Love the darker phase of this greyband in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user trevid ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Hopefully the gorgeous blues of this Dendrobates auratus uploaded by kingsnake.com user amazonreptile will brighten your day. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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An adult Cuban Crocodile. This species is not inclined to have a gentle disposition.
This Island Nation (archipelago) has always intrigued me. ‘Way back in the 1950s I had contemplated a visit to Cuba, but politics prevented a visit. And although politics still play an important role in a visit to Cuba, it is now at least possible. These reminiscences are about Patti’s and my trip number 3, from Havana westward to Soroa and Vinales and then southward to the Cienega Zapata, the home of the fabled Cuban Crocodile.

Cuba’s herpetofauna (and endemic birds) are very different from species found only 90 miles northward on the Florida peninsula and keys. Amongst the herpetofauna, for example, there are no seriously venomous species, although several snake taxa are rear-fanged and produce a venom of “mild” toxicity that assists in overpowering prey. Among the constrictors are the big Cuban Boa and a number of “Tropes” that were until recently considered dwarfed members of the boid family. Simply put, if you exclude the Cuban species of anoles and a treefrog now established in Florida, no matter where we stopped to search, any herps found would be distinctly different from those found only 90 miles distant in the Florida Keys. Now onto the air conditioned tour bus, and driver, Ronel, had us on our way in mere minutes.
Continue reading “Why Cuba?” …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! This Timber Rattlesnake in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user herpermike1 was found in a very populated area in Tennesee, and moved to a more safe location! Great Message! ! 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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This beautiful Trans-Pecos Rat Snake is holding on to her most valueable treasure in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user pecoskid ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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The simple shot of a tree frog in a field of green is hard to beat! We hope you enjoy this shot of a Pseudacris regilla in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user emvee!

Be sure to tell emvee you liked it here!

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Note the slightly upturned nose of this species.
Hypsirhyncus ferox, the Hispaniolan Cat-eyed or Hog-nosed Snake, is an interesting little dipsadine species about which very little is written. Both common names are well deserved, this snake having elliptical pupils and a flattened slightly upturned rostrum.

Coloration may range by individual from a solid brick red, through various shades of yellow, to a deep olive-gray, all with or without dorsal patterning.

Long a single species found in both Hispaniolan countries and having 3 subspecies, recently it has been revisited by geneticists and (surprise, surprise!) has now been split into 2 species, one of which has 2 ssp. Adult size is about 15 inches and prey includes lizards and frogs. Seemingly related to the small dipsadine racers of the Caribbean Islands, the Cat-eyed Snakes can move agilely and quickly. Over the years I have maintained a few as captive and found them to be secretive and hardy, readily feeding on anoles. Other than the fact that this is an oviparous snake, little is known about its breeding methodology.
Continue reading “Hispaniolan Cat-eyed or Hog-nosed Snake” …read more
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Baby pictures never get old. Let’s welcome this little ball python to the world in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user TerryHeuring brighten your day!! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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In yet another victory on behalf of the reptile community by USARK, the changes to the Lacey Act hidden deep in the America COMPETES act in the “CHIPS-Plus” bill have been removed!

For months USARK lobbied and members of the reptile community contacted their representatives and it worked! For now, there will be no changes to the Lacey Act.

From USARK:

We have been posting relevant updates on our main alert here (scroll down). To be brief, the “CHIPS-Plus” bill that passed in the Senate passed the House on 7/28 (243-187 vote). This bill includes some of the technology initiatives included in the America COMPETES Act, USICA, and other bills. The portions of COMPETES that were not germane to the intent of the bill (including the bad Lacey Act amendments) were not added to the CHIPS-Plus package. This should be the end of any threat from these Lacey Act amendments for this Congressional session.

For those who spent the past few months messaging, calling and writing letters, YOU DID IT! And a HUGE thank you to USARK! …read more
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This baby Black Mamba emerges from the egg in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Curt Johnson to remind us of new beginnings! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! On Rattlesnake Friday, we celebrate all forms of venomous reptiles to promote conservation of them world wide!

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Long time member, friend and nemesis of kingsnake.com, Tim Cole of Austin Reptile Service has been hit with some major heath issues. He has been in and out of the ICU. Last week he was placed in a medically induced coma due to breathing issues. It as learned that he has an enlarged thyroid and they do not know if it is cancer or not, but surgery happened yesterday. Pathology is going to take about a week. Tim is back in the ICU with breathing issues.

While Tim can be a bit of a pill at times, he has been a great asset to the reptile community. His dedication to rescue and education is amazing. His support of up and coming herpers is amazing. I can speak from personal experience that even while Tim and I would butt heads over what he could and couldn’t do on this sit, he was always there to offer support and guidance with my rescue work, while badmouthing my moderation skills.

Tim is self-employeed like so very many of us are in the reptile community. It has been a few very hard years for everyone but if you could consider even donating $5.00. He has been in the ICU over a week, he has had surgery, he is eating hospital food. He has a TON of rescue animals at home. His GoFundMe can be found here.

Also Tim is a bit of an old school kinda fella. For those not local who feel so inclined, I bet he would love actual get well cards. You can mail them to:
4500 Williams Drive,
Suite 212-113
Georgetown, TX
78633 …read more
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The infamous “stink eye” is glaring here with this Tegu in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user MrSickle ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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This African spur thigh tortoise in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user dinahmoe is just munching away without a care in the world. We are so jealous! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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How cute is this albino Clawed Frog in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user bradtort?! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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A whole lot of AWWWWS for this newborn Collared Lizard in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user the4thmonkey! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Love this Southwest Speckled Rattlesnake found in the field in California in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user sluggo781 ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! On Rattlesnake Friday, we celebrate all forms of venomous reptiles to promote conservation of them world wide!

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These two boas are chilling in a fresh tub of water in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user BNixon ! I bet there were babies being made at some point here. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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That’s a whole lotta bull. Bullsnake that is! Loving the colors on the one here in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user orchidspider has never missed a meal! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Most commonly known as the harlequin toad, this Atelopus barbotinitakes center stage in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jamesmatthews! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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It’s World Snake Day and to celebrate, its all about the Alterna in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user kcarlson ! You know we have our roots and these are from Sanderson! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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In celebration of all things venomous, a photo of a bushmaster taken in the field graces our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user surgeon ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Love the detail in this headshot of a Uroplatus fimbriatus in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user zmarchetti ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Act like this with scaleless rat snake in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user Allensheehan and stick your tongue out at people! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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This sassy lil watersnake had to stop and eat a toad in the yard before the photographer captured it for our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user dinahmoe ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Koch’s Day Gecko is one of the plainer colored green taxa, but also one of the largest.

Having decided to write a bit about a couple of day gecko species, I just (08Feb22) looked at the day gecko (Phelsuma sp.) listings on my host’s, Kingsnake.coms, page to see what species were available today. I was shocked to see only a single listing, this for 2 Koch’s Day Geckos. P. madagascariensis kochii. This was so very different than during the heyday of Malagasy importations, the 1980s, that I could hardly believe my eyes.

Admittedly, I am no longer keeping up with the vagaries of herp availability like I did in the 1970s and 1980s, but the almost absolute lack of ads for these wonderful and easily bred lizards actually shocked me. I well remember the arrival of Malagasy shipments at Gulf Coast Herps (sadly, now closed), and Rob MacInnis and Bill Love scurrying about in their Ft. Myers facility to ascertain all were unpacked and suitably housed as quickly as possible.

I posted a few pix and queries on my Facebook page today (08Feb) and a few responses have come in. It seems that a few of the more common or larger species are being maintained both as pets and breeders. I can only hope that a few hobbyists (there now seems a larger number than I initially thought!) continue to maintain other taxa. Replenishment from the wild seems unlikely, so whether or not these beauties remain available to hobbyists is quite likely now up to the hobbyists themselves.
Continue reading “Where have all the Day Geckos gone?” …read more
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New changes to state law could impact some keepers in Alabama. The state however has opened a comment period until August 4th where you can lodge objections. Some of the more important changes to be aware of:

-Makes all king snakes (Lampropeltis spp.) and hybrids illegal to own, breed, and sell without a scientific collection permit or permit from the Commissioner. Currently, only Eastern, prairie, and black “speckled” king snakes are listed.
-Makes it illegal to own more than one box turtle (all Terrapene spp.) or sell/trade a box turtle without a scientific collection permit or permit from the Commissioner.
-There are other new rules including, but not limited to, additional protected nongame species and Eastern diamondback rattlesnake regulations.

As always, the folks at USARK have made it simple to respond. They have all the contact information and a template here. You can read the full proposal here. …read more
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This Rhino iguana is doing his best impersonation of a dog in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user cycluracornuta!

Be sure to tell cycluracornuta you liked it here!

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Although it does include a grandfather clause for current owners, the new law passed this week in Raleigh, NC is quite restrictive.

Spurred on by a viral loose spitting cobra last year, the city council passed a new law banning

Under the ordinance, keeping a pet from a species considered a “dangerous wild animal” will be prohibited within city limits.

A “dangerous wild animal” is considered by the city to be “any non-domesticated animal, which is normally found in the wild state, is inherently dangerous to person or property, and which generally does not live in or about the habitation of humans.”

The city’s definition includes “medically significant snakes.” The city defines those as any snake whose venom can cause death, serious illness, or injury. It also includes snakes whose venom would require emergency room care or immediate care of a physician.

The law does include a grandfather clause for current owners of animals this may apply to. You must register your animals before July 1, 2023. However be ready, the law goes into effect in two months!

These are the extensive requirements for the grandfather clause:
– Detailed inventory of animals with descriptions and photo(s) of animals
– Requirement to notify the City when the animal is moved to another location
– Plan for transfer of ownership or destruction if owner can no longer care for the animal
– Maintain health records of the animal
– Proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale
– Certifies that owner will only keep up to 10 medically significant venomous snakes
– Must possess liability insurance
– Will immediately report the escape of any dangerous wild animals in their possession
A criminal background check would also be required to ensure owners don’t have any previous felony charges or convocations of animal abuse.

To read more, visit CBS17

Inset image courtesy of Bob B. Chicago Herpetological Society Rescue Program. …read more
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There are several issues that USARK-FL is currently dealing with in Florida that they need the help of Florida Residents.

First up is a rule requiring owners to report all injuries from their animals to the authorities. This opens your medical files to the government and could also be used as violations against you. You can read more about that here This rule is coming up for a vote at the FWC meetings next week. You can learn more about attendance here.

There is also the ongoing issue of the white list and banned animals in Florida. From their most recent alert, which can be read here:

From Kristen Penney Sommers of FWC to USARK FL President Elizabeth Wisneski on June 9, 2022:
“Per our discussion yesterday, the attached list is a repository of species that we have either had risk work completed on, or species that have been suggested to have risk work conducted on. In no way is this the “white list” that your members are claiming. One of the duties of the Nonnative Fish and Wildlife program is to evaluate the risk of species that may be introduced into the state. This spreadsheet is in part documentation of our efforts to address responsibilities to all of the citizens in Florida.”
While use of the term “White List” was discouraged by Sommers and other FWC staff at the last “Technical Assistance Group” (TAG) meeting, FWC did introduce the terms “Unrestricted List,” “Restricted List,” and “Not Allowed List.”

If you are a Florida herper, you really need to follow and join USARK-FL to keep abreast of the ever changing legal environment! …read more
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So small, yet so powerful. We love this little Mexican Coral Snake in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user MXHerper ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! On Rattlesnake Friday, we celebrate all forms of venomous reptiles to promote conservation of them world wide!

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This little Alligator Lizard is feeling sassy in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user tokaysrnice !! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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It’s big, it’s black and it is beautiful! This Indigo seen in Williston, FL while herping earns it spot in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user ACO3124 !! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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New beginnings and new life! A peek at a super dwarf Reticulated Python in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jnemani! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Eyelashed Pit Vipers come in almost all shades of green and yellow plus gray and brown.
We had just met with a little blunt-headed tree snake on a trailside shrub. It looked so like the twigs on which it quietly lay that we had walked by and then, for some reason decided to retrace our few steps back to the creek. Only then, because it had decided to lift its head a bit, did we see the tree snake. Aha. Imantodes inornata. A new species.

Again, we scanned the creek, then moved ahead on the trail only to be stopped in a few steps by the creek itself that had there decided to widen, deepen, and cross the trail. What had earlier looked to be a yard wide and a foot deep had been deepened and widened here by innumerable footsteps on the pathway. We were either going to get wet or turn back, so of course we got wet.

And it was a good thing we had done so, for as we sloshed along our guide quietly said “Oropel.”

I said “Oh WOW!”

I had kept an example of the Eyelashed Viper, Bothriechis schlegelii, many years before. That snake had been rather dark and overall nondescript. But it had been a gift and I was still a kid, so I cherished it. Then, I was fortunate over the years to have seen many others, at dealers, at breeders, and at zoos, but now I was looking at my first “in field” example. This was an experience different and more exciting than the others and a beautiful example this oropel, the yellow phase, was. And before the walk was over we were to see a second, a greenish one that time.

A memorable stroll!
Continue reading “Meet the variable Eyelashed Pit Viper” …read more
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Fantastic headshot of a Steppe Viper (Vipera renardi) in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user VenomouS996 ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! As always on Fridays, we take the time to spotlight our venomous friends to help raise the awareness for the need of conservation and protections of them as part of the #RattlesnakeFriday movement!

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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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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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We never post enough kingsnakes, so get a gander of this hatching kingsnake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user intuitivetype ! 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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It is a whole lotta squee with this pair of hatching Hognose in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user caracal ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Small snakes, variable bush vipers are adult at from 18 to 24 inches in length.
Meet Africa’s non-eyelashed, muilticolored viperine answer to the crotaline Eyelashed Pit Viper of Central and South America! This is the variable bush viper, Atheris squamiger. An arboreal species, this 18 to 24 inch long viperine is most at home in forest shrubs rather than canopy reaching trees.

Although in some populations the color of the variable bush viper may be a rather standardized olive-green, in other locales the variations in coloration are nothing short of remarkable. In these latter the little snakes may be of some shade of green, orange, russet, cinnamon, blue, yellow, charcoal, or brownish. Some may even be of one color dorsally and a second color laterally. And on any of these colors the snake may or may not bear a vague or prominent dorsal pattern of dark-edged, darker than ground color, dorsal saddles or chevrons. The belly may vary from immaculate to heavily spotted. Have I yet described a variability sufficient to warrant the name? I would certainly think so.

Atheris squamiger occurs in tropical West and Central Africa

This snake will bite if threatened and envenomation has resulted in human death.
Continue reading “The Variable Bush Viper” …read more
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