Swamp Life Reptiles

27/06/2022

Just a little footage of how I’m keeping my animals this summer. Turtles, Tortoises, and Chickens what more does one need? 🐢 🐢🐥🐔

09/05/2022

My business partner and I decided to add Eastern Herman’s tortoises today. First time working with them but I live them already! 🐢🐢🐢

27/04/2022

Sunny Days call for Turtle Enclosure Tours 🌞🐢 🏡

26/02/2022

Excited to welcome this Hybrid Aligator/ Common Snapping Turtle to the family! It was a bucket list animal for me. Special thanks to 💯💯

24/12/2021

You guys tell me what genders you predict my trio of Peltifers will be.

24/12/2021

These two females have called mi casa su casa for almost two years now. This Christmas I think it’s only fitting that you all help me name them! Please comment below name suggestions! Me and will pick the two best names. When you list the names put a 1 or 2 in front of the name. 1. Is the northern 2. Is the concentric. 🐢

24/12/2021

Underwater Terrapin Adventures with my iPhone 😎

01/12/2021

This time a year ago, my buddy had the opportunity to record a podcast with Fred, I was bummed 🙁 I wasn’t going to be able to make the drive and experience all that was Fred and his amazing animals. As I reflect I remember why and I started “What the Shell Podcast?” We wanted to create a digital library of the people we have met along our journey in this amazing hobby. Being able to have recorded interactions so we never forget the amazing knowledge they share. Recently I’ve been off grid focusing on my family improving my animals husbandry and searching for a purpose. Fred I’m sorry I never got the chance to meet you in person, whenever I had questions you always responded without hesitation, your kindness and love for all will not be forgotten. You will be missed my friend. One of our last recorded podcast was with Fred from almost a year ago it can be found in my bio.
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14/10/2021

The face terrapins make when they are ready to be put back in the water 😂😂
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30/08/2021

We need your help!

Say NO to the terrapin ban!

Public input on PROHIBITING the possession of pet Diamondback Terrapins in Florida will be held online only. Please call in or join the webinars via Microsoft Teams (similar to Zoom). The times are:

Wednesday, Sept. 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Friday, Sept. 3 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. (ET)
To join the meeting visit this link:
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/freshwater-turtles/dbt-rules/

USARK FL opposes FWC's proposed ban of pet Diamondback terrapins! The new regulation will stop future pet owners from being able to acquire pet diamondback terrapins and will place an additional burden on people who currently have just one or two as pets. Current FWC rules do not allow for the commercial collection of any native turtle species in Florida. The diamondback terrapin is a unique, beautiful, and personable turtles which thrive in captivity and can easily be bred. Many people breed them throughout the United States and most animals kept as pets are not collected from the wild but are bred under human care, and have been for many generations. These animals bred under human care reduce the impact of people collecting turtles from the wild.

Current issues with FWC laws regarding terrapins is the current possession limit of two per person effectively prevents captive breeding of terrapins except in the extraordinary situation of a large household where the number of people can legally account for the total number of terrapins, including eggs, possessed at that property. This regulation has kept turtle breeders from working with diamondback terrapins in Florida. Diamondback terrapins flourish under human care and their captive breeding can fulfill demand for them as pets rather than taking more animals from the wild.

Additionally, if FWC would allow Florida turtle breeders the option to breed this species, poaching and illegal activity would not be incentivized as the black market price for Florida terrapins would go down. Passing this regulation will actually drive up the demand for Florida terrapins as the black market price will sky rocket. The choice now is to pass a blanket ban that will increase the black market and poaching our wild turtles or allow regulated and licensed persons to breed this species legally.

One other exception USARK FL would like FWC to implement is allowing any unusual genetic morphs (like Albino or Leucistic) to be excluded from regulation, as is currently done with red-eared sliders and Florida pine snakes.

Here is the wording for the FWC red-eared slider regulation:

"Red-eared sliders with distinctive aberrant color patterns, including albino or amelanistic specimens, may be possessed without a permit otherwise required by the rule."

Here is the wording for the Florida pine snake regulation:

No person shall buy, sell or possess for sale any Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus), nor shall any person possess more than one Florida pine snake, except that said restrictions shall not apply to amelanistic (albino) specimens.

Current FWC diamondback terrapin rules are as follows:

Total possession limit per person is two terrapins. One terrapin may be transported at a time. No eggs may be taken from the wild or transported.

The diamondback terrapin ban will likely be on the agenda of the FWC Commission Meeting on October 6-7, 2021 in St. Augustine, FL.

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USARK FL encourages you to attend the following meetings in person!

The FWC Captive Wildlife Office will be hosting public meetings to encourage input on Captive Wildlife regulations in Florida regarding reporting requirements for injuries, bites and escapes involving captive wildlife (Rule 68A-6.018, F.A.C.).

Tampa - September 15, 2021, 6-8 PM
Embassy Suites Tampa Brandon
10220 Palm River Road
Tampa, FL 33619

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FWC seeking feedback on Captive Wildlife rules relating to post-revocation and non-renewal licensure actions
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is currently seeking public feedback from all interested parties on draft rules regarding administrative changes relating to post-revocation and non-renewal licensure actions.

Meeting Dates and Locations (6:00 PM to 8:00 PM)
Jacksonville - August 30, 2021
Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville
JTB/Deerwood Park
9745 Gate Pkwy N
Jacksonville, FL 32246

Panama City - August 31, 2021
Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Pier Park Area
13505 Panama City Beach Pkwy
Panama City Beach, FL 32407

Tampa - September 15, 2021
Embassy Suites Tampa Brandon
10220 Palm River Road
Tampa, FL 33619
This is the same location & time as the above reporting requirements for injuries, bites and escapes involving captive wildlife in Tampa.

09/08/2021

Loggerhead Musk Turtles following nature’s destiny 😂😂😂

21/07/2021

The diversity in Diamondback terrapins maybe my favorite part of keeping these beautiful animals.
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09/07/2021

It’s the color contrast for me 😝😍🥶. Emails going out to people on my waiting list tomorrow. Last chance to contact or (I deleted my previous post sorry)
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09/07/2021

If you snooze 💤 you lose 🚫. Emails going out tomorrow to members of my waiting list. Last chance to get on the list now. Contact or 🐢🐢🥚🥚

04/07/2021

Our adult male concentric Domino with one of his newly hatched sons. This is the best time of the year for reptile and turtle keepers! 🐢🐢🥚🥚
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09/06/2021

My big concentric female Meg finally shed and she’s even prettier now! 😍
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