Four new vipers were described in 2016
Bale Mountains Adder, Bitis harenna Gower et al. 2016 Bale Mountains Adder, Bitis harenna Bale Mountains Adder is similar in…
Bale Mountains Adder, Bitis harenna Gower et al. 2016 Bale Mountains Adder, Bitis harenna Bale Mountains Adder is similar in…
Anolis is the largest genus of lizards with more than 416 described species. Eight new species were described by Kohler…
Three new species of turtles were described during 2016. This brings the number of recognized species to 345. All three…
Rana pipiens. JCM In the southwest, the Northern Leopard Frog, Rana (Lithobates) pipiens, is considered a threatened species, Much of…
A male Tantilla tjiasmantoi Koch & Veneagas, 2016. Seasonally dry tropical forests have a distinct seasonality with several months of…
This blog usually focuses on non-avian reptiles. However, the research reported here on birds has great implications for how we…
This is a photograph of the rare short nosed sea snake discovered on Ningaloo reef, Western Australia.Photo credit: Grant Griffin,…
Examples of a Random Image Structure Evolution (RISE) sequence for snake pictures. Participants looked at a sequence of 20 pictures…
A typical defensive display of a Frilled Lizard. The savanna-dwelling Australo-Papuan Frilled Lizards’ spectacular threat display has made the lizard…
A modern alytid European frog, Bombina. JCM The Neogene (the Miocene and Pliocene) extends from about 22.5 to 2.5 million…
The puff adder, Bitis arietans. The effect of food availability on the spatial ecology of snakes is under studied. Snake…
A Galápagos Land Iguana (Conolophus subcristatus). Photo credit Traveset et al. The isolation of ocean islands like the Galápagos prevents…
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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