Sunday, November 20, 2016
Monday, November 14, 2016
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Common Green Iguana
As common as the green iguana (iguana iguana) is within the pet trade, it is surprising that there is not much information available on proven Iguana morphs. Even the large iguana farms in Central and South America are not exactly sure which breedings produce which offspring.
Iguana Morphs are basically “The New Country” in reptile projects. Many of us that work with Iguana Morphs, in many cases, must speculate on what a particular iguana morph truly is (ie pastel, hypo, caramel, T+, axanthic, codom, recessive, etc), or what a particular iguana pattern or color mutation will potentially create.
We apologize for any errors that we make in our comments or speculations. We definitely do not intend to offend fellow Iguana breeders. Nor do we intend to mislead the reptile community. As I have stated, this is “New Country” and we are all in the learning process. I have been to some of the largest Iguana morph farms in the world and been present when the perceived experts have had eggs hatch. They are as baffled as I am at the appearance of the offspring and are asking me what I think their offspring may be.
This is truly new territory. U.S. Iguana's passion is Iguana morphs. We love our lizards and we eat, drink, and breathe iguanas. However, we do not profess to be scientists nor experts. We are simply hobbyists that are eager to learn more about this fantastic project.
Iguana Projects:
U.S. Iguana is involved in various iguana (iguana iguana) morph projects and we are currently raising hets, double hets DH, possible triple hets, and visual offspring for numerous projects including:
Albino (true T- ) Iguana x Albino (true T- ) Iguana
Albino (true T- ) Iguana x Blue (Axanthic) Iguana
Albino (true T- ) Iguana x Red ( RedruM ) Iguana
Blue ( Axanthic ) Iguana x Red ( RedruM ) Iguana
Caramel ( Lutino / T+ ) Iguana x Red ( RedruM ) Iguana
Caramel ( Lutino / T+ ) Iguana x Blue ( Axanthic ) Iguana
Hypo Iguana x Albino (true T- ) Iguana
Hypo Iguana x Red ( RedruM ) Iguana
Black Iguana x Albino (true T- ) Iguana
Also, over the years, we have acquired many odd and unique iguanas that we are working to “prove out” and combine with proven iguana morph projects.
Click on the links below for information on iguana morph projects
Albino Iguana (True T- ) bright yellow and pink/peach
Blue Iguana ( Axanthic ) True Blue
Snow Iguana aka Blizzard Lizard ( True T- Albino Iguana x Blue ( Axanthic ) Iguana )
Red Iguana ( RedruM )
Black Iguana
Caramel / Lutino / T+ / Trans
HypoOther Unique Iguana Morph Projects
Link: http://www.boalab.com/iguana.html#bottomtable
Reptiles moving to downtown Mission
Reptiles moving to downtown Mission
Mike Hopcraft, better
known as the Reptile Guy, holds an iguana, one of more than 300 animals
he houses in his centre. Hoprcraft is moving his facility and his
creatures from Abbotsford to downtown Mission.
Known as the Reptile Guy, Hopcraft is shutting down his Abbotsford-based rescue and education centre and moving to First Avenue in Mission’s downtown core.
He plans to relocate the reptiles on July 1 and hopes to be open to the public two weeks after that.
Hopcraft said the move is needed because he’s outgrown his 1,250-square-foot facility. Finding a larger space that allows reptiles,has been a challenge.
“We started to get a really good reception from Mission. There were a lot of people interested in having us out here,” he said.
His new facility has 4,300 sq.ft. of space, more than three times the area he had in Abbotsford, providing enough room to house the more than 300 creatures he often cares for.
The centre focuses on rescuing animals. Pets that have been abandoned, seized, lost or sick are taken in and rehabilitated. If possible, they are adopted out and those that can’t be relocated, remain on site as part of the education side of the centre.
“The education program is what funds the rescue. We don’t get donations – we deal with animals that scare people.”
The facility acts like a zoo, where the public can come in and learn about reptiles.
“They get a hands-on tour, see some animals, learn about
conservation and endangered species and the money they spend goes right
into the rescue program.”Those who are brave enough can even hold and pet the reptiles.
Hopcraft said his facility is a huge hit with kids, many of whom have a fascination with reptiles. One of the biggest fundraisers for his centre is birthday parties and the new Mission building allows them to create an on-site birthday party room.
“Birthday parties are one of the main reasons we are able to stay open,” he said.
Jamie Hayes, executive director of the Mission Downtown Business Association, called the new facility a “wonderfully unique addition” to the area.
“We are very encouraged that Mike has worked so well with the District of Mission in preparation of his opening. We look forward to the many families the facility will draw into downtown Mission.”
Mayor Randy Hawes agrees.
“I think his is the kind of business that is going to draw people. And what’s wrong with having something that will draw people downtown?” he asked.
Hawes believes local students will be intrigued.
“I am pretty darn sure there will be a heck of a lot of school kids that would love to go and look at them.”
According to Hawes, no special zoning was needed to allow the centre to move in and the district has no safety concerns about the reptiles.
“I don’t see any danger at all,” said Hawes. “He’s been doing this for years. He doesn’t sell them. This isn’t a pet store. It’s a recovery place.”
He added that Hopcraft respects B.C. legislation and won’t have any dangerous animals without the proper permits and precautions.
Hopcraft confirmed that all the animals he has right now are “perfectly legal” to own in B.C.
However, he does plan to construct a quarantine room and acquire a rescue permit from the Ministry of Environment.
“That permit will allow us to take in what we call ‘controlled alien species. ” ’
Larger snakes or other reptiles which the government has deemed as a dangerous animal, can be housed there if he has a permit and a secured enclosure from which the creatures cannot escape.
“There is no safety threat.”
While he is used to getting some public concern about the reptiles, Hopcraft said the feedback so far has been mostly upbeat.
“We are getting more positive reaction from Mission than we ever got from Abbotsford.
Before he can open, Hopcraft has to finish renovating his new space, which is an expensive endeavour.
“We assume we will run out of money during the building process,” he said.
He has already sold his personal vehicle in order to finance the move and is looking for donations and sponsorships for the facility.
Sponsors can receive a plaque on one of the reptile enclosures, with their business name on it.
For more, visit thereptileguy.info
Link: http://www.missioncityrecord.com/news/307130401.html
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Mission's Reptile Guy
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News
Mission's Reptile Guy hoping to raise enough funds to keep facility open
— image credit: File photo
by Kevin Mills - Mission City Record
Mission, B.C. posted Nov 11, 2016 at 2:00 AM— updated Nov 12, 2016 at 12:03 PM
The Reptile Guy’s Rescue and Education Centre may still remain open.
Five days after owner Mike Hopcraft announced on Facebook that the facility will close on Nov. 19, he created a new post hoping to raise enough funds to keep it open.
In his Nov. 10 post, Hopcraft wrote “We don’t want to let this place go as we have had four people needing us to take in their animals since we made our post about closing.”
He went on to say “Together, we can save our rescue and keep a safe place for unwanted reptiles and other small exotic animals.”
He is asking people to make donations in the hope that he can raise the $25,000 he needs to keep the facility running.
“If even half of the people who have liked our page donated just $10 we can make this happen.
“Donations can be made via Paypal or email transfer to mike@reptileguy.ca, in person at our facility or you can call in with a credit card,” he wrote.
On Nov. 5, Hopcraft posted a less hopeful message which announced the pending closure of the centre.
“As many of you know, 11 months ago our rescue was the subject of an unfortunate series of allegations by the BCSPCA followed by an endless attack from an animal rights group. As of today, the allegations have gone nowhere and there has never been a follow up inspection,” he wrote.
Hopcraft went on to write that the allegations made by the BCSPCA – and the national media coverage that came with it – severely damaged the centre’s name. As a result, the centre has “suffered a steady decrease in bookings” for the education program, which he said is the “sole means of funding for our rescue.”
He wrote that the centre has now fallen behind with almost all of its bills, including rent, and the only way to continue operating would be to raise $25,000 in the next few weeks, which he called “not feasible.”
With the decision made to close the centre, Hopcraft indicated that he and his staff are concerned about the animals’ welfare.
“It scares us to know that there will not be a place that can take in the volume of unwanted, abandoned or injured reptiles, amphibians, arachnids and other small exotic animals that we have been able to do for so many years.”
As for the animals currently housed at the rescue, Hopcraft wrote that they will be starting to find homes in the next few weeks, but it will take time.
“We ask that you please not ask for animals until we begin making posts about adoptions.”
In July of 2015, Hopcraft relocated his Abbotsford-based rescue centre to downtown Mission. By December of that year, the SPCA had executed four warrants on the property and confiscated several animals.
Charges were originally recommended in January 2016 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Court documents – the search warrant and information to obtain a search warrant – were made public by an animal activist group and state that the SPCA received a complaint from an ex-employee at the reptile centre, including photographs of animals in distress.
Allegations included animals enclosed in unsanitary conditions, dead animals, underweight animals, animals without water, a fungal infection, overcrowding and animals in critical distress.
The SPCA wouldn’t comment on the case in particular, but did confirm that despite the fact almost 11 months have passed, no charges have been filed yet.
Link: http://www.missioncityrecord.com/news/400744481.html
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
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