Cricket retrieval

Today while feeding the leopard geckos(adults)I got to see first hand what a really hungry ( should not have been so hungry since it was fed on Tues.) gecko is like. I was holding my "get back in your container spoon" while also tipping the cricket cup over the geckos container when all of a sudden the gecko bit the spoon and I of course jumped and dropped the crickets all over the place. After 10 minutes of crawling around in the extremely tight space I was able to capture 98% of the crickets. Lesson here: Drop 1 cricket in the gecko container before filling water dish and giving more crickets. That way you can feed and water without the unwanted surprise attacks!

By- Nanette

Clean up the World 2009

To commemorate clean up the world, MCSS organised an impromptu clean-up during regular beach patrols. Elke and Catarina were joined by Barbara Wolf, a tourist who had joined the MCSS turtle team for the day.

Catarina and Barbara collecting rubbish, photo Elke Talma

By 12:00 on Friday the 18th, they had collected over 51kg of rubbish from 3 turtle nesting beaches. This included plastic bottles and bags, polystyrene, flip flops, glass containers, discarded ropes and fishing line, fishing buoys, light bulbs etc...

The clean up crew would have collected much more but they ran out of bin bags – 12 in total!

SUMMER SALE- Last Day

We have sold a number of our nice SHTCT groups and today is the LAST DAY for the sale.
There are 2 or 3 groups still available so jump over to the store and get yours today!

Are we NUTS! 2 Shows in one day!

We realized a couple months ago that 2 reptile shows were on our schedule for the same day- Madison Wisc (WIRE) and the All Animal show in Wheaton, IL. Our solution- Send Nanette and Tim (youngest son) to Madison and Jordan (middle son) and I to Chicago. Two teams?!? Is this Big Time! I don't think so, I think it's NUTS.

We spent about an hour separating our supplies into two piles (well, Nanette did all the work and I said Madison or Wheaton) then got up at 5am to catch 2 groups of animals. Off to the Madison show Team 1 went and to Wheaton team 2 went.


Once quick note- Team 1 (Nanette and Tim) had a friendly bet with Team 2 (Wally and Jordan)- the team that sold the most MRP (crested gecko diet) had the buy the other team Ice Cream later that night. See Below for the results.

Madison Show Review- By Nanette
Team 2 arrived at the show around 9:10 this morning with plenty of time to setup. Madison's show had a new location and it was very easy to find. Tim and I unloaded my truck (after I woke him up again). The hall we were in was very nice and had good space for the vendors. Thanks Jim for all the work you did to have the show here. We were set up early and going through the lists to make sure we hadn't missed something. A quick call to the "Boss" (only in the gecko world) to verify a few prices and we were ready to go.
Tim hasn't been to a show in awhile so I brought him up to speed with some little tips. 1. Smile and at least pretend you are excited about spending the day at a reptile show with Mom 2. Talk to the customers 3. Tell your girlfriend you are working and no more texting! 4. Reminder, if we sell more MRP than Dad and Jordan they have to buy us ice cream tonight! See below for the results.
The show started out pretty good. There was a constant flow of people coming in until just before the Packer game started. We had interest in several geckos and Tim was selling his baby hedgehogs. Tim had to fill our candy bowl multiple times due to a vendor (Aaron) who ate all the pull apart licorice(we now know what kind of candy to not bring to the show - just kidding!) Several customers came to see Wally today - sorry he was at the Wheaton show. It was great to talk to Molly and Adam this morning. I also ran into Eric, who I had worked with at a pet store many years ago. He was quite surprised to see me working with the geckos, since years earlier I wouldn't even step foot in the reptile department at the store. I did remind him that I still avoid snakes as much as possible.
Tim had several customers interested in the cute little hedgehogs. He did sell one of them and was very excited. Later there was some interest at our table with a certain gargoyle as to what sex it was. Aaron " the expert" came over to check for the customer. However, he was quickly reminded how to hold the animal for the sexing process. After a quick nip from the animal and no sympathy from me (have another piece of candy and get over it) he was able to tell the customer what he wanted to hear. Yes, it's a male.
The rest of the afternoon moved a little slower due to a slow down in customers, most likely because of the game and weather. It was time to start to pack up and Tim disappeared. Low and behold he appeared at Mike's table and was talking to him ( avoiding helping me). He did come back when it was time to go to the car. We left for home and within 10 minutes my co-pilot (who had worked soooo hard - NOT!) was asleep.
Wally and I pulled into our driveway within 2 minutes of each other this afternoon with much excitement to see how each team had done.


Wheaton Review- By Wally
We arrived at 9:00, perfect time to setup before the 10 AM open doors. The boxes came out of the car- yes I took the car and Nanette got her truck as she was taking the sign (more on the sign in just a sec). I pulled a few boxes from the car, found our table, and started setting up. Jordan brought in all the other boxes. Yes, I know Jordan did all the hard work, so call child labor agency!
Supplies and animals were all in place around 10 to Doors Open and we had a little time to walk around. Even had a chance to talk to Scott which, due to his schedule before the show, is a rarity. We could have taken more than 10 minutes as once the show opened, the crowd was a bit light to start with. This was such a nice day, and football Sunday so everyone was probably just taking it a bit slow this day.
The crowds picked up a bit as the day moved forward. We had many, many questions about the geckos. The hit of our table was certainly the A.P.T.O.R. (NFS unfortunately).
Jordan and I had a debate as he wanted to hold one crested gecko back that was firing up- I think he wanted to name the new morph Choco Mocha Latte Grande or something like that. The gecko stayed on the table but if it fires up like that again before the next show, I might reconsider. We met some great people, saw some long term customers. Thank you Jenny for introducing me to Christie, I hope her new beardie brings her much pleasure. Nice to see Chris and his family again (new chameleon owner). Steve, it was nice to see you at the show with your better half :) I am forgetting so many! Had some time inbetween to talk to some vendors and before we knew it, it was time to go. We did well at the show with some sales of everything but not a lot of any one thing.


Well, the results are in and thanks to Mike P's big order at Madison, Team Nanette is enjoying there Culver's ice cream. Well, we are all enjoying a treat but Team Wally had to pay :)

Quick Tip

No running water near your geckos? Quick solution, try unscented wet-wipes.

Gecko Genetics

Question about leopard gecko genetics? Wonder what breeding your male and female will produce? Check this out- Gecko genetics calculator

Baby cresteds

Tonight I found 2 hatches from Kermit and they are beautiful! It is always fun to get them into their new home because they tend to open their mouths (like they could really do any damage) at me as I move them. We also collected 2 batches of eggs from other pairs.

1 /2 hours v.s. 3 or more hours

Worked in the facility this afternoon. Fed the leopard baby racks and the austrialan rack. It amazes Wally that I can go through the room in about 1 1/2 hours and get it all done. It takes him 3-4 hours sometimes. I don't hold them - just get the tank cleaned up, fed and watered. Get rrrr done is what I say!

Post card from Carol in Madagascar....

MCSS welcomes turtle volunteer, Catarina Schlott

Hello there!

I am Caterina, a biology student from Dresden, Germany a volunteer on the Turtle Monitoring Project for the period of September/October 2009. As part of my studies I am doing an internship in a field of study that I can pick as well as the place where to do it – so I chose to come to the beautiful Seychelles and start some extraordinary work which I could have never experienced at home!

A unique chance in a unique environment about amazing animals with the great supervisor (Elke) is the objective. Elke always has answers to my questions and has a superb knowledge about the marine turtles as well as land and fresh water turtles. She is familiar with the beaches, turtle nesting sites and is furthermore concerned about the awareness that people should have towards turtles and does everything to support it.

Catarina’s first (very wet!) day at work with MCSS, photo Elke Talma.

Our focus is the monitoring of nesting marine turtles as hawksbill and green turtles. My first monitoring trip was very wet as it rained a lot, but gave a first insight in monitoring in general, how a nest looks like and where the turtle ladies prefer to go. The second (and most recent one) was very spectacular due to meeting a turtle that just come out to do her duty. What a great experience!

Catarina’s first encounter (and second work day) with a nesting Hawksbill, photo Elke Talma.

I am very excited for the upcoming weeks and happy to enrich my knowledge through the project!

She’s back!!!

Doesn’t she look great? photo Elke Talma

My baby is back from the mechanic looking prettier than ever!

Unfortunately her new look has come at price – my baby now has attitude!

First the radio no longer works, so the mechanic needs to order a new aerial from the suppliers in Japan, then …

… on Saturday she refused to start until I bought her a new battery,

… on Sunday, the seat belt jammed so Donn had to take her apart and give her a good talking to,

…and today a knobby-thing fell off and while I know where its supposed to go, I have no idea what its for or how to get it back on!

Who knew trucks went through puberty!

SWOT latest turtle report

SWOT Report issue 1 to 4

The fourth issue of the SWOT Report has recently been published. It features the first-ever map of global flat-back turtle nesting data, genetic stocks, and in-water distribution. Other highlights include articles about why leatherback populations vary globally, how retail sales help communities and sea turtles in Brazil.

SWOT Report is a unique publication that brings sea turtles into the hearts and minds of people around the world. Published annually since 2006, the rich educational content that fills each volume is generated by SWOT’s extensive network of partners, the SWOT Team, and is designed to harness the group’s collective power by highlighting their success stories, innovations, and new findings.

SWOT Report is distributed back to the SWOT Team members who helped create it, free of charge, for use in their own local outreach campaigns in communities where sea turtles nest, forage, and migrate. To download your copy of the report visit the SWOT website.

First turtles of the season arriving

On the 5th of August, Marcel reported the first nesting turtle sighting on Anse Marie Louise. Two days later, MCSS Research Officer, Elke Talma, found evidence of a successful nesting emergence on one of the South Mahe beaches.

The first turtle nest of the season, photo Elke Talma

These are the first turtles of the 2009-10 Hawksbill Nestings Season which “officially” began on the 16th July 2009. Generally, one or two turtle will be nesting at this time of the year and as the season progresses, the number will increase, with peak nesting occurring between October and February each year.

Looking back at data from previous nesting seasons, these recent emergences are not the earliest recorded for first emergences. In 2008-09, MCSS recorded a turtle nesting on the 5th July 2008, a full week before the official Nesting Season began. Conversely, the latest emergence was recorded during the 2004-05 Season, when the first nesting turtle was reported on the 27th September.

New Australian gecko rack

We completed our Australian arboreal rack. It holds 9 enclosures and is perfect for our small group of 'climbing' aussie geckos.
For more pictures and descriptions- please see our Facebook page at Australian Gecko Page

Here are some really neat drawings from another blog I wanted to share today.

Wally

He found more space !!????!!!

Well, I just returned from Walmart purchasing 4 large plastic containers (that's all they had in that size) for the NEW shelf in the lizard room. These will house breeding groups of crested geckos. I really am scared because now there is NO more room in the facility to add anything. If he doesn't be careful there isn't going to be room for me to work in there anymore.

Summer Sale! 2 Beautiful SHTCTs for only $95

We're constantly asked if we could offer a discount if two leopard geckos are purchased rather than one. These are the same outstanding, High End Super Hypo Tangerine Carrot Tails you've seen at the local reptile shows we've attended!!
Well, for a very limited time, we are selling 2 female leopard geckos for only $95 (rather than our normal $75 each price). Save on the geckos AND save on shipping! Select any one of the sets for only $95!

Wonderful animals to start your own breeding group, or upgrade a project.
Hurry as this sale will only last a few days.

Visit our Store to purchase your group today or see additional groups (including pairs and Tremper albinos)- Supreme Gecko Store

Turtling in style with Thrifty Car Hire

Temporary turtle-mobile sponsored by Thirty Car Hire

Having just returned from the WIOMSA conference Reunion, Elke was desperate to check for turtles on the main nesting beaches, having missed last Friday’s scheduled patrol. The MCSS truck, however, was still with the mechanic for a long overdue paint job and was still out of commission, so Elke had to call on Mickey Camille, General Manager of Thrifty Car Hire, to assist with transportation.

Thrifty Car Hire has been supporting the MCSS Turtle Programme for a number of years and was one of the sponsors who made it possible for Elke to participate in the Sixth WIOMSA Scientific Symposium in Reunion.

Thanks Mickey... unfortunately no new turtle nests to report!

The Sixth WIOMSA Scientific Symposium was a roaring success!

Local sponsorship from Four Seasons Resort, Thrifty Car Hire, Helicopter Seychelles, Dive Resort Seychelles, Underwater Centre Seychelles and Cousine Island made it possible for Elke to attend the Sixth WIOMSA Scientific Symposium. The symposium brought together experts from 26 countries who specialise in marine research and conservation. A total of 160 power point presentations were on offer and over 200 poster were on display for the 450 delegates to peruse.

The organising committee did a fantastic job, with a wide range of subject being explored through the presentations and posters. There was also a wide variety of free books and DVD’s and the abundance of food made Elke wish she had packed trousers with an elastic waistband!

Food, food and more food, photo Elke Talma

Special session were planned for the afternoon of the 27th and included a session on Turtles. Originally, this was advertised as a training session on “Standardised beach monitoring protocols for sea turtles using international best practice”, however due to the high attendance (over 30 participants) and wide variation in backgrounds (ranging from participants with over 40 years field experience to those who just love turtles and were keen to learn more), the organisers changed the programme into a roundtable discussion.

Through these discussion, participants were introduced to the various Turtle programmes in the region ranging from monitoring turtle fisheries in Madagascar, counting turtle nests in South Africa to tracking turtles with satellite tags in Seychelles.

Through these sessions, it became clear that while we all have a passion for turtles, the effort put into our respective monitoring programmes, while commendable, would do little to protect these animals if we did not work together to create a standard monitoring protocol for basic data collection to allow for regional comparisons to be made.

A quick test on basic carapace length measurement reveals large variation in methods used within the region, photo Elke Talma.