage is too small for the python. when it comes to feeding you can stress the snake out easily, A great way to feed the snake would be at night so they can feel more comfortable, usually at night they sneak up on the rat or mice. Great feeding tricks you could use if you have no time at night could be, try to give it a different rodent or a different color mouse, or even cover the top and leave the mouse they they can have there privacy. younger snakes are fed one or twice a week larger snakes are fed every or every other week, but if females have eggs they wont eat till they hatch. A important thing too remember with these snakes would be that there from Africa,and there cages should be kept in a warm temperature at about 86 degrees. Ball pythons are very calm so dont stress them out and they will listen.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCpc72vJ2p8