Road-killed Herps in Protected Areas
Photo credit::Núria Garriga Amphibians are the vertebrate group that is more likely to become roadkill in Catalonia, even more so…
Photo credit::Núria Garriga Amphibians are the vertebrate group that is more likely to become roadkill in Catalonia, even more so…
This is an artistic reconstruction of feathered ornithomimid dinosaurs found in Alberta. Credit: Julius Csotonyi. The ostrich-like dinosaurs in the…
Epictia tenella. JCM A new study, published online in Biology Letters on Sept. 19, has utilized a massive molecular dataset…
Pantless tree frog embryos within the eggs on a leaf surface. The embryos die within a day if there is…
A new species of egg-eating sea snake, Aipysurus mosaicus from northern Australia and southern New Guinea has been described by…
Recent molecular and morphological investigations of widespread species have demonstrated that many of them show deep genetic divergences and morphology…
Malaysian Snail-eating Turtles on the grill in Thailand. JCM Oct. 23, 2012 – Animals like antelope, frogs and rodents may…
A southern Arizona Crotalus atrox at its den. JCM Anorexia (cessation of feeding) is frequently associated with gestation in snakes.…
The Otton Frog, Babina subaspera. Photo credit N. Iwai Combat-ready spikes which shoot from fingers sounds like the weaponry of…
The strawberry poison frog Oophaga pumilio ranges from Nicaragua through western Panama and throughout most of its mainland range it…
Gekko gecko in a Malaysian market. JCM There are about 5729 lizard species in the world, and in many cultures…
A paleogeographic reconstruction of the Early Triassic world (Smithian substage) around 252-247 million years ago, showing a ‘dead zone’ in…
A black timber rattlesnake. JCM Timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) are relatively widespread in the eastern US, and associated with forests.…
A female Komodo dragon guarding her nest in Indonesia. Credit: Tim Jessop An international team of researchers has found that…
Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense. Photo by M. Sumontha. Seven species of parachute geckos of the genus Ptychozoan are known, there is now…
Invasive species have become common place, and invasive snakes can cause considerable damage to the ecosystems they colonize. However, as…
Pelodiscus sinensis Photo credit Bastet78 Chinese soft-shelled turtles are exquisitely adapted to their aquatic lifestyle, sitting contentedly on the bottom…
Howdy Herpers, 9 October 2012 Once again we let Marty Feldner, and his little ringtail, do the talking. I’ll add…
Python bivittatus. JCM Why has the Burmese python (Python bivittatus) been so successful at invading southern Florida while other species…
Helicops angulatus. JCM Snake species living in urbanized areas are perhaps the most likely species to be studied. if for…
Snails that can shed their tails to escape much faster-moving predators and then regrow the amputated body section have been…
Howdy Herpers, 10/03/12 In the report that went out yesterday, Marty had this to say about tracking our wayward male…
Art by Tyler Keillor A new species of plant-eating dinosaur with tiny, 1-inch-long jaws has come to light in South…
Howdy Herpers, Tuesday, 2 October 2012 And happy October to all of you. I’m always glad to see October roll…
The following is being carried by Medicalpress.com Snakes in the wild serve as hosts for the deadly mosquito-borne Eastern equine…
Marty Feldner and I are tag teaming with this report. I’m keeping Marty’s writing in the usual black font, while…
World Snake Day
World Snake Day is July 16. The day is important to the conservation of snakes. Snakes live on every continent except Antarctica and can vary from the longest species, the reticulated python, to the smallest Barbados Threadsnake. Snakes try to avoid human contact. They consider humans predators. Venomous snakes (and many) use their venom to obtain food and only use it for defense when forced to. World Snake Day can help remove people's fears and illusions about snakes, and help them gain recognition as a marvelous adaptable apex species. World Snake Day can be used to educate and inform people about how to deal with snakes. Let's not mis this opportunity.
World Lizard Day
August 14th is World Lizard Day. It's the perfect time to show some love for these remarkable creatures that have been sharing our planet since the time of the dinosaurs. With over 6,000 known species, lizards come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns, and you can find them on every continent except Antarctica. But why should we celebrate lizards, you ask? Well, they're not just cool to observe in their natural habitats but also essential players in many ecosystems. Lizards help keep insect populations in check, which is vital to our ecosystems. So, let's give these amazing creatures the recognition they deserve on this special day! tems worldwide.
World Turtle Day
Turtles and tortoises have secured their enduring places as enduring symbols in folklore, fables, and popular culture, enchanting our imaginations with their representations of wisdom and resilience. Annually, on May 23, we gather with delight to observe World Turtle Day, a dedicated day that pays homage to these unwavering creatures. Turtles and tortoises, both esteemed members of the reptile family, inhabit an array of diverse environments worldwide, where they play pivotal roles within their ecosystems.
These extraordinary beings don’t merely excavate burrows that become abodes for various other species; they also provide a valuable service by assisting in maintaining the cleanliness of our beaches. Their diet includes the remains of deceased fish that wash ashore, making a substantial contribution to ecological equilibrium. This underscores the profound significance of safeguarding these gentle creatures.
World Turtle Day stands as an occasion specially designated to celebrate and protect both of these remarkable creatures. Its origins can be traced back to 2002 when American Tortoise Rescue introduced this meaningful event. It casts a spotlight on the myriad challenges that turtles and tortoises confront due to human intervention and environmental hazards. On this special day, educational institutions, rescue centers, and nature enthusiasts unite to deepen their understanding of these creatures and pledge unwavering commitments to their preservation.
Here are some impactful ways in which you can actively participate in the endeavor to safeguard these exceptional animals: Adopt a Turtle or Tortoise: Contemplate adopting a turtle or tortoise from a rescue shelter. These low-maintenance creatures make ideal companions, especially for families with young children.
The Green Anaconda, Eunectes murinus, has long been Amazonia’s most iconic animal. It is widely regarded as the largest snake in existence. However, in a groundbreaking development, Rivas et al. published a paper in February 2024, unveiling a second species of…
This book is available as a high quality PDF on the Herpetological Conservation International website. Aquatic Snakes, Diversity and Natural History covers about 420 snake species with text written by…
Lizards and snakes living in sandy soils in dry habitats and tolerating high temperatures have been considered beneficiaries of global warming as suitable habitats expand due to climate change. However,…
The species seemed to have bug eyes and a smile, so a team of researchers named it Kermitops gratus in honor of the banjo-playing Muppet. Michael Levenson, NYT One crawled…
About 128 million years ago, a surge of adaptation caused snakes to explode in diversity and evolve up to three times faster than lizards. Since they initially descended from lizards,…
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