The plight of The Reptile Guy Mike Hopcraft is no secret. He made world headlines when he moved an Alligator and swiftly was charged for it but now that is the least of the reptile worlds worries. Unfortunately do to government regulations Mike is forced to go out of business and will no longer be providing his awesome service to the community. Unfortunately it is not legal for Mike to sell the reptiles at his shelter and equally as unfortunate he can no longer afford the rend on the building. He has been working with Zoos trying to find homes for the animals but it is not an easy task. DRN would like to reach out to the viewers and visitor of this website and ask if you could spare some change. If so go check out Mikes website below and make a donation.
Category Archives: Turtles
Get up close and personal with reptiles.
Audubon Society seeks scholarship applicants
The Bedford Audubon Society is seeking applicants for its 2011 Marty McGuire Scholarship. I past some of the grant has been used for reptile and amphibian research at Audubon’s summer camp in Vermont. The money, up to $1,000 can be used for course registration and materials or project related expenses. The application for the grant can be found online at
http://www.bedfordaudubon.org/documents/marty-mcguire_scholarship11.pdf. The deadline for application is April 15.
Could the Eastern Box Turtle be Pennsylvania,s official reptile?
HB634 which is being sponsored by Lawrence Curry after being asked by some Glenside Elementary School students. His previous bill made it to the senate floor but was never voted on. He praised the students teacher for going up and above in educating the students. Last spring the students traveled to Harrisburgto have a front row seat as the bill passed the house vote before being sent to the senate where it died.
California ban lifted to import frogs and turtles as food.
Image by Jason White
Last March the CDFG was ordered to stop issuing importation permits for frogs and turtles for food. The ban on importation was original instated after a 15 year batter with animal welfare groups. The reason for the ban being lifted in short is because a small group of lobbyist say “the ban unfairly targets Asian-American business owners”. Sen. Leland Yee said it was part of the Asian culture to consume frogs and turtles.
Florida FWC using Craigs List now
I you internet crime people thought you were safe think again. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission since the beginning of January has been using Craigs list, posing as interested buyers to bust people not following their animal laws. Keep in mind even if you are not violating Florida laws it is agents the TOS to sell animals on CL anyway.
Sea Turtle nesting explosion
Apparently Sea Turtle nesting in S. Florida is at a ten year high. The funny thing I found while looking up info on this was that up people are mostly responsible for the problems they have go figure. Apparently fishing nets, lines and cargo ships cause big problems with the turtles. Also on the list were city lights which was od to me but according to them the lights from the city disorientate the baby turtles and rather than going out to sea they go further inland and end up getting stuck in storm drains or run over.