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Rex Sumner
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Joined: 23 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 7


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Posted: 05 Aug 2004 Topic: TINS



Would smaller ones be more attractive because escape routes are closer?

I have tended to find slow worms nearer the edge of a tin than in the middle - perhaps that would be for a similar reason?




Rex
Rex Sumner
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Joined: 23 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 7


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Posted: 05 Aug 2004 Topic: UV Requirements



There is currently a debate going on as to UVB requirements in snakes as the RSPCA are reportedly about to issue a guideline that all captive snakes must be kept with UV.  This is of great concern to many keepers, as we have a number of snakes blinded by being kept with UV lights.

As on this forum there are many scientists who have studied snakes in the wild, I was hoping that some of you may be able to offer some relevant information with regard to UV and snakes in the wild.  For example, do any basking snakes routinely cover their eyes while basking, exposing their body but not the head.

Has anyone doen any research into the use of UV by wild snakes, and the importance of UV in calcium absorption and the development of bones?

While temperate snakes clearly bask to adjust their body temperature, what other benefits do they derive?

Many thanks in advance for any contributions.




Rex
Rex Sumner
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Joined: 23 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 7


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Posted: 28 Jun 2004 Topic: Development and Translocation



What is the current situation with 'set aside' for farms?  Surely many farmers who are currently enjoying income from set aside but have a dearth of reptiles, would welcome being beneficiaries of translocation?

It seems to me that the major problem here is there is no obvious place for the developers to translocate the reptiles which is why they are dumping them.  Surely the first objective should be to have locations that can receive the translocated animals, the second to educate the developers that they are available.




Rex
Rex Sumner
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Joined: 23 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 7


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Posted: 01 Jul 2004 Topic: Please help - GCN



Carp are opportunistic feeders but definitely omnivorous.  They feed avidly on snails, slugs and worms in addition to vegetation while anglers create high protein mixes to tempt them.  However they hunt mainly by smell, or whatever you wish to call the sense using their tendrils.  I would imagine that an inactive newt would be happily consumed, but one that chose to swim away would get away.  Evolution therefore dictates that the carp would become predators of sickly and dying newts rather than active ones, but a high stocking level of carp could easily change this feeding behaviour to hunting by sight and chasing, which would eradicate the newts in short order. 

A succesful fishing fly has been developed to catch rainbow trout based on the GCN!




Rex
Rex Sumner
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Joined: 23 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 7


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Posted: 09 Aug 2004 Topic: UV Requirements



Thank you David, that is very useful.  Particularly interesting your observations on the use of blacklight.  May I post your response on some other sites where discussions have taken place?  I would of course include your name.

The blind snakes are in the possesion of Maureen Collinson who runs a reptile rescue centre.  I do not know the regime that caused it, and I doubt that she does either, but I suspect that shops have sold individuals snakes and told them they needed UV lights for all reptiles.  Other people have reported cataracts in lizards.




Rex
Rex Sumner
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Joined: 23 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 7


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Posted: 10 Aug 2004 Topic: GPS & Data loggers



The main supplier is www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk but you can often get deals on both fishing tackle sites and boat sites as well.  You should find reviews on many of those sties as well - sorry, cant think of one of hand - House of Hardy would do the review but be more expensive...


Rex
Rex Sumner
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Joined: 23 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 7


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Posted: 15 Sep 2004 Topic: Herp Workers for Operation Wallacea



I was the Logistics Officer & Interpreter for Operation Drake in Sulawesi back in 1979.  I believe that that this was the forerunner for Wallacea - Operation Raleigh followed on from it, then Wallacea I think.  We had a fantastic time, mapping the new reserve in Kolonodale and building canopy walkways for the scientists to study the rainforest top.  I remember looking for salties in the rivers at night without success but getting a bit of a shock when things started skimming the surface of the river down the torch beam to slam into the side of the canoe at high speed.  Turned out to be a form of garfish, not what we had expected!  All the students working on the project had a fantastic time, as did the scientists who were ecstatic at the data they collected.  From what I have heard, the Operations have gone from strength to strength and this is a fantastic opportunity.


Rex

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