By Herp News

Turtle Rock will offer free DLC if the community can complete a special in-game challenge this weekend.

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When I started with my studies on Indian snakes, I was really surprised when I read that India has five species of coral snake. I used to believe these highly beautiful snakes were only found in American countries.

I can find a few in my area, but I have to be lucky enough to get one, and never got a chance to rescue any. Whenever I go herping, I always tell my fellow companions that for a particular period of time they have to search only for coral snakes.

The striped coral snake is very rare to find as compared to other venomous snakes, and very shy by nature. I have never seen an aggressive coral, and to be frank I still don’t know how coral snakes attack because I haven’t seen any of them attacking.

That’s why, despite being venomous, coral snakes are not included in the “Indian Big Four” as they are not highly harmful as compared to vipers and cobras.

The striped coral snake, Calliophis nigrescens, is thin, very long, and has a cylindrical body with short tail. The body is blackish-blue, bluish-purple, or reddish-brown. There are 3-5 stripes on their body, but they are extremely faint in blue and black individuals.

The head is black with a light streak behind the eyes. The underside is red and the scales under tail are partly white.

Striped coral snakes are found mainly under dried leaves. They curl up their tail as a threat display when they are disturbed. They feed mainly on other snakes and viviparous by nature. These snakes are endemic to certain parts of western hilly areas of India.

I have encountered this snake only twice on my herpings. When I found the striped coral snake ,it was really unbelievable and I forced my companions to pinch me so I could believe I’d really found this beautiful creature.
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This is what our community is about, our love of the animals. Happy weekend! We hope you enjoy you like your reptile pets as much as this boy likes his snake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Tom_AF_Guy!

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By Herp News

Last month, Australia became the world’s first country to ban the import or export of lion trophies, often taken from so-called canned hunting where lions are raised solely to be shot by foreign hunters.

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Four Days Before Christmas, and all through the ‘hood,

The rain was torrential, conditions were good.

Jake said, “It’s the night. We really should go.”

I checked the computer, barometer’s low.

So off in the storm, wipers on high,

The rain still fell in sheets from the lowering sky.

Traffic was heavy on roads, wet and black,

But for 50 long miles we stayed right on track.

We turned toward the pond, it had been a long ride,

But the “sallys” were active. We’re both glad we tried!

Road herping central Florida style with Jake: December 21, approximately 67 degrees Fahrenheit, and heavy rain.

Species seen: mole salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum; tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum; spring peeper, Pseudacris crucifer. Also seen: southern toad, green treefrog, and southern leopard frog.
Continue reading “‘Twas a great night for herping” …read more
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Remind your friends in Florida to leave nesting sea turtles alone, and avoid using bright lights near the turtles.

From WINK News:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) asks people not to get too close, shine lights on, or take flash photos of nesting sea turtles.

Spring is the beginning of sea turtle nesting season in Florida. From now through the end of October, thousands of sea turtles will land on Atlantic and Gulf coast beaches to lay their eggs. With Florida hosting one of the largest loggerhead nesting aggregations in the world, this becomes an opportunity for residents and visitors to play an important role in conserving these long-lived reptiles. People can help by taking turtle-friendly precautions on the beach.

“Take care when you’re on a Florida beach at night and do not disturb the nesting sea turtles,” said Dr. Robbin Trindell, who leads the FWC’s sea turtle management program. “People can help save threatened and endangered sea turtles by giving them enough space and privacy to safely and successfully lay their eggs. It’s as simple as keeping your distance and avoiding shining lights or taking flash photos of the nesting sea turtles.”

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Two species that have been in the news as of late, anaconda and reticulated python, together as pets in their home share the spotlight in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user hansbury!

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By Herp News

Of the world’s six species of great ape (not including us), it’s safe to say that bonobos (Pan paniscus) are the least studied and least known publicly. But a new organization, the Bonobo Project, is hoping to change that. To the untrained eye, a bonobo looks little different from their closest relative, the chimpanzee. But the differences between these two cousins are actually quite large.

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By Herp News

The gopher tortoise is a land animal and cannot swim, officials noted.

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As winter fades back into a dormant state until next year, spring means herps are on a journey to find the perfect mate for breeding season in the southeast. This means several things to different species that will all be simultaneously doing the same thing at once: moving.

We were traveling to southwestern Mississippi from Alabama in search of black pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi) on a late March afternoon, and decided to stop at a rest area to stretch out our legs for a few minutes.

While walking around in this coastal lowland and surrounded by shallow swampy marsh habitat type, we stumbled upon a pair of Gulf Coast box turtles (Terrapene carolina major) breeding, with the female completely flipped over on her back and the male upright, which apparently is nothing out of the ordinary.

Reaching sexual maturity anywhere between 7-10 years, box turtles breed in the spring and females start seeking out nests June-July to lay a single clutch of 3-8 eggs at a time. It is also more than very likely that the same Gulf Coast box turtle we came across will lay her eggs near the water she was found around, and nest several different times this year with more clutches.

This subspecies of North American box turtles is one of six others that exist, and also un-mistakenly the largest. They are generally described as being matte brown or almost black in coloration with a distinct yellow stripe down their backs, but can also have thin or thick blotches .

It is also noted that if you happen to see one trying to cross the road, please feel obligated to help it do so safely but to also not relocate it so that it doesn’t get back into the road trying to go to where it was originally traveling to! …read more
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Chytridiomycosis is present in frogs from Madagascar, but for some reason they haven’t developed the disease.

From QZ.com:

Madagascar has the 12th highest rate of amphibian species richness in the world, with more than 400 species, 99% of which are indigenous to the region. But this biodiversity hotspot is already under severe pressure—a quarter of its species are under threat, according to the latest Global Amphibian Assessment. It’s rightly feared that the arrival of Bd, as reported in the journal Scientific Reports, could bring about mass amphibian decline—and even extinctions—as has been seen elsewhere.

Testing of the samples of the Bd fungus found in Madagascar reveals the strain is closely related to BdGPL, the hyper-virulent lineage behind all the known outbreaks of the chytrid fungus pathogen that have decimated amphibian populations. However, what’s interesting is that the rate of infection is extremely low and there’s no clinical signs of chytridiomycosis—the frogs have the fungus, but they haven’t developed the disease.

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This Retic is keeping his eye on us in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user eschmit04!

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By Herp News

Although well known as one of the most iconic dinosaurs, Brontosaurus (the ‘thunder lizard’) has long been considered misclassified. Since 1903, the scientific community has believed that the genus Brontosaurus was in fact the Apatosaurus. Now, an exhaustive new study by palaeontologists from Portugal and the UK provides conclusive evidence that Brontosaurus is distinct from Apatosaurus and as such can now be reinstated as its own unique genus.

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By Herp News

Scientists confirm that ectotherms — like reptiles and amphibians — do follow “Bergmann’s rule”. The 19th-century naturalist posited that animals inhabiting colder climates have a larger body size.

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By Herp News

New research has shed light on the complex challenge facing scientists battling one of the world’s most devastating animal diseases. Chytrid fungus is thought to be behind the decline or extinction of at least 200 species of frogs. It is also one of the reasons why 31% of amphibian species are currently listed as threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

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For decades, attempting to ascertain whether this little Jamaican/Cuban gecko, Sphaerodactylus argus, has been extirpated from or remained extant in Florida has been problematic.

The ocellated gecko was first seen on Key West in 1944. It was probably introduced to Florida in produce or construction shipments. But from its first sighting until 2005, it was seen so infrequently that its continued presence here had been questioned by biologists. So infrequent were the sightings – in some cases the hiatus between sightings was nearly 2 decades – that in at least 2 cases it was surmised that the lizard had been extirpated from America’s herpetofauna.

But we now know it’s here, and there is a fairly robust population.

On Key West in 2005, I collected a half dozen adult ocellated geckos and several eggs that I only knew to be a Sphaerodactylusof some species. When the eggs hatched, I had 2 ashy geckos and several ocellated geckos.

Later in the year, another friend saw a dozen adults and a third person collected a large number for the pet trade. Within the last 2 years many more have been seen. It seems that for the better part of 7 decades this little lizard has been hiding in plain sight.
Continue reading “Hiding in plain sight: The ocellated gecko” …read more
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Wildlife experts suspect this python became too much for its owner to handle, so he or she released it into the English countryside.

From Sky News:

“There are specific offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Animal Welfare Act in relation to releasing a python and we would urge anyone with any information as to where the python came from to contact us.

“It is a possibility that the python may have outgrown its home and owners can contact Pip Reptile Rescue if they require any help or advice about caring for or rehousing reptiles.

“Similarly, we would urge anyone thinking about getting rid of their pets, particularly those which may pose a risk to the public, to contact an animal charity for advice so that they can be rehomed safely and responsibly.”

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The beauty of the anaconda is the spotlight of our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Flboy21283!

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By Herp News

Colorful, spiky and only a few inches long, three new lizard species discovered in the Andes may be the cutest dragon stand-ins on Earth

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By Herp News

Colorful, spiky and only a few inches long, three new lizard species discovered in the Andes may be the cutest dragon stand-ins on Earth.

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By Herp News

The three new species were found in the cloud forests of Peru and Ecuador, an international research team reported today (April 6) in the journal ZooKeys. The team, led by Omar Torres-Carvajal of the Museo de Zoología QCAZ in Ecuador, also ferreted out the five other woodlizard species recorded in recent years.

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By Herp News

The three new species were found in the cloud forests of Peru and Ecuador, an international research team reported today (April 6) in the journal ZooKeys. The team, led by Omar Torres-Carvajal of the Museo de Zoología QCAZ in Ecuador, also ferreted out the five other woodlizard species recorded in recent years.

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By Herp News

The females of a reclusive endangered lizard species may be increasing their chances of finding a mate by engaging in unusual behaviour which attracts males from up to 100m away.

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In a short unreasoned response, USFWS refused an extension request of the effective date (April 9, 2015) of the Lacey Act listing of reticulated pythons, green anacondas, Beni anacondas, and DeSchauensees Anacondas.

USARK had requested an extension of the 30-day period from the date of the Lacey Act listing in the Federal Register.

USFWS specified that it was rejecting the request for breeders and other sellers to try to minimize the economic impact of the listing of these species. USFWS has broad authority to set the effective date or extend the effective date of Lacey Act listings, but argued that an extension would undermine the purpose of the listing. USFWS also argued it did not have time to complete any process necessary to grant such an extension.

In response, USARK has filed for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order to obtain the requested extension by an order of the Federal District Court already hearing the USARK case filed to challenge the listing of the Burmese python, yellow anaconda, and Southern and Northern African rock pythons (and amended now to include the reticulated python etc.).

The hearing will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, April 7. USFWS’opposition will be filed by noon, Monday, April 6. USARK’s reply will be filed by noon, Tuesday, April 7.

Although courts are reluctant to grant the extraordinary relief of a TRO and PI, USARK’s memorandum makes a very compelling case. The memorandum sets forth in detail why USARK meets the requirements of “likelihood of success on the merits” and “irreparable harm” that will be suffered. In addition, the memorandum explains why USFWS would suffer little or no harm if an extension of the effective date was delayed until a final decision on the merits of the USARK case.

Photo: kingsnake.com user JonMIller

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The first reported case of black-and-white tegu necrophilia occurred in Brazil.

From the National Geographic:

The scientist returned to the same spot the next afternoon. By that time, the corpse was bloated and had begun to rot and smell.

But even the stench did not discourage another male black-and-white tegu from attempting to have sex with the dead body—this time for nearly an hour.

During this time, the new male embraced the dead female and bit her head, another courtship behavior. He rested on her body from time to time, taking breaks from the exhausting sexual activity, before finally flicking his tongue on the corpse and leaving, according to the study, published in January in the journal Herpetology Notes.

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This reticulated python gets a little affection and help posing in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user DEATH!

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By Herp News

The hilarious moment this tortoise tries and fails to mate with a female at Kiev Zoo in the Ukraine. The frisky fellow falls on his back after losing balance in the act and gets no second chance.

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By Herp News

Eric Hopton for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online It’s the middle of the night in the steamy rainforests of Ecuador and dedicated scientists wearing head lamps are shimmying up the slippery trees. They are trying to answer a burning question which is “Do females prefer males with larger appendages?” No, these guys are not driven by self-doubt. The particular appendage that sent these …

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By Herp News

The terrorist attack that killed at least 147 people at Garissa University on April 2nd was another tragic milestone in Kenya’s ongoing battle with the al-Shabab terrorist group based in Somalia. In response to several other brutal attacks on civilians, Kenya’s government recently passed and proposed harsh new laws that are alarming environmental activists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the media, opposition politicians and the public.

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By Herp News

The terrorist attack that killed at least 147 people at Garissa University on April 2nd was another tragic milestone in Kenya’s ongoing battle with the al-Shabab terrorist group based in Somalia. In response to several other brutal attacks on civilians, Kenya’s government recently passed and proposed harsh new laws that are alarming environmental activists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the media, opposition politicians and the public.

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By Herp News

Turtle Wax is headed to the big screen.

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By Herp News

A turtle in trouble is now safe thanks to a local captain who rescued it from a crab trap Thursday morning. 

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Could this coachwhip be any happier it’s the weekend in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jodscovry!

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By Herp News

A long lizard nose is an important part of their social interactions and a unique aspect of the natural history of this remarkable lizard. Scientists say the more they know about its behavior, the better the chances they have to save it.

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By Herp News

Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AAA' rating to the following senior unsecured notes issued by Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp :

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By Herp News

( Virginia Tech ) A long lizard nose is an important part of their social interactions and a unique aspect of the natural history of this remarkable lizard. Scientists say the more they know about its behavior, the better the chances they have to save it.

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By Herp News

The Maritime Reptile Zoo in Burnside is closing due to financial woes, according to a post on the group's Facebook page. The zoo says its animals are alive and heading to other facilities in Nova Scotia and Ontario. In its post, the Maritime Reptile Zoo tried to quash a rumour that the Nova Scotia government shut them down and seized its animals.

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Not willing to let construction disturb the snakes they visit, several elementary school students organized to save them.

From the Delta Optimist:

The garter snakes had to be rescued as construction crews were scheduled to begin work on a section of the Boundary Bay dike. The students – Ben, Maya, Nic, Jude, Noah, Myles, Jasmine, Kaelyn and Lauren, who are in kindergarten through Grade 5 – were shocked when they heard about the impending construction.

All frequently visit the area to search out the snakes.

“We’ve all been going to the snakes since we were babies,” said Kaelyn.

During the spring and summer, the snakes are active in the area and the kids often visit the beach, for class and after school, to play with them.

“The snakes, to me, are sort of like family,” said Maya.

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Introduced to the Lower Keys from Cuba, when adult this tiny lizard is rather nondescript ashy gray in color. The color is actually a complex pattern of ash – sometimes in reticulations, sometimes as fine dots–over a ground color of olive-brown.

But when even tinier, as a 1 1/4 inch long hatchling, it is one of the most beautiful lizards in the United States.

Hatchlings have an olive green body that is often suffused with pale orange, a gray-green head, and a fire orange tail. The limbs are pale orange. Head and body bear precise bands of dark pigment. Dark blotches are present on the top anterior 1/3rd of the tail. Pretty? You betcha! The intensity of color and pattern fades with the lizard’s growth.

This is a common gecko on the Lower Keys but is most common on Key West and Stock Island. Hiding by day beneath debris or behind bark on both living and dead trees, it emerges at night and may then be seen on the walls of buildings, trunks of trees, or atop debris.
Continue reading “Ashy Gecko: An elfin interloper” …read more
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Beauty abounds with this black milk snake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user gerryg!

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