Over all the years, the Pied Ball Python, like this one in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user sf has remained the most popular of the ball python morphs! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! How stunning is the red on this Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii pyrrhus), uploaded by kingsnake.com user lichanura ! This Speck was found in Arizona. Be sure to tell them you liked it here! As always on Friday, we celebrate all of our venomous reptiles for their contribution to the world.
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What a gorgeous blotched Kingsnake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Mojihadi_CZ ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Gene Simmons ain’t got nothin’ on this Tegu in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user nick75 ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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This Gharial is smiling in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Majorpat because she is thankful we celebrate Earth Day! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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A Canebrake Rattlesnake, large and irate, but not without reason.
The sun was well below the horizon. Darkness was being ushered in by the plaintive calls of Chuck-Will’s-Widows and a few Green Treefrogs. The warmth of the day was giving way to what had been forecast to be a cool evening and an even cooler night. One more round on the herping road and time to head home.
But I only made it half-way and decided that enough was enough. I reversed and headed for home, still some hundred dark miles southward. Ahha. Pavement! Progress. MPH? Let’s say 60. A thick cover of clouds added to the darkness.
I swung around a curve and—SNAKE. Big Snake. It was in the opposite lane and was moving steadily towards the edge, the long roadside grasses and almost impenetrable woodland blackberry tangles.
I stood on the brakes, safely reversed direction—and the snake had disappeared. Was it a cottonmouth? I had been able to see it was very heavy-bodied. I clambered out of the car headlamp a blaze, clampstick in hand, and almost at woodland edge saw the tall grasses moving sinuously.
On my first step towards it I got snagged by blackberries, went down, and lost my headlamp that went out when it hit the ground. I floundered around, retrieved the dropped utensils, said the heck with this, stood up and stopped in my tracks. That big snake had decided to ”talk”, not in the hisses of an angry cottonmouth, but, rather, in the whirring language of an irate rattlesnake. And in this area it almost had to be a Canebrake, Crotalus horridus atricaudatus.
From that point on, all went well. I sidled towards the ratcheting, finally saw the coiled and irate snake, got a couple of dozen photos, and left after estimating the length of the snake as well over a hefty length of 4 feet. A bit darker in color than most seen in the area, it was the highlight of the night, and quite probably for the season. Continue reading “CANEBRAKE! A Big One!” …read more
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This Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus) in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user frilly is certainly an awesome field find!! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! When you go looking for Rocks, these are some of the best to find! Love the Rock Rattlesnakes like this Crotalus lepidus in our photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user erindonalson ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! As always on Friday, we celebrate all of our venomous reptiles for their contribution to the world. It is our goal to help dispel the fears surrounding our beloved venomous creatures.
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What an awesome shot of this pair of Common Toads in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user Krallenfrosch ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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What amazing colors Uros come in, like this ornate in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user plietz! Be sure to tell them you liked it here.
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Photo from Chance Duncan – First of 4 hatching Louisiana Pine Snakes
Usually when you hear of endangered species being bred, it isn’t in a high school, but that is the cool part of reptiles. Former kingsnake.com volunteer and high school science teacher extraordinaire Chance Duncan likes to bring science to life with his charges in a special way. He has always kept animals in his classroom and after getting over the fear factor of the snakes, he began integrating the Louisiana Pine snakes into his class.
Every year I see students come in my room who are kind of uncomfortable or a little bit nervous but very quickly they realize that the snakes are not these scary monsters that they thought they were,” said Duncan.
“They play a really critically important role in their ecosystems. They are very, very important to preserve their presence and keep them around.”Keeping these snakes around is just what Duncan is working to do.
Russelville High School is believed to be the first secondary institution in the world to produce a critically endangered snake species which makes it an amazing accomplishment and a fantastic educational experience for Chance to pass along to the next generation.
Chance, we are so proud to know you!
To read the full story and see all the amazing photos and video, click here! …read more
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What a good mama! This Hypo Granite Burmese mama is holding tight to those eggs in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user bslugger551, it is pretty obvious why! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Eustacia Kanter
Alligators are resilient man. I mean really resilient, they are true survivors. This little gator has been spotted for the last month or so in Florida and was recently captured. The injury, likely from a boat propeller appears to be several months old.
“At first, my brain couldn’t comprehend that its entire upper jaw was missing,” Kanter told FOX 35. “When I realized, I felt terrible for him and snapped as good a photo as I could get with my cell phone standing at a distance so that I could share it and try to find help.”
Kanter contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and an environmental conservation nonprofit in hopes they would help find and rescue the gator.
The alligator appears to be four to five years old and will be kept on a special diet while away from other animals for a while. Gatorland believes it lived in the wild without half its jaw for at least six months, likely eating snails and frogs.
For video with the awesome Savannah from Gatorland, and the rest of the story from Fox, visit here. …read more
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What wonderful color contrast in this hatchling Mud Snake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Godfrey ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! We hopped into the way back machince to find this field shot of Cerastes cerastes in our photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user shahar ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! As always on Friday, we celebrate all of our venomous reptiles for their contribution to the world. It is our goal to help dispel the fears surrounding our beloved venomous creatures.
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No longer just black and white, these snakes show some of the variety in color that the Black Headed Pythons have in our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Tom_Keogan! Be sure to tell Tom you liked it here!
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This pair of cherry head tortoises each have very different plans in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user mhdurham! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Despite their reputation of being angry, the beauty of a Tokay gecko puts it front and center in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user stingray! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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I bet Barry White is playing in the background for this pair of Mocquard’s Beauty Snakes in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user RandyWhittington ! When this photo was originally posted in 2006, Martha was over 30 years old! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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What a fabulous shot of a Great Basin Rattlesnake in Utah in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user crocman6594! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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So simple and so beautiful. That is the black racer in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user ReptileProducts ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Hope your day shines like this Northern Pine does in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Turekj ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Wary and keeping his distance, this agama is protecting his territory in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user aero_tiff ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! The detail in this headshot of an Atrox is amazing in our photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user scserpents ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! As always on Friday, we celebrate all of our venomous reptiles for their contribution to the world. It is our goal to help dispel the fears surrounding our beloved venomous creatures.
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The clutch of thayeri hybrids in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user mordd, explain why we can’t have just one! So much variety in reptiles and so much beauty!
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Our Herp Photo of the Day shows and amazing look inside the egg of a Russian Tortoise to be, uploaded by kingsnake.com user tortusjack!
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We hope that this amazing field shot of a Wood Frog kicks off your day right in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user casichelydia . Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Bearded Dragons are always such characters like these two in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user TazziesMommy is all amphibian! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! Small and a master of disguise, you gotta love this little Coral Snake, uploaded by kingsnake.com user gila7150 Be sure to tell them you liked it here! As always on Friday, we celebrate all of our venomous reptiles for their contribution to the world. It is our goal to help dispel the fears surrounding our beloved venomous creatures.
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The best part about corn snakes is their wide variety of looks, like this Striped Sunglow Motley in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jcherry! Be sure to tell them you like it here!
Corn Snake, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jcherry” />
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So simple and so beautiful. That is the black racer in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user ReptileProducts ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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This Mexican Pine Snake (Pituophis deppei jani) is ready for action in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user pitparade . Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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By Turtle Times
TURTLES AND TORTOISES COMMON NAMES
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The Testudines are the only shelled species of reptile or amphibians. All Turtles and Tortoises have an carapace (upper shell) and a plastron (lower shell) to some degree. Sea turtles have a very aerodynamic shell which is thoroughly connected while tortoises have large, dome-shaped shells which look quite cumbersome.There are two main groupings of turtles. The Pleurodira and the Cryptodira. The Pleurodira include the Chelus and Pelomedusa species and retract their heads by bending their necks horizontally. Conversely, the Cryptodira, which comprise most of the Testudines, retract their heads by bending their necks vertically. |
| Order Testudines (Turtles) | |||
|
Suborder Cryptodira |
Suborder Pleurodira |
||
| Superfam. Testudinoidea | Superfam. Trionychoidea | Superfam. Chelonioidea | |
| Family Chelydridae (Snapping Turtles)Family Emydidae (Pond Turtles / Box and Water Turtles)Family Testudinidae (Tortoises) |
Family Dermatemydidae (River Turtles)Family Kinosternidae (Mud and Musk Turtles)
Family Carettochelyidae (Pignose Turtles) |
Family Cheloniidae (Sea Turtles)Family Dermochelyidae (Leatherback Turtles) |
Family Pelomedusidae (Afro-American Sideneck Turtles)Family Chelidae (Austro-American Sideneck Turtles) |
This is not a complete list of Turtles but should be a pretty good list. If you know of others then please fell free to let us know and we will add it. If you happen to have a picture of one of the turtles listed and would like to add it to our gallery please let us know too.
Common Names
| Common Name | Picture | Care |
Snapping Turtles |
||
| Florida Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina asceola) | ||
| Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina) | Caresheet | |
| Alligator snapping Turtle (Macroclemys temminckii) | Caresheet | |
| Common Name | Picture | Care |
Box Turtles |
Family | |
| Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) | ||
| Florida Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina bauri) | ||
| Three-toed Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis) | ||
| Gulf Coast Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina major) | ||
| Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata) | ||
| Desert Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata luteola) |
Chinese Box Turtle Cistoclemmys flavomarginata caresheet
Yucatan Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina yucatana caresheet
| Common Name | Picture | Care |
Map Turtles |
Graptemys Family | |
| Barbour’s Map Turtle (Graptemys barbouri) | ||
| Yellow-blotched Map Turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata) | ||
| Common Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) | ||
| Mississippi Map Turtle (Graptemys kohnii) | ||
| Black-knobbed Map Turtle (Graptemys nigrinoda) | ||
| Ringed Map Turtle (Graptemys oculifera) | ||
| False Map Turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica ) |
||
| Ouachita Map Turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica ouachitensis) |
||
| Sabine Map Turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica sabinensis) |
||
| Texas Map Turtle (Graptemys versa) |
<table border="0" …read more
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By Turtle
Discover the enchanting world of the European Pond Turtle – a charming reptile native to Europe. With its distinctive green-brown shell and captivating demeanor, this turtle species has fascinated nature enthusiasts for generations.
Delve into the aquatic habitats it calls home, from tranquil ponds to slow-moving rivers. From its hibernation rituals to graceful swimming motions, the European Pond Turtle’s life is a captivating blend of elegance and survival.
Join us in exploring the captivating secrets of this delightful creature.
European Pond Turtles, also known as Emys orbicularis, have their roots in the beautiful continent of Europe. These charming little creatures can be found in various countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Greece.
They particularly love to hang out in calm and peaceful freshwater habitats, such as ponds, marshes, and lakes. These turtles are like the explorers of the aquatic world, venturing out to find tasty food like insects, worms, and plants.
So, if you’re ever strolling by a serene pond in Europe and spot a European Pond Turtle sunbathing on a log, wave and say, “Hello!” They’ll appreciate the friendly company!
Congratulations if you’ve decided to welcome a European Pond Turtle into your home! These little critters can make fantastic companions. But before you go out and buy one, you should consider a few things.
Learn about European Pond Turtles’ care requirements. They have specific needs regarding diet, habitat, and temperature.
Look for a trustworthy breeder or a pet store with knowledgeable staff. You want to ensure that you’re getting a healthy turtle.
Look for clear eyes, a smooth shell, and active behavior. Avoid turtles that are lethargic or have visible injuries.
Getting a pet is a commitment, so ensure you’re ready to provide the love and care your European Pond Turtle deserves.
Caring for your European Pond Turtle is essential to keeping it healthy and happy. Here are some tips to ensure you provide the best care for your new shelled friend:
Set up a spacious tank with a UVB light, a heat lamp, and a basking area. Turtles love to soak, so a shallow water dish is a must.
Offer a variety of foods like insects, fish, leafy greens, and commercial turtle pellets. Remember to add calcium supplements to support their shell growth.
Regularly clean the tank, change the water, and remove uneaten food. Your turtle will appreciate a fresh and hygienic environment.
European Pond Turtles are social creatures, so consider getting a companion. Make sure the tank is big enough for both to roam comfortably.
Remember, a well-cared-for turtle is a happy turtle!
Handling your European Pond Turtle can be a fun and rewarding experience. These little guys may be small, but they have prominent personalities! Here are some tips to ensure you handle your turtle safely and comfortably:
When picking up your turtle, …read more
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By Turtle
Embark on a journey to discover the captivating Bog Turtles. Imagine a world where wetlands come alive with hidden wonders. Meet this pint-sized reptile adorned with a shell resembling polished mahogany—a gem in the wild.
With curiosity piqued, let’s delve into the mystique that surrounds these elusive creatures. They wield an outsized influence in their miniature realm, delicately balancing ecosystems we scarcely understand.
As we unravel their enigma, we unearth their crucial role in maintaining their habitat’s fragile harmony. Get ready to be enchanted by the charm of the Bog Turtle—a symbol of nature’s intricacy and resilience.
The Bog Turtle, with its fascinating life, originates from the …read more
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By Turtle
Sea turtles, fascinating and charismatic creatures, have captivated the hearts of people for generations. With their distinctive appearance and vital role in marine ecosystems, these gentle giants deserve our attention and conservation efforts.
In this article, we will delve into the world of sea turtles, exploring their various species, habitats, interesting facts, threats they face, and the importance of conserving these ancient beings.
Sea turtles roam the oceans with an air of gracefulness that belies their incredible journeys. Found in all major seas across the globe except Antarctica’s frigid waters, these magnificent reptiles offer a glimpse into an underwater realm still largely unexplored by humans.
Sea turtles are fascinating creatures that inhabit our oceans and have captured the curiosity and awe of people around the world.
There are several different types of sea turtles, each unique in appearance, behavior, and habitat. Here, we will explore the various types of sea turtles and gain a better understanding of these majestic creatures.
Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are known for their vibrant green-colored skin and shell, which distinguishes them from other species.
They can grow up to 4 feet in length and weigh over 300 pounds. These herbivorous turtles primarily feed on seagrass and algae found in coastal areas, such as coral reefs or sandy beaches.
Green sea turtles have a vast distribution range across tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. Not only do they reside in warm waters near coastlines but also venture into deeper oceanic environments throughout their lifespan.
Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), characterized by their reddish-brown shells and powerful jaws, earned their name due to their large heads relative to body size.
They typically measure around 3 feet long from head to tail-end, with adult females usually being larger than males.
These omnivorous marine reptiles inhabit both coastal regions as well as open ocean habitats where they prey on jellyfish, crabs, mollusks, shrimp, and fish eggs—making varied food choices depending on availability.
Their nesting sites span across beaches globally; however regular population monitoring has indicated threats posed by human activities towards established nesting sites habitation numbers are declining at an alarming rate
Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) hold records as not just the largest among all turtle species but also for being one of nature’s most exceptional travelers deserving admiration!
Distinct features include ridged carapaces composed of a flexible, rubber-like material and strong front flippers, which assist in navigation through rough oceanic waters.
Unlike their herbivorous counterparts, leatherbacks subsist solely on a diet consisting mainly of gelatinous zooplankton creatures such as jellyfish.
Their extensive migration routes cover entire oceans traveling between feeding (cold-water) grounds and nesting beaches that happen exclusively along sandy coastlines globally
Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) possess unique features such as a sharp beak and a gorgeous shell with overlapping scales, known as “scutes”. These scutes are highly valued for their beautiful pattern and have unfortunately made the hawksbill turtles a target for illegal poaching.
Hawksbill sea …read more
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Gotta love the sassy nature of the Schneider’s smooth-fronted caiman in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user cpipes! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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By Turtle Times
We discuss in detail the life histories of four species from the Genus Graptemys. These species have gained special importance in the last decade due to their vulnerability and ecological significance.
Graptemys habitat is found in the southeast, and it’s characterized by spring-fed, clean, clear limestone rivers. These rivers are usually above the fallline and meander along the coastal plains to the Gulf of Mexico. They pass through flat solution pocket limestone, sculpting out bluffs and beaches.
In the past, these rivers were lined by cypresses and tupelos, which eventually gave way to higher ground hickory trees, oak, ash, and pine. These hardwood bottomland forests filter the water, house a variety of plants and animals, and are an important part of river ecology. When the river floods, they are then fed with nutrients. These rivers were used as “highways”, and settlements started to appear along their banks, when the South began to be settled. As a result, the bottomland-hardwood forest was a great source of timber.
In the South, industrial sites are located near rivers to facilitate the disposal of waste products. These industries often involve the production of wood pulp or the discharge of chemical effluent directly into river habitat.
In many places, the river habitat was altered before any local Graptemys species could be studied or described. It was not until recently that the local Graptemys sp. could be described or studied. In many cases, it is hard to determine the optimal habitat.
The rivers that are inhabited by graptemys have a dynamic nature, and their sands are constantly moving. This flow changes the direction of river channels, creates oxbow-shaped lakes, and shuffles the optimal graptemys habitat over the course of many years. The docks and other man-made structures that are now awash with silt or sandy sand far away from the water’s edge provide dramatic evidence. The banks are collapsing, and houses that were once thought to be far enough away from rivers are now being slowly undermined. This process is hampered by permanent structures like dams, bulkheads and levees.
The fact that species are not evenly distributed is consistent with all graptemys distribution observations within a river systems. Carr and Marchand first noticed this in 1942, when they made a historic canoe journey down the Chipola River to search for G. barbouri. This trip shows that animals (G. <span class="wordai-block …read more
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By Turtle Times
We all love our turtles, tortoises, and terrapins and often find ourselves offered a chance to acquire a new member for the family. You might be looking to find a mate for turtle you already have, wish to start with another species in addition to those you have already, or find a turtle which is in need of a home and/or veterinary treatment.
Viral organisms are causing severe illness, and death in many established collections. It is my hope that the following do’s and dont’s will help keep your animals in peak health. These guidelines are simple and effective. I use these guidelines even within established collections, and have never had a problem with cross-contamination.
These guidelines are essential, as I do share my life with my own tortoises whom I’m very attached to, and at the same time accept for rehabilitation, care, and placement any turtle or tortoise in need, 365 days a year. The risk of cross- contamination is not worth being careless, as the loss of a precious life could well be the result.
One of the most common causes of disease transfer is the human hand. If you do handle turtles and tortoises, it is necessary to wash your hands between handling different species (and subspecies).
In non-established collections, it is necessary to wash between EACH animal you come into physical contact with.
Some chelonia are “latent” carriers of viruses and other diseases, passing pathogens along to other animals which then become sick, while the carrier animal itself remains asymptomatic. (Showing NO symptoms of illness whatsoever)
For the most part I use products such as Alco-Gel, Purell, Wipe-Out 3, or any other similar preparation, all of which are effective at killing bacterial germs, but only if soap and warm water isn’t available. Many of these preparations DO NOT kill viral organisms. Preparations can be effective and convenient for those handling large numbers of animals on a daily basis, or, those handling sick animals, but hand washing is still by far the most effective means of removing both bacteria AND viral agents from your hands.
Foot baths are another very effective means of avoiding transfer of disease organisms from one enclosure to another.
A very weak solution of household bleach and water (1:20) can be mixed. or a professional veterinary product such as Chlorhexidine can be diluted at the appropriate ratio and used. All, that is necessary is a few centimeters poured into a cat litter pan or similar container. Upon leaving an enclosure, step …read more
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By Turtle Times
There are 2 subspecies normally recognized
Elaphe guttata guttata — Corn Snake, Red rat snake, Red chicken snake, Eastern corn snake
Elaphe guttata emoryi — Emory Rat Snake, Western corn snake, Great Plains rat snake, Prairie rat snake
Whether the Rosy rat snake, Elaphe guttata rosacea, truly deserves subspecies status is still debatable. Modern authorities do not believe there was enough variation between it and the corn snake to give it that designation. It is still possible to find conflicting views in many books old and current.
2.5 – 4 feet average (Max: 6 feet)
These snakes may be found in a variety of places including pine barrens, wood groves, rocky hillsides, meadowland, along watercourses, around barnyards, and around abandoned houses.
Generally, these snakes have two breeding seasons. The first usually lasts from March – May and the second from June – July. The second breeding season is less well defined as the first and resulting clutches (if any) tend to be smaller in size.
Sometimes eggs can be found in old rotten tree stumps or logs.
Eggs:
3 – 34 eggs may be laid, though 10-20 eggs seem to be the common average.
The incubation period is dependant on ambient temperatures. On average eggs may hatch in 50-75 days.
Maturity is reached in 2-3 years, though some males may mature in as little as 18 months.
Carnivorous – feeding mostly on small rodents such as mice and rats as well as birds, lizards, and occasionally insects and amphibians. Corns should be fed only domestically raised rodents to prevent internal parasite infestations.
Life Span average is 15 – 21 years (last known record: 32 years)
Sometimes the gender of a snake can be seen by looking at the underside of the tail just beyond the anal plate. In males, the tail remains stout (thick) for a good portion of the length of the tail before beginning to taper. In females, the tail tapers quickly beyond the anal plate which can make it tricky for sexing.
Corn snakes tend to be most active during the night hours.
The name “corn snake” may have come about not from its association with farms, barns, and corncribs, but from the similarity of the belly markings to the checkered pattern of kernels on Indian corn.
Etymology: elaphe derived from the Greek elaphos meaning “a deer”; possibly in reference to the soft texture of the snake’s skin, guttata Latin meaning “spotted” or “dappled”
An adult corn snake will require the equivalent size of a 30-gallon aquarium or larger (if housing more than 2 snakes). It must have a securely locking small mesh screen top or door. Snakes are known escape artists and will surprise you. Care must be taken to prevent escapes. The enclosure must have a water dish large enough for the snake to submerge itself in completely. It is preferable to have a few branches …read more
Read more here: Turtle Times
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