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PHFlame: Thank you for coming to our chat this evening with Robyn Markland from Pro Exotics. If you have a question this evening simply type a "?" into the room. We will be calling on you in order. Please do not openly chat into the room.

PHFaust: Robyn is pretty open to the topic. Robyn is best known for running the show at Pro Exotics. He has experience in a great many things including Monitors, Uros, Pythons, Boas and Gilas. He is open to all aspects of reptile care, the store, and all aspects of life and herps.

PHFaust: Robyn has been with PE For 11 almost 12 years now. He is the behind the scenes man of the show. In his free time he likes to train for UFC Style fighting and he has a beautiful wife... Did I cover your bio well enough.

robyn@ProExotics: yes, very bootyful wife, i'm a lucky guy

PHFaust: :)

PHFaust: Varnid Fan

varanidfan: how hard was it to get into the business, of reptiles and has it been worth it?

varanidfan: start small or as big as possible

robyn@ProExotics: i was lucky to be brought in by Chad Brown, who had this great ambition to have a terrific reptile breeding business. it is a TOUGH deal sometimes, a lot of ups and downs, but totally worth it : )

varanidfan: can you deal with one thing or do you need to diversify for customer needs

robyn@ProExotics: it started as just me, then eventually grew in size in bursts.

robyn@ProExotics: what do you mean Varanid?

varanidfan: i mean species

varanidfan: of animals

robyn@ProExotics: we have always just done stuff that we dug a lot. we branched out here and there into "popular" stuff, some stuck, and some were mistakes. i have a pretty good handle on what i like and dislike by now : )

varanidfan: thanks robyn

PHFaust: OH robyn, when gdone with a question please type GA

robyn@ProExotics: GA!

PHFaust: Cory

PHFaust: Cory your question for Robyn going twice

robyn@ProExotics: i don't really like carpets all that much. and i have this torn up heart over iguanas and giant snakes like burms, because i get SOOOO many calls from folks looking to "dump" abused and neglected animals

corylizardman: ok

robyn@ProExotics: GA

corylizardman: how much to feed my baby pacman and what to feed it

robyn@ProExotics: feeder insects are best, a pinkie once a week for an older animal is fine, best to develop a base of knowledge with a good book or hanging out in the Pac Man forum : ) GA

corylizardman: so like mealworms,crix,superworms

robyn@ProExotics: yep

robyn@ProExotics: GA

corylizardman: k thnks

PHFaust: Bateater your up

BateaterBoy: Robyn: Do you ever think that the reticulated python will ever become what the ball python has become? and will its market go crazy as the balls have gone?

robyn@ProExotics: hey Beater- afraid not. too big. there is more potential for the "dwarf" stuff, especially dwarf albinos, but in general, you have too many size and temperament concerns to reach a really broad audience, which balls do. also, retics lay 63,000 eggs per clutch, diluting the market quickly. balls are the opposite : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA

BateaterBoy: thanks r

PHFaust: Frank your turn!

Frank K: Back to the Boelen's quickly. Do you maintain the 55 degree gradiant all year long and do your males combat in the group setting?

robyn@ProExotics: hey Jeff : )

robyn@ProExotics: Frank- we have limited males, in fact just two : ) one is just ready for breeding this year, so we will see on combat. during cooling, we get a low of 55F, but the rest of the year, the low in that room (the "Gila" room) is mid to low 70s. GA

Frank K: Thanks. I'll call you to chat some more.

PHFaust: Purple Retic your turn

robyn@ProExotics: soudns good Frank, there is a lot to talk about on Boelen's

Frank K: Yes sir.

PurpleRetic_nr: i was just wondering robyn.if u have worked with some big retics..and if so u u injoy it..also wuts ur fav retic morph..?

PurpleRetic_nr: do u*

robyn@ProExotics: i have never worked with a BIG retic, but we did work with some of the first Kayuadi and Jampea babies that first came in, i liked those very much, and i am anxious to see them as albinos : ) GA

PurpleRetic_nr: thnx

PHFaust: Katt your turn

Katt: I just wanted to know why you did not like carpets.

robyn@ProExotics: tough to capture in a sentence or two. they are a different python to me. kinda quirky, and i don't like the body shape so much. we bred them for quite a few years, they just never did it for me. no rational reason really, just personal preference. on the other hand, those Jaguar carpets kinda give me the pitter pats...

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: Digby your turn

Digby: yes I noticed you said you were having some problems with getting your green trees to breed

Digby: have you tried using roaches and snails instead of crix and mealies

Digby: also walking sticks are very good

Digby: it is what I have fed mine and they have been breeding for years

robyn@ProExotics: we feed roaches quite a bit, very popular with lizards : ) by breeding you mean hatching healthy babies?

Digby: yes I mean healthy babies

Digby: use snails also you will be amazed and also pygmy mice

Digby: imagine 8 adult mice weighing a total of an ounce

robyn@ProExotics: really, nice work! where are you located? our diet is rodents, crickets, superworms, roaches, but no snails. i don't even know where to find snails for feeding. where do you get yours?

Digby: I owe my acheivements to using rodent sized insects and insect sized rodents

Digby: we breed our snails

Digby: we dont use crix the yare nutrionally inferior

Digby: we also use worms

robyn@ProExotics: we have a very small group, only 1.2 right now, perhaps you could send me info on snail breeding? please, again, where are you located Digby?

Digby: shall I call you at the store Robyn?

Digby: you have the number on your website yes?

robyn@ProExotics: just call at the number on our site 303 347-0500

robyn@ProExotics: GA

Digby: I will how about tomorrow?

robyn@ProExotics: wow, prasinus breeding insight, very exciting : ) tomorrow would be fine, but Tuesday better : )

robyn@ProExotics: and thanks! (GA)

PHFaust: Little herper

littleherper: how do the temp guns hold out on durability? I know mines been thrown against walls and droped in water and it still works (although the temps are a little off). also have u ever been bit by one of your gilas?

robyn@ProExotics: well, you have certainly tried to kill it : ) i have had a handful of temp gun problems out of tens of thousands sold. they have been simply incredible : ) as for Gilas, i got a little nick by a big Beaded, that was enough : )

littleherper: ok thnx

robyn@ProExotics: when dealing with Gilas/Beadeds, you need to stay on your toes. they are typically pretty mellow, but a small mistake is bad news. my hand swelled up, got real numb, and that was just from a nick an eighth of an inch long, through a leather glove. wife sure was freaking out though... sorry, still GA : )

PHFaust: Is there anti venin for Gilas and beadeds or do they not pack a deadly enough punch robyn?

robyn@ProExotics: Faust, is it your turn? no anti venin, but they are not deadly. a bad bite will affect you for quite some time though, on a number of different levels. but no more bites for me! GA

JimG: What happened with your V. melinus project? Seems like I remember hearing that they killed each other.

robyn@ProExotics: Chad Brown was actually jealous of my bite experience, and wanted to get a little nick...

robyn@ProExotics: Jim, Melinus were crazy. we had quite a few animals, raised and socialized from hatchlings, and we were always going to get animals stitched up or necropsied, they really would tear each other up. we tried 1.1 and 1.2, large tall cages, long 10 ft troughs, nothing ever seemed to be enough room. they always stayed real skittish and flighty, very seldom visible. sorry to say, i didn't enjoy that group, and i can't really recommend them. but then again, i could be dumb : ) GA

JimG: Thanks

PHFaust: Pdollard your turn

pdollard: Robyn - you recently had some beautiful baby rudis for sale- do you keep any in your breeding stock?

robyn@ProExotics: now Bushmaster Farms in Indo are captive breeding hundreds of babies, they are everywhere and quite affordable, but appropriate for very few...

pdollard: Why so?

robyn@ProExotics: Rudis- we have worked with groups of Dum monitors, but no adult Roughnecks. all about the space and time. i LOVE a healthy Roughneck though, GREAT animal!

robyn@ProExotics: GA

robyn@ProExotics: Bushmaster Farms was about the Melinus, Yellow Monitor aka Quince aka Yellow Tree monitor

PHFaust: Purple retic your question

pdollard: ah - got it

robyn@ProExotics: nobody is breeding significant numbers of Rudis, although some Canadians are doing good work : )

PurpleRetic_nr: u have any tips for breeding black throats..i have tried but just didnt seem to work to good for me..

robyn@ProExotics: monitor breeding is tough to capture in a couple of sentences. check out my Monitor Breeding Strategies at the caresheet section of proexotics.com, it goes over some basics. very very basically, providing an ideal setup over a long term can lead to breeding success. and of course, the biggest key of all, solid, healthy, compatible animals : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: BTrue your turn

btrue: is anyone successfully breeding caiman lizards? and do you have any crocodile monitors?

robyn@ProExotics: we worked with Croc Monitors in the past, but not anymore. there is a dearth of capable Croc Monitor owners, and PLENTY of Croc monitors to already go around. 99% of the Croc Monitor calls i would take would be from inexperienced keepers that had NO IDEA what they were getting into, and i am not down for that. Croc monitors are on their own level as far as "intelligence" and the potential for danger/catastrophe. a beautiful monitor, but best for zoos or professional facilities, i think : )

robyn@ProExotics: as for Caimen lizards, a very cool lizard indeed, but i am not aware of any captive breeding programs. could be, there were certainly a bunch imported in the last few years... GA

btrue: ty, i will be hitting proexotics.com!

John_nr: ?

btrue: will inform if we get a breeding

PHFaust: Reptile man your turn

PHWyvern: he left the room

PHFaust: Then Jo Jo

robyn@ProExotics: so hard....to concentrate...my wife...BLASTING christmas carols.....

jojobear: i know you breed and sell "coxi" do you breed any other subspecies of Elaphe porphyracea? If not why?

robyn@ProExotics: Jojo- we have some of the Vallanti as well, but i need to get my mitts on some c.b. Vallanti, that is certainly important. i love that group, just not enough c.b. healthy animals to go around, except for the Coxi, which we have great success with.

jojobear: thnx

PHFaust: Jim G your turn

JimG: Re: croc monitors- Can you describe what type of cage you kept them in? What about food, types and sizes?

robyn@ProExotics: Jim- we only kept hatchling Croc Monitors for resale, so nothing larger than a glass tank setup. as for care, it wasn't any different than our Water monitor caresheet. a huge portion of monitor care is the same across the board. good information and theory can be applied to many species, and you adapt small details as needed. for large Crocs, you would be better off chatting with the adult Croc Monitor keepers in the kingsnake monitor forum or at varanus.net. GA

JimG: Thanks

PHFaust: will

PHFaust: your turn

robyn@ProExotics: Croc monitor follow up- i would design a cage with safety in mind. few animal creepier than a Croc giving you the "intelligent eye" LOL : )

robyn@ProExotics: trying to stay in rhythm here, who's question am i answering?

will21: Besides yourself can you site some good businesses that sell monitors, especially peachthroats.

PurpleRetic_nr: THNX fur ur time robyn..and thnx PHfaust for not bootin me...I LUV U MAN

robyn@ProExotics: Peachies? not specifically. NERD, Regal, LLL Reptile, Ben Siegel, Peachies only come from a small number of actual importers, and all the folks mentioned get them i believe. the difference is how much work is put into a monitor before selling it to the public, that is where it varies wildly. we put more time and effort into each monitor than anybody else i know. costs a lot of time and money to do that, i honestly couldn't tell you with any authority who else does that. check with the guys i mentioned though. less time with the animal means cheaper price for you : ) and all those folks can have terrific monitors : )

PHFaust: Yikes you all scared him away...

PHFaust: WB Robyn

robyn@ProExotics: wow, the "send" button is SOOO close to the "Leave" button!!!!!

PHFaust: I am assuming that was to be a GA?

robyn@ProExotics: if i don't get my way, i leaving again! LOL!

PHGinger: that's our challenge to you Robyn

robyn@ProExotics: Faust- yep!

PHFaust: Mike7777 your turn

mike777777: i recently aquired a baby blood python. i have read the "reptiles" magazine article on them and the writer refers to the snake spitting out "hot stickys" as a defence mechanism. could you elaborate on this please? also, how tame can i expect my blood to be when older? thanks

robyn@ProExotics: hot sticky yuckies- that was actually my wife's term after watching an adult blood BLAST one of my employees, who happened to be shirtless at the time (Karl). those yuckies would be all the contents of a pressure packed vent, thanks for asking : ) a nice poop blast is one very effective way to say "hands off" "leave me alone" or "i wish you smelled more like poop". as for adults, most of our adults are easy to handle and easy going. however, POTENTIAL is still there, so i am never as trusting with them as i am with something like a common boa adult. i sure wouldn't sling them over my shoulder or make "kissy faces" at them : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA- especially with more poop questions!

mike777777: thats gross!! thanks for the answer. ha ha

PHFaust: John your turn!

John_nr: Hello Robyn...How are the banded cape white throats? Have you seen any breeding going on? I'm also curious about the closing for your store, haven't heard anything till now.

John_nr: of your store*

robyn@ProExotics: hi John, we recently picked up a pair of Banded Capes from Pete Zupich, some proven adults, but we have seen nothing yet. they are still fresh, there is still time : ) more...

robyn@ProExotics: and about the store : ) our retail store has been closed for a while now. we had it open for 3 years. our breeding/mail order/internet has been going strong for 12 years. more...

John_nr: ah I see.. I know you got the pair from Pete....lol I've been begging frank retes for a pair...for years! Now I'm putting it on you :-)

robyn@ProExotics: everybody told us NOT to do a retail store. too many headaches they said. they were right. there are a ton of headaches with running a retail store, finding good help is one of the biggest. we had some really good folks, but we had a TON of folks that would decide to go snowboarding for a few days, and call from Vail to say they weren't coming in. theft, laziness, and much more...

John_nr: lol got ya!

robyn@ProExotics: one thing that really surprised me was the type of customer for a retail store as well. we did have some GREAT local customers, but the majority were a completely different species from the passionate herpers you find at spots like kingsnake.com. lots and LOTS of impulse buyers that wanted anything that moved, and wanted to put it in the cheapest setup possible, with no concern for temps, setup, proper food and diet, etc. very simply, a customer looking for a cheap disposable pet, one that they would kill in a week or two, and then come in for something else. REALLY disheartening, and at times made me really mad....

robyn@ProExotics: reptiles and reptile breeding is a passion for Chad and i, we love the animals, and seeing folks hold them in such low regard was definitely NOT what we got into this for. all things considered, employees packing their backpacks with 4 dozen stolen frozen rats, customers neglecting terrific animals, we just decided that we would return all concentration to our online customers, really a passionate keeper. you have hit a hot spot here with me, if you didn't notice : ) NO DISPOSABLE ANIMALS!!!!!

robyn@ProExotics: and GA : )

PHFaust: Reptileman Your turn

John_nr: Thanks for your time robyn, good bye folks...and totally understandable with the store!

reptile man_nr: hi i got a bearded dragon and savanna and a rough neck monitor and they are not being active during the day only at night now what can i do

robyn@ProExotics: reptile man- without detailed info on temps and setup, i can't tell you a whole lot. use our Water monitor caresheet for the Rudi, and the Ionides caresheet for the Sav, but at the same time, babies can be quite shy, and you could be spooking them with your presence. variables include size, age, recent acquisition, lack of hidespots, cagemates, all kinds of things. start with our caresheets, as well as the info on our FAQ at proexotics.com. there is a TON of info there on all kinds of topics, and most people don't bother to check it out : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA

reptile man_nr: well the temp is set right and they got a far size setup

robyn@ProExotics: and hang out with other monitor keepers at the kingsnake monitor forum, there is a lot of info there : )

robyn@ProExotics: "temp is right" and "fair size setup" doesn't actually tell me anything, you dig? : )

reptile man_nr: k thank you for our time

robyn@ProExotics: "temp is 84F on the cool side, with a basking spot of 135F, and i take temps with a temp gun/digital thermo" that gives me something i can work with : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: Nokturnel Tom your turn

Nokturnel Tom: Could you please tell me how many adult males/females you guys have in your rat snake projects? And about how many Coxi did P.E. produce this year and are the easy to produce? They are great looking snakes.

robyn@ProExotics: hey Tom, just a reasonable guess here... Coxi, perhaps 20 adults, Mandarins, perhaps 20 as well. i think the Coxi are easy to breed, given the right setup. as for numbers, uh, dozens and dozens each year, as we have had females lay up to 6 clutches in a season : ) most lay 2-3, 2-6 eggs at a time on average...

robyn@ProExotics: GA

robyn@ProExotics: softballs, all softballs! i'm not tired, i'm ready for more!

PHFaust: Big Dee is next

bigdee: do you need trio of ackies in or der to get male female ratio?

robyn@ProExotics: Dee- certainly more animals means a better chance of getting one of each, not sure what you are asking, about social sexing?

bigdee: for breeding, I heard you must have atleast 3

need one good male, one good female. of course, we have also bred plenty in trios of 1.2, and i wouldn't go bigger than that without good reason.

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: Digby your turn

Digby: Hello again do you have multiple blood lines on the rhino rat snakes and coxi? and do you work with banded Gila monsters or have any experience wiTH Varanus brevicauda http://www.imagedump.com/pics/138944.jpg

Digby: that pic was not a brevicauda that another anial I have I posted that link earleir sorry

Digby: Iforgot it was still there

robyn@ProExotics: Digby- never worked with the Brevs, nice monitors though : ) as for Coxi and Rhinos, originally all from Klaus in Germany, and i couldn't tell you how diverse he has them. we hatched and raised many to reinsert into our group. Rhinos are a bit better, as there are some different Russian bloodlines as well, so a bit more variety : )

PHFaust: Erik Your turn

Digby: good I like that AND Ill get back to you on Tuesday for snails

robyn@ProExotics: thanks Digby, i look forward to it

PHFaust: Erik going twice

Erik_nr: Hey Robyn, I just want to say that you sell great animals! I bought a baby female ball from you (my frist reptile) in 1998! Well now shes a giant! BUT my question was what ball morphs will you be producing this year as I have a big wanted list and I only live 20 minutes away and see iIleen (sry I probabally didnt spell it right) every saturday!

robyn@ProExotics: hi Erik, thanks for the support : ) we have started pairing up Ball breeders for this season, already have Spiders, Pastels, Ghosts, Het Lucys, Mojaves, Albinos, and some other freaky stuff working, i anticipate a good year because frankly, i blew it last year : )

JimG: What kind of feeding schedule do you have with the adult monitor breeding groups? How much and what is offered? Do you raise your own food?

Erik_nr: Sweet Well Thanks and I will be buying from you in 05!

Erik_nr: bye and thanks for taking your time to talk to us!

robyn@ProExotics: Jim- feeding adult monitors varies quite a bit depending on species size and breeding status. we still offer insects to adults, including big stuff like Blackthroats, simply because they love it, especially hisser roaches. bulk of nutrition comes from rats, typically 2-3 times a week. smaller species like Ackies get more insects, and more days. we do breed rats and mice, but not enough, so we bring in frozen rodents as well : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: Will21 your turn

JimG: Thanks

robyn@ProExotics: no problem Jim, sorry i can only go into a little detail in such a fast fire format : )

PHFaust: Ok then PDollard your turn

pdollard: Sorry about the premature post before! (TIP:Don't leave the cursor on the SEND button) Have you ever worked with Gonyosoma? One of those species that seems to be available as cheap (albeit shortlived!) imports but seldom as captive bred. I bred them for several years and sorry I ever sold out....now I can't find any.... Especially in Canada! ;-)

robyn@ProExotics: Gonysoma are cool, and easy to kill, at least the imports are : ) we have dabbled with captive hatched babies, but had terrible luck. true captive bred stock would make it much more attractive, for sure, i am glad you had success. i don't think they will ever be widespread though : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: MadRat your turn

MadRat(StraightShot)_nr: What are the pros and cons of live feeding vs. F/T for cornsnakes and ballpythons?(use the "enter"key instead if "send" hehe) thanks

robyn@ProExotics: i discuss the live vs thawed debate in more detail at our FAQ at proexotics.com, but briefly, frozen rodents are typically cheaper and easier to store than live rodents, and for baby snakes that can be "tough" feeders, the potential for damage feeding a live mouse is much greater than the potential for damage with a thawed mouse. do they ever discuss live vs thawed on the ball python forum?

robyn@ProExotics: that's a joke, and a mighty good one, i might add.

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: Calico retic

PHFaust: Your turn

robyn@ProExotics: who's next?!?!?!?!??!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!

MultipleMorphHerps: ?

PHFaust: Going twice Calico Retic

PHFaust: Randals your turn

randelskeeper90: My 2 year old male fat tailed leopard gecko has been having eye problems suddenly. His left eye is shut most of the time. There was a little eye gunk and we started to put reptile eye drops in it. It doesn't have much eye gunk anymore, but is weepy and he still keeps it shut. He also likes to rub it against the side of the tank. He eats a little less than before, but is still nice and fat. What should I do for him?

robyn@ProExotics: seems like there is something in the eye bothering him. do you use a particulate substrate that may have gotten a small piece lodged in the eye? does the eye itself appear to be clear and clean? generally speaking, if something like that doesn't resolve itself within a few days, or grows rapidly worse, a vet visit is in order. it is so hard to try and "diagnose" something like that by chat or email, ya know? best of luck to you and your gecko!

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: Chr0nus your turn

randelskeeper90: we use repitsand, it has been going on for a couple weeks or more, so I

Chr0nus: i have a sav and was just wondering what brand of bulb you recomend

randelskeeper90: don't think it is a piece of anything

robyn@ProExotics: thanks to all that are being so patient as we go through the Q&A : )

robyn@ProExotics: gecko- could be something trapped deep inside the eyelid that you can't see, and won't come out.

randelskeeper90: ok- thanks

robyn@ProExotics: Randel- we use halogen bulbs, typically 45 watts, i like the Sylvania brand a lot : )

PHFaust: Robyn, we have 7 questions in the queue are you still hanging in there?

robyn@ProExotics: just get them at Home Depot. for small setups like 10 gallons, we use regular old lamp bulbs. nothing special, no UVB, none of that fancy shmancy stuff : )

robyn@ProExotics: 7 is nothing! i am good to go : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: CooL

Chr0nus: how far away should they be?

PHFaust: BP Your next

Chr0nus: from the lizard that is

robyn@ProExotics: another common question answered in depth at our FAQ at proexotics.com... short answer, distnace is NOT IMPORTANT! achieving the proper temperature is! sometimes it is a foot away, sometimes 3 inches away. that is always relative to achieving proper temps! : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: Multiple Morphs your turn

robyn@ProExotics: before everyone bails, thanks again for coming : )

MultipleMorphHerps: I have a younger male bearded that had his eye closed for a while and then when it was opened, he was blind for some reason in that eye....any ideas? Also what is up with having a seperate site for tempguns.com?

robyn@ProExotics: not to sound like a dummy, but sounds like there was a problem with that eye. once again, so hard to diagnose in a chat without having hands on exposure to the animal. perhaps a vet could give you a proper diagnosis. i can't, sorry. more...

PHFaust: Hey Gang, Last call for questions... I miscounted so if you have questions give me your "?" now!

Scarlett Heather_nr: My 3 yr old Scarlett King Snake is now refusing to eat frozen pinkies. What is the best way to prepare them? She has been fine with them up until now. She is very small and cannot eat live mice.

robyn@ProExotics: as for temp guns, we now sell them in lots of different industries, including Reptiles, and including the Radio Control hobby. we sell so many that having customers come to a "snake site" is confusing for them, so we had to make a temp gun specific site : )

PHFaust: JoJo your turn

jojobear: With ackies I have heard that sex determination is based on the male-female ratio in a group and the younger the group is put together the better the chances of getting at least 1 pr in a trio, possibly due to the fact that sex organs are either absent or undetermined until later in life. Have you found this with other monitors as well?

robyn@ProExotics: scarlett (for the transcripts perhaps : ) if she was eating frozen fine before, trying taking a step back to fresh killed and reestablishing the feeding pattern. also evaluate environmental and setup conditions for some significant change that could have affected feeding response : )

robyn@ProExotics: Jojo- we have not bred other monitors to the extent of the Ackies, so i couldn't say from experience. i can tell you that it only seems to "work" when they literally come from the egg into a set group (typically of 2 or 3, some customers ask for up to 5). more real info is needed on this phenomenon, but it certainly has worked with our Ackies.

robyn@ProExotics: GA

jojobear: Thanks

PHFaust: jfirneno

robyn@ProExotics: you're welcome!

jfirneno: Three related questions. Do you breed separtately for red ground-color and grey ground-color in your Sichuan mandarin stock? Are you looking at ever getting anerythristic mandarins? Are you looking at other rare ratsnakes like bella or conspicillata?

PHFaust: your turn

robyn@ProExotics: hi John- conspicillata we are looking at casually, i wouldn't mind, but frankly we don't have a lot of space. i would like to have more Vallanti in the space we have first : ) as for the Mandarins, most of the time we pair them up by color, but the babies are still highly variable. i don't know that i have seen the Anery Mandarins? can you send me a pic?

randelskeeper90: ?

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: Boaluver your turn

Boaluvr123: hi , i was wondering uf you ever heard of the reptiles breeders rare earth , and is so , what is your opinion of them.I just purchased a red ackie from them and he seems to be doing awesome , i wanted to know if this is a good set up for him. i have him in a ten gallon ( for the moment) with a 115 degree basking , mutliple rocks that he loves to climb around and bask on , a big branch that forms almost a canopy over his enclosure, with all the branches it has emanating from it. he is on a calcium carbonate sand , and i have a water bowl for him, which he has decided needs to be full of sand. i tried feeding him every day , but he duznt seem to be hungry as much as ive been trying to feed him , so how often should i feed him???

randelskeeper90: we are new owners of tat tail lep gecko

jfirneno: I'll send a link to a fellow who has a photo on his site. Thanks

randelskeeper90: We are new owners to fat taile d lep gecko

robyn@ProExotics: Rare Earth breeds some nice monitors : ) your setup sounds close, but could use a higher basking spot (120-130F, use an elevated spot or Retes Stack variation!) and get rid of the sand, that is a terrible substrate choice. go with cypress mulch or a good digable soil instead. you don't mention hide spots, and safety and security plays a big role in appetite : )

turtdude_nr: sup ppl

robyn@ProExotics: we feed Ackie babies everyday, you should get a ravenous repsonse!

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: ImRidethelightening your turn

Boaluvr123: alright thanks , i do have a hide spot set up for him , which he spends a good amount of time under , but he also likes to roam , ill go w the soil and raise the temperature, thanx for all the help

imridethelghtng: how long have you been working with boelens and what sucess have you had with them i want a pair but havent been able to afford them but i haves studied up on them and their environment and i have a few theorys about breeding them but i am keeping them to myself they might not work but if they do i dont want to give them away also where is a good place to buy boelens so i can save my pennys

robyn@ProExotics: wow, we have been here for 2 hours, and some folks still don't get the rules : ) interesting!

robyn@ProExotics: Ride- coming up. Boaluvr- proper hidespots would mean MANY hidespots, many CHOICES!

Boaluvr123: will do , thanx for the help , and g'night :)

robyn@ProExotics: Ride- Boelen's are one of my favorite snakes! we have had Boelen's since the mid 90's i suppose. close on breeding them for three or four years now. there is a LOT of detail and theory i could share on Boelen's, but it would be easier to give me a call this next week and we could spend 20 minutes on the phone and really hash out the details : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: Reptilekeeper go ahead

imridethelghtng: boelens are my favorite snakes in the world too thanks

reptilekeeper_nr: why did I keep gettin shushed

reptilekeeper_nr: I was turtleman and then turtdude

reptilekeeper_nr: ?

robyn@ProExotics: that is your question?

PHFaust: Well thats not a question for Robyn....

PHGinger: Can I answer - huh huh?

robyn@ProExotics: well, i suppose it was because- oh never mind, Faust got you (we are in a hosted guest chat : )

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHGinger: robyn - like you said - some never catch on

robyn@ProExotics: : )

PHFaust: Now my question... I get calls from LOTS of people who want to adopt a savy... I really dont see them as being a good animal simply because of their adult size... IS there ANY beginner monitors that I can refer them too?

PHFaust: Since naturally running a rescue all I ever see are savys....

robyn@ProExotics: there are certainly plenty of unwanted and neglected Savannahs out there, which bums me out. and folks really aren't prepared for the care involved in a large monitor (Savs are on the small side of the large scale). the easy answer is Ackies. they are small, captive bred, hearty, full of personality, and reasonable to setup and care for. they are a more expensive initial investment, but being captive bred is a huge health boost, and saves lots in potential vet bills for worming and "back on your feet" checkups. over the course of a year or two, you would spend much more properly caring for a Savannah than you would an Ackie. beginner choice for monitors? Ackies all the way!

PHFaust: Works for me... It will save one question that you will get... :)

robyn@ProExotics: GA

PHFaust: and thats the end! :) I do want to thank you on a personal side for the temp gun. Really works great and the rescue loves it.

robyn@ProExotics: check out our caresheets and FAQ at our site, proexotics.com, i address both the Ackie and Savannah question in depth : )

PHWyvern: Faust...write up a product review

PHGinger: Thank you for taking the time to do this chat Robyn

robyn@ProExotics: you're very welcome, and i think it must be time to go, we are wrecking folks public chat time : ) thanks to all though : ) what's up Ride?

imridethelghtng: have you ever worked with black tree monitors and what is your opinion of them they are my favorite monitor

PHFaust: On behalf of Kingsnake.com, We all want to thank you for taking time out to hang out with us and help continue our education. For those who want to know more about Pro Exotics, please go to www.proexotics.com

PHFaust: Nahhh we just dont want to burn you out... :)

PHFaust: I did wyvern!

PHFaust: I think... ;) I am blond..

PHFaust: And Robyn, was nice meeting you at tinley...

robyn@ProExotics: Black Trees are cool, but quality is the biggest problem. they are all wild caught, so they come in scrawny and anorexic, and they can be difficult to acclimate. how friggin amazing to see someone succeed with regularly hatching babies though!

imridethelghtng: i hope to meet robyn at tinely park next year

robyn@ProExotics: Nice to meet a number of ks moderators at shows this year, fun to put a face with the names : )

PHFaust: Now gang, you can openly chat, if robyn sticks around DONT drive the man crazy....

JimG: Thanks Robyn!

imridethelghtng: wanted to go this year but money is always a problem hahaha

robyn@ProExotics: you're welcome Jim : ) Ride, we should be in Tinley again next year, stop by : )

PHFaust: was a nice show this year ride...

PHLdyPayne: unfortunately I won't be able to go any shows you are at Robyn, unless you come to Canadain ones

imridethelghtng: im only 3 hours away from tinely park just dont like seeing all the great reps with no money to bring any home

PHFaust: Move south young girl

Steve_Ray: hey boa, not much

robyn@ProExotics: we have a limited show schedule, sorry : ) they drive me pretty batty, all the travel and all. Daytona, Anaheim, Chicago, that'll be about it : )

PHFaust: Ehh Chicago is the important one... ;)_