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Amphibians, Reptiles, & Natural History

The Rapid Evolution of Snakes

JCM

posted on

February 24, 2024

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, snakes were minor ecological players that slithered around the periphery of ecosystems dominated by dinosaurs more than 100 million years ago. But now, there are…
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Advances in Snakebite Treatment

JCM

posted on

February 24, 2024

The following is based on Wilcox C. 2024. Powerful new antivenom raises hopes for a universal solution to lethal snakebites. Science News 21 Feb 2024. A significant step toward developing an antivenom that could be applied to any of the 200 or so dangerous venomous snake species in the world, researchers have found a strong…
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Recently described snakes and changes in taxonomy – February 2024

JCM

posted on

February 10, 2024

A new species of endemic snake from the Lost World The Pantepui is a remote, biodiverse region of ~400 000 km2 in northern South America it contains at least five endemic reptile genera and several ancient vertebrate lineages. Kok and Means (2024) describe a new endemic snake genus and species, Paikwaophis kruki (Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae), recently collected…
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A new krait from Thailand

JCM

posted on

February 9, 2024

The Asian elapid genus Bungarus are commonly called kraits. They are terrestrial in forests and some agricultural habitats. They feed on other snakes but will take other small vertebrates. Their bodies are dorsolaterally compressed, which makes a cross-section of their body triangular. Their venom is highly neurotoxic, and they are responsible for human bites in…
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The Reticulated Python, an invasive species in Iraq?

JCM

posted on

February 7, 2024

Al-Sheikhlyet al. (2023) discuss reports of Iraq’s Reticulated Python, Malayopython reticulatus. The following is edited content from the Jordan Journal of Natural History article. Unverified reports of a “giant snake” surfaced in Iraq in the early 1980s. Local people reported a massive snake known as “Afa’ah” that was arboreal in the northern mountains and was…
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Successful Skinks

JCM

posted on

February 6, 2024

Geckos and skinks are lizard lineages that have been remarkably successful, as measured by the number of species recognized as well as , the size of their geographic range, the variety of habitats, ecological niches, and the diversity of their morphological and life-history features. The range, ecology, morphology, and life history of the varied lineage…
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The Plateau Spot-tailed Earless Lizard – no longer listed as endangered

JCM

posted on

February 5, 2024

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — A lizard species historically known to thrive across the Edwards Plateau in Central and West Texas is no longer listed under the Endangered Species Act since a petition was filed in 2010. According to a press release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Plateau Spot-tailed Earless…
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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.

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.

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.

Post List #4

California Kingsnake from se Arizona

Invasive Snakes refugia

Microhabitat use by the California Kingsnake in the Canary Islands

JCM Jan 14, 2026 3 min read

In this study, Maestresalas et al. (2026) characterize the shelter-use regime and the biotic and abiotic factors driving microhabitat selection by California kingsnake shelters on Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands. The intent is to help inform management. They expected that…

The Pacific tree frog (Pseudacris regilla), also known as the Pacific chorus frog, has a range spanning the Pacific Northwest, from Northern California, Oregon, and Washington to British Columbia in Canada and extreme southern Alaska. They live from sea level to more than 10,000 feet in many types of habitats, reproducing in aquatic settings. They occur in shades of greens or browns and can change colors over periods of hours and weeks.

Pacific Treefrogs, one, two, or three species?

JCM Oct 16, 2025 2 min read

Evolutionary divergence in sexual signals may lead to and maintain reproductive isolation between populations. Both selective forces—such as ecological and sexual selection—and random processes like genetic drift may influence the…

A female Burmese python with eggs.

Burmese Python Nest in Great Cypress Swamp

JCM Oct 16, 2025 3 min read

Lisa McBride, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) biologist, led a study to document a record-setting Burmese python nest found in Big Cypress National Preserve in 2022. McBride’s work details the…

Jurassic reptile fossil discovery blurs the line between snake and lizard

Jurassic reptile fossil discovery blurs the line between snake and lizard

JCM Oct 7, 2025 3 min read

by American Museum of Natural History edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan New research has uncovered a species of hook-toothed lizard that lived about 167 million years ago and has a…

Riama, a light bulb lizard from Ecuador

Discovering the lightbulb lizards of Ecuador

JCM Oct 7, 2025 2 min read

Alejandro Arteaga, a herpetologist in Ecuador sent out out the following email. If you have the resources for helping Alejandro I encourage you to do so. Today, I want to…