New research into the Cerataphora lizard, an endangered agamid lizard from Sri Lanka, suggests that the animal uses its horns to communicate.

From National Geographic:

Ruchira Somaweera, a zoologist at the University of Sydney and principal investigator in the yearlong field study, which is funded by the National Geographic Society, said the data is still being analyzed, but the primary hypothesis is that the horns are used in communication within specific species.

Somaweera and his team focused mainly on the critically endangered leaf-nosed lizards (C. tennentii) and found that on these and on rhino horn lizards (C. stoddartii), the males of both species can move their horns slowly at a 45-degree angle while opening their mouths in a threat display.

This may aid in communication between males, he said.

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Biologists have observed two crocodilian species — muggers and American alligators — using twigs and sticks to lure birds, particularly during nest-building time.

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TEN-MAN Lazy Lizard belied their name by sinking the Sailors Return at Redlands.

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Beginning next year, light planes and helicopters will undertake the first ever continent-wide aerial survey of Africa’s vanishing elephant populations. The hugely ambitious initiative, which will count elephant herds in 13 countries, is being funded by Microsoft founder, Paul Allen, through his Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

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The montane rainforests of East Africa are little-known to the global public. The Amazon and Congo loom much larger in our minds, while the savannas of East Africa remain the iconic ecosystems for the region. However these ancient, biodiverse forests—sitting on the tops of mountains rising from the African savanna—are home to some remarkable species, many found only in a single forest. A team of international scientists—Michele Menegon, Fabio Pupin, and Simon Loader—have made it their mission to document the little-known reptiles and amphibians in these so-called sky islands, many of which are highly imperiled.

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Last Updated: 4:03pm, Dec 04, 2013PETALING JAYA (Dec 4): Pakatan Rakyat has accused the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry…        

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Students at Wichita State University have found chytrid, a fungus deadly to frogs, in Kansas ponds and streams.

From the Wichita Eagle:

Students working with (biologist Mary Liz) Jameson in her Wichita State University field ecology class over the last three years have confirmed the fears of anyone in Kansas who likes frogs: They found an amphibian-killing fungus called chytrid in streams and ponds of Kansas.

They found it in several streams and ponds near Wichita, and in Wichita at Chisholm Creek Park, near 32nd Street North and Oliver. WSU released a statement earlier this year outlining the basics of what Jameson and her students found, including a warning from one of her graduate students, Timothy Eberl.

Eberl said in the news release that this has implications beyond the death of frogs.

Read the full story here.

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Turtle Beach, which has made a name for itself in the video game arena, has released the Ear Force i30, a headset designed for mobile devices.

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Bigger than all of Brazil, among the harshest ecosystems on Earth, and largely undeveloped, one would expect that the Sahara desert would be a haven for desert wildlife. One would anticipate that big African animals—which are facing poaching and habitat loss in other parts of the world—would thrive in this vast wilderness. But a new landmark study in Diversity and Distributions finds that the megafauna of the Sahara desert are on the verge of total collapse.

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Legend has it that lonely sailors mistook them for beautiful, mythical mermaids. But as it turns out, the muse behind these beguiling sea nymphs was instead the dugong – a rather ungainly, gentle and mini-bus sized marine mammal, cousin to the manatees and part of the sea cow family. However, while they may have once fuelled stories for fairytales and Disney movies, their far-from-glamorous life is currently under serious threat in many parts of the world.

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Most of the species on Earth we never see. In fact, we have no idea what they look like, much less how spectacular they are. In general, people can identify relatively few of their backyard species, much less those of other continents. This disconnect likely leads to an inability in the general public to relate to biodiversity and, by extension, the loss of it. One of the most remarkable books I have read is a recent release that makes serious strides to repair that disconnect and affirm the human bond with biodiversity. Animal Earth: The Amazing Diversity of Living Creatures written by Ross Piper, a zoologist with the University of Wales, opens up the door to discovery.

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Parametric Sound Corporation , a leading innovator of audio technology and solutions, announced today the filing of the definitive proxy statement with the SEC for the special meeting of its stockholders …

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Scientists have developed a method to determine where animals obtain essential amino acids. They discovered that all life forms leave traces or ‘fingerprints’ in amino acids during biosynthesis. With these fingerprints, which are based on naturally occurring isotope variations, it is possible for the first time to distinguish between algal, bacterial, fungal and plant origins of amino acids through tissue samples. This discovery makes it possible to find out what animals have been feeding on without observing them directly or examining their stomach content.

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Biologists who have recently sequenced the genome of the king cobra, say that their work reveals dynamic evolution and adaptation in the snake venom system, which seemingly occurs in response to an evolutionary arms race between venomous snakes and their prey.

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Malaysian authorities are pointing fingers at each other after a documentary, The Return of the Lizard King, alleged that Anson Wong was still active in the illegal wildlife trading business after a high-profile arrest and conviction in 2010.

Wong was orginally sentenced to five years for trafficking wildlife including endangered species like snow leopards, pandas, and rare reptiles, but his sentence was reduced to 17 months.

From the Star:

(Election strategist Dr.) Ong (Kian Ming) claimed that there was an obvious question of corruption within Perhilitan (Department of Wildlife and National Parks) as public records show that Wong and his wife, Cheah Bing Shee still owned companies involving in importing and exporting wildlife.

He said there was a need to see if there was anyone who was helping them obtain the permits, despite the Government’s insistence that all of Wong and Cheah’s licenses had been revoked.

“This affects Malaysia’s reputation. Anson Wong could just be the tip of the iceberg. If Malaysia is identified as a possible transshipment hub for illegal wildlife activities, this will give us a bad reputation, ” he warned.

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Tortoise Energy Capital Corp. today announced that as of Nov. 30, 2013, the company’s unaudited total assets were approximately $1.1 billion and its unaudited net asset

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Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. today announced that as of Nov. 30, 2013, the company’s unaudited total assets were approximately $233.8 million and

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Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc. today announced that as of Nov. 30, 2013, the company’s unaudited total assets were approximately $392.8 million and its unaud

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Tortoise MLP Fund, Inc. today announced that as of Nov. 30, 2013, the company’s unaudited total assets were approximately $2.0 billion and its unaudited net asset value

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Tortoise North American Energy Corp. today announced that as of Nov. 30, 2013, the company’s unaudited total assets were approximately $267.5 million and its unaudited

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Tortoise Energy Independence Fund, Inc. today announced that as of Nov. 30, 2013, the company’s unaudited total assets were approximately $442.7 million and its unaudit

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Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp. today announced that as of Nov. 30, 2013, the company’s unaudited total assets were approximately $2.2 billion and its unaudited ne

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Delta is a 15-month-old loggerhead sea turtle that has found its home at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center for the past year.

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The Burmese python’s ability to ramp up its metabolism and enlarge its organs to swallow and digest prey whole can be traced to unusually rapid evolution and specialized adaptations of its genes and the way they work, an international team of biologists says.

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We've written about Cloud b's Twilight Turtle before. It's an adorable plush turtle toy whose shell softly glows, helping your child get to sleep at night. read more

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Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo and the Canadian Raptor Conservancy gave Thunder Bay residents a chance Sunday to get a close look at some exotic animals and learn about them at the same time.

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A former Animal Planet personality admitted he sold endangered lizards in a federal court last week.

From NBC Los Angeles:

Donald Schultz, 35, the former host of “Wild Recon” on Animal Planet, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to violating the Endangered Species Act by offering to sell, and actually selling, two live desert monitor lizards (Varanus griseus) in interstate commerce, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office.

Schultz admitted that on July 29, 2010, he sold the lizards to an undercover agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who was posing as a prospective buyer, and shipped the lizards from Los Angeles to Buffalo, New York.

Schultz told NBC4 that he kept the lizards as pets, but decided to sell them because he was moving.

“Someone contacted me and asked to buy them from me,” said Schultz. “In retrospect, it was a stupid thing to do. I had no idea it was against the law.”

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Devils Lake Wrestling hosted Turtle Mountain and Fargo Davies in a three-team meet on Friday night at the Sports Center, and in both match ups, the Firebirds came out on the losing end.

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Devils Lake Wrestling hosted Turtle Mountain and Fargo Davies in a three-team meet on Friday night at the Sports Center, and in both match ups, the Firebirds came out on the losing end.

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I had just gotten a yellow belly slider 2 weeks ago. He is VERY scared of me! But he loves basking so much that he just stares at me when he’s basking. I can’t even hand feed him! When I get close to my yellow belly slider he freaks out. My other turtles aren’t as scared, but they don’t trust me.. Any advice on shy turtles, trying to be friends with your turtles, etc. would help. Thanks! …read more
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Repticon, Florida-based traveling reptile expo, in town Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8.

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This notice provides stockholders of Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. with information regarding the distribution paid on Nov. 29, 2013 and cumulativ

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Check out this video “White Leucistic Spanish Ribbed Newt,” submitted by kingsnake.com user rhacadank.
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Engineers from Tallinn University created U-CAT to dive to inaccessible places in shipwrecks that are too dangerous or deep for humans.

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“U-CAT is specifically designed to meet the end-user requirements,” said Taavi Salumäe, a researcher from the Center for Biorobotics in Tallinn University of Technology who designed the U-CAT. The robot will be on display at the Robot Safari in the London Science Museum from November 28 to December 1.

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Schildi the tortoise is back up and running now. (Credit: Bird Consulting International) Schildi the tortoise was found in rough shape in Germany. He was abandoned and missing part of his front leg. What was left of the leg was in such bad condition, it had to be amputated at the shoulder. German veterinary clinic Bird Consulting International took care of Schildi, but had to figure out how to …

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QUINCY, Mass. (AP) — It's going to be a tasty Thanksgiving meal of herring for one very lucky loggerhead sea turtle.        

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The lizard that was hanging out under an elderly man's backyard shed for weeks is now back home.

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NEXT time you complain about the weekly dog food bill, think of Josh Ryan.

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As a family, cats are some of the most well-studied animals on Earth, but that doesn’t mean these adept carnivores don’t continue to surprise us. Scientists have announced today the stunning discovery of a new species of cat, long-confused with another. Looking at the molecular data of small cats in Brazil, researchers found that the tigrina—also known as the oncilla in Central America—is actually two separate species. The new species has been dubbed Leopardus guttulus and is found in the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil, while the other Leopardus tigrinus is found in the cerrado and Caatinga ecosystems in northeastern Brazil.

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