Archie's Angels: Reptile Education, Rescue & Rehabilitation

26/08/2024

The male of the newly described species measured just half an inch long from his nose to the base of his tail

25/08/2024

We have just ONE OF EACH LEFT! Pick up a ball python, komodo dragon, or tree frog style adopt-a-plush! Help us find these huggable buddies a child (or kid at heart) to call their own.

Each adopt-a-plush comes with an adoption certificate, colorable carrier, NatGeo Kids book, and the high-quality Wild Republic plush.

Use code SUMMERSALE for 15% off: https://archiesangels.bigcartel.com

Every order is hand-packed with love by our volunteers.

24/08/2024

Help us find the perfect homes for these guys by sharing, commenting, and liking this post! The Facebook algorithm is always changing but commenting and sharing is a sure fire way to boost it! ❤️

23/08/2024

Lance-alotl is still looking for the perfect home! Lance is a sweet female axolotl who is a solid and consistent eater. She isn’t afraid of hands and is happy to see people come up to her tank. She even seems to recognize the container her worms come in! 👀

Intrigued by axolotl ownership but intimidated by axolotl care? Don’t worry, we are here to help you from start to finish! Tank cycling, planted tanks, testing and more, we can answer your questions. If we can’t, we’ll find someone who can!

On the fence? Kid wants an axolotl but you’re just not sure? Axolotls do have unique care requirements. We can help you figure out if an axolotl would realistically mesh with your lifestyle and time constraints.

APPLY HERE: https://www.angelsforarchie.org/adopt

23/08/2024

Can you help Lil Bean with this to-do list? ☑️

Lil Bean is a sweet and sociable ball python looking for a forever home!

APPLY HERE: https://www.angelsforarchie.org/adopt

17/08/2024

A question we reptile owners hear a lot is “why a reptile?”

The answer varies but we often hear the following:

He needed me.

I needed him.

When I wake up with a frown, he always wakes up with a smile.

It gives me purpose.

It gives me hope.

Years of commitment and love for a pet are rewarding like none other ❤️

Share your first reptile story with us 🥰

15/08/2024

Hello Archie’s family! It’s your Treasurer, Katrina, checking in from the Black Hills Institute in Hill City, South Dakota! 🦖🦕

This is a fascinating stop for any paleontology or reptile enthusiast. Sue, the largest and most complete T. Rex specimen, was discovered by institute volunteer, Sue Hendrickson. Due to land disputes based on where Sue was found, disputed agreements with the landowner, all followed by an extensive legal battle, Sue was seized from the institute and eventually auctioned off by Sotheby’s, which was the catalyst to her current place of honor at the Field Museum of Chicago.

The Institute curates an amazing collection and prepares gorgeous specimens and research quality replicas for people from all over the world to enjoy. If you find yourself in South Dakota, it is 100% worth a visit!

Keep an eye out at the next Archie’s event to see some new specimens we will be bringing, prepared by the friendly folks of the Black Hills Institute!

11/08/2024

Come join us at today in Green Bay until 3PM! We've got a pokemon raffle basket, scrunchies, stickers, limited edition pins and plenty of animals to learn about! Our volunteers are happy to share our animals' stories with you!

11/08/2024

Today’s the day! We hope to see you there!

http://scaledupexpos.eventbrite.com/

09/08/2024

☀️ FUNDRAISER SUMMER SALE! ☀️

We’re clearing out our stock of Adopt-A-Plush and Birthday Grams! Enjoy 15% off your entire purchase from our online store using code SUMMERSALE : https://archiesangels.bigcartel.com

All proceeds from our store help us continue our mission to share reptile husbandry education, rescue reptiles and amphibians in need, and rehabilitate the ones who need extra TLC. Each order is hand packed with care by our volunteers.

Adopt-a-Plush are the perfect gift for Easter, birthdays, Christmas, and every holiday in between!

Each Adopt-a-Plush features:

- A High quality Wild Republic plush (they’re the perfect huggable size!)

- A National Geographic Kids Book

- Adoption certificate

- A fully colorable white cardboard carrier!

07/08/2024

Our face when we noticed we’re only 20 followers away from 1000! Thank you so much every one of you for liking, sharing, and supporting our mission.

Enjoy this picture of Pepper getting her teeth checked out! 🦷

07/08/2024

There’s still quite a menagerie of scaly friends (and one amphibious fellow) here at Archie’s looking for forever homes 🐍

Big and small, we’ve got them all!

Adopt with confidence - every one of them has been seen by Dr. Wolfe and received a clean bill of health so you can start their new life off on the right foot (or claw)! Enjoy the convenience of veterinary records that can be easily transferred to your vet of choice. By adopting from Archie’s, your new friend is also an established patient and can see Dr. Wolfe in the future at Animal Hospital of De Pere. They offer comprehensive wellness exams, testing, x-rays, and surgeries. You’re in a good hands!

Rest assured knowing you have the whole team at Archie’s here to support you for the entire life of your pet. Better yet, we’re here to help as much as we can with critters you adopted elsewhere as well!

APPLY HERE!: https://www.angelsforarchie.org/adopt

Adoption fees go towards covering the costs of veterinary care for future reptiles in need.

05/08/2024

TUMMY TIME - an important way to check your ball python’s health!

Your snake’s stomach is a great way to check on their health. Here’s what to do!

Gently flip over your ball python and take a look at their ventral scales (stomach).

HEALTHY VENTRAL SCALES:
- Evenly colored
- Smooth appearance and feel
- Nothing moving or crawling around scales

CAUTIONARY SIGNS:
- Small, black dots that come off on your hands
- Brown “rotting”
- Raised or cracking scales
- Persistent pinkness

Photo 1: Healthy ventral scales (from a volunteer)
Photo 2: Ventral scales with scale rot (Credit: Reptile.Guide)

Perform these checks monthly, or ideally, weekly. The condition of the scales can change quickly. If you suspect scale rot, mites, or a burn, contact your exotic veterinarian and schedule a checkup. Practice best hygiene practices in between handling different reptiles. Thoroughly wash your hands and do not share utensils.

04/08/2024

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! 📣

We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to plan our first Reptile Wellness Free Clinic!

We were greatly inspired by our friends at Community Paws of Wisconsin and their free wellness clinic. We want to offer our scaly friends a similar experience!

Preventative care is vital for reptiles. We want to make sure those in financial need have a chance to offer their cold-blooded pal that benefit. In partnership with Dr. Sarah Wolfe, we will be putting on our first Reptile Wellness Free Clinic in De Pere this October. While we are still pinning down a final date, we want to make sure there is time for the public to learn about this offering. Please note amphibians are also welcome!

➡️ FOLLOW US SO YOU DON’T MISS THE OPENING OF APPLICATIONS! ⬅️

To ensure every critter that visits the clinic receives adequate time and attention, we are limiting slots. We plan to have the clinic outside of normal work hours to maximize the amount of people able to attend.

Check out the graphics below for more information, including eligibility.

We are seeking SPONSORS! If your business is interested in sponsoring this clinic, helping us establish a fund for future clinics, providing coupons for attendees, or donating refreshments for waiting pet parents, please email us at [email protected].

Individuals are also welcome to sponsor the clinic in honor of a beloved pet, current or passed on.

Flyers are also available for businesses interested in helping spread awareness! Simply email us if you would like one to post at your business.

03/08/2024

HELP US HELP PEPPER FIND A FORVER HOME! ❤️

Pepper is a beautiful golden tegu who arrived at Archie’s in February of 2023. Pepper has been through a LOT, and she has the scars and attitude to prove it. We don’t blame her. We’re here to help her! Pepper was seen by Dr. Wolfe and received a clean bill of health. She went from eating who knows what to enjoying a well-balanced tegu diet in a large enclosure to call her own.

Pepper needs an experienced and patient keeper, preferably an accredited zoological institution or sanctuary. She is aggressive and does not tolerate handling well. She prefers to have her beauty observed from afar rather than being held. We will happily waive the adoption fee for such organizations!

TAG any organization you think may be looking for a gal like Pepper so they can read all about her!

APPLY HERE: https://www.angelsforarchie.org/adopt

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments!

02/08/2024

A touchy subject - what do I do when I’m worried about my friend or family member’s reptile?🦎

It’s a situation many of us have experienced. You go to a friend’s house for the first time and you spot a reptile enclosure that leaves much to be desired. There’s no heat, or an unsafe substrate, or perhaps they tell you about how they only feed their insectivore meat.

You’re a reptile-lover through and through and we understand the pain of seeing a reptile in this situation. But you also like your new friend or family member too - how do you approach this subject without offending them or coming off as a “know it all”?

1. Offer general support! This is usually the best way to approach it. “I love reptiles! I have a _______. If you or (child) ever have any questions I am happy to help. I can also pet sit when you need.” “I have an extra heat bulb and lamp. Do you want it?” “You can save a lot of energy by putting their heat pad on a thermostat. I love this one!”

2. Talk about your own reptiles! “My bearded dragon become so energetic once I added linear UVB. It’s so fun to see him run around!” This may lead into them asking questions, and you can provide suggestions in a causal way.

3. Maybe your friend’s child has a reptile that could use some upgrades. Talk about the exciting offerings provided by Archie’s Angels for their child’s school, directing them to our website or picking up a brochure to give them! They’ll see our fun educational offerings, as well as our other services, such as answering care questions. If we visit their child’s school, their child will learn some great care information!

Your referrals and suggestions can save lives. Have a specific question for us? We’ve got you covered! Send us an email at [email protected].

31/07/2024

It’s time for another ⭐️ STAR STUDY ⭐️

We’re here to break down an amazing new study that’s put (even more) respect in our minds for Komodo Dragons! Keep reading as we summarize the study in a fun and easy to understand way. 🦷

IRON-COATED KOMODO DRAGON TEETH AND THE COMPLEX DENTAL ENAMEL OF CARNIVOROUS REPTILES

By Aaron R. H. LeBlanc, Alexander P. Morrell, Slobodan Sirovica, Maisoon Al-Jawad, David Labonte, Domenic C. D’Amore, Christofer Clemente, Siyang Wang, Finn Giuliani, Catriona M. McGilvery, Michael Pittman, Thomas G. Kaye, Colin Stevenson, Joe Capon, Benjamin Tapley, Simon Spiro & Owen Addison

STUDY SUMMARY

Komodo dragons (varanus komodoensis)along with other carnivorous reptiles, have “Ziphodont” teeth. These teeth are serrated, curved, and blade-shaped; perfect for all the powerful pulling and ripping necessary to consume their prey.

Clearly, their teeth get put through the wringer on a daily basis. So how do they stay so strong? That’s what the scientists set out to test! They found that Komodo dragons have surprisingly thin enamel, so that isn’t the secret. Using advanced structural and chemical imaging, they found that each serration on Komodo’s teeth have an orange coating: iron! At first sight, the orange coating appears to be staining from their messy meals, but thanks to the hard work put into this study we know that’s no dental issue.

Fig. 1: Pigmented cutting edges in V. komodoensis teeth.

It was also shown that similar pigmentation is present in other varanus species, but none as prevalent as V. komodoensis.

As much as you may want to cuddle one, this is definitely extra reason to NOT!

Can’t resist? Support Archie’s Angels and get a cuddly Komodo pal HERE and browse our other selection of educational, cuddly pals!: https://archiesangels.bigcartel.com/product/komodo-dragon-adopt-a-plush

Use code STUDYTIME for 15% off until midnight, 8/7/24!

*DISCLAIMER*

This is an unofficial layman’s summary of a very in depth study. We believe there is great value in breaking these amazing studies into manageable pieces for general public consumption. Certain terms used may not be scientifically equals to the words deliberately chosen by the authors. Our goal is to help get people interested in these fields of study and dive even deeper in their own!

There is always more to be learned by reading the entire study and supporting the original source!

ACCESS THE STUDY FOR FREE! 🙌

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-024-02477-7

29/07/2024

WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?

Oh, it’s just Apollo the albino ball python enjoying his Hol-ee roller ball!

Originally intended as a tough chew toy for dogs, many snake owners have discovered how affordable and enriching this toy can be for snakes of all kinds!

Hol-ee rollers scratch your snake’s itch for “positive thigmotaxis” which is a scientific term essentially meaning “comfort by touch”. Snakes feel secure with things to press themselves up against. Hol-ee rollers provide a variety of ways for your snake to weave in and out to its heart’s content.

Some precautions: Make sure to measure your snake at the widest point and ensure there is plenty of room in the smallest hole of the ball. If not, you can cut larger holes as shown here (you’ll see segments have been cut so they can be pushed out of the way to make more space!)

Get a Hol-ee roller for your snake here!: https://a.co/d/c3mWtJG

28/07/2024

RESCUE ROLL CALL! 📣

We are overflowing with happy, healthy herps looking for forever homes!

As a reminder, adoption fees are waived for accredited zoological institutions, nature centers, sanctuaries, and educators.

Ask us anything about these guys! We’re watching the comments and will be quick to answer! 👀

20/07/2024

It’s time for our one-year IMPACT REPORT!

At Kitsune Kon last year, we were generously chosen as their charity for 2023. They donated custom pins featuring their mascot, Shivo, and our namesake, Archie, which sold like wildfire! After all final calculations, we raised an incredible $4,506.02!

This amount was the largest donation we ever received from a single event. The generosity of Kitsune Kon attendees is out of this world! So many of them had reptiles of their own they told us about, asked questions, and truly saw our mission at its heart. We even welcomed some new volunteers to Archie’s who attended Kitsune Kon!

The amount donated has funded:

- 11 exotic wellness visits (each for multiple animals!)
- Eye surgery for a bearded dragon
- Deworming for a Plated Lizard
- Antibiotics for a redfoot and yellowfoot tortoise
- UVB for bearded dragons
- Heat bulbs
- Food
- Supplements
- Transportation totes
- Educational supplies
- 2024’s Valentines Fundraiser Supplies
- 2024’s Adopt-a-Plush Fundraiser Supplies

AND MUCH MORE!

Even after all that, we are able to maintain an emergency fund for critters that come into our care in dire need, so we can get them the care they need right away!

This past year was made possible thanks to your generosity. We have been so excited to share the impact with all of you.

We want to shine a light on Kitsune Kon’s charity for 2024: Bikers Against Child Abuse International. The organization is based out of Provo, Utah, and works tirelessly to protect children throughout eighteen countries from dangerous individuals and situations. They have charity pins for sale this year at Kitsune Kon. Be sure to stop by and pick one up! 100% of the profits go to BACA. The charity table is in ambassador alley outside of main programming.

We are passionate of education for children of all ages. Education is our number one goal at Archie’s. We work closely with teachers, students, and families in our community to share the wonderful world of reptiles with them. Children need a safe environment to learn, explore, flourish and grow. We are so happy that an organization like BACA exists to protect children and keep them safe.

19/07/2024

We are incredibly grateful to have such amazing volunteers who dedicate themselves to enriching the community! ❤️🐍

18/07/2024

17/07/2024

All Lil Bean wants for World Snake Day is to find his forever home 🐍

APPLY HERE: www.angelsforarchie.org/adopt

We can’t sing the praises of Ball Pythons enough. They can start off a little nervous, but with love they become a calm and laid back friend that tend to enjoy hanging around your shoulders, enjoying your warmth! ❤️

Favorite activities among previous adopters with their Ball Pythons include:

- playing videogames
- going for walks (snake doesn’t do any walking 🤪)
- puzzles
- drawing
- watching 80s movies
- homework (they aren’t very helpful though)
- reading horror novels
- folding laundry (again, not very helpful)

What do YOU do with your snake?

Also we literally require you to drop a photo of your snake (ball python or not!) in the comments for um, research purposes 😁

13/07/2024

DID YOU KNOW?

Archie’s Angels has an Amazon Wishlist! 🦎

Get your fix of that warm fuzzy feeling and help us keep our foster reptiles happy and healthy.

Buy a lizard a lamp or a gecko some grub!

It’s so fun to get mail from our supporters. It’s surprise Christmas any time of year!

Check out our list here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2ZK4T5LC4I5NM?ref_=wl_share

Thank you for checking it out! 😊

12/07/2024

Our June vet visit was a full house! We had five animals in for wellness exams - an essential part to owning any pet! Just like your cat or dog, reptiles & amphibians should see a veterinarian no less than once a year. Annual wellness exams allow us to catch things before they can become a problem, allowing animal-parents to adjust their husbandry if needed.

Annual testing will also catch potential parasites or pathogens so they can be treated, providing your companion with a happy, healthy lifestyle!

At Archie's, every animal that comes through our doors is guaranteed an annual wellness exam & rechecks through our veterinary team.

Mooshu the bearded dragon (now named "Igor" by his foster) saw Dr. Wolfe for the first time and produced a healthy f***l sample at the time of his appointment! How lucky are we? An in-house microscopic f***l exam came back negative, meaning that Igor is clear of parasites. His foster expressed interest in adopting, and after his quarantine period and green-flag of health from Dr. Wolfe, he was given the go-ahead for adoption! Congrats, Igor!

Suma visited Dr. Wolfe because her foster noticed that she had been gaining weight. Female leopard geckos can retain s***m and produce eggs even if they've only been with a male once, and because we don't always know an animal's full background before coming to us, we wanted to be diligent in knowing what could come next. Potential eggs means extra calcium for Suma! Fortunately, exam revealed no eggs but fat pads... Suma just needs to go on a diet now! (Cue angry Suma face)

Even aquatic amphibians need wellness exams & routine care too! Lance-a-lotl came in for her first exam and was very interested in everyone's fingers! She tolerated travel really well and received Dr. Wolfe's green flag of health! Way to go, Lance-a-lotl!

Pinkie & Brain are just little guys, but even the little guys need care too! These two crested geckos were FULL of energy for Dr. Wolfe, ensuring they explored every inch of the examination table! Though they may be little, don't let them fool you! They've got a lot of s***k to them and have a lot of growing to do!

ALL THESE CRITTERS (except Igor!) ARE LOOKING FOR NEW HOMES!

Drop questions below or apply here: www.angelsforarchie.org/adopt

12/07/2024

SCIENTIFIC STUDY ALERT! 🧪

We’re here to break down one of the latest studies on UV coloration in snakes in a fun and easy to understand way. Keep reading and prepare to be amazed!

ECOLOGICAL DRIVERS OF ULTRAVIOLET COLOUR EVOLUTION IN SNAKES 🐍

Study by Hayley L. Crowell, John David Curlis, Hannah I. Weller & Alison R. Davis Rabosky.

BACKGROUND SUMMARY OF UV:

- UV = ultraviolet. This is a coloration made up of shorter wavelengths than visible light. While humans cannot see it, many animals can!

- Think of animals with UV color vision as the opposite of color blind! We are dropping an example of this array of ability in the comments.

- This study measured UV reflection by using a special camera.

- There are lots of studies on UV coloration in other reptiles BESIDES snakes. It was not expected for snakes to have prevalent UV coloration.

- Those studies have determined that UV coloration exists in those reptiles primarily for mating purposes.

SUMMARY OF FEATURED STUDY 📖

- These scientists decided to study UV coloration and reflection in snakes specifically due to the lack of preexisting studies on snake taxa (suborder Serpentes)

- The study found that contrary to other animals’ use of UV coloration, snakes use it differently for two primary purposes:

1. Passive action: increased crypsis (better ability to hide) by essentially confusing UV sensitive predator’s vision. Many plants emit UV coloration, so a snake with similar UV coloration and reflection could blend in on a whole new level we can’t even see!

2. Active defense: UV reflection can be used by nocturnal snakes as a “startle” in situations where the snake is awakened in the daytime immediately following an encounter with a predator. AKA, a bright UV distraction to aid in a quick escape from a UV sensitive predator!

Fun fact: the UV coloration and reflection was found to be increased in juvenile snakes, which is consistent with the two purposes above rather than mating.

WHY IS THIS STUDY GROUNDBREAKING?

1. It goes to show that we can’t judge what animals are worthy of UV study based on visible color or patterning, or by assuming other studies apply to them!

2. Nothing is ever a closed case in herpetology and biology! It’s been previously assumed that UV coloration and reflection was pretty much only for mating, and many studies researched the topic of UV coloration purposes with that bias.

3. This study challenged pre-existing bias and has found a whole new avenue of possible biological uses for UV coloration in snakes. Who knows what animal we could learn knew things about next?

CITATION 👓

Crowell, H.L., Curlis, J.D., Weller, H.I. et al. Ecological drivers of ultraviolet colour evolution in snakes. Nat Commun 15, 5213 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49506-4

*DISCLAIMER*

This is an unofficial layman’s summary of a very in depth study. We believe there is great value in breaking these amazing studies into manageable pieces for general public consumption. Certain terms used may not be scientifically equals to the words deliberately chosen by the authors. Our goal is to help get people interested in these fields of study and dive even deeper in their own!

There is always more to be learned by reading the entire study and supporting the original source!

ACCESS THE STUDY FOR FREE! 🙌

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49506-4.pdf

Nature is full of ultraviolet coloration, invisible to the human eye. This study shows that “hidden” UV coloration in snakes is widespread and may have evolved in response to predators and habitat rather than for reproductive functions.

10/07/2024

THIS COULD BE YOUR VIEW EVERY DAY!

A smile that never fails from this worm-loving friend could greet you every morning. Are you a chill, laid back kinda person? Lance-alotl can match your energy! Gaming, streaming, binge watching, Lance-alotl is down to watch and cheer you on.

Imagine putting together an amazing and lush aquatic environment for your new aquatic pal. Colorful plants, beautiful large rocks, the possibilities are endless! 🪴

Have questions about axolotl ownership? We’ve got answers!

Already in love? APPLY HERE: www.angelsforarchie.org/adopt