By Herp News
Six reptiles, including a rare Komodo dragon, were killed on Monday in a fire at the San Antonio Zoo likely caused by an electric problem, zoo officials said. Zoo staff had to move venomous snakes and reptiles to safety after the fire broke out at the two-floor Komodo House, home to about 100 snakes, lizards and other creatures. “It was a challenge for the firefighters,” San Antonio Fire …
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
We all may love Bahamanian rock iguanas, but their digest tracts don’t love how we show that affection.
From Scientific American:
Hop on over to the photo-sharing site Flickr and you’ll find dozens of photos and videos of people eagerly feeding grapes to hungry iguanas on the beaches of the Bahamas. It looks like great fun and the iguanas obviously go crazy for the fruit, which is usually fed to the lizards on the ends of long sticks. There’s just one problem with this activity: the food is making the iguanas sick. Health conditions arising from the grapes and other foods that iguanas do not normally eat in the wild include diarrhea, high blood sugar and cholesterol as well as lowered levels of potassium and a high level of parasitic infections. All of these problems “could have deleterious effects on long-term fitness and population stability,” according to Charles Knapp, director of conservation and research at Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium and the lead author of a new study of the iguanas published last week in Conservation Physiology.
Read the rest here.
Photo: Chris Dixon. Used under Creative Commons license. …read more
Read more here: King Snake
No products found.
By Herp News
Protected as they are by soft, hard or leathery shells, you would expect one of our most ancient vertebrates to be safer. But no. The turtles (and the tortoises) are among the most likely to disappear for ever, after 65 million years, at least, on earth. They need help, but quickly, just like many more iconic and obvious species.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
The snapping turtle with a fractured jaw recently underwent another surgical procedure after it became clear that his previous treatment was nonviable.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
Protected as they are by soft, hard or leathery shells, you would expect one of our most ancient vertebrates to be safer. But no. The turtles (and the tortoises) are among the most likely to disappear for ever, after 65 million years, at least, on earth. They need help, but quickly, just like many more iconic and obvious species.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
In recent years, California’s Agassiz’s desert tortoise population has been decimated by shootings, residential and commercial development, vehicle traffic, respiratory disease and predation by ravens, dogs and coyotes.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
Two green sea turtles have been treated at the Houston Zoo after getting into trouble as Gulf water temperatures dropped below turtle comfort zones.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
Climate change is widely believed to be behind the rapid decline of frog populations in the Andes mountains, but a new study finds that the real culprit is a deadly fungus that has wiped out amphibian species worldwide. Researchers found that highland frogs, while tolerant of increasing temperatures, live in the optimal temperature range for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, also known as Bd.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
Check out our Herp Video of the Week, “Field Herping 2013,” submitted by kingsnake.com user smetlogik.
Submit your own reptile & amphibian videos at http://www.kingsnake.com/video/ and you could see them featured here or check out all the videos submitted by other users! …read more
Read more here: King Snake
No products found.
By Herp News
Assif Mayar of Castro Valley was sentenced to jail time after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana. He used a 5-foot caiman named Mr. Teeth to guard his pot stash.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
Assif Mayer of Castro Valley was sentenced to jail time after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana. He used a 5-foot caiman named Mr. Teeth to guard his pot stash.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
New studies shed light on ancient creatures’ dental structure and wear — and how these unique characteristics helped them live and adapt to their environments.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
KOTA KINABALU: It takes five months for a Green Turtle hatchling to grow up to a length of […]
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
The world’s largest remote camera trap initiative—monitoring 275 species in 17 protected areas—is getting some big data assistance from Hewlett-Packard (HP). To date, the monitoring program known as the Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring (TEAM) Network has taken over 1.5 million photos of animals in 14 tropical countries, but conservationists have struggled with how to quickly evaluate the flood of data.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
Ananth Baliga Dec. 12 (UPI) — Savannah monitor lizard's breathing makes one-way loop through the lungs, similar to birds and alligators — and possibly dinosaurs.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
Venom from the Southeast Asia pit viper (Deinagkistrodon acutus) may help stop human heart attacks and strokes.
From the Montreal Gazette report on the Canadian study:
Using venom milked from the snake, researchers filtered out all but one protein to create a drug called Anfibatide, which in human testing prevented blood clots from forming but didn’t prolong bleeding as is the case with some clot-busting drugs.
“The concept that we can harness something potentially poisonous in nature and turn it into a beneficial therapy is very exciting,” said Dr. Heyu Ni, a scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto involved in the drug’s development.
Anfibatide is designed to target a specific receptor on the surface of platelets in the blood that is instrumental in the formation of clots.
Read the rest here.
Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO – St. Michael’s Hospital …read more
Read more here: King Snake
No products found.
By Herp News
FMT LETTER: From Poh La Faun, via e-mail It has been three weeks since Aljazeera ran the news story, ‘Return of the Lizard King’, Nov 21, 2013. What have we learnt (or not) from this Lizard King Saga? 1 Lizard King conspirers have escaped any sanction by the anti-corruption investigation authorities despite being named in a non-fictitious crime novel and the reputable National Geographic. Do we …
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
When monitor lizards breathe, air flows into their lungs in a one-way loop — a pattern known as one-way airflow.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
To protect themselves, some animals rapidly change color when their environments change, but chameleons change colors in unusual ways when they interact with other chameleons. Researchers have discovered that these color changes don’t happen “out-of-the-blue” — instead, they convey different types of information during important social interactions.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
Air flows mostly in a one-way loop through the lungs of monitor lizards — a breathing method shared by birds, alligators and presumably dinosaurs, according to a new study that may push the evolution of this trait back to 270 million years ago.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
Ever heard of Siats meekerorum? Our old dino friend T. rex did, and not in a good way.
Check out this video all about Siats, and why he’s been dubbed a “man-eating monster.”
…read more
Read more here: King Snake
No products found.
By Herp News
Freud, a green sea turtle, was found lethargic off of the Panhandle, but a CT scan at USF’s Health’s Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation found bubbles in an airway and air trapped near a lung.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
Despite cuts, the Town of Turtle is still looking at a $62,000 deficit heading into next year, and more cuts are expected in order to balance the budget.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
1. Carbon concentrations hit 400ppm while the IPCC sets global carbon budget: For the first time since our appearance on Earth, carbon concentrations in the atmosphere hit 400 parts per million. The last time concentrations were this high for a sustained period was 4-5 million years ago when temperatures were 10 degrees Celsius higher. Meanwhile, in the slow-moving effort to curb carbon emissions, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) crafted a global carbon budget showing that most of the world’s fossil fuel reserves must be left untouched if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
Dead mice pumped full of poison are being dropped from planes onto Guam to kill brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis).
From NBC News:
They floated down from the sky Sunday — 2,000 mice, wafting on tiny cardboard parachutes over Andersen Air Force Base in the U.S. territory of Guam.
But the rodent commandos didn’t know they were on a mission: to help eradicate the brown tree snake, an invasive species that has caused millions of dollars in wildlife and commercial losses since it arrived a few decades ago.
That’s because they were dead. And pumped full of painkillers.
The unlikely invasion was the fourth and biggest rodent air assault so far, part of an $8 million U.S. program approved in February to eradicate the snakes and save the exotic native birds that are their snack food.
Read the full story here.
Photo: kingsnake.com user Tereza …read more
Read more here: King Snake
No products found.
Most people who are beginners at owning Sliders are always asking common questions like the following ![[:turtle]](http://i2.wp.com/www.turtletimes.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/icon_smile_turtle_125.gif?w=560){kind=icon}
: Help what size tank and how should i set it up well i am about to answer both . Well the most often heard rule is a gallon per inch that gives the turtle plenty of room to grow but we all know everyone doesn’t go by that . Sometimes i would say about 2 gallons per inch because some turtle lovers don’t always have the room . Now to the setup so would you want a low level water setup or high level currently i have a high level but I’m going to get a low level soon . Low levels look nice with light brown pebbles and plenty of rocks and plants and maybe even a little waterfall , But some people might like bright rocks with neon plants and a high water level . It really just depends on what you like and how your turtle reacts to ether one .
– sliderdream
Hope you liked it and it helped thanks comment and ask questions !!!! ![[:cool]](http://i1.wp.com/www.turtletimes.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/icon_smile_coolthumb.gif?w=560){kind=icon}
…read more
Read more here: Turtle Times
No products found.
By Herp News
Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C., the adviser of NDP, NTG, TPZ, TTP, TYG, TYN and TYY announced today it will host a year-end conference call on Dec. 12, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. Central, to discuss current U.S.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
Someone heard a rumor that a tortoise was being shipped to Carleton through the post office, and I was determined to track down the mystery pet.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
It was mammoth, monumental. A tear-jerker….Frankiehadn’teven got in the car yet.
The story really began when Frankie was evicted from theFrankieCavea couple of days before we departed from home. The day was nice so Frankie sat up on the hill watching his beloved cave get gutted and cleaned.
A family of 150 Southern Cockroaches was evicted from inside his cave. The colony of fat snails gathered from under the cave was fed to the two box turtles.
Frankie’s compost barrel was cleaned out reveling hundreds of red wigglers worms. Frankie’s friend, Little Dude, got worms enough for a couple of weeks.
If I had known Frankie was this good at raising bugs I would have stopped buying insects years ago.
Frankie was slated to sleep that night in the garage in his dogloo. It took forever to get Frankie inside because he thought the dogloo was for ramming.
That same evening Greg departed with Frankie’s cave to the new house inMobile.
The next morning Frankie woke up at7:00 am. Not just awake but Frankie insisted on walking around the garage full of boxes and stuff. Then he demanded entrance into the gecko room. I had to accompany him as there were boxes of glass enclosures sitting on the floor. Frankie pushed boxes aside and wandered about.
At10:00 amFrankie went back into his dogloo and went to sleep. Okay. This is new. Wake up at seven and asleep by ten. What is he going to do on Moving day?
….which started at7:00 amthe next day. Two moving vans, five loaders and the driver. The first job for the movers was inventory and tagging: 1 lawn mover, 1 washer, 1 dryer, 1 HUGE TORTOISE…WHAT IS THIS!? …ARE WE MOVING IT!? No, sir, but when it’s time to load the dogloo would you mind helping me put the tortoise in the car. I would appreciate it.
I am sure this guy has seen a lot of strange things over the years in houses but he looked at me like I had won the Blue Ribbon of strange-things-we’ve-moved. I warned the movers a week ago. When I say “big turtle” they always think big box turtle. “Oh, sure, we’ll help you move that turtle. Sure.” I think he was hoping Frankie was an ice cube and would shrink to box turtle size in the next four hours.
As the temperatures increased over the next couple of hours I kept close eye on that dogloo in case Frankie made a daring escapee down the street or decided to pee all over the garage. You know what he did?
Nothing. Not a single thing. He would look to see what was going on then he would go back to sleep for a couple of hours. At 2:00 pm. When it was time to load the dogloo do you know what Frankie did? Nothing. We took him out andput …read more
Read more here: Turtle Times
No products found.
By Herp News
Evan Bleier Dec. 9 (UPI) — Repticon Orlando highlighted by “morphed” ball pythons and rare black dragon.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
Turtle Wax Inc.'s top management is in flux again, with the latest CEO exiting last fall after less than a year on the job and the company so far leaving the job unfilled.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
A robotic turtle, deveoped at the Tallinn University of Technology’s Centre for Biorobotics, premiered at Robot Safari at the London Science Museum. The robot is intended to be used to investigate shipwrecks, but after that will probably take over the world.
Read all about it here.
Photo: Tallinn University of Technology …read more
Read more here: King Snake
No products found.
By Herp News
Byline: The Lizard lifeboat was tasked last night (Wednesday) to carry out a search from Black Head on the Lizard Peninsular toward Lizard Point after a fisherman was reported overdue. Page Content: Falmouth Coastguard had received a 999 call at around 7pm reporting a man overdue from a fishing trip. The male had launched his small craft from Cadgwith during the early afternoon and had been due …
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
If you are a big rat at the Repticon reptile show, you are frozen solid, sealed in a plastic baggie, and sold in a five-pack for $26. Rat pinkies, tiny and hairless, sell in baggies of 100 for $75.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
If you are a big rat at the Repticon reptile show, you are frozen solid, sealed in a plastic baggie, and sold in a five-pack for $26. Rat pinkies, tiny and hairless, sell in baggies of 100 for $75.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
In our youth we are strong and healthy and then we weaken and die — that’s probably how most would describe what aging is all about. But, in nature, the phenomenon of aging shows an unexpected diversity of patterns and is altogether rather strange, conclude researchers.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
Check out our Herp Video of the Week, “Eastern hog defensive display,” submitted by kingsnake.com user wisema2297.
Submit your own reptile & amphibian videos at http://www.kingsnake.com/video/ and you could see them featured here or check out all the videos submitted by other users! …read more
Read more here: King Snake
No products found.
Check out this video “Eastern Hog Defensive display,” submitted by kingsnake.com user wisema2297.
Submit your own reptile & amphibian videos at http://www.kingsnake.com/video/ and you could see them featured here or check out all the videos submitted by other users! …read more
Read more here: King Snake
No products found.
By Herp News
TEN-MAN Lazy Lizard belied their name by sinking the Sailors Return at Redlands.
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.
By Herp News
After playing, feeding, and socializing in trees all day, some ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) take their nightly respite in caves, according to a new study in Madagascar Conservation and Development. The findings are important because this is the first time scientists have ever recorded primates regularly using caves (see video below).
…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com
No products found.