The ‘Wrangler’ Writes...
Welcome to another FREE
issue of your favourite reptile
magazine!
The
breeding
season is now giving way to
‘expo season’ right around the
country. If you have never been
to a reptile expo and have the
opportunity to do so, it’s a great
way to meet like-minded people
and find out what’s going on in
your hobby. Mind you, they can
get pretty hectic! iHerp Australia
will be attending as many expos
as we can; we are locked in for
Melbourne and Brisbane and will
have a presence in Penrith, thanks to our mate Rob
Grabowski at Ironbark Aussie Pets (who is enabling
us to be in two places at one time) . So make sure
you say ’G’day’ when you see our table; we’d love
to hear from you.
We have so much great material at the moment
– and the really pleasing thing is that much of
it comes from talented new writers. So we have
expanded this issue by four pages (we are really
pushing the envelope as far as the souvenir printed
copies are concerned). We lead off with an article
about morphs by Andy Horlor. Morphs have quickly
become a big part of the captive scaly landscape
in Australia, and it’s easy to see why, because
Andy’s snakes are crackers! Simon Fearn is at it
again - this time he has broken the six-foot mark
with a Tiger Snake – and Nick Gale takes us on a
whirlwind herping trip west from Melbourne.
Following on from our last issue, which featured
the amazing Emerald Tree Monitor, this time we are
showcasing another stunning and highly sought-
after species of varanid, the Kimberley Rock
Monitor. Plus Kit Prendergast proves that dinosaurs
are alive and well in the 21st century, and we
meet taxidermist Lauren Hundloe, who is quickly
establishing herself as a reptile and bird specialist.
Ben Dessen is along to explain and evaluate the
various merits of a host of live food items, and
more. You’d better get comfortable....there’s a lot
to get through!
Don’t forget to check out our new-look website.
There are regular blogs to satisfy your weekly
reptilemania cravings, a gallery of work from some
fantastic photographers, and new items in the shop,
including our exclusive, limited edition posters, with
all proceeds to support conservation and research.
We’ll be looking for you at an expo.
Happy Herping!
John McGrath
iHerp Australia
Issue 5 | Mar - Apr 2018
CONTENTS
Morph it or leave it:.
in defence of
unnatural selection.
4
A Monitor that Rocks!
Varanus glauerti in captivity. 10
Bucket List.
Record-breaking
captive-bred Tiger Snakes. 15
Shinglebacks, small brown
skinks & an elusive pygopod.
A herping adventure
from Melbourne west
to South Australia. 22
What’s New?
A Good Book: ‘Freshwater
Turtles of Australia.’ 31
Ben’s Reptiles 101:
Live Foods for Reptiles. 32
Best Blogs.
Mass poisoning
from cobra venom? 36
A Breed Apart....
Snakes that Stand Out! 37
What’s On?
Expo Season.
60 Years a Herper. 38
iHerp at Large:
Amazing Amazon
10
15
22
40
42
Living Dinosaurs.
Want to meet a real
live dinosaur? 44
Creating ‘Eternal Creatures’.
Taxidermy for unusual pets. 53
Historical Herpetology.
The systematist:
John Edward Gray. 58
Publisher: John McGrath
[email protected]
IT & Marketing: Andy Round
[email protected]
Social Media: Vince Pintaudi
Additional Design:
Rachael Hammond
Next Issue: May 2018.
Website: www.iherpaustralia.com.au
4
53
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/iherpaustralia/
Postal Address:
12 Haines Street Mitcham, Victoria, 3132
Advertising Enquiries:
[email protected][email protected]
On the cover: Albino Darwin & Diamond Python.
Photographed by Andrew Horlor.
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of iHerp Australia or its editors.
The information contained has been obtained by iHerp Australia from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither iHerp Australia nor its authors guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information
published herein and neither iHerp Australia nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages, including exemplary damages, arising out of use, inability to use, or with regard to
the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in iHerp Australia publications.
All rights reserved.