Solomons / Sulawesi Blog (Picture Heavy)

[Kioka]

Hope you guys enjoyed the first thread on the Solomon Islands. However I am going to have to re-do Solomon Islands since the first one is too small. Here I will be doing a second biotope with some of my favourite animals.

Rather than doing a step by step, I will be doing a day by day so people can see the work that went into making these. This blog will be cross-posted on ERAS, TARAS, AlbertaAquatica and MonsterFishKeepers.

You can also keep track of the blog here: http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd293/Souggy/vivjournal/ as I commented on every single picture. However it won't be in the order of the days I commented on them.

Day 1 - Part 1

Modified 90 gallon

The 90g is being used as a temporary storage place. Originally this was to be my Sulawesi project and I was siliconing shower vents into place since someone was modifying it to be a Savannah Monitor enclosure. It was originally an aquarium, then someone drilled holes into them. Then it changed hand and it was then planned to be a cage for a Frilled Dragon. It ended up in my hands, so I gotta reverse what the original person did to the enclosure for his monitor. My only gripe is that monitors are one of those animals that do best in custom heat-retaining enclosure, NOT glass or acrylic enclosures.

90g 48"Lx18"Wx24"H

A view of the 90 gallon aquarium from a different angle. It is now zoned to be a Solomon Islands project that is to be redone. Right beside the 90 gallon is a 30 gallon Solomon Islands project that was rushed to be completed for the TARAS Spring Show 2008. Once I find the Crocodile Skink, the damn bugger, out of that enclosure, I will put it up for auction on AlbertaAquatica, ERAS and TARAS. I would post it on ReptilesCanada, but I do not feel like shipping it across-country. I KNOW that the Crocodile Skink is in there or otherwise the mealworms would not be disappearing from the ceramic food bowl daily or once every two days.

Zilla 40"Hx28"W Octogon

A Zilla enclosure I got from an ERAS member. This is zoned to be for my Sulawesi project. It is 40" high, 28"across and the sides are 12" wide. If only these vivariums are still in production, or I would grab a few for a New Caledonia project and Florida project.

Zilla Octogon Interior

Here is the interior. While inspecting the interior, I noticed a few problem areas, which I will outline in the next picture.

Zilla Problem Areas

Upon inspection, I noticed some holes were drilled at the bottom. I will have to seal them off later. If left unsealed, then I have to deal with the potential of water draining out of the cage. I think this cage was originally used for a snake with low humidity demand, but I will have to ask the previous owner what he used it for. It is not a big deal; I love the design of this enclosure anyway.

Zilla Problem #1

Close up of one of the problem areas. Just have to seal off, not a big deal.

Zilla Ventilation

Some modifications were done at the top of the enclosure. No big problem. I doubt water will pool up there.

Zilla Heat Lamp?

A big hole was cut in there, I presume for a heat lamp. What I will do is apply some screen across the top. It should still be able to retain humidity of 60%-80%, in various area, that these critters need.

Zilla Problem #2

Another area that I didn't notice upon obtaining the enclosure, but not a big problem... just need to seal it off.

Gold Skink

One of the many specimen for the Sulawesi biotope. The dirty glass is because it was in that state when I obtained it from the original owner of two of the Mabuya multifasciata. I tried cleaning it, but very little progress is made. Right now there is about 4 of them in there. I got a total of five, but the one, Twitch the female Gold Skink, that is kept separate is prone to abusing the others into not eating and self-regulate properly. However gender-based aggressiveness among skinks is not unnoticed; usually males get along with each others while females tend to prefer to be alone. Three of the ones I got from the TARAS Spring Show 2008 are still very young, so I set up this vivarium to have a heat and humidity gradient since in the first eight months of their life they are prone to scale rot and dehydration if kept in an enclosure too small. As adults, they are highly adaptive species ranging from being found in the tree tops, to being in the substrate two or three feet under to rocky outcrops. I find the pair of adults I got, Spasm and Twitch, are capable of being four different lifestyles: semi-aquatic, arboreal, terrestrial and fossorial.

[Kioka]

Day 1 - Part 2

Gold Skink From Above

Better view of the Mabuya multifasciata from above. The other 3 are hiding in the substrate or under the rocks scattered throughout the enclosure. They all come out and bask at different time. There doesn't seem to be any aggression issues while inspecting their toes and tails. If I got pictures of all 4 of them, the regional variation is quite obvious. Some are glossy, while others do not. Some have stripes, while others do not. The ones with stripes either have orange, red or yellow stripes. There is some speculation that the M. multifasciata is worthy of at least 6 to 10, or more, different species split. Even the vendor and original owner I got them from are unsure where the skinks came from other than a generic "Southeast Asia." M. multifasciata is found ranging from India through Vietnam down to some of the Pacific island chains; there is some speculation that they could extend to the north coastal region of mainland Australia.

Tokay Gecko

Another inhabitant for the Sulawesi biotope, a Gekko gecko I got from the TARAS Spring Show 2008. Had to use the zoom option on my camera, across the room opposite of the cage, so I can get a picture of her without her smacking herself against the glass trying to attack me. I have not seen a G. gecko this feisty and aggressive. I have not heard any barking at night, or see any large preanal pores which is an indicator of a male.

Aquarium Filter

A Fluval 204 I picked up for free. I also got a Fluval FX5, but I will be saving the FX5 for a future project, most likely the 'Living Fossil' biotope, dubbed the "Paleo," that will have large-scale waste-producing predatory fish and amphibians. Well, either the FX5 will go toward the Paleo project or my desired arowana and bichir aquarium. Not sure if I should use the 204 for a future project, for Sulawesi or the Solomon Islands re-do.

Overflow

This little thing is an overflow designed for a 30 gallon. I might be using this for one of the projects later on.

Table Ferns

Some 4" ferns that were sold either as "Table Fern," "Brake Fern" or "Pteris." Identifying these ferns can be a pain, but nonetheless most of the fern genera are wide-spread throughout the world, except for a few endemic genera, but the chance of them showing up under "Table Fern" is unlikely. So these ferns can be used for any projects.

Weeping Fig

One of the cultivator of Ficus benjimina that is widespread throughout Southeast Asia and many of the Indo-Pacific Islands. I will be using this for the Sulawesi.

Sago Palm, ZZ Plant and Snake Plant

Cycas revoluta, although native to Japan, can be used for any Southeast Asia project since it is commonly cultivated for flour. I am unsure if I should use for the Sulawesi project, or hold it for the Paleo project. The plant to the left is what I suspect is Sansevieria trifasciata. If my speculation is wrong, then it is one of the cultivated species within the same genus. If this plant extend to the Victoria Basin area, then I would be inclined to use it. The plant to the right is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, which is going toward my Victoria Basin project.

Indian Rubber Tree

Ficus elastica that I got from Wal-Mart. Got a few dead leaves I should prune, but it's looking better with each day. The Sulawesi biome is heavily influenced by the Ficus and most of the Ficus found in the Sulawesi are the strangler type. F. benjamina, F. elastica and F. pumila are all Southeast Asian plants that are known to have this behaviour.

Norfolk Pine

Got this Araucaria heterophylla as a gift from frogO_Oeyes, along with the Podocarpus beside it. I will probably use both of them for a New Caledonia project. Although the A. heterophylla has potential to be used for the Paleo project as well, but A. heterophylla are commonplace.

Yellow-Wood Pine

A Podocarpus that I recieved as a gift from frogO_Oeyes. I am not sure what this is, but I have my speculation that is one of the northern species found in Southeast Asia.

[Kioka]

Day 1 - Part 3

Happy Fig!

My oldest Ficus benjamina. Still have yet to drop any leaves on me. It had tolerated wetness and dryness, low sun and high sun exposure. My hardest plant; I don't know why people complain about these thing. Nonetheless, I will be using this one for the Sulawesi project.

Madagascar Dragon Tree

Dracaena marginata that I rescued from a small grocery store a year ago.Looking better everyday, but still a long way to go. I have no idea what I use this for, but I have been thinking about getting into Mantellas.

Spikemoss

Selaginella, most likely S. kraussiana since these guys love to be wet and it is commonly cultivated. Some of the other popular Selaginella prefers to have dry periods, but this species seem to prefer being wet constantly.

Aloe

An Aloe that every mother send with their sons. I will use this for the Victoria Basin project.

Edited May 6, 2008 by Kioka

[Kioka]

Day 2 - Part 1

The few photos are not part of Day Two of the project, but is still relevant since they are the specimen I am planning on placing into the Sulawesi enclosure. Here is why I did not do anything for two days. Some of you might know about it, some of you might had not. The following is not graphic, but it is pretty bad. This is the reason why I don't want to breed Gold Skinks, even though a fair number of people kept egging me on to do so.

Scale Rot

Here the reason why I did not buy them on the first day of the TARAS Spring 2008 Show; I had to consult with a few people overnight at the hotel before deciding to buy them on the second day. I knew they were too young, and a lot of people were having difficulty with breeding them in captivity since the infants and juveniles are prone to scale rot and dehydration at the same time for the first few months or so of their lives. Remember what I said about scale rot with the Mabuya multifasciata? It already occurred with two of three of the M. multifasciata overnight. I handle this one daily, so I was shocked to see that this one deteriorated so badly and so quickly. This is the worst one of the three. The second one is less colourful, but the damage of the scale rot is less extensive. The third one, a matte kinda olive colour similar to the female M. multifasciata I have named Twitch, is in perfect form. Could this rate of deterioration be an indicator of three different species belonging to different micro-habitats or regions, or are they all the same and the variation is due to morphotype; or could it be that genotype of one locale or morph lead to a hardier individual in the long run, while the more colourful ones are more prolific? I am curious why some turned out to be worse than others. However I am probably reading into it too much.

Pirate Captain Spasm - Comparative

Here is Spasm, the adult male Mabuya multifasciata. I had to go through the substrate to get him out for a picture. As you can see, no scale rot. Perfectly fine. He is more identical to two of the other M. multifasciata juveniles. although one of the two is far more colourful with yellow throat and orange head.

Twitch - Comparative

Here's my adult female Mabuya multifasciata, Twitch; as you can see, there is some black specs but no scale rot going on. Normally she is out and about. She is the same morph as one of the juvenile M. multifasciata I have which doesn't seem to be suffering from scale rot.

Better View of Scale Rot

View of the extensive damage done by scale rot within roughly 24 hours of previously handling it. I am keeping a close eye on its digits to make sure they are not affected. I already treated them with betadine and polysporin. If it continue to worsen, then hydrogen peroxide will be the next treatment. They are all separated in their own hospital 5 gallon with a basking rocks, paper towel substrate and 50W bulbs. Hopefully they won't suffer from dehydration issues that is needed by having a moist substrate, which I will deny them of until the scale rot go away.

Scale rot is usually caused by high humidity, however it should had not been a problem since they are given a basking place to dry out on rocks. If a moist substrate is not provided, then they are prone to dehydration even when the water bowl and lot of variety of food is provided. The constant battle to provide dry areas and moist areas was what I thought was successful for the first two weeks until last night. The last thing I want to do is having to force-rehydrate them in a dry environment.

When I bought them, I thought with my knowledge of the fragility of these young skinks and the reasons behind the fragility would enable them to get by without any problems. I knew if they ended up in someone else's hands they would probably die due to the problems I mentioned earlier. However my effort to provide their needs seem to be failing, unless somehow I stuck a chord of their juvenile husbandry need. It makes no sense to me, or any of the other keepers of the M. multifasciata since as adults they are not subjected to these problems.

The condition this one is in make me depressed, and I actually cried on and off because it doesn't seem to be affected, still highly active and curious, yet calm and gentle to handle; yet it look like it should be in great pain when it is not.

M.A.D. Twitch - Comparative

A better view of Twitch's back to show that there is no scale rot going on.

Twitch Again - Comparative

Better view of her sides. Again, no visible scale rot on the legs.

Treatment Step One

Second day of treatment, they are soaking in hydrogen peroxide. The tail-tip loss is normal when they are stressed, since they are not used to be handled which is mandatory for these type of situations (note only two of them got tail-loss); every Mabuya multifasciata I seen so far have some tail regrowth or tail-tip deformity, and they grow back to their full length. Although the regrown tails will not as pretty. When I got them, all of them had tail-tip loss due to being housed with M. quinquetaeniata. They regrew within two days of being separated from the M. quinquetaeniata. Here, I am making sure they are keeping their head elevated until their injuries stop foaming.

Treatment Step Two

Our patient being kept on toilet paper until the applied polysporin glaze does its job. It is not the happiest skink in the world right now. Hopefully we will see some improvement tomorrow.

This won't be part of the photo journal on Photobucket, but the colouful one dubbed "Lucky" passed away last night at around 2AM. He was active, then just stopped moving at around 12 AM, then his eyes stopped responding and sunken in two hours later. When I poked him, he just didn't move and he was starting to stiffen up. It seem like that Lucky have succumbed to infections. I have not eaten or drank anything during the entire course of the discovery to the end of the second treatment. The other two are active and eating, and defecating fine... even though they are doing it 3, 4 times a day. Ew. I decided not to freeze Lucky for an necropsy, rather buried him below the steps of my place.

If I ever get a tattoo, Lucky would be a candidate to be it, even though I only had it (presumed to be a him) for a few days.

[Kioka]

Day 2 - Part 3

Pump, sprayhead and a timer

A fountain pump rated for 50"-66" of upward flow ($29.99 from Home Depot)), adjustable nozzle ($4.88 from XS Cargo) and electronic watering timer ($19.99 from XS Cargo). I will be using the timer to create rain on a periodic basis, and the fountain pump to draw water to trickle down the cliff or artificial trees. The only unfortunate thing is that the pump uses 19W in comparison to the Exo-Terra pumps. A design problem I have to deal with is to how to provide enough UV throughout the entire enclosure since I am planning on having agamids. If it was not for the fact agamids are part of the unique lowland biotope, then I would not have to worry about it.

Repti-Flo 200

Repti-Flo 200 from Exo-Terra. It is rated for 19" of lift height and 200GPH. Its consumption is 2.19W. Not sure what I will use this for since the 90 gallon is too deep, and the Zilla enclosure is too high. I am sure I will probably end up using this for the Sulawesi since it will just be a massive enclosure.

[Kioka]

Day 3

Base Model

I am using Google SketchUp 6 for this planning since an octagon is harder to plan on Paint than a rectangular enclosure. It is just a rough model. I started this so I get a feel of it while I try and figure out the logistics of where to place all the lights, water lines and electrical lines. Initially, I thought I would do this kind of setup with some PVC or insulation tubes for tree trunks and a pool in the middle.

Some Colour

Thinking...

Without explanation or tags.

Placed a big tree trunk in the middle after reviewing the construction of my Zilla enclosure. I realized there are two access holes for electrical and other stuff on the back of the enclosure.

Thoughts on Layout

I decided to add an access panel so I could get my hand to in to do any maintenance if one of the pumps or electrical lines fail. The pumps will be used to bring the water up back to the top to be dripped down the walls or used to produce artificial rain. I will be installing a lot of landscape features to enable the animals to get closer to their basking spots near the top; every animal I am planning are semi-arboreal or arboreal. I am looking at those heat panels as well in addition to basking light and UV.

[Kioka]

Day Four

Anyone that is hoping that I will finish these projects in time for the show might as well just wait until the fall or the next spring show. Ran into some personal problems that inhibits me from spending anymore on the projects. Sorry about that folks!

Instead of posting individual pictures, I have decided to do three separate slideshow instead. You will find the description, explanation or justification for each species outlined below. Now, I have decided since the Sulawesi is a weird blend of animals that is better off being split up into their own respective biotope (skinks and a few geckos to Solomons and the common species to the Kra Peninsula) since there is nothing that uniquely DEFINE the Sulawesi other than their fish, mostly Halfbeaks.

Kra Peninsula Animals

http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd293/S...nt=d5d81232.pbw

Cat Gecko

Aeluroscalabotes felinus is a unique arboreal gecko that has retractile claws, and a prehensile tails. This primitive gecko would be a candidate for my Paleo project; the other advantage to having one of these is that it narrow down the widespread skink and gecko species to a few localities to Malay Peninsula, Borneo and Sulawesi.

Forest Betta

A Betta pugnax; rather than taking a picture of each Betta species individually since they are highly variable in colour in captivity with various wildtype morphs as well, I have decided to represent this genus with one picture. Although the most common Betta in captivity is Betta splendens or Siamese Fighting Fish, these species are also available and are native to the Kra Peninsula: Betta akarensis, Betta anabatoides, Betta bellica, Betta coccina, Betta imbellis, Betta picta, Betta pugnax, and Betta taeniata.

Banded Forest Bent-toed Gecko

Cyrtodactylus consobrinus is native and commonly exported out of Malaysia. They are either arboreal or semi-arboreal, or at least the species within the genus lead the lifestyle of one or the other. I have not done my research, but I saw these in the online field guide and on an exporter list. Cyrtodactylus elok is also native and on the exporter's list, but I have not found a decent adult picture yet.

Walking Dwarf Snakehead

Channa orientalis are endemic to Sri Lanka, although it is on the list of aquarium fish of Malaysia. However numerous references online according to government reports indicate that either the native range is much more extensive than they have thought or that they are introduced. Nonetheless, it is quite common to see them on a Malay export list. They inhabit clear pools no deeper than their own body or slity rivers and rivulets. They maxes out at about 4" and can be safely kept with fish at least two-third of their body length..

Flying Asian House Gecko

This odd gliding gecko, Cosymbotus platyurus, can be found scattered throughout the Himalayas in north India, Nepal, Bhutan south Tibet, and southwest China; through much of Thailand and Indochina and through the Indo-Pacific from Taiwan to eastern tip of New Guinea. This will go great in my arboreal project.

Malaysian Bent-toed Gecko

Cyrtodactylus pulchellus, another Cyrtodactylus gecko available on the exporter list.

Marbled Bent-toed Gecko

Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus, smaller than the other Cyrtodactylus geckos. I suspect this is one of the semi-arboreal species.

Siamese Algae Eater

Crossocheilus siamensis are common aquarium fish that inhabits flooded forests, streams and rivers.

Olive Tree Skink

An arboreal skink species, Dasia olivacea, that can be found along the coastal region of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam with much of their range beginning in Java and mainland Malaysia and ending in Borneo. This would be my substitute for Lamprolepis smaragdina if I choose not to use the Sulawesi as my base.

Wrestling Halfbeak

Dermogenys pusilla can be found throughout most of the coastal regions of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Burneo and Indonesia. Although this fish typically inhabit freshwater and brackish streams and rivers; it is not uncommon to find them in flooded forests and pools.

Common Flying Dragon

A commonly exported species, Draco volans, can be found throughout the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Jakarta. Someone was telling me a month or two back about a few other commonly exported species out of Vietnam. Much of the Draco radiation begin in the Philippines. Above all else, this is probably will be the best substitute for the Sulawesian Dracos.

However a lot of people seem to have difficulty keeping them alive, the ones that seem to do best are the ones with fans creating a current, a good humidity gradient, a tall enclosure, lot of UV, and lot of small insects such as 1/8" and 1/4" crickets, roach nymphs and fruitflies.

Western Mosquitofish

Gambusia affinis; highly invasive fish that seem to find itself in every tropical and subtropical water including the South Pacific.

Spotted Gecko

Gekko monarchus is found mostly west of New Guinea, with some population established on the west end of New Guinea. Their range reaches far north as the Philippines and as far west as mainland Malaysia.

Pacific Gecko

Gehyra muilata is a plain gecko that can be found throughout most of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. I can use the G. muilata for any Pacific or Southeast Asian project I have sans a few islands like New Caledonia. However in its place, I can always opt to use Gehyra vorax to live along with the Rhacodactylus.

Green Eyed Gecko

Gekko smithii inhabits similar habitats to the Sulawesi lowland forests, however it is not found east of Borneo. If I so choose to change my Sulawesi project for authenticity, then this would be a substitute for the G. vittatus.

Common House Gecko

Your average generic Hemidactylus frenatus. It is pretty much found throughout much of the tropical and subtropical worlds. I can use this species for pretty much all of my current projects, including the Pakistan idea I had, except for the Victoria Basin.

Fox Gecko

Hemidactylus garnotii, a fairly common gecko, widespread throughout Southeast China, down to Java, skipping the Sulawesi and extending itself to the west tip of New Guinea. Somehow they find themselves scattered throughout the South Pacific in places like New Caledonia. I suspect their distribution is through early migration routes of humans.

Mourning Gecko

Widespread from the coastal region of Vietnam and Cambodia, through Malaysia and the Indo-Pacific. Lepidodactylus lugubris could go into either or both of the Sulawesi and Solomon Islands project. Also can be used for New Caledonia as well.

Javanese Ricefish

Oryzias javanicus gets its common name from the habitats they inhabit. Not uncommon to find in rice paddies as they usually make ditches, canals and stagnant ponds their home.

Eel Loach

Pangio anguillaris inhabits low-flowing rivers and ponds and is often found buried in decaying vegetation and sand. This is probably one of the easier Pangio species to identify.

Kuhl's Flying Gecko

Ptychozoon kuhli is a novelty gecko that everyone seem to want and own at one point of their lifetime, but never seem to last long before being resold. It is limited to the Kra Peninsula, Borneo, Jakarta, Java and Sulawesi. This is yet another species that will limit the possibilities of a biotope to a few select areas.

Kuhli Loach

Pangio kuhli; commonplace, but there are many Pangio species with the same coloration or similar patterns. Sometimes I cannot be bothered to take a look at an inch or two long fish to encusre the identification is correct.

Smooth-back Flying Gecko

Ptychozoon lionotum is restricted to parts of Bangladesh, Thailand and Indochina with much of its concentration in mainland Malaysia. Co-habitant of the Ptychozoon kuhli if I ever decide to go west of the Borneo instead of the Sulawesi.

Spotted Kuhli

Pangio shelfordii prefers cooler water, which is not uncommon for many of the reptiles native to the biotopes I am doing.

Wallace's Flying Frog

Rhacophorus nigropalmatus; a photogenic frog that is frequently found gliding from the treetops to the ground.

Java Flying Frog

Rhacophorus reinwardtii, fairly diverse species of frog that can be found in numerous habitats throughout Southeast Asia.

Solomon Islands Animals

http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd293/S...nt=0c63da77.pbw

Azure-tailed Skink

Emoia cyanura, a commonly exported Emoia native to the south Pacific, best suited for the Solomon Islands and my eventual New Caledonia projects. I apologize for the watermarks, but none of these sample animal photos, other than the ones I already own, are mine. I will replace these pictures as I gain possession.

Western Mosquitofish

Gambusia affinis; highly invasive fish that seem to find itself in every tropical and subtropical water including the South Pacific.

Pacific Gecko

Gehyra muilata is a plain gecko that can be found throughout most of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. I can use the G. muilata for any Pacific or Southeast Asian project I have sans a few islands like New Caledonia. However in its place, I can always opt to use Gehyra vorax to live along with the Rhacodactylus.

Oceanic Gecko

Gehyra oceanica is a more unique gecko that will help to narrow down the locality of the wildlife of a vivarium closer to the Solomon Islands area.

Common House Gecko

Your average generic Hemidactylus frenatus. It is pretty much found throughout much of the tropical and subtropical worlds. I can use this species for pretty much all of my current projects, including the Pakistan idea, except for the Victoria Basin.

Fox Gecko

Hemidactylus garnotii, a fairly common gecko, widespread throughout Southeast China, down to Java, skipping the Sulawesi and extending itself to the west tip of New Guinea. Somehow they find themselves scattered throughout the South Pacific in places like New Caledonia. I suspect their distribution is through early migration routes of humans.

Mourning Gecko

Widespread from the coastal region of Vietnam and Cambodia, through Malaysia and the Indo-Pacific. Lepidodactylus lugubris could go into either or both of the Sulawesi and Solomon Islands project. Also can be used for New Caledonia as well.

White-lined Gecko

Gekko vittatus is widespread throughout the Pacific east of Borneo. I can use this in the Sulawesi or Solomon Islands project. Their personality is (supposedly) identical to the G. gecko.

Green Tree Skink

Lamprolepis smaragdina can be found anywhere between the southeast Pacific, north to the Philippines with their range ending in the Sulawesi. I can also use this for the Solomon Islands biotope as well.

Green Tree Skink - GREEN BLOOD!

This little cool critter, Prasinohaema virens, HAS green blood. However there is not much I can do with him since the range is limited to north New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. This would be an awesome addition to the Solomons biotope.

Dusty-eyed Crocodile Skink

Tribolonotus novaeguineae; another exported species of "Crocodile Skink" that is from New Guinea. If I was to find these or use these, they will be going into my Solomon Islands biotope to show the variety of Tribolonotus present on the islands.

Red-eyed Crocodile Skink

Still looking for the male Tribolonotus gracilis who disguised himself in the vivarium quite well. This photograph was taken by a friend of mine, a former owner of the T. gracilis pair I received. As you can see in the photograph above, it is easy to see how they can be difficult to find in the wild, even within their own enclosure! These guys survived by living in cool spots by running water under logs and leaf litters, unexposed to the sun. The Solomon Islands is the centre of the Tribolonotus radiation; many of them or any are not available in captivity since they are prone to overheating even when being held only for a few minutes! The two New Guinea species, T. gracilis and T. novaeguineae, can adapt to slightly higher temperature and are more readily available in the pet trade.

Solomon Islands Reference Pictures

Biche River

Found this series of pictures here: http://www.thewildernesslodge.org/biche_images.htm. Has a lot of reference pictures as well as animals in their natural habitats in the Solomon Islands. Unfortunately I don't see any Crocodile Skinks on the website.

Biche Fall

The rockface looks eerily similar to my smaller Solomon Islands biotope which was based on black-and-white WWII pictures.

Jamia Fall

Different waterfall, but still consistent with pictures of the Solomon Islands rivers especially Biche and Kele.

Kavolavata River

Some fantastic pictures of the local widlife can be found here: http://www.thewildernesslodge.org/mariu_ka...vata_images.htm

Kele River

Found this series of the Kele River here: http://www.thewildernesslodge.org/kele_river_images.htm

Kele River (#8)

This picture and the Lera Creek picture are found here: http://www.thewildernesslodge.org/hiking_b...alks_images.htm

[Kioka]

Day Five

I been meaning to update this thread for awhile, but I kept putting it off since i was pre-occupied with the raising of my tegu and bills. however now, everything is under control and it should be back on track.

I thought I should update this thread after planning a few things with a friend, and when another close friend and Andrew (frogO_Oeyes) gave me an idea what to do with the Frilled Dragon and Blue-tongued Skink... just need a house (and a few webcams) to carry out that idea.

Picture of the cage itself. Surprisingly the MVB doesn't get too hot so I will hav to consider this as an option. Right now it is a temporary housing for a female Frilled Dragon until I resolve the issue of heating a flexarium to about 100F+ without the risk of UV burn or burning of the flexarium itself. However I can still work on the Kra Peninsula project while it is being occupied by a New Guinea species. How so you ask? I can always figure out how to do the plumbing and lighting. I will explain in the next couple of pictures.

The stand for the enclolsure. It is woobly, but it can support the weight of the cage PLUS myself. I am thinking of using wooden blocks to straighten the legs of the stand to give the base a sturdy foundation.

To not let the project get overcomplicated and easy to maintain, I decided to use a sump and overflow. for this project. Gravity empties the water from the bottom of the vivarium via a pre-existing hole in the back, then the water drains into the container below, while a waterfall/founation pump push the water to the top of the vivarium and empty out via a half-ring to drip down the walls of the cage.

The top of the cage should beion with heating the Tokay Gecko's cages covered over by a mesh. From my experiment with the Tokay Geckos, they don't even go near the heat lamp upside down. So I assuming it is safe enough to use a heat lamp on the mesh screen for this enclosure as well.

Top view of the plan. There should be an island in the middle of the cage since the Kra Peninsula is full of mangroves and swamps with tall trees -- a reoccuring theme throughout Malaysia and Southeast Thailand and the coastal regions throughout the Pacific and Australia.

In this overview, the specification that it should be a semi-ring is illustrated here, since if it is a full circle, then the water would drip down the side of the door itself.