Daily Reptile News

Category Archives: Reptiles

Smoke in the reptile house

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This really caught my attention because its a place I have visited many times before and will many times in the future as its only an hours drive from my home. At about 1pm Tuesday Sacramento Zoo officials called the fire department because of a burning smell in the reptile house and an employee who had seen smoke. The reptile house was evacuated and the cause was found to be a burned up A/C motor. The zoo decided to keep the reptile house shut down for the rest of the day to let it air out. It was opened back up to the public Wednesday morning.

Komodo dragons a wander?

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Apparently there is a new list of world wanders being worked on and Indonesian Officials are urging the people to vote for Komodo National Park as one of them. The park is currently one of the 28 finalists for the new list of world wanders. The final list will be made public in July 2011 and Indonesian officials are hoping that the park will make the list and promote tourism for the islands. The park stretches over several islands covering about 232 square miles of land and currently is home to 4000-5000 Dragons.

Vacation time!!!!

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To all of my wonderful, beautiful website visitors. I have made the decision to take a break and regenerate. The website updates will not happen at east until after the first of the year. If there is any huge news that comes out I will for sure let you know. Until I return if you must get in touch with me you may do so via email. Thanks for understanding and I wish everyone a very happy new year.

Jenny McCarthy’s son is getting a lizard.

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Aparently Jenny McCarthy is getting her some a lizard for Christmas. She states she is just going to get him everything he asked Santa for which includes a Macaw, Lego’s and a pet lizard. One may ask if a Macaw is a good gift for an 8yo boy. Hopefully she changes her mind about the bird. In these days when we always talk about celebrity’s getting reptiles and possibly helping us somehow I think this may hurt us. Dont you agree?

Animals After Dark live show

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Animals After Dark is an afternoon and evening extravaganza starring Brian Barczyk, owner of BHB Enterprises and SnakeBytesTV, and also starring Jim Nesci, owner of Cold Blooded Creatures, along with his trained 8 foot alligator Bubba. The Chicago Pet Sales and Educational Expo is proudly bringing you this event on Saturday, January 15, 2011 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM or 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center, located at 2007 Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073. You will be glued to your seat as Jim Nesci walks out on stage with Bubba, his trained 8 foot alligator and other amazing reptiles! Then you will jump out of your seat with excitement as you watch Brian Barczyk perform with his SnakeBytesTV crew live! Tickets are only $15 each and $10 for children under 10 for the full night of events! Children under 3 are free.

Alligator rescuer may need rescuing himself

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As many of you know by now The Reptile Guy, Mike Hopcraft has been in the news recently for his rescue work in relocating an American Alligator. Well the plot thickens. Apparently Mike was paid a visit by Conservation officers and is now under investigation for illegal transport and possession of an American Alligator but wait, He was told he could perform the rescue so whats going on. I had the privilege to speak to Mike via phone and he states that they believe its a big misunderstanding between the Ministry of Environment and the Conservation Officers. Unfortunately government officials are out for holiday break so we will have to wait and see what the next move is when they come back but as for now the investigation stands. Mike has said he will keep us up to date on what happens when the feds return to office after the holidays.

S373 is dead!

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USARK Victorious in Close of 111th Congress
The 111th Congress has come to and end! And with it three federal bills have fallen to the titanic efforts of USARK and the Reptile Nation. As you know USARK engineered an 11th hour campaign to keep those who would destroy our young industry from adding S373, aka ‘The Python Ban’, to a large Natural Resources omnibus put together by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Harry Reid (D-NV). Although much pressure was applied by the Defenders of Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy and the Humane Society of the United States, USARK was able to block the addition of S373 to this massive bill.
As originally written S373 and its US House companion bill HR2811, collectively known as ‘The Python Ban’, would have added all 47 species of Python to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act. USARK successfully engaged both bills at the staff and member levels. Both bills were subsequently amended and no longer identical making them more difficult to reconcile. Even though both bills passed out of their respective committees USARK was able to block several attempts at a vote to pass them.
Also, HR669 the ‘‘Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act’’ if passed would have banned most non-native animals in the USA. The bill was written largely to reflect the view of the Defenders of Wildlife and would have set up a “white list”, guilty until proven innocent approach to screening non-native animals. If the bill had passed it would have devastated Herpetoculture, Aquaculture, pets and exotic animals. USARK spearheaded the largest grassroots effort in more than 30 years generating almost 50,000 written letters opposing HR669. The pet industry and exotic animal interests contributed to the monumental grass roots effort. USARK led the charge that stopped HR669 in committee.
Now with the close of the 111th Congress all three threats to the Reptile Nation have been defeated. S373, HR2811 and HR669 are all dead! Andrew Wyatt, President of USARK, said, “I can’t think of a better present to give the Reptile Nation for Christmas!” But Wyatt added, “Although we have a great victory for Christmas we still have to deal with the Rulemaking at US FWS that would do the same thing as S373 & HR2811. And don’t be surprised if Defenders of Wildlife tries to introduce a bill in the Senate similar to HR669 in early 2011…”
So the fight will continue, but today we celebrate a great victory for the Reptile Nation! We now have the tools, experience and voice to mount effective strategies to protect our own interests.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year from USARK!