Forgotten Reps.

[Rocket]

It's obvious these days that the popularity contest when it comes to animals leans towards the money makers and up-and-coming colour phases. As a result of the trends, many species are forgotten or pushed aside and some left alone due to dull colouration, complexity of captive maintenance and poor return on investment through breeding. Some animals aren't as gregarious or socially adept and exhibit poor tolerance to staring and handling. Another reason may be start-up costs, some of the lesser-known animals may cost more to begin with and proposed keepers may get turned away due to reputations of poor return or possible death (knob-tail enthusiasts will know what I'm on about).

However, some specialist keepers lean towards the unpopular animals and focus on them as a result of personal interest and don't care for the social conform, I am one of them, especially for my favourites, Nephrurus stellatus.

This under-appreciated, under-researched and generally under-estimated species has alot of potential, just like Nephrurus levis. If you look at some of levis04's threads you will see some stunners and some that qualify for the social tage of 'hypo'. With further concentrated and line breeding, I have no doubt that some absolutely jaw-dropping animals can be produced in a matter of seasons, even enough to rival overseas animals, if only more people would take an interest to the species.

Like Nephrurus laevissimus, this species is certainly not overly tolerable of handling, require a rather specific style of housing and hide for all visual hours of the day. They are a specific animal for specifically interested keepers but to me, they will even rival N.levis and N.amyae for personality, characteristic and potential.

Also, to dickyknee, if you want emailed images or anything, send me a PM.

Anybody else that keeps any lizards that tend to be forgotten and left out, please add photos to this thread . Please, no amyae, asper, levis, bearded dragons etc....

[Jay84]

Gorgeous Geckos! I would keep them but they are not allowed in Victoria!!

[Rocket]

Well when or if the list changes Jay84, let me know and I'll send you some

[Jk888]

i have a trio of stellatus that isnt fussed about digging alot of the time they choose to lay on top of the sand ..

[Jay84]

Well when or if the list changes Jay84, let me know and I'll send you some

Thanks Rocket, hopefully i won't have to wait long!

[Rocket]

Photos jk888? More photos the better

[kupper]

all the nephs are something that I believe have been underrated for ages ... there becoming popular though but IMO not fast enough

cant wait to keep dealani , vertabralis , stellatus and wheeleri although the first two are not legally available for anyone I don't think

[Dannyboi]

If the first one can be found in SA and according to Reptiles Down under it can, then all you need is one enthusiast to apply for a permit to catch some then breed them they should then become common place. I would do it but well I don't have the cash or the transport.

[dickyknee]

Cheers Rocket , PM sent ...

Thanks fro posting those pics too , great little gecko that i dont see to often

[kupper]

The permits have been knocked back for dealaeni a few times from my knowledge

[Dannyboi]

A collect protected species from the wild permit? In SA any reptile that isn't on the basic is only available on request. So one would assume in the right circumstances any reptile can be kept.

[Rocket]

You will not get a take permit for N.deleani, I assure you, especially if you are not a SA resident. NPWS SA just don't want them in captivity, it's that simple.

I keep them individually in tubs, I was instructed not to keep them together permanently however, some people have done it with success in large black tubs, as you would get from Bunnings or Mitre 10.

[Dannyboi]

I am a South Australian resident. I don't understand why not but thats the way it is I guess. Although the NPWS do mention that they issue permits to collect protected animals from the wild for private collections you can apply for the permit but its a bit of money to apply especially if you don't get approved and then if you did you would have to find them.

[mike83]

I have 4 stellatus eggs incubating right now hope they all hatch they are great and look amazing.

I have a trio 2 females and 1 male purchased from levis04 When I first got them I had the 2 females together with no trouble at all then separated them during breeding and kept them separate for a bit after that but I have found that for some reason they are feeding better being back together. Sounds strange any one else have this happen to them ?

Great pics as well Rocket.

[GeckoJosh]

I for one have always loved N.stellatus, the main reason I have not gone into keeping them is they come up for sale rarely and when then do im strapped for cash lol