I’m still catching up with homework and work, and now I have a nasty cold, but progress is still being made! Thanks for being patient with me. With the holiday next weekend, there will be no article, but they will resume the following week. Article ideas are always welcome as are newsletter items (good websites, useful accessories, etc).

That being said, this week’s newsletter and article may be a bit preachy. Every year, animals are given as Christmas pets and then no longer wanted when the gift giving glow wears off. Consider giving the set-up (cage, accessories, etc) as the gift and wait until after the holidays to purchase the reptile or amphibian.

There are actually two new articles this week. The one listed in this newsletter is part two of two. Originally, it was one long article, but it was too long! Enjoy both.

Happy Thanksgiving for all you Americans subscribed to the list. See you in two weeks!

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Newest Article: Alternatives to Reptiles as Christmas Gifts

URL: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art47672.asp

Synopsis: Alternatives to Reptiles and Amphibians as Holiday Gifts

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Herp of the Week: Red Eared Slider
Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta elegans
Informational Site: http://www.tortoise.org/archives/elegans.html

Description: Not the best pet turtle but probably the most often gifted. They grow large and can have aggression problems. However, many people do truly love sliders. My recommendation is not to give one as a gift (especially to a child). If someone in your life wants a reptile for Christmas, give them the enclosure and let them pick out the reptile after the holiday glow.

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Site of the Week: Turtle Exchange Forums

Review: As the holidays approach, people are preparing to buy pets as gifts that may no longer be wanted shortly after the holidays. This happens every day, but it happens more around the holidays. This site is a resource for those turtle owners looking to adopt out their pets.

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Item of the Week: Realistic 3D Reptile Puzzles

Review: When my Bits and Pieces catalog came, I found these listed. They’re strikingly realistic and very cool. I’m especially taken with the True Chameleon. The tortoise comes in second on my list. I would have preferred a different snake, and the realism of the crocodile leaves something to be desired. The only real drawback I see is the size. I’d rather have them sold individual at much larger sizes than small and as a set of four. Still, these would be a great holiday gift for a reptile lover.

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Herp Shows this Week:
Date: November 20th through December 3rd


U.S.

Fort Meyers, FL – December 3rd
Repticon

Atlanta, GA – December 2nd and 3rd
Greater Atlanta Reptile Expo

Wheaton, IL – November 26th
Chicagoland Animal Hobbyists Expo

Indianapolis, IN – November 26th
Midwest Reptile Show

Moorhead, KY – December 3rd
Eastern Kentucky Reptile Show and Sale

St. Louis, MO – December 3rd
St. Louis Reptile Breeder’s Expo

White Plains, NY – November 26th
New York Metro Reptile Expo

Hamburg, PA – December 2nd
North Western Berks Reptile Show

Mars, PA – December 3rd
Wester Pennsylvania Reptile Expo

Germany
St. Polten, Germany
Exotika Reptile Expo

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Please visit reptiles.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Reptiles and Amphibians. To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Reptiles and Amphibians located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=379

This newsletter is a work in progress. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Please feel free to comment either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Please pass this on to your reptile and amphibian loving friends and family. I'm trying to grow this area, but I need your help!

Peyton Creadick, Reptiles and Amphibians Editor

http://reptiles.bellaonline.com

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com


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