Search found 673 matches

by VICtort
February 15th, 2021, 8:54 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Birds of the Galapagos
Replies: 2
Views: 5825

Re: Birds of the Galapagos

Pretty cool...I love the tropic bird, you appear to have been quite close.
by VICtort
November 25th, 2020, 9:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2020 EOY Report - Arizona
Replies: 15
Views: 7381

Re: 2020 EOY Report - Arizona

Congratulations, you really made the best of a tough situation. I kept waiting for "good weather/monsoons" which sort of fizzled. I though that notation about the Ensatina's fascinating, I had not heard about that. Thank you for sharing, I am most impressed at the wide variety you found an...
by VICtort
February 5th, 2020, 5:04 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Holtville locality Cal king
Replies: 6
Views: 23431

Re: Holtville locality Cal king

Jimi, I can assure you having found several in that area, they are very dark, and I concur about the males tending to be darker but my sample group not large enough to be definitive about that... The area is so intensely hot, they are not easily found in my experience, but I lived there a few years ...
by VICtort
February 5th, 2020, 4:54 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Home Made Hides
Replies: 7
Views: 7289

Re: Home Made Hides

I make them out of PVC pipe, in various diameters since herps have preferences and many snakes like to cram in tight. Use an end cap, but do not glue it, they jam on tight enough as it is and you can loosesn for thorough cleaning with a dowel or similar. They are durable, easy to make, light and rea...
by VICtort
November 28th, 2018, 8:54 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: What is Herping? Why I do it. - A short Documentary film
Replies: 40
Views: 35174

Re: What is Herping? Why I do it. - A short Documentary film

You guys deserve a lot of credit. That was very nicely done--and very tasteful. I enjoyed the fact it was in a foreign land too. It just adds to the universality of what herping is all about. Thank you for taking the time to film this. You did this hobby right for sure. Brian Well said Brian. I enj...
by VICtort
November 28th, 2018, 8:38 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Daytime Finds in Hong Kong
Replies: 8
Views: 8420

Re: Daytime Finds in Hong Kong

That is the best footage of the Bungarus, really cool and not often seen. You are more and more at ease behind the camera, and so resourceful in finding natural history to document during your lay overs. Thanks for posting! Vic :thumb:
by VICtort
January 22nd, 2018, 11:00 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?
Replies: 17
Views: 32281

Re: Does anybody keep/breed rear fanged snake species?

Greetings Melissa, did you ever take the plunge and get a Boiga or some other rear fanged snake? I kept Mangrove's in the distant past, back in the '70's, and despite the valid concern over health and assumption they would be heavily parasitized, mine did great, grew large and were impressive displa...
by VICtort
January 5th, 2018, 6:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2017 - Texas/Louisiana: Pop Milk!
Replies: 9
Views: 12601

Re: 2017 - Texas/Louisiana: Pop Milk!

outstanding...it is hard to imagine having such a successful year with so many iconic species. This will truly be a tough act to follow... Thanks for posting, I had forgotten how beautiful Texas can be and also the Drymobius in my mind is one of the most spectacular snakes anywhere, you were fortuna...
by VICtort
January 2nd, 2018, 11:46 am
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Fishing in Morro Bay
Replies: 2
Views: 19298

Re: Fishing in Morro Bay

HI Josh, the Morro Bay area at times offers excellent fishing for shallow water rockfishes and ling cod. Mostly you would access them with the local pay to play/party boat fishing vessels. Ask around, some are better than others. Years ago I had great catches fishing that area, out of Port San Luis....
by VICtort
June 20th, 2017, 2:36 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Vermiclate water ratio
Replies: 11
Views: 28076

Re: Vermiclate water ratio

Jimi and others, that may well be, I really do not know the source. But I do know orchid growers use it also, in fact, the innovative European keepers thought to use it for reptile eggs I think. I will look into it...and give it a go, as I have lots of eggs. Egg incubation is so basic as evidenced b...
by VICtort
June 20th, 2017, 11:04 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Vermiclate water ratio
Replies: 11
Views: 28076

Re: Vermiclate water ratio

HI JImi, I am referring to clay product marketed for reptile eggs... H***hrite(?). Also a product from Germany called "Semanis" or similar (?). It is popular with the Heloderma breeders I am told... they have long incubation times and the clay seems to hold water and the resulting humidity...
by VICtort
June 20th, 2017, 8:09 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Vermiclate water ratio
Replies: 11
Views: 28076

Re: Vermiclate water ratio

Kfen, I use vermiculite and Yes, I am very old school in so many ways... I usually go about 0.8:1 water to vermiculite, in other words, a little dryer than the often quoted and generally successful 1:1 ratio. I believe dryer within limits is better, and a zoo keeper in Texas (name escapes me or I wo...
by VICtort
January 4th, 2017, 10:12 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: breeding loans
Replies: 5
Views: 14496

Re: breeding loans

Craig is spot on, a contract of sort protects both parties from wrong assumptions and misunderstandings. It will memorialize the agreement and assure clear expectations. I think the person with the female has more responsibility and more risk (females may become egg bound/dystocia, etc.) , therefore...
by VICtort
January 4th, 2017, 9:56 pm
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Aquatic animal ID
Replies: 20
Views: 58733

Re: Aquatic animal ID

Mola mola unlikely, the dorsum I think is too broad and dorsal is falcate, not straight. I think mammal, but not sure which, I saw the same or similar from the beach at Santa Cruz December 26, 2016. Whale shark unlikely and the dorsal fin too falcate, whale sharks unlikely in the relatively cool wat...
by VICtort
October 29th, 2016, 10:24 pm
Forum: Bird Forum
Topic: Tagging Turkey Vultures
Replies: 5
Views: 15271

Re: Tagging Turkey Vultures

I am curious to hear...condors often have tags, and eagles in the Channel Islands too.

Vic
by VICtort
July 10th, 2016, 9:38 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast
Replies: 6
Views: 5253

Re: 2016 First Half Review: Herping the Southeast

Very nice work, thank you for sharing it. The marbled salamander really caught my eye, a robust beast indeed.

Love the two cottonmouths on the log, tell us more about the shot if you will, how did it come to pass?

Vic H.
by VICtort
June 16th, 2016, 9:24 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Post photos of wild herps feeding
Replies: 56
Views: 49228

Re: Post photos of wild herps feeding

Well said Kelly and Dave and thanks to you who posted these amazing shots. My single all time favorite herp shot on FHF over the years was an american alligator(s) that lined up on a culvert/pipe that drained a tidal pond/estuary. With the outgoing tide, the mullet would come to their waiting/gaping...
by VICtort
May 9th, 2016, 8:51 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Are these king snakes fighting or courting?
Replies: 25
Views: 11433

Re: Are these king snakes fighting or courting?

I think the two striped kings are combating, as both are attempting to bite, and I don't recall seeing a female that was willingly mating bite (having witnessed many captive breedings). It is plausible what Nhherp says about them being confused/pheromones, and possible two males are trying to breed ...
by VICtort
March 7th, 2016, 10:11 pm
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Playing With Gar
Replies: 5
Views: 14964

Re: Playing With Gar

I had no idea gar could be so athletic. Really cool, for all its diversity, the west coast where I fish is deficient in gars. BTW, what kind of gar are those?

Thanks for posting, this may be a first here, fishing with out hooks...Vic :thumb:
by VICtort
February 10th, 2016, 9:25 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The interesting story of the Clarion Island Nightsnake
Replies: 14
Views: 7630

Re: The interesting story of the Clarion Island Nightsnake

Considering the recent talk about cryptic herps that end up on offshore islands, I just read about an incredible example. Exhibit A: Clarion Island Clarion Island is 7 square miles of island way out in the Pacific Ocean. Clarion Island is arid/semiarid. There aren't any peaks high enough to induce ...
by VICtort
December 18th, 2015, 5:56 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Pond build
Replies: 10
Views: 11454

Re: Pond build

That is a great project that will surely keep you busy. I am learning a lot, you are a year or two ahead of me, I wish to do similar. Is there a way to drain the pond? Will you be filtering and aerating the water? I hope you will keep us updated, I am sure spring will be a fun time with the planting...
by VICtort
December 7th, 2015, 9:24 pm
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Paddlefish
Replies: 9
Views: 18985

Re: Paddlefish

Dear Gary, thanks for posting those paddlefish photos, they are quite a novelty to us living outside their range. I often hear of an apparently lawful snag fishery for them in the upper Missouri (?) river and elsewhere, and the eggs are sold for caviar. Have you tried it, and any comment? How about ...
by VICtort
November 22nd, 2015, 1:46 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica '15, surfing crocs, bunches of Bothrops and more
Replies: 13
Views: 11153

Re: Costa Rica '15, surfing crocs, bunches of Bothrops and m

Wow! These are just terrific, really nice. I love the pair of Macaws in the tree, and so many others. I especially liked the Yellow Fin Tuna photos. The first photo of them posted, two of them...notice the lower one, the upper lobe of its caudal (tail) fin is damaged. I wonder why/how? Maybe entangl...
by VICtort
November 1st, 2015, 8:45 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: small scale mouse breeding
Replies: 67
Views: 54903

Re: small scale mouse breeding

TeeJay, Hanta virus is frightening, but seems to be in the wild population rather than closed colony captive strains of white footed mice ( Peroymyscus sp.). I would be cautious of any exposures to wild rodents, but I have had a great many and not contracted it. I don't want to deviate too far from ...
by VICtort
October 30th, 2015, 10:03 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: small scale mouse breeding
Replies: 67
Views: 54903

Re: small scale mouse breeding

Joseph, the previous information is excellent. A few comments: mice vary in fecundity, the strain of mice makes a difference. I have a great strain now that consistently produces large litters averaging well over a dozen, sometimes as many as 19 each. As I need pinks for hatchlings, this is great, a...
by VICtort
October 24th, 2015, 9:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Can Snakes Strike Up?
Replies: 20
Views: 10833

Re: Can Snakes Strike Up?

Years ago I kept Bitis gabonica . They can throw crazy strikes....up, backwards and rolling over themselves. I never filmed any strikes but rats dangled on tongs overhead could be taken without issue. They, or any other large Bitis probably would come closest to meeting your question. -N- I concur,...
by VICtort
September 6th, 2015, 5:53 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Removing eyecaps
Replies: 21
Views: 11308

Re: Removing eyecaps

Hmm Vic very respectfully I submit that a pm to a poster, on a thread where someone else has taken the time to share, is necessary, I mean you could have pm'd Simus directly? If as an indigo breeder you have contention with the therapeutic use of sphagnum resolving dysecdysis in indigos, I would li...
by VICtort
September 6th, 2015, 9:42 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Removing eyecaps
Replies: 21
Views: 11308

Re: Removing eyecaps

simus, I work with a collection of Drymarchon couperi , Eastern indigos for the last couple of decades and I too have encountered that situation. If you wish, PM me and I will give you a phone number and I can probably give you a solution to prevent and solve the issue. It is usually easy...but I do...
by VICtort
September 6th, 2015, 9:31 am
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Raising mosquitofish
Replies: 8
Views: 17712

Re: Raising mosquitofish

Tom, Joseph is on the mark as usual. I have casually raised Gambusia over the years and found them very prolific and easy. I keep aquariums or ponds with them with lots of cover, the babies will seek the heavy vegetation and some escape predation by the adults. At the end of the warm season, I have ...
by VICtort
August 10th, 2015, 9:54 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: At what temp will eggs cook?
Replies: 18
Views: 8673

Re: At what temp will eggs cook?

Wow, incubating in the 90's...I had no idea that would ever be successful. I am not saying you are wrong, and it may be wise to follow the data if indeed it is accurate and all variables considered. I normally incubate not higher than 82f, and in some species ( Drymarchon -indigos and cribos), temps...
by VICtort
July 27th, 2015, 9:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Reclaimed Zoo
Replies: 5
Views: 3804

Re: Reclaimed Zoo

That is pretty amazing...some of those old CCC jobs and projects were specialized and showed great craftsmanship, others less so. I have seen some projects (rock walls) destroyed due to highway widening, and the rebuilds were inferior by far, so some of the CCC crews were skilled. I also think it is...
by VICtort
July 19th, 2015, 8:43 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Rapid metabolism
Replies: 13
Views: 7011

Re: Rapid metabolism

This is a tough one, with so many variables. If you notice a change, it may well be a symptom. I realize Heterodon often depend on amphibians as a feed source. Toads and frogs may harbor parasites, some of which may become superabundant in a captive snake. Have you had a fecal analysis done by a com...
by VICtort
July 17th, 2015, 5:25 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: think this one will hatch?
Replies: 18
Views: 12840

Re: think this one will hatch?

Wow, gnarly indeed... I have seen similar. In an indigo egg, it looked the same, and I treated the "moldy" end with Desenex foot powder and painted it with liquid bandage. Whether this helped or not is uncertain, as when it did hatch, it seemed to have "walled" itself off, the ne...
by VICtort
July 17th, 2015, 10:00 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: copperhead bite ?
Replies: 5
Views: 3400

Re: copperhead bite ?

Welcome to the forum, collectively a vast amount of experience here. What Captain Jack said... I too live in prime reptile habitat. I worry about my dogs, and I train them to avoid Crotalus . Snakes are seemingly reluctant to moving across open areas without cover, so keeping it open, mowed, free of...
by VICtort
July 13th, 2015, 10:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Translocation question
Replies: 6
Views: 3108

Re: Translocation question

Beth, there is great variability in a species ability to adapt to a new or changing environment. Most animals transported to new environments likely fail to survive, but some do and thrive, adapting and often enjoying freedom from the predators and controlling factors that limit them in native habit...
by VICtort
July 7th, 2015, 9:21 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: eggs splitting ? -update
Replies: 13
Views: 9901

Re: eggs splitting ?

Kfen, That is way cool to see these wild turtles nesting. Thanks for posting these uncommon photos. Saving nests from the corn field disc plough, that is a noble endeavor! Roughly how far away is the marsh/bog/ponds the adults live in? Regarding the Drymarchon eggs, my pairs usually have relatively ...
by VICtort
June 23rd, 2015, 7:58 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: eggs splitting ? -update
Replies: 13
Views: 9901

Re: eggs splitting ?

Kfen, I too wonder about egg laying success and site selection. I have only found a few clutches of reptile eggs in the wild over the years, and one of them had been dug up by a disc plough (Pituophis). A few clutches of Sceloporus found while digging in a vegetable garden... Soft shell turtle eggs ...
by VICtort
June 22nd, 2015, 4:13 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Caymans and Everglades, Spring 2015
Replies: 14
Views: 11026

Re: Caymans and Everglades, Spring 2015

As typical of you, the photography is stellar. Tell us how you shot the peregrine and the red shouldered, both are real nice. Also, what is your theory on the floater python? Why has it not been eaten by alligators? The alligator mauling the slider is a remarkable thing to see, I have often wondered...
by VICtort
June 21st, 2015, 10:08 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: eggs splitting ? -update
Replies: 13
Views: 9901

Re: eggs splitting ?

Yes, i have seen similar in other species of eggs. I am guessing too much water, over the years, I keep going dryer and dryer, say 1 part vermiculite to 0.8 water by weight, or dryer. I often just guess, quite likely dryer than that "formula". What to do, it is amazing what will work. I wo...
by VICtort
June 21st, 2015, 2:54 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Radiant Heat Panels
Replies: 11
Views: 7815

Re: Radiant Heat Panels

Biker Dave, Greg Maxwell, author of The Complete Chondro (pg. 182 , 2005) and other books, likes them and recommends the: Pro Products of Mahopac, NY panels. These are pretty popular with the arboreal pythons folks, you might want to ask that same question on one of the python forums. I hope you get...
by VICtort
June 21st, 2015, 8:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Arkansas 2015
Replies: 6
Views: 3545

Re: Arkansas 2015

Dear Gordon, let us know how it goes, it seems like a grand adventure to me. I have often thought Arkansas a fascinating place, with a flavor of the Deep South but also some great trout fishing in the tail races of dams, and a great species diversity with West meeting East. I wish you the best of lu...
by VICtort
June 15th, 2015, 11:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 So Far...
Replies: 13
Views: 6590

Re: 2015 So Far...

Good for you, finding a "repatriated" indigo is something special. Was it found with telemetry or just searching out in field? It looks like it is having challenging time, its left eye, scars on body,etc. Was it pit tagged? If so, how old is it and how long has it been at liberty? What is ...
by VICtort
June 13th, 2015, 6:00 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 so far in Indiana
Replies: 9
Views: 6133

Re: 2015 so far in Indiana

Nice work. I am not an experienced photographer, will you briefly explain how you did the darter shot? Really nice, one just focuses on the subject...no distractions. Is that a studio or trick or photo-shop or?

The Kankakee couple are way cool, lucky you.

Vic
by VICtort
June 11th, 2015, 4:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: April to June in So. Cal. - new photos added
Replies: 10
Views: 6162

Re: April to June in So. Cal.

Nice work Jeff, the striped king just before the Desert Iguana is stunning. Love the garter snake under water, a commonly seen but not often photographed perspective. Given the reported drouth, you did pretty well and clearly proved you can not see them if you just stay home... Thanks for posting, Vic
by VICtort
June 10th, 2015, 12:04 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: I don’t cotton to no rats
Replies: 5
Views: 13694

Re: I don’t cotton to no rats

Bill, we have the same (?) species here in Arizona. I was amazed to encounter them when viewing a friends bird feeder, looking for a Lewis's woodpecker. I never saw the bird, but he was surprised when I told him I was viewing cotton rats, whom were taking the spilled grain along with the mourning do...
by VICtort
June 9th, 2015, 3:30 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: California King Caging?
Replies: 6
Views: 5218

Re: California King Caging?

jack4rogers, you are off to a fine start, it sounds better thought out than many. You are facing conundrum we all cope with, the aesthetic vs. practical. I have seen both extremes work, see the recent post at the Austrian reptile exhibit, they have impressive but very labor intensive (I would think....
by VICtort
June 4th, 2015, 7:33 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Egg binding questions
Replies: 23
Views: 10590

Re: Egg binding questions

I am convinced outdoor enclosures are incorporating/facilitating an important element which many captives do not get enough of....exercise. I work with Eastern Indigos, large and powerful Colubrids. People lucky enough to see Drymarchon in the wild, and especially those who handle them, remark how s...
by VICtort
May 17th, 2015, 7:57 am
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Underwater in the Northern Territory Australia
Replies: 5
Views: 14926

Re: Underwater in the Northern Territory Australia

Saratoga! (also the name of a town in California where I was raised)... Wow, this is really fun and pleasant, the sound recordings add a lot to it. As a diver and spear-o, it has sometimes frustrated me I can not safely enter the water in some areas due to crocs and water born bilharzia and other pa...
by VICtort
May 5th, 2015, 8:17 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Nematodes/Parasite
Replies: 5
Views: 5772

Re: Nematodes/Parasite

Simus, these revolting parasite issues always give me the "creeps"....I have no similar experience with snakes, but I have treated imported tortoises with Panacur and seen dramatic "purging" of GI worms. I think you should either experiment and do your best, accepting the risks, ...
by VICtort
May 5th, 2015, 8:59 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: UVB for Snakes?
Replies: 109
Views: 199742

Re: UVB for Snakes?

I have been lurking here and many of you have brought up thought provoking points. Amusing to me are folks thinking it is simple, others convinced it is complicated...are you both correct? It seems someone would have performed a valid experiment, which would provide some evidence in at least that sp...