A Guide to Australian Geckos & Pygopods

Danny Brown was born in 1970 and has been an avid keeper of birds and reptiles since the age of nine. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991 with a major in Ethology and Conservation Biology. In 1992, he completed a Zoology degree with Honours in the _eld of Bird Behaviour. While completing his science degrees, Danny gained extensive experience working in various animal industries as a zookeeper. He also spent 12 years as a veterinary nurse. In 1997, Danny graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree with _rst class Honours. Since then, he has worked on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, as a small animal veterinarian with a special interest in avian and reptilian medicine also working in a referral role with local zoological parks. In 2002, he completed and passed his examinations and became a member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in the _eld of Avian Health. He has since swapped private practise and zoo work for a role in emergency veterinary medicine and critical care. Apart from reptiles, Danny’s other passion in life is birds and he has lectured throughout Australia on avian matters. In 1995, he authored the ABK Publications title A Guide to Pigeons, Doves and Quail— Their Management, Care and Breeding and in 1998 completed A Guide to Pheasants and Waterfowl—Their Management, Care and Breeding. One year later in 1999, he was awarded the Literary Achievement Award by the Avicultural Federation of Australia Inc. In 2003, he _nished his third book Under the Microscope—Microscope Use and Pathogen Identi_cation in Birds and Reptiles. Danny is presently the federal and state patron of the Pheasant and Waterfowl Society and a member of numerous avicultural societies. His regular columns feature in a number of magazines including Just Finches and Softbill Magazine and Scales and Tails and he contributes articles to various other bird magazines. Under his screen name geckodan, Danny is also a frequent contributor to numerous online reptile forums and discussion groups. Danny also maintains a popular website at www.geckodan.com that educates people on basic reptile care and husbandry. In 2005, Danny and his wife Wendy were blessed with Stuart—a bouncing baby boy with the makings of an obsessive-compulsive animal nut like his father. Stuart keeps Danny busy most days in his role as a stay-at-home dad. In January 2009, the Brown family became busier than ever with the birth of twins Robert and Lachlan. Danny currently maintains one of the largest private lizard collections in Australia. Over the past 25 years he has kept more than 175 species of Australian lizards and bred 80% of these. He currently is keeping and breeding more than 400 specimens of 60+ species of geckos, pygopods, skinks and monitors. In addition, he maintains a collection of 350 birds including _nches, waterfowl, native and foreign softbills, quail and pigeons as well as an extensive collection of Australian and New Guinea _sh. In the rare moments Danny is not feeding something or working, he maintains an interest in Australian native plants, particularly grevilleas native to Western Australia.