Outer Fringes

Today we take a close look at the Waxy Monkey Tree Frog. No, it is not a chameleon, but you will be much more successful with this species if you use chameleon husbandry rather than standard frog husbandry. And to introduce us to this unique frog is none other than Philippe de Vosjoli.

Welcome to another episode of the Outer Fringes where we explore an arboreal reptile – or amphibian – that chameleon keepers would be uniquely suited to understand. Today we are talking about Phyllomedusa sauvagii, the Waxy Monkey Tree Frog. This is the most unfrog frog. It climbs in the branches prowling about like a cat and it perches like an unusually cute gargoyle. It’s arboreal nature and its adaptations to a dry environment puts it firmly into husbandry conditions that many chameleon keepers will recognize.

I am very happy to have Philippe de Vosjoli back on the podcast. People who have been around recognize this name as the founder of the Vivarium magazine and the Advanced Vivarium Systems collection of herpetocultural reference books. He has a wide experience with reptile and amphibian care and, over these many decades, has been active in the legal status of reptile keeping and promoting the value of keeping reptiles in the first place. We will get insight into the care of Phyllomedusa sauvagii, but we will also touch on Philippe’s perspective on the role of the breeder in the community. If some of what we talk about sounds familiar to you regular podcast listeners it is because Philippe’s work was instrumental in forming my views.   I am pleased to bring you this interview.

One of the most cryptic and incredible reptiles is the Uroplatus phantasticus also known as the satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko. Quite the dramatic name for such a cute finger perching gecko! Today I talk to Lawrence Erickson who has bred phantasticus for many years.

Check out Lawrence's website by clicking the picture below

The Draco flying dragon is an incredible species that has the ability to shoot through the air from tree to tree. But it has been exceptionally hard to establish in captivity. Today I talk with breeder Charles Mcallister about the start of the captive breeding community.

Charles Mcallister is a reptile breeder that guides us through his experiences as he dedicated his efforts solely towards unlocking the mysteries of the enigmatic Draco flying dragon. The images that follow are from Charles' private breeding collection. Charles currently works with Draco maculatus, sometimes known as the Spotted Flying Dragon. This species is widespread through southeast Asia. Though Dracos have always been highly valued in captive collections they have failed to establish a foothold due to the poor condition imported adults come in. The death rate, added to the common thought that they needed ants or termites to survive, kept any captive establishment at bay. Charles has produced a substantial first generation and is working on the second captive generation. Where wild caught adults are flighty, the captive hatch specimens, while active, are calm and do not show the same fear of humans. It is efforts like this that are encouraging and show that we still are in an era of advancement in our breeding efforts.

The Draco community is still forming. We are at the beginning stages and we have the pleasure of watching it as it grows. On this podcast I will continue to share advancements and achievements in this exciting effort.