Frank Fast
New Caledonian Gecko Habitat. A Look At Ecotypes - with a discussion of the forms of R. trachyrhynchus and its breeding in captivity.
Frank Fast has been on several expeditions to New Caledonia where he discovered several new forms of Rhacodactylus leachianus. Some of his adventures with Philippe de Vosjoli were published in "the Vivarium" magazine under Great Tales of the Mad Gecko Hunters. He maintains one of the most diverse collections of giant geckos in captivity and is one of the few consistent breeders of the rare greater rough-snouthed gecko (Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus trachyrhynchus) in captivity. Frank is co-author of the book Rhacodactylus: The complete guide to their selection and care
Jay Sommers
Gecko Husbandry with a specific focus on keeping and breeding Bavayia and Eurydactylodes in captivity.
As a young child, like many of us, Jay was fascinated with reptiles and amphibians He grew up catching frogs, toads, turtles, and snakes on the land surrounding his family’s home. It was at the age of eight, while vacationing with his grandparents in Mexico, that he laid eyes on a truly amazing creature… his very first gecko. This experience triggered a life long obsession.
Now, 25 years later, after acquiring countless species represented by over 60 genera of gecko and almost 100 other herp species, Jay has amassed one of the most diverse reptile collections in existence. In keeping with his broad herpetological interest New Caledonian geckos were incorporated into his collection from the very moment they were even remotely obtainable. He has been keeping the genus Bavayia for a decade, Eurydactylodes for half as long, not to mention Rhacodactylus the years prior.
Currently Jay Sommers resides in the state of Kansas, U.S.A. where he spends his days maintaining his vast collection of reptiles and amphibians with a focus on obtaining and propagating obscure gecko species.
Jim Pether
"What "YOU" Can Do For Reptile Conservation"
Abstract:
The worldwide live commercial reptile trade moves hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Virtually nothing is given back in the way of support for reptile conservation. Is there anything "you" can do? Is it in your interest to do so?
Jim Pether owner is the of Reptilandia Park a private reptile park in Gran Canaria, Canary islands. Where he keeps and breeds many species of reptiles mainly in large open-air terrariums, he was the first person to breed Komodo dragons outside of the US and Indonesia, he has travelled round the world, including two trip to New Caledonia in search of reptiles for his Zoo and to study their habitat, Jim has also worked for 5 year with the Canarian government as a captive breeding specialist with Gallotia bravoana, a highly endangered species of lizard from the Island of Gomera. Jim also writes for various magazines about his travels and on the breeding of lizards.
Michael Troeger
Our friend Michael, died suddenly of a heart attack in early June. The symposium would not be happening if not for Michael's support, work, and influence. We will miss him dearly...
Experiences in 10 years of keeping and breeding " Mt. Koghis" Rhacodactylus leachianus leachianus.
Born in 1958 Michael starts taking care of reptiles and amphibians as a school child which he only stops during his military duty and some parts of his studies of economics. Since more than 20 years he focuses his interest in keeping and breeding of lizards, at this time mainly different Chameleonidae, Cordylidae and Uroplatidae. After several years of keeping and breeding different species of the mentioned families, he started to concentrate his interest on geckos from the oceanic region and still Cordylus-species and was so lucky to obtain his first Rhacodactylus in the mid 90th from Willi Henkel. Since that time he keeps and breeds most of the Rhacodactylus species.
Michael wrote several articles about keeping and breeding of lizards (f.e. Calumma parsonii, Rhacodactylus l. leachianus).
Peter Sound
Preliminary results on the sceletochronological analysis of R.l. henkeli and B. cyclura
Abstract:
Specimen of B. cyclura and R.l.henkeli were sampled from two satellite islands close to Ille des Pins. Sex and species depended differences in groth rate and age structure were analysed. The first results indicate surprising results especially concerning the maximum age of free living individuals of both species. The results also show a complex relationship between groth rate and the development of climatic conditions. Further analysis including additional islands and other populations are nescessary to judge upon our results.
2. Thermoregulation and habitat utilization R.l. henkeli
Abstract:
Fife specimen of Rhacodactylus lechianus henkeli were radiotracked on Ile Bayonnaisse. The specimen were radiotracked contiuonsly every hour. Temperatures of microhabitat structures were recorded with data loggers simultaneously. This result could mention a bigger population than previously mentioned. A strong relation to the local air temperature seems to occur. Gravid females show exceptionally higher core temperatures (3°C) during day laying.
Male specimen showed a clear territorial behaviour during habitat utilisation. Although no strict territorial borders were observable male were observed defending there territories vocally. The females showed no territorial behaviour.
Born in 1968, in India, Peter is a German Citizen. He began his career in civil services in the city of Boppard, where he became the "Commisioner for Nature" . He is a current member of the district department of the SGD Nord/Koblenz. From 1998-2005, he was Head of a Conservation Project concerning reptile habitats in the Middle Rhine Valley. He is currently Head of a Conservation Project concerning threatened submontanous habitats in central Germany. He studied Biology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. In 1996 he received his "Master of Science" degree, and in 2005 his Dissertation. Peter accompanied Wilhelm Henkel on was on several expeditions to New Caledonia.
Philippe de Vosjoli
An overview of the morphs of Rhacodactylus leachianus in captivity
Abstract:
This will be both a presentation of the population morphs of R. leachianus in captivity as well as an invitation to the participants to help fill gaps in our knowledge, notably with regards to Grande Terre giant geckos. An emphasis will be placed on identifying traits that characterize different morphs. The author will discuss the ontogeny of certain traits as well as present arguments in favor of morph hybrids and the development of distinct captive lines.
Philippe ide Vosjoli is the best selling author of the Advanced Vivarium Systems series of reptile and amphibian care books published by Bowtie Press. He was co-founder and president of the American Federation of Herpetoculturists and publisher of the ground breaking t
he Vivarium Magazine. Philippe is co-author of the book
Rhacodactylus: The complete guide to their selection and care. He organized and led several expeditions to New Caledonia in the early and mid 1990's, and was the first to visit many of the outer islands searching for, and finding Rhacodactylus. You can visit Philippe's website:
Giant Geckos.com
Scott J. Stahl DVM.
Medical and Surgical Concerns in Rhacodactylus Geckos. (Diseases, Disorders, and Procedures)
Abstract:
Many species of Rhacodactylus are becoming mainstream in the herpetoculture community. As more people keep and breed these unique geckos, reptile clinicians are being consulted for advice on health issues and concerns. This lecture will review some of the common medical and surgical conditions I have seen in this group of geckos.
Dr Stahl graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. He became board certified in avian medicine in 1996. Dr Stahl is currently an adjunct professor in avian and exotic animal medicine at the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a co-founder and former chief of staff at the Eastern Exotic Veterinary Center where he served the greater Washington, D.C. area for the past 16 years. Dr. Stahl is an internationally renowned lecturer on reptilian medicine and surgery and is the author of numerous book chapters and articles on avian and exotic animal medicine and surgery. Scott is the proprietor of SEAVS (stahl exotic animal veterinary services)
Wilhelm Henkel
Diet of Rhacodactylus leachianus henkeli in Nature and in Captivity, an analysis of contents.
Willi will also present a short film Hunting geckos in New Caledonia
Born in 1949 in Germany. Willi is married and has one son. He became an electrical engineer and worked as mining engineer before he retire in the age of 48.
In a very early age he became interested in reptiles, before reaching the scool age he starts taking care of native lizards. In the age of 20 he starts taking care of geckos (Phelsuma mad. grandis). 1978 he bought his first Rhacodactylus from Harald Meier ( chahoua) and starts breeding them. All CBs until the early 80th occur from this pair. In 1984 he visited New Caledonia the first time. Up to today he has been there 10 times. He wrote the first work about the keeping and breeding of Rhacodactylus and rediscovers Rh. sarasinorum and discovers Rh. leachianus henkeli. He kept and breed all Rhacodactylus species successful.
In 1990 he wrote his first book about geckos and up to now he wrote more than 10 books and together with the TV-station VOX he made a film about New Caledonia focussing on geckos.
