ExoticReptilesNZ

Whatever it was, it was a ridiculous amount to expect from graduate students. Apparently the landowner was notified and the pesky fisherman were banned from that particular lake.

Nice. While I was there I heard a story about 2 Russian girls that had booked a 3-week trip to see the penguins and giraffe in the "Madagascar" movie. I assume they were bit disappointed...

Wow! Those photos are great! Especially the first one. Calendar quality!

Awesome. I've done both and am still struggling to pick a favourite...

Tell me about it. My tour guide wanted to check my bag after I saw the baby ring-tailed lemurs (there were twins...flipping adorable)...

Here are a few pics from my time in Madagascar earlier this year. Admittedly, most of the reptile photos are from a reptile park. I did see heaps of species in the wild, but the photos of the captives turned out better Hope you like.

Good idea, but I don't think it would make a difference. Bones were prevalent in every meal, and you simply spat them on the table (or the floor, depending on the establishment).

I'll see what I can dig up. I also spent some time in Madagascar beforehand...could put a few pics up if you're keen?

Good points, Henward. I found it really interesting that some animals were regarded as very special (i.e., swallows) and were automatically protected and revered, whereas other animals (i.e., turtles) have always been regarded as a food item. It's just how it is, and there is no easy way to change a long-standing and traditional aspect of a culture. Admittedly, I did have a few "Why am I bothering?" moments...China is a very challenging place to do turtle conservation, but a fascinating place as well. I am hoping to head back next year.

I meant folk's collections of frogs and reptiles...not venereal disease

Thanks, Mark. Hope you are doing well. I'd love to catch up soon

Fair enough. Red-eared sliders are rampant over there, but apparently the Chinese consider them "inferior" to the native (and endangered) species. Many more native species make it into the dinner pot, unfortunately. Any ideas on how to change a long-ingrained, cultural way of thinking?

Long time, no forum. For those who don't know me, I did a PhD on exotic reptiles in NZ (http://researcharchive.vuw.ac.nz/bitstr ... sequence=1). Again, a big thank-you to those of you who took part in my Salmonella survey. I've spent a large portion of this year in China doing native turtle conservation work (challenging in a culture that simply wants to eat them) as well as investigating the impact of introduced red-eared slider turtles on native species... A few pics below. Hope everyone and their herps are doing well. Markets. Baby Reeves at University. Big red-eared slider.

Stella, you might like this one too.... http://graphjam.memebase.com/2011/03/10 ... rpetology/

Yay, I'm glad it was useful. It was just extra stuff I had around the house. If anyone in Wellington wants to send any supplies down to Donna/Alan/Jennifer/anyone in need, let me know. I am back and forth between Wellington and Christchurch every week (After graduation I picked up some work in the insurance industry in order to pay the bills and am now running around like a headless chicken!). Anyways, I'd be glad to help transport reasonably-sized items if anyone's keen...

Very true. Now I'm thankful to be done, although being unemployed is something else to be concerned about...At least I finally have time to build the turtle pond now

Good advice, and much appreciated. However as the thesis is publicly available through the uni library, I just thought I would make it easier for people who might be interested to access it.

Hi everyone, As promised, the results of my research are now available. Table of contents listed below. If you're interested in the full document, PM me your email address and I can send you a copy. I'd be keen to hear what you think. Cheers, Heidy. Table of contents: Chapter 1: Exotic reptiles in New Zealand: Introduction and Overview 11 Invasive species 11 Stages of Invasion 13 Predicting invasions 14 Invasive reptiles 17 Invasive reptiles in New Zealand 19 Some potential threats posed by invasive reptiles to New Zealand 25 Thesis structure 26 Statement of Authorship 29 Literature cited 30 Chapter 2: Using online trading tools as a method of estimating propagule pressure of an invasive species: A case study using red-eared slider turtles in New Zealand 38 Abstract 38 Introduction 39 Methods 41 Study Species 41 Data collection 42 Results 43 Discussion 48 Turtle sales and losses 48 Usefulness of online trading tools 50 Literature cited 52 Chapter 3: Minimising false-negatives when predicting the potential distribution of an invasive species: a bioclimatic envelope for the red-eared slider at global and regional scales 54 Abstract 54 Introduction 55 Methods 58 Data sources 58 Bioclimatic modelling 59 Results 64 Discussion 70 Global predictions and the climate envelope for RES 70 Assessing potential for establishment at a regional level (New Zealand) 71 Climate Envelope Approach 73 Choice of model metrics 73 Conservation and Management Implications 75 Conclusion 76 Literature cited 77 Chapter 4: Predicting the potential for exotic reptile establishment in New Zealand using bioclimatic models 82 Abstract 82 Introduction 83 Methods 84 Study species 84 Data sources 90 Bioclimatic modelling 91 Results 94 Discussion 142 Climatic factors important in predicting distribution range 142 Other factors to consider when predicting establishment risk 146 Conservation Implications 147 Chapter 5: Developmental degree-day models to assess the establishment potential of red-eared slider turtles and other exotic reptiles in New Zealand 151 Abstract 151 Introduction 152 Methods 153 Study species 153 Data sources and analysis 155 Degree-day measurements from the environment 156 Results 157 Degree-day models 157 Degree-day measurements from the environment 159 Discussion 163 Red-eared slider turtles 163 Other exotic reptile species 165 Successful incubation requirements 166 Conservation Implications 167 Literature cited 169 Chapter 6: Salmonella prevalence and detected serovars associated with captive exotic reptiles in New Zealand 173 Abstract 173 Introduction 175 Materials and methods 177 Results 180 Discussion 186 Acknowledgements 192 Literature cited 193 Chapter 7: Overall establishment risk assessment of exotic reptiles in New Zealand 197 Abstract 197 Introduction 198 Methods 201 Study species 201 Selection of criteria and methods for risk assessment 202 Results 206 Discussion 214 Establishment risk of exotic reptiles in New Zealand 215 Other factors to consider in risk analyses 217 Future research directions 219 Recommendations to prevent the establishment of exotic reptiles in New Zealand 221 Literature cited 226 Appendix 1: Red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) 230 Appendix 2: Snake-neck turtle (Chelodina longicollis) 239 Appendix 3: Reeves turtle (Chinemys reevesii) 245 Appendix 4: Blue-tongue skink (Tiliqua spp.) 249 Appendix 5: Bearded dragon (Pogona spp.) 255 Appendix 6: Australian waterdragon (Physignathus lesueurii) 261 Appendix 7: Tortoises (Testudo spp.) 266 Appendix 8: Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) 270 Appendix 9: Supplementary Information for Chapter 3 273 Appendix 10: Supplementary Information for Chapter 4 282 Appendix 11: Supplementary Information for Chapter 5 301

Yup, I found that, overall, exotic reptiles in NZ had higher rates of Salmonella than natives, but rates were still heaps lower than overseas. As Alan mentioned, beardies tested positive more often than other species. I've recently handed in my PhD thesis (for those of you who don't know, it involves conducting establishment risk assessments for commonly traded exotic reptiles in NZ) and it is currently under review. Once that's sorted, I'll happily send copies to anyone that is interested. In the meantime, I happen to be in Christchurch for about a week. Would anyone be keen to get together?

What would be the difference (exoskeleton digestion-wise) between the beetles and roaches? I've seen darkling beetles often for sale as live food down here.

Supply and demand... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... ORDS=snake

The hedgehogs available in the States are usually the African Pygmy variety (I had one when I was there; they are pretty cool, but illegal in some States), not the European variety as we have in NZ. Also, I have always found the Kiwi reaction to squirrels hilarious...they are fascinated by them. Just an ordinary animal to Americans, but really cool to folks who aren't exposed to them on a regular basis

No kidding. The last time I was overseas I saw a pen of scores of Hermanns hatchlings going for under 100 NZD. So frustrating!