We are pleased to announce that in Issue 3 of Reptiles Australasia we will be publishing the 2011 Nactus awards, thanks to Exo Terra.

There are 8 categories in the competition: Amphibian Portraits /
Amphibians in their environment / Amphibian behaviour / Reptile Portraits / Reptiles in their environment / Reptile behaviour / Endangered species / Scientific Record.

It is very encouraging to see that Australian photographers feature prominently in the finals with an Australian photographer taking out the winner’s prize. The winner of the Exo Terra Nactus Award will be joining the next Exo Terra Expedition in Sri Lanka as the expedition’s official photographer.

Vincenzo Salvatico has captured a Mandarin Ratsnake (Euprepiophis mandarinus) emerging from the egg.

Vincenzo expresses his love for nature with the following though: “With every new birth, we manage to slow down the ticking of the time clock of extinction.”

Recently moved from Italy to Costa Rica so he can ‘live the dream,’ Vincenzo is both an experienced herpetoculturist, and a photographer with an artistic flair.

He has specialised in many colubrid species, Rhadin0phis prasinus, Drymarchon couperi, Oreocryptophis porphyraceus coxi, and of course Euprepiophis mandarinus. Vincenzo is able to capture their beauty with his amazing images.

Reptiles Australasia now has an official Fan page on facebook. Please click on our facebook link to the right and like our page.

The first 2000 likes get a $10 discount on their first year’s subscription. Applies to both Australian and International new Subscriptions.

Click on “contact” above and write “FB promotion” and you will be refunded your $10 via paypal.

Issue 2 has been posted out to all subscribers. We hope you enjoy this issue.

Issue 2 has articles on breeding Pig-Nose Turtles, Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas, the Heloderma Natural Reserve in Guatemala, gliding herps in Borneo, and more.

Subscriptions are AU$79.95 per year for Australian residents, and AU$99.95 per year for our overseas subscribers. (Postage and GST included).

To receive the magazine visit the subscription page.

The Complete Carpet Python

Purchase your signed copies of The Complete Carpet Python, the Morelia bible. Signed copies (by both authors) are available. Numbers are limited so hurry.

Award-winning conservation biologist Fred Burton has released a fascinating new book about saving one of the most endangered reptiles on earth. “The Little Blue Book: A Short History of the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana” is a true story about the rescue of a noble and charismatic iguana that almost suffers extinction. An engaging read and a beacon of hope for conservation of reptiles.

Published by IRCF

This image was achieved through a combination of experience and luck. I originally pipped the egg of this Central Netted Dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis) with the intention of assisting in a late hatching and not for a photo opportunity. As I gradually pipped further and further it became obvious that the prenate was deceased so I proceeded to carefully remove the egg shell.