Hi, Recently retire Bronx Zoo herpetologist, just joined

[bronxzoofrank]

Hello All,

I'm a herpetologist and author, recently retired from a career of over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo, and have participated in field research efforts with a variety of amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates and other creatures in several countries. I currently write and manage ThatReptileBlog where I address the conservation, natural history and care of herps and invertebrates, and answer readers' questions pertaining thereto. New articles are posted several times weekly.

The balance of my time is spent writing books on herp, invertebrate and fish care and natural history, consulting for zoos and museums and (when luck favors me!) in field research.

I look forward to corresponding with as many members as possible in the future.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio

[infernalis]

Do you know Robert Mendyk? I recently read his research paper on Varanid motality at Bronx zoo.

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[Lankyrob]

Welcome to the madhouse ;)

[Will0W783]

Hello and welcome Frank! It's always great to see a very knowledgeable herper join. What snakes have you done field work with?

[EmbraceCalamity]

*drool*

That is all.

~Maggot

[marvelfreak]

Hello and welcome Frank.

[Rogue628]

Welcome to our zoo! :D

[Zoo Nanny]

Hi Frank Did you work with Lisa Zedik at all? I worked with Lisa in Boston. She told us so many great stories of working at the Bronx and Central Park Zoos. There was a young girl that worked with us in Boston that went to the Bronx, her name was Katie. I don't remember her last name. She borrowed my copy of "You Belong in a Zoo" never returned it. Were you mentioned in the book?

[millertime89]

Welcome Frank, nice to have a(nother?) professional on here.

[brylecc1989]

Welcome! We're lucky to have such a knowledgeable new member!

[Terranaut]

Welcome to our zoo!!

[BarelyBreathing]

Welcome. Your imput will be very valuable here.

[Trent]

hi and welcome!

[cossiecraig]

Hello and welcome Frank .

[SnakeyJay]

Welcome... :)

[MoreliAddict]

hi & welcome

[Squirtle]

Hello and welcome! I only live a few minutes away from the Bronx Zoo and used to go there two-four times a week when I was younger! Absolutely love the reptile house there!;)

[Donnie]

Hello and welcome

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome

cheers shaun

[bronxzoofrank]

Hi All,

Thanks very much for the kind words and interest. I'm sorry for the delay in responding...notices were going into SPAM, and then I had problems logging in, had to start over. I look forward to being in touch, Best regards, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Hi Infernalis,

I do not know Robert (he started at the zoo after I had moved on) but have read some of his fine articles, Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

hello and welcome

cheers shaun

Thanks very much, Shaun, best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Hello and welcome

Much appreciated, Donny. Best regards, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Hello and welcome! I only live a few minutes away from the Bronx Zoo and used to go there two-four times a week when I was younger! Absolutely love the reptile house there!;)

Thanks very much...same here, I lived nearby while growing up, came to see it as my backyard (3 free days a week back then!), Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

hi & welcome

Thanks very much, best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Welcome... :)

Thanks for the welcome, glad to be here, best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Welcome to the madhouse ;)

Much appreciated, best regards, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Hello and welcome Frank! It's always great to see a very knowledgeable herper join. What snakes have you done field work with?

Hi Kimberly,

Thanks for the kind words. I've worked with a number of species here in the NE USA and on west coast, but most memorable was green anaconda research in Venezuela; spanned 5 yrs, over 500 snakes marked. Site is preventing me from posting links (not sure if that is permanent or not?) but if you go to Thatreptileblog and search under "Hunting anacondas..." you should get right to it and some related articles and photos.

Or, send an email to findiviglio@thatpetplace.com and I'll send some links.
Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

*drool*

That is all.

~Maggot

Ha!, thanks...yes, I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to follow my passion, Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Hello and welcome Frank.

Thanks for the welcome, much appreciated, Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Welcome to our zoo! :D

Glad to be here, thanks very much! Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Hi Frank Did you work with Lisa Zedik at all? I worked with Lisa in Boston. She told us so many great stories of working at the Bronx and Central Park Zoos. There was a young girl that worked with us in Boston that went to the Bronx, her name was Katie. I don't remember her last name. She borrowed my copy of "You Belong in a Zoo" never returned it. Were you mentioned in the book?

Hi,

I do remember Lisa, but did not work with her directly. I've known Pete Brazaitis, author of that book, for appx 30 yrs. We only overlapped in departments on occasion, and he moved on to run the Central Park Zoo towards the end of his career. I'm one of the keepers he describes in the incident involving the battle between False Gharials and Cuban Crocs, and elsewhere, but I don't believe he used names. He could fill a few more volumes without difficulty, I'm sure!

Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Welcome Frank, nice to have a(nother?) professional on here.

Hi Kyle, Thanks very much for the welcome and kind words. I was just complaining to my nephew about the cold and end of the herping season here in NY, but seeing your locale I guess I shouldn't! Whay are temps like in Nebraska now? Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Welcome! We're lucky to have such a knowledgeable new member!

Thanks for the kind words, happy to be here! best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Welcome to our zoo!!

Glad to here, thank you! Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Welcome. Your imput will be very valuable here.

I appreciate the vote of confidence, thanks very much, Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

hi and welcome!

Thanks for the kind words, Trent, Best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Hello and welcome Frank .

Thanks for the welcome, much appreciated, Best regards, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Welcome... :)

Thanks very much, glad to be here, Best, Frank

[infernalis]

Site is preventing me from posting links (not sure if that is permanent or not?) Best, Frank

Not permanent, we had to make a post restriction on links, because we were getting pounded with spam..

Now that your post count is up, try it again.. if not, I will modify your user status to allow for links.

[bronxzoofrank]

Not permanent, we had to make a post restriction on links, because we were getting pounded with spam..

Now that your post count is up, try it again.. if not, I will modify your user status to allow for links.

Thanks very much, I'll try shortly, Best, Frank

[Zoo Nanny]

Hi,

I do remember Lisa, but did not work with her directly. I've known Pete Brazaitis, author of that book, for appx 30 yrs. We only overlapped in departments on occasion, and he moved on to run the Central Park Zoo towards the end of his career. I'm one of the keepers he describes in the incident involving the battle between False Gharials and Cuban Crocs, and elsewhere, but I don't believe he used names. He could fill a few more volumes without difficulty, I'm sure!

Best, Frank

Can't wait to read more of your stories and Peter Brazaitis should write another book, the first one was great. I laughed so many times reading of his and others antics and adventures. The escaped cobra was a good one.

[bronxzoofrank]

Can't wait to read more of your stories and Peter Brazaitis should write another book, the first one was great. I laughed so many times reading of his and others antics and adventures. The escaped cobra was a good one.

Thanks, Here's an article (http://bitly.com/SxhzTD) that mentions some escapes I've been involved in (cobras, etc). Link to Part II is at end of article.

Enjoy, Best, Frank

[Zoo Nanny]

Great articles, thank you! Luckily I was not involved in too many escapes. The scariest for me was when a large male mandril got loose. He never made it out in to the public area and after 2 hours was lured back into his enclosure with a nice large bag of hot popcorn. I did work in Boston when the infamous Joe decided to stroll around the city. I was leaving the zoo when it happened and found out about it enroute home via the radio. I've read a couple of your blog articles and can't wait to return to read more.

[bronxzoofrank]

Great articles, thank you! Luckily I was not involved in too many escapes. The scariest for me was when a large male mandril got loose. He never made it out in to the public area and after 2 hours was lured back into his enclosure with a nice large bag of hot popcorn. I did work in Boston when the infamous Joe decided to stroll around the city. I was leaving the zoo when it happened and found out about it enroute home via the radio. I've read a couple of your blog articles and can't wait to return to read more.

Thanks so much, I really appreciate that. During my time with mammals, I released a Kodiak Bear, who I encountered, 6 feet away, when I exited his cage...luckily we were able to dart him and I retained my job (long story); it was actually his second time out, years earlier he was at large on zoo grounds; gorilla, cheetah, snow leopard, gibbons, tapirs and others as well (these not my fault!) But mandrils, primates are especially scary, given brains and weaponry; I have some interesting and tragic stories involving colleagues - Here's one about a Saurus Crane escape. (http://bitly.com/YCqdpj)

Thanks again for the kind words., Frank

[Zoo Nanny]

That is one brave young man! At 5'3" I do have to admit that I am intimidated by the big cranes. Luckily the 2 girls in Providence I worked with were very friendly, but still unnerving when they would "preen" my jacket. I like that you advocate allowing birds to fledge prior to clipping. Cassie a little corella hen fledged on the vets suggestion. After attempting to slow her down I clipped her again and then the vet did a severe clip, 10 flights per wing. That clip lasted three days before she realized that working a little harder got her lift and she was flying again. Nothing prevented that girl from flying once she learned. I am a moderator on a cockatoo board and we are always so amazed at the numbers of people who assume that once clipped the birds are unable to fly. I know of so many people who have lost their birds while outdoors. A good wind or startle and the bird is off and gone. I've read now a couple of your articles in your bird blog. All very good, thank you.

[bronxzoofrank]

"That is one brave young man! At 5'3" I do have to admit that I am intimidated by the big cranes..."

Thanks very much for kind words and feedback; the kid mentioned was especially surprising as the incident happened at a time when we were hiring lots of keepers who were well-meaning but with o hands-on experience. Clipping is tricky, I've heard the similar stories re pets. An injured "flightless" bald eagle I had at the prospect Park Zoo, whose open-topped exhibit was on a hill, eventually learned to open its wings and glide. Made it over the fence and into Prospect Park, quite a scene. Luckily FDNY was passing by and surrounded it (they were planning to take it to the house as a mascot, but still, saved the day....! Best, frank