Just Wondering...

[ectotherm]

Years ago AFH had written up guidelines that were (it was hoped) to demonstrate a degree of responsibility within the herp community. I distinctly remember documents for keeping large constrictors, and I believe there was one for varanids. Unfortunately, somewhere between several moves, I lost all of my old AFH literature (still have a few Vivarium mags) as well as my copies of Varanews. Does anyone out there have these articles? Are they even remotely applicable a decade later?

I tend to follow the Herp Laws/CITES forum on ******* and realized that many of the ban proposals are submitted to legislators by third parties (meaning that Joe Alderman didn't come up with the idea to ban reptiles on his own). Isn't it about time that the responsible and knowledgeable arm of the herpetocultural community tried to come up with their own proposals dealing with herp keeping to head off the knee-jerk legislation? My thoughts were prompted by some other ongoing discussions regarding continued pursuit of breeding large monitors, and the ever-hot issue of croc monitors. Curious and pleased to hear anyone elses thoughts.

Regards,

Don M.

[markb]

Hi Don M.,

I am always delighted to hear someone who enjoyed VaraNews - a newsletter way before its time. Yes, I "think" I have that AFH legislation/document on keeping varanids - I have to figure out how I have catalogued it, and then that will tell me where it is.... you see, I have so much material now, if I do not have a 3x5 index card for it, that tells me where it is in my own files, I will not be able to find it among my 5,000 papers, and/or 15,000 indexes.
Its an old fashion method, but it works for me, most of the time anyways....now if I had more room - then I really would be a happier fellow.

PS: G. Naclerio still resides in Los Angeles, and has V. niloticus. Pasquale (VaraNews mascot) passed away perhaps 2 years ago, and is buried in his yard.
cheers,
mark

[ectotherm]

Hi Mark,

I was horribly disappointed when I looked through my crates of books and magazines and could not find my old VaraNews newsletters. In the pre-internet era it had quite a community feeling for a newsletter. VaraNews is of course, how I became familiar with your name.

I certainly don't expect you to know the answer to this one ... but I was also curious if there is any well known reason why the American Federation of Herpetoculturists became defunct?

[markb]

I have No Idea why they became defunct - it could be when Philippe De Vosjoli sold Vivarium magazine to Reptiles, and there went a venue to report herps in...I am not sure why it did. There was also a Legal-Herp related group out of New Orleans I think it was some years ago. I think John Levell was apart of that, and with the discussions of posts we have had here lately, it might be worthewhile to find out what happened to it as well...

I am "Trying" to get Greg N. to publish VaraNews as a book format, as it is still referred to in lay/academic articles often. That shows its merit with time...
Cheers,
markb

[Jeff_Favelle]

Hey yeah, whatever happened to Philippe De Vosjoli?? I always wondered that. I also always wondered why he said in his AFH Ball Python manual that Ball Python eggs take 90 days to hatch!!! I always wanted to figure out what was going through his head when he wrote that one!!

[Steeve B]

Mark can you email me my articles about snails and creyfish breeding, also mag light sex determination you published in VaraNews. I dont remember with number! but it sure whod be fun to see it.
Rgds

[markb]

HI Steve,
I found the snails reporuction article in VaraNews 3(1) 1992, and do not remember or recall the mag light sex determination thing - can you refrsh my memory on that one? I will post you the snail/crayfish thing tomorrow...

Cheers Friend,
mark