Search found 335 matches

by ThomWild
January 16th, 2018, 8:14 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Do You Have Husbandry Secrets?
Replies: 65
Views: 90547

Re: Do You Have Husbandry Secrets?

Does anyone use a handheld steamer for cleaning? I have been using one in the enclosures I construct and I love it. It makes cleaning the rock face, wood, or any other decor simple. I would not recommend it in glass tanks because the temp difference may cause the glass to crack. I don't know if the ...
by ThomWild
October 3rd, 2016, 9:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: fire fight
Replies: 8
Views: 4631

Re: fire fight

Wow! I can't stop coming back to this. Thank you very much for sharing!

-Thomas
by ThomWild
August 8th, 2016, 3:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425228

Re: Why You Dont Collect

And the point I'm trying to make is that this idea of collection without purpose is incredibly rare, in reality. Animal welfare legislation (at least in western countries) prohibits any kind of take to occur unless it can be justified to the satisfaction of an overseeing animal ethics committee. Th...
by ThomWild
August 7th, 2016, 3:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425228

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Let me make it clear that I am all for anything that science does, whether collecting or killing. I am ONLY against collecting for profit. This is an interesting statement to me. To assume the scientific community is free and void of all Machiavellianism seems as naive as those stating that commerc...
by ThomWild
July 28th, 2016, 1:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425228

Re: Why You Dont Collect

The more I learn about snakes, their social lives and natural histories, the less likely I am to put one in a box for the rest of its life. They are far more complex than we give them credit for. I hope to one day have the opportunity of getting to know a group of animals in the wild as intimately ...
by ThomWild
July 27th, 2016, 11:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425228

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Its been my experience that many people are not able to recognize suppressed behavior and dysphoric repetitive actions in captive reptiles. It is my experience that many people are not able to recognize those things period. I don't think it is unique to animal husbandry. One only has to briefly loo...
by ThomWild
July 27th, 2016, 10:55 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425228

Re: Why You Dont Collect

Your one-liner doesnt find a good seat in reference to RenoBarts post, please explain? Does having healthy empathic pathways and the ability to detect nuances and make analogous connections equate anthropomorphism? Perhaps in the 70s, or if under some dour affect of keeping up appearances. I unders...
by ThomWild
July 26th, 2016, 2:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Why You Dont Collect
Replies: 279
Views: 1425228

Re: Why You Dont Collect

... If I did I know I would prefer to go on quest for it, as the animals I would be interested in arent really in the trade. And I would prefer to get them myself. I like Thamnophis for instance. Good for the type of vivaria I like to make and watch. When I choose to collect individuals from the wi...
by ThomWild
June 28th, 2016, 10:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Quest for the milk
Replies: 6
Views: 4380

Re: Quest for the milk

I think it was all the beard. Congrats on the find!

-Thomas
by ThomWild
March 31st, 2016, 10:59 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: marbled salamander
Replies: 15
Views: 21298

Re: marbled salamander

One thing that Kelly said that does not get emphasized enough is air circulation. Both top and cross, next to temp I have found that stagnant air and stagnant substrates are the most frequent stressors. Having ideal exchange will also give you more of a cushion if temps get a bit too high for a shor...
by ThomWild
December 2nd, 2015, 2:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Elections
Replies: 21
Views: 9950

Re: Elections

I will adjust my nominations to accommodate the developing information of those that would like to participate. Pres: Joshua Emms Vice Pres: Bryan Hamilton IBM: Tim Warfel That meets the minimum requirements, other nominations can be added if more people express interest. Thanks for being willing to...
by ThomWild
November 20th, 2015, 9:02 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Elections
Replies: 21
Views: 9950

Re: Elections

Jimi I like your Arkansas idea, I will be back in school next semester in addition to teaching so it might not work, but I will certainly try if that is something others are interested in. I think we need to get more areas involved so my nominations are as follow. Pres: Steve Stocking Vice Pres: Rye...
by ThomWild
September 7th, 2015, 1:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Crotalus identification
Replies: 24
Views: 8181

Re: Crotalus identification

There you go. Another example of where assuming and not paying attention gets you.
by ThomWild
September 6th, 2015, 11:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Crotalus identification
Replies: 24
Views: 8181

Re: Crotalus identification

Jeremy I was assuming the picture was referring to chimney rock in Capitol Reef which would put it out of the prairie range as far as I know. I can't really argue on the other ID other than that I didn't think abyssus ranged that far north.

-Thomas
by ThomWild
September 3rd, 2015, 9:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Crotalus identification
Replies: 24
Views: 8181

Re: Crotalus identification

I can't see them either but I used the links to get to them.

The first I would guess is concolor and the second lutosus.

-Thomas
by ThomWild
July 18th, 2015, 6:03 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Permits/Licensing for Utah Herping
Replies: 12
Views: 4901

Re: Permits/Licensing for Utah Herping

Be sure to share what you find. I haven't been able to get out of Sevier County this year so I have to live vicariously through others.

-Thomas
by ThomWild
July 15th, 2015, 1:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Permits/Licensing for Utah Herping
Replies: 12
Views: 4901

Re: Permits/Licensing for Utah Herping

No.

I think the last revision was done in 2007. It was suppose to be up in 2012 but as far as I know there wasn't enough push from the state or the public to change it so it has carried over the last few years.
by ThomWild
July 14th, 2015, 9:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Permits/Licensing for Utah Herping
Replies: 12
Views: 4901

Re: Permits/Licensing for Utah Herping

This link should help. http://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/amphibians_reptiles/ The administrative rule tab will take you to the guidebook itself with all of the definitions and background information, but the chart on this link is the easiest way to find general information on specific species. If ...
by ThomWild
June 9th, 2015, 4:25 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Anyone working with L.t.gigae
Replies: 3
Views: 3265

Re: Anyone working with L.t.gigae

I have a female that I am possibly looking at finding a male for. I don't have much experience with the individual breeders of this species but I asked this same question of Cole Grover who is a member or has been a member of the forum. You could try sending him a PM with the question or a link to t...
by ThomWild
June 9th, 2015, 4:18 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: California King Caging?
Replies: 6
Views: 5236

Re: California King Caging?

One recommendation I have if you decide to use live plants is to keep them potted. If you are worried about the esthetics of using potted plants you can build up the substrate and/or cage decor around the base to cover the pot portion. I have found they are much easier to keep alive and maintained i...
by ThomWild
June 8th, 2015, 2:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: I've seen it, you seen it ... we've all seen...
Replies: 58
Views: 30985

Re: I've seen it, you seen it ... we've all seen...

I could be wrong Jim but it sounds like you are confusing terms here. The generic term mimicry is as you say a cognitive attempt to copy something else, however evolutionary mimicry (e.g. Batesian or Mullerian) is simply a selection pressure, it has nothing to do with cognitive process. Evolutionari...
by ThomWild
April 30th, 2015, 2:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: NAFHA - Hands off Amphibs policy?
Replies: 31
Views: 19141

Re: NAFHA - Hands off Amphibs policy?

I didn't take the time to find the online version but I know the PARC Inventory and Monitoring guide includes an appendix (VI i believe) with the protocol for the decontamination of field gear.

-Thomas
by ThomWild
April 29th, 2015, 6:59 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: N.A.F.H.A. Field Trip 2015!
Replies: 21
Views: 9087

Re: N.A.F.H.A. Field Trip 2015!

It was an awesome trip! It was fun to meet up with those I knew and an absolute joy and pleasure meeting so many amazing herpers for the first time! I am bummed I had to bail early. Steve (or anyone else that stayed through Sun), did the weather clear for Sunday herping? Awesome job everyone! -Thoma...
by ThomWild
March 16th, 2015, 12:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Good rubber boa weather
Replies: 17
Views: 6889

Re: Good rubber boa weather

Brian do you think it will work the other way? If I start targeting boas will I find more milks? :)

-Thomas
by ThomWild
January 27th, 2015, 11:47 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Educational Ethics
Replies: 54
Views: 336240

Re: Educational Ethics

The question that wasnt asked here, was if it were just an ordinary local kid, in the World Civ class, and the parents were afraid of snakes and wanted them out of the room, would there have been the same compliance? I can only answer for myself in this specific example on this one but I would say ...
by ThomWild
January 27th, 2015, 9:35 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Educational Ethics
Replies: 54
Views: 336240

Re: Educational Ethics

Well stated Jim.

Chris some might say especially in the U.S.

-Thomas
by ThomWild
January 26th, 2015, 10:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Educational Ethics
Replies: 54
Views: 336240

Re: Educational Ethics

I still contend that demonstrating to the rest of the students in the class, that 'cultural relativism' is a viable theory, is the most serious issue here. hurts 30-some other students, for the sake of one student's (parents most likely) misguided beliefs??? Sometimes people just need to be told th...
by ThomWild
January 24th, 2015, 3:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Educational Ethics
Replies: 54
Views: 336240

Re: Educational Ethics

If only ethics or science were the only issue, unfortunately politics play a big role which often trumps the other two and throw them in the garbage. Thanks for all of the replies. I can see the arguments for every one of your comments. In this case I agreed to move the snakes into the lab during th...
by ThomWild
January 23rd, 2015, 3:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Educational Ethics
Replies: 54
Views: 336240

Re: Educational Ethics

Jeff wrote:Your statement "bring harm" is equivocal - bring spiritual harm? physical harm?
All of the above. You are negatively impacted both spiritually and physically by being in the presence of a snake or a snake spirit.
by ThomWild
January 23rd, 2015, 2:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Educational Ethics
Replies: 54
Views: 336240

Educational Ethics

First off a note to the Mod. I was unsure about the best place to put this so if it would fit better somewhere else by all means move it. Now on to a bit of a dilemma. I am a high school biology/history teacher and I keep snakes in my classroom as educational assistants. I have a student in one of m...
by ThomWild
December 28th, 2014, 5:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 Officer nominations
Replies: 8
Views: 3741

Re: 2015 Officer nominations

Josh Emms - Pres.
Jason Hull - VP
Chris York - Sec.
Jimi Gragg - CO
Jeremy Westerman - ES
And I don't know if it is needed as in past years but Tim W. - IBM

- Thomas
by ThomWild
November 6th, 2014, 8:31 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: zoo med excavator clay
Replies: 79
Views: 99192

Re: zoo med excavator clay

Jimi you could always just email them to me. No need for those third party sites if you do that.
by ThomWild
November 5th, 2014, 1:32 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: zoo med excavator clay
Replies: 79
Views: 99192

Re: zoo med excavator clay

Jimi I know you are not one for pictures but I would love to see an example of what you have created with this stuff.

-Thomas Wilder
by ThomWild
October 22nd, 2014, 9:20 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Possible Hybrid Wandering Gartersnake
Replies: 3
Views: 2799

Re: Possible Hybrid Wandering Gartersnake

I don't find anything unusual about the eyes other than the color. Size looks normal for a very young garter.

Brian have you talked to anyone about the genetic work for this individual?

-Thomas
by ThomWild
September 26th, 2014, 12:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Save the date - Annual Pickle Party for salvaged DORs
Replies: 14
Views: 4972

Re: Save the date - Annual Pickle Party for salvaged DORs

Date saved! One thing I really like about herping in Sevier Co. area is that there aren't that many cars. I can feel comfortable about pulling onto a narrow shoulder or even stopping in the middle of the road to look at something. The good and the bad of that is that I don't get as many patties to s...
by ThomWild
September 16th, 2014, 9:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: kingsnakes
Replies: 17
Views: 6519

Re: kingsnakes

I am good if you want to crash at my house. We could try to squish inside or pitch tents outside, I even have an outdoor fire pit! (Apparently you can't live in Richfield without one.) But as Chris mentioned, there are a number of good spots to pitch a tent nearby with a little better access to the ...
by ThomWild
September 16th, 2014, 6:51 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: kingsnakes
Replies: 17
Views: 6519

Re: kingsnakes

I can't speak at all for the northerly range of pyros but central UT seems to be doing nicely. I always get reports from the students of the herps they see and there are always a handful that see a pyro.

-Thomas
by ThomWild
September 16th, 2014, 6:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Is this Wednesday THE NIGHT for cruising?
Replies: 10
Views: 3225

Re: Is this Wednesday THE NIGHT for cruising?

I will be there in spirit and checking out a few last areas down my way this week. Good luck guys!

-Thomas Wilder
by ThomWild
August 16th, 2014, 1:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A Ringneck Journey
Replies: 3
Views: 2213

A Ringneck Journey

This journey started 4 or 5 years ago while taking a trip down to southern Utah. I set out for a couple of days from my home in Orem with really no expectations as to what I might find. I had in tow my homemade golf club/bike hanger snake hook and my copy of “Snakes of Utah.” After a day and a half ...
by ThomWild
July 28th, 2014, 7:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Finally!
Replies: 7
Views: 2667

Re: Finally!

I know in Sevier Co. leopards had been declining in numbers where they were historically very common in large part due to the success of brown trout in the streams and springs in the area. However there has recently been a stronger push to restore the streams to native trout fisheries. In one of the...
by ThomWild
April 25th, 2014, 1:15 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Desert tortoise being used as scapegoat in Nevada conflict
Replies: 24
Views: 11165

Re: Desert tortoise being used as scapegoat in Nevada confli

This whole mess perfectly illustrates what can happen when you take an abstract idea and try to apply it in a particular situation, while ignoring all the work that's already gone into "making the abstraction actually work". These guys carrying a copy of the Constitution around in their p...
by ThomWild
April 8th, 2014, 2:12 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Farewell friends!
Replies: 11
Views: 3057

Re: Farewell friends!

Best wishes for you and your family Josh! Don't hesitate posting any future finds from your new home for us bitter western folk.

-Thomas Wilder
by ThomWild
April 4th, 2014, 1:14 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Need a decent UT milksnake photo
Replies: 9
Views: 2352

Re: Need a decent UT milksnake photo

Brian have you spent much time in Sevier Co. Looking for milks? I have done much homework but I have seen quite a bit of what looks like very nice habitat and every time I just think to myself "I wonder if Brian has been here?"

- Thomas
by ThomWild
March 10th, 2014, 11:07 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Raft-less transoceanic dispersal by a giant tortoise
Replies: 9
Views: 2914

Re: Raft-less transoceanic dispersal by a giant tortoise

Old or not that is cool stuff. Thanks for sharing. Transoceanic dispersal can be a difficult concept for my high school students to wrap their heads around. Any actual examples go a long way in demonstrating, at least in part, how it can work. Thanks again,

-Thomas Wilder
by ThomWild
March 5th, 2014, 6:38 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Red Tailed Rat
Replies: 10
Views: 4854

Re: Red Tailed Rat

"A $500 cage for a $50 animal?!?!?" Well, sure, why not? For me personally I found the best way to control my impulse buying of animals all while quenching my need for something new, is to spend more time (and usually $) improving enclosures. There is always something that can be improved...
by ThomWild
February 28th, 2014, 11:14 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Getting rid of pesky drain flies from your herp facility
Replies: 10
Views: 5422

Re: Getting rid of pesky drain flies from your herp facility

I have also tried the apple cider vinegar (not in correlation with the paper though) and have been extremely pleased with how effective it has been. As Bill mentioned it really doesn't take long at all to wipe them all out.

-Thomas
by ThomWild
February 25th, 2014, 3:19 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Justification.............
Replies: 95
Views: 76309

Re: Justification.............

I don't see any need for justification. I see this as a complete non-issue. If you don't like feeding herps to other herps because you don't like to see herps die or suffer then that is completely understandable and I have to respect that because it is your personal belief and preference. However, o...
by ThomWild
February 20th, 2014, 3:06 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A reminder to feed your snakes pre-killed food.
Replies: 23
Views: 6824

Re: A reminder to feed your snakes pre-killed food.

So, not to derail this thread, but what do folks recommend by way of getting their snakes some exercise without resorting to feeding them live prey? I like to still mimic the chase. I don't like to toss something in the cage to sit their until the snake find it convenient to slurp it up. I use forc...
by ThomWild
February 20th, 2014, 2:35 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Rosy Boa now Three-lined Boa?
Replies: 20
Views: 6268

Re: Rosy Boa now Three-lined Boa?

After reading just the abstract I wondered why they only tested mtDNA and not nuclear as well. Thank you for posting the clips from the discussion section John, that addressed, at least in part, my original concern. This is coming from someone who has only helped run lab work for molecular phylogeny...
by ThomWild
February 12th, 2014, 9:43 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Harry Greene visits Provo
Replies: 3
Views: 1403

Re: Harry Greene visits Provo

Thanks for posting this Bryan. I hope to make at least one of the two.

-Thomas Wilder