Entries by Jeff Barringer

The Fish and Wildlife Service today issued a proposal to add the native hellbender and its subspecies to Appendix III of CITES in an effort to monitor the trade in the species. Found in the heartland of the Eastern United States, these giant salamanders are the third largest salamander species in the world.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to include the hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), a large aquatic salamander, including its two subspecies, the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) and the Ozark hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi), in Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or Convention), including live and dead whole specimens, and all readily recognizable parts, products, and derivatives. Listing hellbenders in Appendix III of CITES is necessary to allow us to adequately monitor international trade in the taxon; to determine whether exports are occurring legally, with respect to State law; and to determine whether further measures under CITES or other laws are required to conserve this species...

Hellbenders have been classified an endangered species in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri and Ohio, and "rare" or "of special concern" in Georgia, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.

The species has been in decline due to a number of factors, including an increase in the number of dams, reduced water quality, collection for the pet trade, and persecution by fishermen who view them as a threat. Hellbenders like, many of the worlds amphibians, are also susceptible to Chytridiomycosis

The proposal was published in today's Federal Register (Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 173 / Wednesday, September 8, 2010), and those who wish to submit comments need to do so by or before November 8, 2010.

Comments may be submitted to www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS–R9–IA–2009–0033.

Once you have kept reptiles long enough you will usually have at least one funny escape story and one sad escape story, but as reptile keepers cage security is an every day issue not to be taken lightly.

No matter how good a keeper you are, pet owner, hobbyist or professional, everyone can have a bad day. According to an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution the Atlanta Zoo is having one of those days.

Zoo spokeswoman Keisha N. Hines said workers are "aggressively looking" for an adult female tiger rattlesnake that escaped quarantine Friday. Zoo officials have been working around the clock to capture the venomous creature, she said.

No one wants to make the news for an escape, whether it's a burmese python, an alligator, or a tiger rattlesnake. Do yourself a favor and check your collection before the news crews do it for you. If your in the Grant Park area and spot the snake, do not attempt to capture it, but please call Zoo Atlanta at 404-624-5670.

After a successful year with the band with a new CD, a tour of Europe with thrash's big four (that's Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax), Slayer's Kerry King also had a great year with his snake breeding and is going to take time out of his tour break to sell some of his snakes at the upcoming North American Reptile Breeders Conference in Anaheim. Along with his usual carpet pythons, Kerry says he will be signing autographs and selling some of his personal stash of merch so anyone wanting a chance to meet him, maybe buy a snake or a TShirt, he will be at the Anaheim Convention Center Sept 11 and 12th.

I won't see Kerry again until Dallas where the second leg of the American Carnage tour picks up again and hope to post a whole bunch of stuff from the road. If you take a picture with Kerry in Anaheim make sure to upload it to our herp events photo gallery!

Chelonian lovers unite in Daytona for the annual turtle talks at the National Reptile Breeders Expo, and for good reason. With some of world's best minds on turtles and tortoises, like Peter Pritchard, Jerry Fife, and more, this year's turtle talks promise tasty fare with talks about breeding Asian species, the turtle farms of Asia, and an update on "Lonesome George" and the Pinta Tortoises.

The Turtle Talks are an annual event put on by the National Reptile Breeders Expo and the Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group. Sponsored by ZooMed, the talks start promptly at 7 pm Friday night at the Daytona Hilton, in Daytona Beach Florida.

For more information on the talks and other events at this years Daytona expo, check out the NRBE web site at reptilebreedersexpo.com. For more of kingsnake.com's coverage at this year's NRBE check out our web site at kingsnake.com/daytona2010.html.

Louisiana's turtle farmers are pushing the FDA to reverse it's 35 year ban on the sale of baby turtles due to Salmonellosis. Citing improved breeding technology, a thriving, open black market, lax enforcement and other pet related vectors such as snakes, lizards and other pets, the farmers feel that continuing the ban is singling them out.

Red Eared Sliders and other turtles that fall under the FDA Salmonellosis regulations are sold openly in not only in many pet stores nationwide, but also many gift shops, flea markets and other stores. Many are sold under the the aegis of the act's "educational" clause which provides ample "grey" area, but many are not.

Keeping any pet poses a variety of health risks regardless of whether that pet is a dog, cat, bird, or reptile. While occurring in far fewer instances than dog bites, or other pet related injuries and illness, reptile associated Salmonellosis does pose a risk to anyone that keeps or handles reptiles and amphibians.

Many organizations would have you believe that reptile associated Salmonellosis is such a risk that possession of reptiles by the general public should be banned or significantly restricted. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does NOT make that statement. By following the CDC recommendations below (click on the CONTINUED link) you should dramatically decrease the risk of infection to yourself and your family.

With all the factors cited by the turtle farmers, should the FDA reverse it's ban?

Continue reading "Louisiana Turtle Farmers Push FDA For Change"

This Monday August 2, 2010 is the last chance the public will have to comment on the US Fish & Wildlife Services proposed listing of the Boa Constrictor, four Python species, and four Anaconda species as Injurious Reptiles (Document ID FWS-R9-FHC-2008-0015-3357).

A controversial proposal supported by an even more controversial study by the USGS, this is yet another step forward in a laborious process begun over 3 years ago and driven by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL). Finding little support among reptile hobbyists nor the scientific community and despite having cost a young industry thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in the process so far, the proposal seeks to ban the import or interstate transport of animals considered pets by millions of Americans.

Public comment on the current proposal was initially opened and closed earlier this spring. The comment period ending this Monday was a 30 day extension to that period. If you as an individual or business did not submit your comments earlier this spring this will likely be your final opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations.

To read the full text of the proposed regulations please click here
To submit your comments before the Monday cutoff you can do so online at the regulations.gov web site.

Reptile hobbyists, educators, scientists, and zoo professionals from around the world will all converge on Tucson this month for the 33rd annual International Herpetological Symposium.

Held in different locations each year, the IHS is one of the reptile cultures oldest and longest running herpetolgical events, and offers three days of presentations on herpetology, herpetoculture, and reptile veterinary medicine, as well as a behind-the-scenes field trip to the Chiricahua Desert Museum.

Known as the progenitor of today's reptile expos, the IHS was one of the first herpetological events in North America open to both professionals and hobbyists and continues to draw people from around the world. Topics and speakers are as geographically diverse as Paul Hamilton's "Herpetofauna of Western Ecuador" to Hiva Faizi's presentation on Iran's secretive Sand Swimmer Skink, with plenty for the backyard herper, too, like Phil Ralidis and Ed Acuna's presentation on Texas Alligator Lizards in Travis County, Texas.

While animals will not be for sale at the event, there will be vendors of dry goods, field and handling equipment, and books as well as a variety of other herp-themed products.

The Symposium will be July 21 - 24, 2010 at the Radisson Suites Hotel Tucson Airport in Tucson, Arizona. For more information about this year's event, see the IHS website at http://kingsnake.com/ihs.

The Houston music community is coming together to help sea turtles on Sunday, July 25.

From the folks at the East Texas Herpetological Society:

Feeling the need to help combat the effects of BP oil in the Gulf of Mexico, legendary Bluesmen, Tutu Jones, Texas Johnny Brown, Guitar Shorty, Sonny Boy Terry, and more, have come together to put on "Tunes For Turtles" benefiting Sea Turtle Inc., a non-profit organization on South Padre Island dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Gulf Sea Turtles.

In true Texas fashion, to help the smallest, and most endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, Blues artists have come together to do what they do best...put on a great show! Don't miss this afternoon of foot stomping, hip shaking Texas Blues! "Tunes For Turtles" provides Texas music fans the chance to help Gulf Sea Turtles while watching a showcase of Blues greats perform together in a small, intimate setting. For just $5 a person at the door (a rare opportunity that would normally carry a hefty price tag), audience members will get to be up close and personal with the musicians - with plenty of photo and autograph opportunities. Doors open at 2:00 pm with live music performances from 2:30 to 7:00 pm. A silent auction will be held during the concert from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The Big Easy is located at 5731 Kirby Drive in Houston, TX.

At $5, anyone wanting to hear some good blues and help out some turtles can't go wrong.. And maybe Austin, with its internationally known music scene and history of supporting environmental causes, can do the same. We're thinking Trampled By Turtles to headline.

How remorseful is Columbus Ohio firefighter David P. Santuomo after he killed his own families pets "execution style" in his basement? Apparently not very, based on the rude hand gesture he flipped to reporters covering his hearing. What was the motive for this gruesome crime that sounds like it was culled from a mob movie? Mr. Santuomo couldn't be bothered to board his pets for the family vacation.

The firefighter took both of his families adopted pets down to the basement, affixed a makeshift silencer to his rifle, tied the animals to a pipe, and then murdered them, shooting at least one of them 6 times in the head. Santuomo's crimes came to light after he bragged to other firefighters and dumped the bodies in the trash bin behind the station.

Santuomo, who did not give a statement in court, will spend 90 days in jail, pay $4,500 to cover the cost of his investigation and serve five years' probation, Judge Harland H. Hale ruled. Hale also fined Santuomo $150 and ordered him to perform 200 hours of community service. He must not have pets or weapons in his house for five years and must undergo random home inspections. Hale agreed to allow him to serve his jail time in 10-day stints over two years.

Sadly this individual appears to remain on duty as a representative of the City of Columbus.

Santuomo, a firefighter since 1996, remains on active duty while awaiting a disciplinary hearing with Fire Chief Ned Pettus Jr.

If you would like to drop the Columbus Fire Department a note to let them know your feelings email your thoughts to the administrative office of the Columbus Division of Fire at ldmmurphy@columbus.gov

To read the whole article Click Here

Cpl. Kory D. Wiens and Cooper

July 6, 2007 was just another day in Iraq for Cpl. Kory D. Wiens, 20, of the 94th Mine Dog Detachment, 5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and his partner, Cooper, a Labrador retriever, a war dog. Weins and Cooper were a specialized search detachment trained to ferret out weapons and explosives and that was their task that hot July day in Iraq.

For both Wiens and Cooper there were a lot of firsts. Cooper was Weins' first war dog, Weins was Cooper's first handler, and this was their first tour in the war zone. One of 578 Army dog teams, they had been in Iraq since January, using their specialized training to conduct off-leash searches. Patrolling in Muhammad Sath on that summer day both Wiens and Cooper were killed by an IED.

By all accounts Weins and Cooper were inseparable.

"Kory referred to Cooper as his son, that’s now much of a team they were," said Master Sgt. Matt McHugh, the family’s casualty assistance officer. Inseparable in life and death, their remains were buried together in Wiens' hometown of Dallas, Ore.

The American military has long used trained war dogs though the program saw a rebirth during World War II and war dogs have been deployed in every war, police action, and military intervention since, many giving their lives to save the lives of others.

Today is Memorial Day and while I and most Americans will be honoring the fallen I will also take the time to think of these special animals who gave their lives so that others might live. To find out more about war dogs or to find out how you can help the U. S. War Dog Memorial please visit the United States War Dogs Association web site.