matt2 - welp, it's 9:03pm, lets get started
matt2 - first off K.com's Guest tonight is Gerold Merker who has taken of his time to be w/us
matt2 - for which we very much appreciate
gerold - valuable time for green rat snake hunting I might add jk
matt2 - he just completed a cool article on Baird's ratsnakes in K.com's first issue of Reptile and Amphib Mag
matt2 - still a full moon, Gerold - I think

altaor - I'll give both captive breeding and wild q. How many species of Rattlesnakes are there in SW US? Also how hard is itto breed SW Banded geckos in captivity? i want to try my hand at new gecko species.
gerold - There are at least 15 species that I can think of right off hand....as for banded geckos, just like a lot of things....cool during the winter and feed the females a lot...we are incubating one clutch of Texas Banded Geckos right now using similar strategies that we use with our colubrid snakes....next

foodofthesnake - What is the most common snake found in the SW and what impact are all the new rural areas having on their habitat, and what steps can be taken to preserve their habitat while building?
gerold - This is a major pet peeve of mine.....I have watched in horror as habitat around my town is being converted into malls, homes, etc. with no regard to any animal life, including reptiles....I think the most common snake found in the SW is either a night snake, a gopher snake, a common garter snakes, or sidewinder depending on location....next

Herpo - Gerold, what is the best time of day and year to find C. tigris in AZ?
gerold - I have heard September....I found five DORs during that month in the mid-70's....but, any time during the monsoon is good.....next

altaor - Me? What is the rarest species of reptile found in the SW? What is the most common
gerold - For me, the rarest has been the Big Bend Milksnake...I have never found one and have looked for years....the most common, for me is the Mountain Garter Snake or the Valley Garter Snake....next

matt2 - Gerold, any luck w/Green rats this year
gerold - Matt. NONE!!! They are a difficult animal to find. I found three two years ago....but , that is the exception....as far as captive breeding....the last time I accomplished that was in 1987.....next

chondropython - gerold do you keep/breed any reptiles...if so what?
chondropython - just curious
gerold - I keep a variety of colubrid snakes, rosy boas, collared lizards, bearded dragons.....to mention a few....we also have over 70 amphibians as well...next

foodofthesnake - Whats the best time of the day to find western hognoses? And how well do they do in captivity, breeding wise?
gerold - That is another animal we work with....I spent many a year trying to find a male for my 1993 female. In 2000, we caught one...then in 2001 we caught another pair....of which we kept the female. They are most commonly found before 9:00 A.M. and after 4:00 P.M. although we have caught one at 9:30 P.M.
gerold - Sorry, foodofthesnake....they do GREAT in captivity on all counts and are fairly easy to breed....next

GreenLizard - what would you recommend feeding a night snake?
gerold - The only thing we have had great success getting them to feed on is lizards, either Utas or Western Fence Lizards....sorry, next

Herpo - Gerold, you still trying to breed Chirricahua rats or have you finally gotten some Santa Ritas?
gerold - Still working with the Chiricahuan Green Rat Snakes....a couple of modifications to their husbandry has been the addition of a damp hide area (with moist CareFresh) and allowing the animals access to a warm region in their cages during brumation....this has helped A LOT with our success keeping them alive.....next

theoriginalxeo - Just wondering if there has been a decline in the number of herps to be found in the recent years in the southwest, and what is the most common amphibian in your area
gerold - The most common amphibian where I live in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (3000 foot ele.) is the Pacific Tree Frog.....numbers of herps in the wild.....I have noticed a decline in the numbers that I see during a typical night of road cruising...whether that is a function of my faulty eyesight or something else is hard to say. I still have seen over 40 snakes in one day this year....next.

wetceal - From your experience, what was the easiest herp for you to breed?
gerold - Probably the Mexican Hognose Snake.....you cool them, they breed and breed....even double clutch with no second breeding.....next

matt2 - my turn: Gerold - ya gonna be doing more articles for K.com's Reptile and Amphib Journal?
gerold - We hope to do more....that is something we really enjoy doing.....we have had other articles published as well as some photographs. We are spending a lot more time concentrating on the photography and less on the collecting.....next

Guest91098 - what has your experience with milksnakes been across the country and which ones have you found?
altaor - Do u have any horror stories about being bit by Rattlers/ Gilas out in the middle of the desert? How many Gilas have u found over the years and how easy are they to find?
gerold - Milksnakes are the group of kingsnakes that I have found the least. I have found only two, both Mexican Milksnakes, and two DOR Mexican Milksnakes, two DOR Scarlet Kingsnakes, and one DOR Taylor's Milksnake.
matt2 - Gerold, did you see altaor's question
gerold - I have not been bitten by any rattlesnakes or gila monsters. I have observed about 25 gilas in the wild and have honestly never collected one. I always thought they were a cool animal to see in the wild but did not have the interest to bring one into captivity. I have been stung by several scorpions and wasps during my collecting....next

Behindbarrs - What are the most unuasual native snake(s) do you keep or remend keeping? Non native??
gerold - Gray-banded kingsnakes because of their incredible color variation....and I am very biased towards them....as far as non-native...it would have to be some of the tropical milksnakes like Sinaloan Milks....next

jerkface - I was wondering how you feel about the recent rise in poularity of cross breed snakes and how often does cross breeding occur in the wild?
gerold - I am not really in favor of cross breeding myself...but if that is something that interests someone else, more power to them....as far as in the wild....I think I have only observed a hybrid rattlesnake once and have seen several milk snake gray banded kingsnake hybrids found by other collectors. next

one_of_many_erik_w - how many ophidian species are you likely to find on a good evening? on an average evening?
gerold - Good, we have observed ten....average maybe two or three...at least recently. We really like to drive the roads in SE AZ during the monsoon to observe what is out. The most species we have seen on one night has been 15 in this region....next

ratsnakehaven - Hi, Gerold. Have you been herping in AZ this year, yet? If so, what was your main target species? Thanks, Terry.
gerold - We are in Arizona as we speak...our main goal is to photograph several species that we have no images for. Although, we are always looking for Sonoran Mtn. Kingsnakes and Western Green Rat Snakes....next

Ryan-theorginalxeo - Collard lizard question, was thinking about getting a 1.1 pair, was just wondering how big of a tank would you say would be good for them, and how easy they are to breed, and what is your fav reptile(not just snake, and not just southwest)....Thanks
gerold - Collared Lizards require fairly large enclosures IF THEY ARE wild-caught....smaller if they are captive-bred.....we use a cage that is 20 inches by 30 inches by 18 inches tall for a small breeding group of three adults. They are not that easy to breed, at least for us...we have only accomplished it four times. As far as favorite herp....got to be that Gray-banded Kingsnake.....

smallwhite - Do u breed Egyptian Uromastyx?
gerold - Sorry, never even had one...although I think they are an interesting animal....next

wetceal - It's okay to collect Gilas out of the wild? Do you need a special permit to do so?
gerold - No...it is not legal to collect them in any state they are found.....you do need a special permit to collect them. In Arizona, for example , you need an Arizona Game and Fish scientific permit for protected species. That translates to having a project in mind that does not only involve taking another one from the wild and keeping it in captivity. next

matt2 - my turn: Gerold; will you be working/herp'n in the Huachuccas this season?
gerold - Probably not....we have a short trip planned this summer mainly to do some photography and visit our oldest son who is working in the region doing some field work on vairous amphibian and lizard species....next

altaor - At peak output, how many animals do u produce in a year? Also, what areas of the SW do you find the most species of reptile?
gerold - During our peak, only about 200 babies....now a days....only about 60.....I would say for us, the most species of herps is in either SE AZ or West TX

applegate - Just got here, sorry I am late, don't want to be redundant, so will pass with a good evening Mr Merhker

Behindbarrs - Will you be attending the NRBA show at Chicago or other major reptile shows/swaps? By the way of my nickname I teach in a men's prison.
gerold - The only show we usually attend is the IRBA show in San Diego....big enough and close enough for us! next
altaor - Thanks for the time gerold. I'm out

ChipC - Ill be attending the University of Arizona this fall. Besides Sabino Canyon what are some other good herping spots. Mainly looking for crots.
gerold - Hook up with Dr. Dale DeNardo and he may have some interesting work for you.....next
ChipC - thanks

jerkface - What is the largest California king you have come across in the wild?and how common are the desert phase in the wild?
gerold - The largest has been I think about 45 inches.....the desert phase is fairly common if you go at the right time of year (May or June) although, I have not personally found one in 15 years....next

joeshmoe - What do you think is the best College in Australia to go to if I wish to become a Herpetologist?
Behindbarrs - Do you think or feel the Game and fish or other State agency has helped or hurt the herper's ??
gerold - Sorry, but I have no idea....just like in the US, it is probably in the eye of the beholder....next

ratsnakehaven - Well, I'll be in s.e. AZ next week. I plan to visit several of the Sky Islands, although our home base is near the Santa Ritas. Mtn. kings and green rats are high on my list too. I had two CB green rats and one died during the winter for no apparent reason. What is a common cause, too cool (55 - 60*F)?
joeshmoe - thanks
gerold - I think the best approach with the Green Rat Snake is to provide the animals with access to a warm region during the winter....since we started doing that , we have not lost any during brumation....next

Ryan-theorginalxeo - what is the usally equipment you bring with you on a herping outing, and what and when is the frist snake you remember catching.....
gerold - I usually bring my camera, a good pair of boots, a strong flashlight and an ice chest to keep the cool sodas in! I also bring a small snake bag in case I see something I need to spend more time with photographing back at the motel....the first snake I caught was the Two-striped Garter Snake in the San Gabriel Mtns. of Southern CA in 1962 when I was seven years old....next

wetceal - How difficult (or easy) is herp photography in the wild? Do you ever find it difficult to capture the true colors of reptiles you photograph? And have you had any issues with lighting with outdoor photography (shadows created by natural sunlight)?
gerold - It can be very difficult if you do not have the right equipment or a cooperative subject. We like to take things into our makeshift studio with flashes in soft boxes to get right of our shadow issues. In the wild, we often use fill flash to get rid of the heavy shadows....next

matt2 - ok, my turn: is there any update on wether or not green rats have or have not been found in the Huachuccas
gerold - I have not heard of any being found there, although, there is habitat in the area...next

applegate - Is the market for the herp slides/photos, still treating you well, and tell us the story about the wierd name you use and its origin! The sandwich thing!
Herpo - Thurgood cranston?
gerold - The market for the imaging has gotten slow....but, we occasionally still sell images here and there. Thurgess Cranston is my pseudonym for articles we wrote for the Vivarium and Reptiles magazines....just a fun thing to do. It is a long story how it came about.......but, yes, sandwiches were involved and you have an incredible memory Bob......next

collector - what would be the best type of camra to use for getting good pics
gerold - A SLR camera...next
gerold - The trick is in the lens....you want a good macro lens at about 100 mm focal length...next
Herpo - comment:
Herpo - the trick in photography is patience and a good eye
gerold - and taking a lot of photos...
collector - lol

jerkface - Do you have any tips on breeding western diamondbacks? and when do you think would be the optimum time to cool them?
gerold - I have never worked with them....but I imagine the cooling could begin in the fall and end in spring....I have one friend who has breed them in outdoor enclosures.....next

ratsnakehaven - Gerold, AZ has been experiencing severe drought this year, but now the rains are starting to come. Do you think the s.e. part of the state is getting a lot of moisture, and do you think the herping will be good there? Have to sign off now too. Thanks, TC.
gerold - It is hard to say.....I know the Chiricahuas have had about an inch of rain so far.....I spent all day looking today , but did not see one snake....I did see about 30 Clark's Spiny Lizards on the ground, whiptail lizards, and striped-plateau lizards....to mention a few...I hope the rains start or this region may be in fire danger again....next

Ryan-theorginalxeo - what is your fav insect to photograph if any, and also the hardest to find if any....and your comments on a herp photo from a herp photographer, if any. Thanks http://www.geocities.com/theoriginalxeo/herman12.jpg
gerold - Favorite insect to photograph is the Red-eyed Spiny Katydid - I like the work a lot of the herp photographers, especially Jim Bridges and Bill Love....next

SFgeckos - hello gerold, i purchased a nice female alterna from you late last year, just wanted to let u know she is doing good and eating like a pig (although nobody returned any of my emails? no hard feelings.) howhas this year turned out so far? do you do any local shows, and if so, which ones? (there is a sactown show coming up this weekend)
gerold - Sorry about no return on the emails, usually, I am pretty good about that....we did not have a banner year breeding alterna with only about 20 eggs .... we did not breed all of our females to give them the time off and to give us some time off.....I will not do any local shows this year......I am in AZ for the show you mentioned and really do not have enough animals to make it to the other shows as a vendor....next

wetceal - How did you get started in having your photographs published? What would you recommend for someone to do who wants to have their photographs published?
gerold - Write the articles about the animals you keep.....and have a lot of images on hand for the publishers to choose from....after you have gotten your foot in the door, then send only the images you think are the best......next

matt2 - my turn: Gerold, have you been able to herp/photo in Mexico..and if so what fav. herps
gerold - I have never had the op to photograph in Mexico.....next

applegate - I pass, but thanks for your time (and the sandwich!) See you soon??
gerold - hope so Bob...next

ChipC - How can i contact Dr. Dale Denardo
gerold - He is at ASU......I do not really know any of the herpetologists at U of A...although, I have heard Cecil Schwabe
gerold - 's name.....next

collector - i live in florida do you think an outdoor enclosure would be good for chameleons
gerold - Yes, definitely, the best thing any keeper of lizards can do for their animals is provide them with natural sunlight....one hour a week is better than eight hours per day times seven with the standard lights available to herpetoculturists....next

JohnOH - I want to know why gerold never lets me know when he is coming to TX
JohnOH - never get to see him
gerold - :(
gerold - sorry John, but I always rushed....nex
ChipC - Do you have a way I can contact DeNardo or Schwabe like there email addys
gerold - take care Bob and hope to see you soon....Gerold
gerold - Sorry, but I don't have that with me......Dr. DeNardo is very approachable....and check out the ASU website....that may have his addy
ChipC - ok thanks

collector - what size encosure for a 1.2 medium sized chameleons and would a ficus tree be aproprite
gerold - I have worked with only a couple of chameleons and have kept them in screen enclosures that are approximately 20 x 30 by 18 inches tall.......ficus trees sound nice but I think they may outgrow this size of enclosure....next

DigiLexic - What type of all around lens would you recommed for a SLR?
gerold - 100 macro.....I use that for approximately 75% of my shots....also a 20 mm wide angle and a 300 mm telephoto....if I could address the cham question....that size of enclosure works well for ONE individual....I would usually keep the animals separate.....next
JohnOH - I like the 105 macro

vettesherps - I am planning atrip to Las Vegas in November. Is the herping season over by then or is there some areas that I could go and expect to find some snakes, and is it legal to herp in Nevada?
gerold - John, I did unfortunately miss you in West TX this year and hope to see you in San Diego like I usually do.....next year, we should coordinate a trip.....Gerold

SFgeckos - which are your favorite herping areas?
SFgeckos - oops, sorry too late

gerold - Thanks for having me as a guest and I truly hope to see all of you out in the field in the future ....
collector - ty gerold
matt2 - Gerold on behalf of Jeffb, myself and K.com, thanks so much for tajking of your time time tonight
matt2 - taking
SFgeckos - thank you
gerold - No problem and thanks again for having me....
JohnOH - Thanks, Gerold. give my best to the family
matt2 - and best of luck in the field in AZ
gerold - will do John
wetceal - thanks Gerold!
collector - my first time here so now what happens ?
matt2 - welp, folks this concludes tonight's Guestchat and thanks to all for making it a good one
applegate - we all go away
collector - lol ok have a good one
applegate - Night all, I have a beaded laying I have to go collect eggs
matt2 - and for those who may wish to continue chatting herps, join us in #kingsnake
matt2 - I'm out to #kingsnake, night all for here