What are /r/herpetology's favorite Products & Services?

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Eh, not from Chelydra. You’d expect some serious laceration and bruising, probably stitches, but not total amputation. Macrochelys, on the other hand, (pun fully intended) can and have amputated digits.

Here’s a link to some photos of a bite sustained to a teenage boy attempting to catch an AST in Florida. WARNING. GRAPHIC IMAGES of a complete and clean amputation of the left index finger. Photographs and radiographs.

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Traumatic-Amputation-of-Finger-From-an-Alligator-Johnson-Nielsen/6d8b8f115ae29ead20a271d10db9bc5cc702ed9f

This adorable little cottonmouth, only about a foot long, was found at La Chua sink in Gainesville, Florida. Here is another shot.

The little dude was feisty and kept doing the open-mouthed defense display. It was ridiculously cute. I love it when baby snakes get all badassy and defiant.

>Are you weighing them? Unless you have enough experience to know when they are getting skinny, this is your best bet.

Fully seconded. A cheap kitchen scale is a wonderful thing. Your snake may lose weight rapidly at first, but then weight loss will slow down.

I also have had snakes that refuse food all winter and well into the spring even when not being brumated. After awhile, you learn the pattern and it saves some money.

This is the modern, available version of the style I've used in the past that holds up well to the use you describe. I don't have one personally but have used Lamotte nets of older styles with great success in the past. We used them at a nature camp for kids for years, heavy everyday use, so they had to hold up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JDE094K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_Qcs9FbQV71KBT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Some of this stuff looks enticing but I have no experience with it.

https://www.nhbs.com/1/sweep-nets?q=&fR[hide][0]=false&fR[live][0]=true&fR[shops.id][0]=1&fR[subsidiaries][0]=1&hFR[subjects_equipment.lvl1][0]=Entomology%20%3E%20Insect%20Nets%20%26%20Beating%20Trays%20%3E%20Sweep%20Nets

If you've never read My Family and Other Animals and Birds, Beasts and Other Relatives, you're in for a treat.

It's an awesome book. The author later went on to found the boy scouts. Basically this book is just filled with all sorts of activity suggestions and how-to guides for everything anyone would ever want to do outside.

There’s a great book about Mojaves by a herpetologist called Mike Cardwell. There’s a section about all the myths about mojaves and how people will say the green ones will chase you etc. lol. Worth getting if you’re a fan. 👍

https://www.amazon.com/Mohave-Rattlesnake-became-urban-legend/dp/1938850300/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=REX5UUM081ZT&keywords=cardwell+rattlesnakes&qid=1665710015&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjkzIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=card...

The book Herpetology is amazing. Its very high level and detailed https://www.amazon.co.uk/Herpetology-Introductory-Biology-Amphibians-Reptiles/dp/0123869196/ref=asc_df_0123869196/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310848077451&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10274624797741591307&hvpone=&h...

It is expensive but worth it

Here’s the links to download and try it out! I would love some feedback!

Some of the features:

• Dark & light mode
• Image saving w/ captions
• Custom QR codes for each herptile
• Length & weight tracking
• Super advanced calendar logging
• Food supply tracker
• Push notifications/reminders
• 270+ species to pick from on beta launch

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lizardbox

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lizardbox-herptile-manager/id1603903840

Here’s the links to download and try it out! I would love some feedback!

Some of the features:

• Dark & light mode
• Image saving w/ captions
• Custom QR codes for each herptile
• Length & weight tracking
• Super advanced calendar logging
• Food supply tracker
• Push notifications/reminders
• 270+ species to pick from on beta launch

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lizardbox

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lizardbox-herptile-manager/id1603903840

Here’s the links to download and try it out! I would love some feedback!

Some of the features:

• Dark & light mode
• Image saving w/ captions
• Custom QR codes for each herptile
• Length & weight tracking
• Super advanced calendar logging
• Food supply tracker
• Push notifications/reminders
• 270+ species to pick from on beta launch

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lizardbox

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lizardbox-herptile-manager/id1603903840

Here’s the links to download and try it out! I would love some feedback!

Some of the features:

• Dark & light mode
• Image saving w/ captions
• Custom QR codes for each herptile
• Length & weight tracking
• Super advanced calendar logging
• Food supply tracker
• Push notifications/reminders
• 270+ species to pick from on beta launch

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lizardbox

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lizardbox-herptile-manager/id1603903840

Here’s the links to download and try it out! I would love some feedback!

Some of the features:

• Dark & light mode
• Image saving w/ captions
• Custom QR codes for each herptile
• Length & weight tracking
• Super advanced calendar logging
• Food supply tracker
• Push notifications/reminders
• 270+ species to pick from on beta launch

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lizardbox

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lizardbox-herptile-manager/id1603903840

Here’s the links to download and try it out! I would love some feedback!

Some of the features:

• Dark & light mode
• Image saving w/ captions
• Custom QR codes for each herptile
• Length & weight tracking
• Super advanced calendar logging
• Food supply tracker
• Push notifications/reminders
• 270+ species to pick from on beta launch

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lizardbox

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lizardbox-herptile-manager/id1603903840

Here’s the links to download and try it out! I would love some feedback!

Some of the features:

• Dark & light mode
• Image saving w/ captions
• Custom QR codes for each herptile
• Length & weight tracking
• Super advanced calendar logging
• Food supply tracker
• Push notifications/reminders
• 270+ species to pick from on beta launch

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lizardbox

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lizardbox-herptile-manager/id1603903840

Here’s the links to download and try it out! I would love some feedback!

Some of the features:

• Dark & light mode
• Image saving w/ captions
• Custom QR codes for each herptile
• Length & weight tracking
• Super advanced calendar logging
• Food supply tracker
• Push notifications/reminders
• 270+ species to pick from on beta launch

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lizardbox

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lizardbox-herptile-manager/id1603903840

Thermopro Hygrometer-thermometer 2 pack

Here’s the links to download and try it out! I would love some feedback!

Some of the features:

• Dark & light mode
• Image saving w/ captions
• Custom QR codes for each herptile
• Length & weight tracking
• Super advanced calendar logging
• Food supply tracker
• Push notifications/reminders
• 240+ species to pick from on beta launch

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lizardbox

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lizardbox-herptile-manager/id1603903840

Here’s the link to download and try it out! I would love some feedback!

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lizardbox

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lizardbox-herptile-manager/id1603903840

The National Audubon Society has a field guide for reptiles and amphibians in North America. I have had mine for years so I am not sure where I got it but I’m sure Amazon would carry it.NationalAudubonSocietyFieldGuidetoNorthAmericanReptilesandAmphibianshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0073PAQOA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_15AYTQJR59RRT6126W37

I ended up not using that seller anymore because the eggs that arrived seemed to be too old/bad, and my snake didn't want them. I now get eggs from a local guy who breeds finches. But, hopefully you have some luck with getting fresh eggs. Website is here.

I do recommend you ask around on local pages to find someone nearby, or at least in general finch groups to find another seller. I got a lot of eggs from Louie's Aviary, but my snake wasn't interested in any of them. It stood out to me, since she's been a really good eater. When I got eggs from the local finch guy, she started eating them pretty quick, and she's continued to eat an egg every couple days.

The eggs I got from Louie's Aviary were however very well packaged, in case anyone you find wants some tips on how to ship them. They were in plastic egg cartons (button quail egg size; Here's an Amazon listing), with each egg being wrapped in a tissue to keep them from moving around and to keep them cushioned. There was only 1 egg out of 28 that came broken.

I wish you all the best. I hope you can find some good eggs for your snake.

You could put a mesh on the filter so that he can't get into it but water can still flow. Also, consider getting a critter-ladder. Idk which brand is best, and you'd need a bigger one for this guy, but I used to install them in pools for my job in college (pool technician) and they work pretty well for getting animals out of the pool when they get stuck.

A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of the Maya World: The Lowlands of Mexico, Northern Guatemala, and Belize https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801485878/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_F0WFYDTK4NJM9K52MTS1

Green anoles! Apparently also called carolina anoles :)

I don’t have a frog so not sure but from what people are saying about needing more humidity- I suggest this humidifier USB humidifier from Amazon.

I use it for my ball Python. It’s not made for animal enclosures, but it comes with this separate bottle that you fill with water and it has a 6 hour long cycle. Never has overheated and is a lot cheaper than most herp humidifiers. It helps me keep up with my humidity requirements of my ball Python as I found it difficult even living in a humid environment myself. May help for the frog!

The best place to go is your local library. One book I recommend is Salamanders of the United States and Canada. it has accounts of all the known species and lots of good photos.

https://www.amazon.com/Salamanders-United-States-Canada-Petranka/dp/1588343081

OP this is so, so sweet. Reminds me of when I was a kid!! Ngl, I got a little emotional reading this - what you're describing reminds me a lot of the family friend who stepped into our lives when I was in the fifth grade or so and fostered my interest in science (he worked in a leadership role at the CDC). He passed away when I was in high school but I still remember the times we had when I was a kid so vividly and am now going into the field of genetic research - in part because of his influence, I think. It's incredible how much impact you can have on a little kid's life by encouraging their interests and letting them talk about them.

I loved this book (https://www.amazon.com/National-Audubon-Society-First-Field/dp/B0016A7HKY) when I was his age and still have it as an adult because of its importance to me (I'm turning 23 in a couple of months and I got it when I was 5 or 6). Also if you haven't taken him to reptile expos, you simply must!! Hell, I went to one for the first time in my junior year of college and it was magical - I can't even imagine how exciting it would be for me if I'd gone as a child. You could also look into field stations nearby - there are a lot of them in California and the west in general, and if you approach them nicely and explain that your nephew would get such a kick out of this and that you think it'd really benefit him to talk to some herpetologists I'm sure they'd be glad to have him stop by if they're not too busy - all of the ecology field stations I visited in college were delighted to have interested guests, especially when it was a smaller/more rare field like eel research.

Also it is FANTASTIC that he's interested in and able to get along with bugs. I think that goes a long way in coexisting with them and appreciating their role in the environment, which is so important especially in light of climate change and the pollinator crisis.

Meant to reply much sooner, so not sure if you've already found what you were hunting for, but if he keeps reptiles as pets, a heat gun would be a great gift. Something like this.

I've been keeping reptiles for a few decades, and a heat gun is an absolute essential item. You don't know how much you need it until you have one. Hope this helps.

Can you use something like [this?]

I have one that I've used for rabbits and ferrets. It gets warmer without getting as hot as reptile heat pads, and it's pretty darn durable (since it's meant to help resist chewing from small animals). It shouldn't be an issue with the wood, and it can be mounted if you'd like.

Just a thought, not saying it's a good one!