Regeneration of lost organs or body parts is the stuff of science fiction, but it’s also science fact. At the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, researchers are studying the many species that can regenerate cells in their body, and hoping to find information humans can benefit from, too.

From a Las Vegas Sun interview with UNLV researcher Kelly Tseng:

Most people don’t know that tadpoles can regenerate their tails — and very quickly. It usually takes seven to 14 days. Planaria, which are flatworms, can be cut into pieces, each of which will regenerate. Zebrafish can regenerate their heart, even if on-third of it is cut away. Antlers of a moose can grow two centimeters a day, which is the fastest rate of organ regeneration. Salamanders are basically the champion of regeneration. They can grow back a limb, a tail, their retina, even part of their brain.

It’s really amazing, all these animals with abilities we would like to have.

The full story is here.

Photo: Las Vegas Sun …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

WHITEWATER — Reports of a “humongous” “200-year-old” desert tortoise who was struck and killed Sunday on the I-10 freeway near Whitewater drew nationwide interest, but it turns out that the tortoise’s age and size may have been more of a guesstimate than actual fact.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

A large animal believed to be a desert tortoise was killed Sunday as it wandered onto Interstate 10 in an unincorporated area of Riverside County.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

My two turtles (one girl one boy) keep digging in the rocks. I’m sure if they want to find something, or probably they want to escape. I tried researching why they were digging but I got multiple answers that almost all made sense! They eat ALOT so I don’t think they are hungry, please answer! Any advice? …read more
Read more here: Turtle Times

By Herp News

We go ears-on with Turtle Beach's pro gaming headset, but is it worth the cost?

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

So, here I am, running in a forest at night over 2,000 miles from home. This forest—dry, stout, and thorny enough to draw blood—lies just a few miles north of a rural town in the western edge of the Dominican Republic on the border with Haiti. I’m following—or trying to keep pace with—a local hunter and guide as we search for one of the world’s most bizarre mammals. It’s an animal few people have heard of, let alone actually seen; even most Dominicans don’t readily recognize its name or picture. But I’ve been obsessed with it for six years: it’s called a “solenodon,” more accurately the Hispaniolan solenodon or its (quite appropriate) scientific name, Solenodon paradoxus.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

Check out this video “Snake Hunting Colorado,” submitted by kingsnake.com user jfarah.
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

By Herp News

The Western fence lizard doesn't peddle insurance like its relative, the gecko, but it provides a potentially more valuable service by shielding North Coast residents from Lyme disease.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Leatherbacks are on the endangered species list but several have been rescued in recent years along the Connecticut shore after becoming tangled in fishing lines, flotsam or other debris, the assistant stranding coordinator said. Before the turtle's remains were removed from the Milford beach and buried, volunteers from the Mystic Aquarium took extensive photographs of it, Graf said, and …

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

If you live in Washington state and think you could provide a good home for an abandoned python, the veterinarians at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine want to hear from you.

From KGW News:

Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine captured and hospitalized the abandoned 11-foot-long reticulated python Tuesday night. The snake is believed to have been abandoned by renters in a house near Colfax according to WSU officials.

This is the second time in a month that law enforcement has asked for assistance from WSU to catch a large snake, according to College of Veterinary Medicine officials.

WSU workers said the snake was slightly undernourished but weighed 22 pounds. It suffered moderate burns before its capture according to staff at WSU. They said the cold-blooded snake curled around a heater at the rental property.

[…]

Anyone interested in donating to the snake’s care or joining a registry for selection as its potential new owner can contact the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 509-335-0711.

Read the full story here. …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

Although a turtle’s home may be on its back, some North American turtles face an uncertain future as a warming climate threatens to reduce their suitable habitat.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Oct. 9 (UPI) — A Florida man was bitten by a venomous rattlesnake while rescuing a turtle attempting to cross a highway, an emergency official said.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Although a turtle's home may be on its back, some North American turtles face an uncertain future as a warming climate threatens to reduce their suitable habitat.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

A 320-lb. sea turtle named OD unpacks his bags at Mandalay Bay's 1.3 million gallon Shipwreck Exhibit

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Nicaragua is a nation still suffering from deep poverty, a free-flowing drug trade, and festering war-wounds after decades of internecine fighting. However, like any country that has been largely defined by its conflicts, Nicaragua possesses surprises that overturn conventional wisdom. Not the least of which is that the Central American country is still home to big, stunning species, including jaguars, giant anteaters, pumas, and the nation’s heaviest animal, the Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii). Still, not surprisingly given the nation’s instability, most conservationists have avoided Nicaragua. But tapir-expert Christopher Jordan, who has worked in the country for over four years, says he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

Meet the cocoa frog, just one of dozens of new species discovered in Suriname.

From NBC News:

“Suriname is one of the last places where an opportunity still exists to conserve massive tracts of untouched forest and pristine rivers where biodiversity is thriving,” Trond Larsen, director of Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program, said in a news release about the trip.

The three-week survey in Suriname’s upper Palumeu River watershed, conducted last year and led by Conservation International, cataloged 1,378 species — including 60 species that are potentially new to science.

Read the article and see photos of all the new species here.

Photo: NBC News …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

A government minister in Tanzania has called for a “shoot-to-kill” policy against poachers in a radical measure to curb the mass slaughter of elephants. Khamis Kagasheki’s proposal for perpetrators of the illicit ivory trade to be executed ‘on the spot’ divided opinion, with some conservationists backing it as a necessary deterrent but others warning that it would lead to an escalation of violence.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

A government minister in Tanzania has called for a “shoot-to-kill” policy against poachers in a radical measure to curb the mass slaughter of elephants. Khamis Kagasheki’s proposal for perpetrators of the illicit ivory trade to be executed ‘on the spot’ divided opinion, with some conservationists backing it as a necessary deterrent but others warning that it would lead to an escalation of violence.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

On October 2nd, WWF released camera trap videos of Sumatran rhinos surviving in Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. The conservation organization had already announced in April that they had evidence of at least one Sumatran rhino in the province, but the new images confirmed what is likely to be a small surviving population. While this is good news for an animal on the edge of extinction, Erik Meijaard, a researcher who has worked in Indonesia for over 20 years, says WWF has made a mistake publicizing the news around the world, noting ‘the last thing those rhinos need is publicity.’

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

On October 2nd, WWF released camera trap videos of Sumatran rhinos surviving in Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. The conservation organization had already announced in April that they had evidence of at least one Sumatran rhino in the province, but the new images confirmed what is likely to be a small surviving population. While this is good news for an animal on the edge of extinction, Erik Meijaard, a researcher who has worked in Indonesia for over 20 years, says WWF has made a mistake publicizing the news around the world, noting ‘the last thing those rhinos need is publicity.’

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

If you ever needed proof that no good deed goes unpunished, just read this story of a Florida man bitten by a rattlesnake while helping a turtle get out of traffic.

From the Sun-Sentinel:

The 24-year-old man, whose name was not immediately released, and a friend were driving on Interstate 75 in west Broward County when they saw a turtle crossing the highway.

At a point west of the interchange, where I-75 meets Interstate 595, they pulled over. The man got out, grabbed the turtle and carried it to a grassy area on the side of the highway.

“When he reached down to put the turtle in the grass, that’s when the snake bit him,” said Capt. Jeff Fobb, of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Response Team.

Read the full story here.

Photo: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

On 10/10/13, Tortoise Energy Capital Fund's 3.95% Series C Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Shares (NYSE: TYY.PRC) will trade ex-dividend, for its monthly dividend of $0.0329, payable on 11/1/13. As a percentage of TYY.PRC's recent share price of $10.15, this dividend works out to approximately 0.32%. On an annualized basis, the current yield is approximately 3.87%, which compares to an average …

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

This Halloween season, one animal above all else is sure to sport one of the best costumes around. With skin boasting a variety of colors and patterns, the leopard gecko never needs to play dress up because …

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

For 50 years, the Pinocchio anole, Anolis proboscis, was believed to be extinct. Now researchers have confirmed the species still exists in the forests of Ecuador.

From Mother Nature News:

After searching for the long-nosed animal for three years, a team of photographers and researchers found the lizard recently in a stretch of pristine cloud forest in the northwest part of the country, said Alejandro Arteaga, a co-founder of the educational and ecotourism company Tropical Herping, which conducted the search for the lizard.

Also called the Pinocchio anole (an anole is a type of lizard), the animal is named after a certain dishonest wooden puppet and was first discovered in 1953, Arteaga said. But wasn’t seen between the 1960s and 2005, when an ornithologist saw one crossing a road in the same remote area in northwest Ecuador. This is only the third time scientists have spotted it since 2005, Arteaga added.

Read the rest here.

Photo: Alejandro Arteaga/Tropical Herping …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

LOS CABOS, Mexico – Far from the bikini-lined beaches and booze-fuelled bars of Cabo San Lucas, I lie elbow deep on the sand of some remote Mexican dunes waiting for the sun to near the horizon, a growing nursery of baby turtles squirming beside me.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Covered in black and white spots, armed with sharp claws and spanning four feet in length, Florida Fish and Wildlife is on the prowl for an emerging invasive species known as the Argentine Tegu Lizard.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Long thought to be extinct, the long-nosed Pinocchio anole has been spotted in a cloud forest in northwest Ecuador.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Crocodiles were once so abundant along the rim of southern Jamaica that images of their toothy jaws and spiny armour crown the tropical island's coat of arms and are stencilled on the bumpers of military vehicles.Now the big reptiles…

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

EVAN BLEIER – UPI.com Pinocchio Lizard spotted by a team of Ecuadorian biologists for just the third time in the last 15 years.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Pinocchio anoles were thought to be extinct for about 50 years before being recently rediscovered in the cloud forests of northwest Ecuador. Alejandro Arteaga / Tropical Herping

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

VALHALLA, N.Y., Oct. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Turtle Beach, the leader in video game audio, today announced new additions to the company's executive team as the company continues to add senior talent to …

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

Check out this video “Het albino X Sunglow Litter,” submitted by kingsnake.com user robertmcphee.
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

By Herp News

A dead male Olive Ridley turtle washed ashore at Tiruvanmiyur beach on Sunday. The turtle bore injuries and strangulation marks, pointing to the possibility that it was trapped either in…

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia says the smuggling of sea turtle eggs in to Malaysia from West Kalimantan has drastically increased, triggered by the high prices of turtle eggs. “In Malaysia, each turtle egg can fetch 80 ringgit cents or about Rp 2,600 (s$0.28). Meanwhile, at local markets, they cost only Rp 1,500,” said turtle conservation coordinator of WWF-Indonesia for West Kalimantan …

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

A dead male Olive Ridley turtle washed ashore at Thiruvanmiyur beach on Sunday. The turtle bore injuries and strangulation marks, pointing to the possibility that it was trapped either in a…

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

Reptile rescue officers in Sonoma County, Calif., say tarantula mating season means people can expect to see more of the giant, hairy spiders until the winter rains begin. Don Ford of KPIX reports.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

This ain't no lie: The Pinocchio lizard was thought to be extinct for 50 years, but has been rediscovered in the cloud forests of Ecuador.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

By Herp News

A sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle was rescued Saturday evening, Sept. 21, at the Juno Beach Fishing Pier due to the responsible actions of a local family and friends.

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com

When we talk about “snake handling” here on kingsnake.com, we’re not talking about religion. But today on National Public Radio, they are.

From NPR:

Worshiping with snakes dates back more than 100 years, but today, the major Pentecostal denominations denounce the practice.

There are an estimated 125 snake-handling churches scattered across Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and Appalachia, where the tradition is strongest. Snakes in church are against the law everywhere but West Virginia, though in most states it’s a misdemeanor offense the authorities don’t bother with.

[…]

There are the five signs often practiced in snake handling churches, including the sipping of poison such as strychnine or lye as a test of their faith.

[Pastor Jamie] Coots has been bitten nine times by venomous snakes. Each time he refused medical attention. Half of his right middle finger is gone as a result of a fang from a yellow rattler. In 1995, a woman who was bit in his church refused to go to the hospital; she died on Coots’ couch while they prayed over her.

Such is the conviction of his belief that Coots has agreed not to call EMS if [his son] Little Cody is bitten. “He has been bit five times by cottonmouths, and he has already told me, ‘Dad, I’ll never go to a doctor,’ ” says his father.

Read and listen to the rest of the story here.

Photo: NPR …read more
Read more here: King Snake

By Herp News

NEWPORT, Ore. – The female turtle that washed onto a beach in Lincoln City with a myriad of medical issues has died, despite efforts at the Oregon Coast Aquarium to save her. The olive ridley turtle, which was named “Furlough,” washed ashore Monday. Aquarium staff said the turtle arrived hypothermic, dehydrated, anemic and battered by the surf. She also had a scarred and chipped shell. Furlough …

Go to Source

…read more
Read more here: herpetofauna.com