Wellspring Herpetoculture

27/03/2024

Always good to see these beauties end up in such hands!

Check out our STUNNING new cbb Amazon puffing snake from Wellspring Herpetoculture !

25/01/2024

This’ll be a fun one!

Get ready to deep dive the world of reptile research with Project : Herpetoculture and guest host Mariah Healey from ReptiFiles.com!

Roy Arthur Blodgett (Wellspring Herpetoculture), Phillip Lietz (Arids Only), and Mariah Healey will guide you through how to properly research your reptile, providing practical tips and insights into how to use tools like iNaturalist, WeatherSpark, and Google Scholar.

These sites can help you identify species, understand your reptile's natural environment and seasonal patterns, and access credible scientific literature on reptile behavior, health, and habitat.

📅 Date: Saturday, February 3rd
🕒 Time: 3:00PM Pacific Time (6:00PM Eastern Time)
📌 RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/herpetoculture-fundamentals-researching-your-reptile-tickets-803129230147

Be sure to stick around until the end of the presentation for the live Q&A where we will be answering your questions!

25/01/2024

A few finds from my first proper herping excursion of 2024 - not a bad start to the year! All found today under drizzly conditions at old haunts of mine with .p.vine.

Few things do my heart more good than getting out with good company in search of herpetofauna.

23/12/2023

Coming right up!

Let's take a deeper look into what will be covered during the free webinar next weekend!

📅 Date: Saturday, December 30th
🕒 Time: 2:00PM Pacific Time (5:00PM Eastern Time)
📌 RSVP Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/herpetoculture-fundamentals-habitat-composition-tickets-776509088587

One interesting concept that will be covered is the balance between aesthetics and functionality in enclosure composition.

As reptile keepers we want to create visually striking habitats that are living art while maintaining functionality for our reptiles. We will be discussing how you can use different items, textures, and arrangements to cater to your reptile's natural instincts while being visually aesthetic. Strategically placing heat and light sources, and optimizing hiding spots are all part of achieving a perfect blend of beauty and purpose in vivarium design.

Project : Herpetoculture Arids Only Wellspring Herpetoculture

18/12/2023

I’m really looking forward to this!

Join Project Herpetoculture and HappyDragons 12/30 for a second free webinar!

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/herpetoculture-fundamentals-habitat-composition-tickets-776509088587

This time, the discussion will be on the art and science of habitat composition in reptile enclosures. We'll dive into the concept of composition from both aesthetic and functional perspectives, offering insights into how it can influence vivarium design.

The webinar will be presented by Roy Arthur Blodgett (Wellspring Herpetoculture) and Phillip Lietz (Arids Only), who will guide you through the principles of composition, providing practical tips and inspiration for enhancing your reptile enclosures. You'll learn the secrets of creating visually appealing and functionally optimized habitats for your reptiles. At the end of the presentation there will be a live Q&A!

📅 Date: Saturday, December 30th
🕒 Time: 2:00PM Pacific Time (5:00PM Eastern Time)
📌 RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/herpetoculture-fundamentals-habitat-composition-tickets-776509088587

23/11/2023

Come on out, folks!

Let's take a deeper look into what will be covered during this Friday’s free webinar hosted by Roy Blodgett of Wellspring Herpetoculture and Phillip Lietz of Arids Only!

📅 Date: Saturday, November 25th
🕒 Time: 2:00PM Pacific Time (5:00PM Eastern Time)
📌 RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/herpetoculture-fundamentals-gradients-tickets-759745066947

One concept they will cover is that of exposure gradients in herpetoculture.

Unlike physiological needs addressed by heat, light, and humidity gradients, the exposure gradient delves into the psychological needs of reptiles and amphibians. It emphasizes the importance of visual barriers in the enclosure to provide security and stimuli for the animals.

Understanding the natural ecology of the species becomes crucial here, as some reptiles prefer open spaces with unobstructed views, while others thrive in cluttered environments that allow them to hide effectively. The orientation of the enclosure, whether terrestrial or arboreal, further influences the design of exposure gradients. Terrestrial habitats typically utilize horizontal gradients, while arboreal setups employ vertical gradients. The exposure gradient, in essence, aims to create an environment that caters to the psychological well-being of the animal.

The webinar will discuss how observing an animal's behavior can help determine the effectiveness of established gradients. If the pet utilizes its habitat fully, it indicates that the gradients provided are empowering choices and nurturing a broad range of natural behaviors, contributing to the overall well-being of the reptiles or amphibians in captivity.

At the end of the presentation there will be a Q&A if you have any questions!

Hope to see you there!

22/11/2023

An update, for those curious on the Peruvian monkey lizards here! Today, the female laid a clutch of four eggs, which look to me to be infertile. I’ll put them in the incubator for a while regardless.

I didn’t expect fertile eggs this year, as it’s the first year of maturity for the pair here, and it was relatively recently that I began keeping them together. Next year, if all goes as planned, I will be hoping for a fertile clutch.

28/09/2023

Some of the remaining CBB Amazon puffing snakes from last year’s clutch! These beauties are now 10 months old and getting more and more colorful with each shed.

I have more due to hatch any day. 🙂

16/09/2023

I’m so happy to finally have this book in hand!

has put an enormous amount of research and heart into this tome, and it shows. There are very few among us as herpetoculturalists who express the kind of dedication that Dr. Zac does, and we’re all better for it as a community. Show your support and get your hands on a copy of this book - you won’t regret it!

06/09/2023

I haven’t given this one nearly enough attention on this platform. She was a slow starter here and a picky feeder, but she’s finally settled in and thriving, so what better time than now?

24/08/2023

Nothing to see here. Definitely just a weird looking vine.

23/08/2023

The tamacoré, photogenic as always.

22/08/2023

Two of the first generation CBB monkey lizards here.

These two are unrelated, and I’m hoping to pair them before long. I’m very curious about what might be possible with further generations of CBB in this species.

21/08/2023

Old Handome Boy, still going strong! I’m so happy this guy has been able to pass on his genetics these last two years, and that his legacy will continue.

20/08/2023

One of the Madrean alligator lizards here enjoying a bask after I misted her habitat.

I was entrusted with two females of this species recently, and I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to find a male to pair with them in the coming months.

Though smaller and more secretive than their cousins here, the Texas alligator lizards, Madrean alligator lizards possess more variability in coloration and pattern. I’m still getting a know this species and their quirks, but I’m greatly enjoying them so far.

19/08/2023

One thing I always appreciate about the puffing snakes is their curiosity. Even the shyest among the adults here is always watching my goings on about the reptile room from the safety of her hide. The bolder ones often approach the sliding glass doors when they see me. They’re the only species of snakes I experience this from on a consistent basis.

18/08/2023

Townes and Emmylou following a monsoon shower.

18/08/2023

A few more photos of the baby puffing snakes here. It’s been a pleasure to watch these beauties slowly going through their ontogenetic color change.

17/08/2023

Looks like Señor Canelo was mid-shed when he found the eggs I left for him. Whoever said you had to choose between shedding and eating? This guy’s certainly never heard anything like that. 😁

This snake never ceases to completely blow my mind. I’m very hopeful I can get some eggs from these beauties before long.

15/08/2023

I hear it’s World Lizard Day.

That doesn’t change much around here, but it’s good to see these diverse and wonderful creatures getting their due.

Here are a few of the lizard species here, from photos taken during today’s rounds. I’m very blessed to spend the time I do learning from these animals. I don’t take it for granted.

13/08/2023

A couple of the juvenile Amazon puffing snakes here. I’ll finally be making these beauties available in the next couple weeks. I’m just waiting on a handful to shed before photographs.

All are very well established and feeding on fuzzy mice and day old quail.

Feel free to send me a PM to join the waitlist and receive priority.

13/08/2023

I was going through my usual rounds the week before last when I noticed some movement in the Newman’s knob-scaled lizard habitat out of the corner of my eye. A closer look revealed a fresh neonate, and moments later I found a second after taking apart the habitat!

This is the first litter of this species that has been born here, after spending the last few years raising my group up from CBB neonates that originally came from . It’s also my first time producing a live-bearing species.

Hopefully there are more to come!

26/06/2023

Taking a moment amidst the absolute chaos here of late to let y’all know that I’m still alive, and I just received a clutch of 16 eggs from the sulphureus this morning!

There’s lot more I’d like to share with everyone soon, as things settle a bit here, but for now I’m back to work.

21/05/2023

Going offline for a bit to help guide a rite of passage trip for some graduating high school students.

I’ll leave y’all with this image of the female Peruvian monkey lizard here. See you on the other side!

18/05/2023

A rare vertical orientation for one of the Newman’s knob-scaled lizards.

17/05/2023

Out looking for his mate.

This guy has only one thing on his mind in this season.

16/05/2023

Townes has grown into quite the impressive alligator lizard.

09/05/2023

Always so photogenic.

08/05/2023

You may have a pet.

But does your pet have a pet?

07/05/2023

Words fail, so I’ll let the images talk on these two.