Large-Blotched Pythons

I chose this article because pythons are my favorite types of snakes. I haven't heard much about the large blotched pythons so i thought i would learn a little about them. There are different names to call the blotched python. Like Stimson's python or the scientific name Antaresia stimsoni. They can reach up to 3 to 3 and a half feet long. They range from easter to western australia and is found only in inland areas in the east south and north but extends to the coasts in western australia. these snakes usually have a pattern of paired or even lateral blotches or spots. Commonly more often the dark markings that form saddles. They have a ventrolateral stripe that reaches from their necks to their mid-body or beyond. Blotched pythons have 37 or more rows of mid body scales and 250 or more ventral scutes. You can get these pythons for about $350 at http://www.pilbarapythons.com/stimsonpythons.htm. If i had money i would probably buy this snake. but for now i'll keep saving.

Jungle Carpet History

Carpet pythons are now a sensation for being kept in captivity. They are one of the most beautiful snakes with bright vibrant colors as they get older. Jungle carpet pythons are found in numerous habitats, ranging from hot and humid rain forests to arid grasslands and even into the drier desert regions of central australia. As babies jungle carpet pythons typically lack in color. being very drab in appearance. They eventually brighten up and begin to gain much color after every shed. Jungle carpets can go anyway from $150 to almost $300 dollars depending on age, size, and sex. Jungle carpet pythons are an intermediate reptile. making it easy to care for but with a little more to them then just feeding. Majority of the time these snakes are very tame depending on the social contact they get to have. To keep this reptile you must have a terranium that is taller then wide, making these snakes more arboreal. Humidity is a must for these snakes. Considering that their most rtecommended habitat for them is the rainforest. I choose this article because carpet pythons are one of my favorite types of snakes. I would love to own one some day, and i wanted to be able to get as much knowledge as i can.

Solomon Tree Boas

Solomon Island Tree boas are one of the biggest species of Candoia's. From males up to 3 feet and females getting anywhere from 4-5 feet or more. They are easy to sex. Males have large destinct spurs on each side of the vents and females have no spurs. Making it unnecessary to probe. In order for them to breed it is recomended for at least 2 males per female in the same terrarium. The males engage in a ritual cobat, twisting around each other and displaying strength until one male would win.  I choose this article because I had a quiz about these boas last trimester and i wanted to know a little bit more about them. i thought that they were cool looking and easy to care for. But reading the article makes it seem a little bit more complicated. In the future i would like one of these boas, because they are relatively small in size and they are a rare species to come across. In order for these boas to be cared for, you need a nice size terranium that could house them while they are at their full size. Branches and plants are an essential due to the fact that these snakes are arboreal so they like to climb. Solomon island boas are considered to be an intermediate for most herpe lovers.

Panamanian Golden Frogs

Panamanian Golden Frog is found in the Reptiles magazine of September 2008. I chose this article because the pictures in the magazine are these frogs are so cool. Their colors are so bright and neon it makes them so unique. Im sure if you walked past them you wouldn't miss them. What i liked about this article was that the Golden Frogs obtain their skins toxins from their natural diet of various small invertebrates like ants. These ants contain formic acid which irritates animals eyes, skin and mucous membranes. After the Golden Frogs ingest these ants they use their toxins from the ants, for their defense. However, it takes over a year before the toxins are fully developed. Something i learned was that the Golden Frogs are heading towards extinction. About 1,500 frogs are being maintained in 40 zoos across the United States. They keep them captive to attempt to save their lives. Also some of these zoos are breeding them and someday being able to release the bred offspring's into Panama. My question after reading this would be if the Panamanian Golden Frogs are doing better now? This article was posted 4 years ago. Panamanian Golden Frogs range from 20$ to 100$. You can buy these frogs, but i would prefer not too because they are trying to avoid extinction. If these frogs weren't having so many problems trying to live and keep their species alive, i would buy one. Male Golden Frogs are about 2 inches long, and females are bout twice their size so around 3 to 4 inches. The Panamanian Golden Frogs are insectivores. They feed on a variety of invertebrates in the rain forest. They main live in forests near moving streams. In captivity is important to have branches so they can climb on and moving water. Keep the temperature around 80 degrees. Moss is good substrates because they help with the humidity. I would say this frog is about an intermediate level because keeping up the cage and keeping it the right temperature can be a little difficult. The most interesting thing would be females deposit light sensitive eggs. They hid their egg clutches in dark crevices under rocks to avoid the exposing of the light to the eggs.

Fire Salamanders

Out of the Ashes is an article found in the November 2005 Reptile magazine. This article is about Fire Salamanders. I chose this because i know nothing about salamanders and i thought they were cute. Fire Salamanders get their name from hiding in firewood, and were seen crawling out of burning timber. Their bellys are a gray to black color. What i like about the article was that on the necks of the Fire Salamanders contained two large glands. These glands release o toxin. The skin of the back bone up to the tip of tail contains toxin. The Fire Salamanders bright bright coloration is a warning to predators. Something i learned was that they are nocturnal. Their enclosure only needs to be dimly. However, do not keep them in total and constant darkness, because they can become blind. My question would be how to tell the sexes apart. They said that males are smaller and skinnier than females but not always. I would most defiantly purchase one of these. They seem like a chill pet to have. Online they about $40 to $50, but in stores im sure they are a little less. Fire Salamanders eat insects and nonliving food. The most common foods are earth worms, crickets, houseflies, housefly larvae, moths, and slugs. For nonliving food, offer strips of meat or fish. This species of salamanders can live up to 50 years in captivity. Peat moss is a good substrate, but should change it once a month. Keep the tank between 65 and 75 degrees. Higher than that can cause the Fire Salamander to get stressed out. In the summer keep the tank in a cooler area, and mist the tank often. A small pool of water is necessary to keep the humidity high, and helps shed and defecate. Fire Salamanders are easy to care for pets and are good beginning pets. They are good beginner species because of their strength and the ease of maintaining them in captivity. The most interesting thing about Fire Salamanders is that they can grow up to 30cm long, from head to the tip of the tail.