As fall creeps in, this Wood Frog in our herp photo of the day, brings back memories of summertime herping. Uploaded by kingsnake.com user casichelydia . Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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A Dusky Pygmy Rattler basks on the roadside.
Dusky is an excellent descriptive for this little rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius barbourin. The ground color is usually gray and bears a profusion of even darker stippling that is heaviest dorsally. Oval, light edged, black dorsal blotches are larger than the lighter, often orange, interspaces separating them and there is smaller light edged lateral blotches. The tail is dark on adults but yellowish on neonates and juveniles, bears a tiny tailtip rattle that is broken easily, but that is barely audible even when entire. The crown is dark with an orange(ish) central stripe that extends onto the neck. The chin and belly are dark with scattered darker blotches. A nervous snake, if approached it will usually tilt the head upwards and twitch. The tail is often also elevated and shaken. The yellow tail of the juveniles serves as a caudal lure. Prey includes nestling rodents, frogs, salamanders, and arthropods.
Sadly, the young of many harmless snakes (most commonly hatchling racers, rat snakes, and hog-noses) are mistaken for a pygmy and are summarily dispatched.
As suggested by its common name, this small but heavy bodied snake is adult at 15 to 24 inches in length. The largest example I have seen pushed 33 inches. It is common to abundant in some areas but entirely absent in others.
A viviparous species, between 2 and 9 young are produced in each clutch. Neonates measure a rather slender 6 inches in total length.
This subspecies ranges in brushy to lightly wooded habitats from southeastern South Carolina to southeastern Mississippi, and throughout Florida excluding the Keys. It intergrades with both the Carolina and Western subspecies at the northern and western extremes of its range.
Continue reading “Common, Venomous, and Interesting, The Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake” …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! Today we bring you this serene headshot of a lovely Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus), uploaded by kingsnake.com user MartinWhalin1 ! This guy was found in the wild in Arizona and as you can see, he was respected by the herpers and he gave them respect in return. 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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How adorable is this Newt in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user plagueguitarist ! 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 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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There is hardly any way to misidentify a hatchling Great Plains Skink.
There are in the USA 3 groups of moderately large-size (to 12+”, tail included) skinks. On the Pacific Coast there is the Gilbert Skink group with 5 subspecies, on the Atlantic Coast there is the 5-lined group with 3 full species, and in the Central States the subject of our discussion, the Great Plains Skink, Plestiodon obsoletus, a stand-alone species.
It is probable that the Great Plains Skink is the largest of the genus, having been measured at 13 ¾”. It also differs in several other respects. Although the male’s temporal area swells slightly during the spring breeding season, it does not assume the bright orange-red color of the males of other species. It is the only skink species in the USA that has the lateral scales in oblique (slanted) rows. And rather than the uniform warm brown that gradually supercedes the brightly striped dorsal pattern and blue tail of the hatchlings and juveniles of the coastal species, the adult of the Great Plains Skink is grayish-yellow to straw-yellow and may or may not have the dorsal and dorsolateral scales edged with dark brown that gives the impression of stripes. And the hatchlings are usually a jet black with a cobalt blue tail and bold white or orange labial spots.
Breeding occurs in the spring and in early summer the female lays and guards a dozen to 20 eggs (sometimes less, sometimes more) that hatch after about 60 days.
This is a skink of the wide open spaces, although populations are often concentrated near permanent water sources. It ranges from southern Texas to extreme southwest Iowa and southern Nebraska, southwestward to central and southern Arizona. It also occurs in northern Mexico.
Continue reading “The Beautiful Great Plains Skink” …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! This copperhead in our photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user AlexNevgloskiwould like you to give a hoot and not pollute! 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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And seriously, please do not leave your trash behind when herping and put everything back the way you found it! …read more
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Look close to see the egg tooth on this hatching California Mountain Kingsnake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user JKruse looks like he is hoping for snacks! Be sure to tell them you liked it here.
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By Arman
Just like our bones, calcium phosphate is the main mineral in a turtle shell. Its embryos develop shells through the fusion of backbones and rib bones. The carapace is the shell’s upper portion, and the plastron is the lower portion. The plastron and carapace are joined together with a bridge, which is a structural material.
In almost all the turtles, a protective layer of scutes composed of keratin covers the shell, though some turtles such as leatherback and soft-shelled turtles lack scutes. Turtles represent a unique type of structure in biology because turtle shells form through the fusion of bones.
The oldest known fossilized turtle shell was 210 million years ago. It was near the time of the Triassic Period when dinosaurs first appeared on earth. Found in Germany, the shell belonged to the Proganochelys quenstedti, an extinct turtle species. Because of a fully formed shell fossil, it gave scientists some clues about its evolutionary history.
In China, a partially formed fossilized shell from the turtle species, Odontochelys semistestacea, was discovered in 2008. The shell was estimated to be about 220 million years old. It had a fully developed plastron, however only a partially developed carapace was made of broadened ribs. Scientists believed that this fossil represented an early view of how turtle shells evolved. The broadened ribs on the carapace led the scientists to take a closer look at a similar-looking species known from fossils in South Africa.
Tyler Lyson, a scientist from the Smithsonian Institution, analyzed 45 specimens of Eunotosaurus africanus, a 260-million-year old fossil reptile from South Africa. He found that his species has several features in common with modern-day turtles, including paired rib bones and the absence of rib muscles that are used for breathing in many vertebrates. He stated the findings in a news release.
Tyler said that after they got the intermediate shell, a transitional form that connects the gap between the turtles and other reptiles and helps explain how the turtle shell evolved. Eunotosaurus was an early offshoot of the lineage that gave rise to modern turtles.
Those findings suggested that the evolutionary origin of turtle shells may have begun about 40 million years earlier than thought. The evidence on fossils was consistent with genetic studies that also suggested that the turtle shells’ evolution started during the Permian period 260 million years ago.
One of the most massive extinctions on earth happened at the end of the Permian period about 252 million years ago. It was amazing to think that these prehistoric turtles managed to survive.
Co-authors of the study included Allison Hsiang, Gabe Bever, Jacques Gauthier, and Torsten Scheyer. The research was funded by the Smithsonian Institution, Swiss National Science Foundation, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the Yale Peabody Museum.
…read more
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By Arman
The gender of most amniote reptiles is determined by the ground temperature in which their eggs incubate. Therefore, a breeder can manipulate the incubation temperature of eggs to cause developing embryos to become males or females. The other way of knowing is to wait three to five years before seeing the development of secondary sexual characteristics. Once slider turtles mature, their tails and toenails provide proper identification of gender. The shell shape and its size may also offer clues as well.
The sea turtles, on the other hand, have seven known species that can live for an astonishing 80 years. Sea turtles live mostly in the sea but venture to dry land to have their babies. Both sexes can be seen tending to them. Males and female sea turtles are often the same, which makes it difficult to tell them apart.
If you want to undergo an expensive and invasive procedure, you can ask a veterinarian to perform an endoscopy of a turtle’s cloaca. By doing this, you don’t need to wait for other characteristics to appear and positively identify its gender.
Male slider turtles have thicker, and longer tails than females do. The vents of males are located closer to the tips of the tail than they are in females. The Male’s vent is outside their shell’s edges while the female’s vent is located inside the shell’s margins.
When compared to females, male slider turtles have longer toenails. A courting male toenail uses its toenails to tickle and stimulate female faces. A young female slider exhibits this behavior at times, so the act is not really indicative of gender. But if the female responds to the male’s advances, a male will use the fingernails to cling to the female’s shell.
Though size may not give a definite indication of the turtle’s gender, it can still provide a clue. Slider turtles females mature at a greater size than males. While male slider turtles mature at about 4 inches in plastron length, females mature at 5 to 7 inches. Eventually, males may attain 8 inches, but the largest sliders are usually female. Large female sliders may exceed 13 inches in plastron length.
Shell shape may exhibit the gender as older males have concave plastrons. Scientists believe that this adaptation provides males with more stability during mating. This is because the concave surface fits well with the convex surface of the female’s carapace.
When you look at the front flippers of sea turtles, you can see that they have long and curved claws. Scientists suggest that claws may exist to them so they can grasp the female’s shell during mating.
Observing the sea turtle’s tail may also give a clue. Sexually mature male turtles develop a longer tail, which houses the sexual organ. However, sexual maturation may occur at different stages for different species, which may make identifying a male from a female difficult.
The …read more
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By Arman
Though everything about turtles looks a bit awkward, these animals are fascinating to observe in captivity or the wild. Whichever it is, it is essential to know that some turtles are active during the day (diurnal), while others are at night (nocturnal). By identifying their form and activity patterns, you can already make a few generalizations since related species often have similar habits.
Most tortoises are diurnal and will spend their days eating, foraging, and mating and nights hiding in a deep burrow or vegetation. Pancare tortoises protect themselves by wedging their flat bodies into tight rock crevices. Though box turtles or the Asian turtles of the genus Cuora feature a hinged shell, they are not closely related to North American box turtles. The Asian box turtles are primarily nocturnal, while the North American box turtles are almost exclusively diurnal and are semi-aquatic leaning towards terrestrial.
Most basking species – including painted turtles, red-eared sliders, map turtles, and cooters – are diurnal. During the day, these turtles hunt for food, find mates and bask on exposed logs and rocks. Sleeping behavior among these turtles is highly individualistic and different members of the same species may choose to sleep underwater, or on exposed wood, rock, or sandy beach.
Mud and musk turtles are most active after dark but can also be proactive by day. Visitors can often observe the small turtles foraging on the bottom at night. Common and alligator snapping turtles are primarily nocturnal, though they may occasionally be seen swimming near the surface during the day.
Both species like in the water, so when female turtles must lay eggs, they do it under cover of darkness. The mata mata turtles are much like the snapping turtles ecologically because of being nocturnal.
Primarily, sea turtles are diurnal and spend their nights floating near the surface or tucked into a rock or coral crevice. Young sea turtles sleep on the surface and have been observed resting with their folded back front flippers over their shell. Egg-laying behavior is the only exception; at night, female sea turtles will come ashore to dig a hole in the sand where they will deposit their eggs. Some sea turtle species hatch at night and are thought to navigate by moving towards the brightest horizon.
…read more
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By Arman
Setting up your turtle’s habitat is key to keeping them healthy. This needs to be right as this is where your pet will spend most of its time.
In this post, I will share with you the general guidelines to make your turtle’s home a good and clean one.
How to Choose a Turtle Tank
The first thing you need to consider is your turtle’s size. Many start off weighing a few grams but can grow to be as big as 80 pounds. So, research the type of turtle you will get so that you can buy a turtle tank that will suit your pet turtle. You can also start small and then build a bigger one as your turtle grows.
For example, some turtles hibernate, while others don’t. Not allowing your turtle to hibernate can result in health issues down the road. If your turtle is from a tropical environment, you want to ensure that the temperature is constantly warm throughout the year.
Some people provide small enclosures. Most turtles in the wild occupy at least half a mile areas, so putting them in a little cage is like taking your turtles to one square mile and keeping it in a room that they can never leave.
If possible, it is a good idea to give your turtles outdoor space to roam around. Most turtles don’t do well long-term indoors unless the care is excellent. If the weather permits, place your turtle’s habitat outside.
Materials Need For the Tank
For your turtle’s tank, you need to purchase the following:
There are many different materials you can use for this, but it is recommended to use plastic tubs or troughs, kiddie pools, and Christmas tree boxes. If you have an aquatic turtle, a fish tank is a good idea. You can also use plastic bins over aquariums as these are easier to clean and weigh less than glass aquariums.
Most turtles like to sunbathe. However, ensure that the rocks are bigger than the size of your turtle’s head to prevent them from consuming too small rocks.
Thermometer or temperature gun
Use this device to check the temperature of the water
UV light is like a natural light of the sun, so make sure you put this but set it on a timer, so it mirrors the patterns of the sun. Turtles need UV light to avoid getting sick and having problems. …read more
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This Tiger Jag Coastal Carpet python in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user reelmassacre looks like he is hoping for snacks! Be sure to tell them you liked it here.
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By Arman
You cannot get a sunburn through glass, but that does not mean it stops all UV rays. Even if you do not get burned, rays that cause skin or eye damage can still pass through.
As sunlight enters through window glass or plastic, UV radiation is filtered out. Turtles should be exposed to direct sunshine for 10-12 hours daily if artificial UV light sources are not accessible. The majority of them make use of the warm sunlight that falls on their basking areas.
Types of Ultraviolet Light
The phrases ultraviolet light and UV refer to a wavelength range of 400 nanometers (nm) to 100 nanometers (nm). On the electromagnetic spectrum, it is located between violet visible light and x-rays. UVA, UVB, UVC, near-ultraviolet, medium ultraviolet, and far-ultraviolet are the different wavelengths of UV.
UVC is entirely absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere; hence it poses no health concern on turtles. UVA and UVB are the most common wavelengths of UV light emitted by the sun and other artificial sources.
How Much UV Is Filtered by Glass?
UVB is almost wholly absorbed by glass that is transparent to visible light. It can indeed acquire a sunburn through the mirror because this is the wavelength range that can cause a sunburn.
The visible spectrum is much closer to UVA than UVB. The ordinary glass allows 75% of UVA through. UVA damages the skin and causes cancer-causing genetic alterations.
Do Coatings and Tints Protect Against UVA/UVB?
UVA protection is sometimes applied to glass. Most sunglasses constructed of glass are coated to prevent both UVA and UVB rays. Automobile windshields with laminated glass provide some (not complete) UVA protection. Similarly, most home and business window glass does not filter much UVA.
The amount of visible and UVA light that passes through tinted glass is reduced, but some UVA still gets through. On average, 60–70% of UVA still passes through tinted glass.
Leaving Turtles In UV Light
A turtle can produce vitamin D3 by basking on sunny rocks and logs in nature, which is needed to digest calcium for a hard shell and other nutrients essential to his health. Artificial UV light delivers the same benefits in a home aquarium.
Metabolic bone disease delayed shell growth, and untimely death is all symptoms of insufficient UV exposure. If you leave the light on for 10 to 12 hours every day, your turtle will get enough UV light.
Catching Some Rays
UV light is composed of UVA and UVB rays. While UVA rays help your turtle feed, breed, and activity, UVB sunshine is required for nutrient digestion. Because UVB light cannot pass through the glass, placing your turtle in a sunny window will not give him the full range of light he needs. 12 to 15 inches above the top of your turtle’s shell, hang your UV light. Replace the bulb once a year.
Light Bulb For Turtles
In the wild, turtles rely on …read more
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By Arman
Box turtle care may appear simple, but because these reptiles are hardy and long-lived in the wild, they are sometimes ignored as pets. The majority of people have no idea how to care for them properly. Because box turtles can live up to 60 years, knowing how to care for them is crucial to their health and longevity.
Sizing the Box Turtle’s Home
If you have a pet box turtle, it will desire and need some space to move around. Turtles do not appear to move much, but they still require space to exercise. The turtle will start to suffer if you do not supply it with freedom.
Sandboxes, mixing tubs, kiddie pools, or heavy-duty plastic storage boxes are better alternatives to a glass tank for a box turtle.
What Is A Substrate?
A substrate is a type of material that reptile owners use as bedding for their pets. As a substrate, clay, coconut fiber, wood shavings, and various other materials are utilized. The substrate requirements of all reptiles are different.
Each species or subspecies prefers a different type of substrate. Many pet owners prefer commercial substrate, which in certain circumstances is better than the natural substrate. The subspecies or species determine the type of substrate chosen.
Right Habitat Substrate for Your Box Turtle
The substrate you use for your box turtle’s habitat’s floor is also crucial. One of the best options for bedding is a humid substrate material. Box turtles can also be kept in a mixture of sand and dirt, which should not be completely dry.
The turtle’s skin will break due to a dry substrate, compromising its health and well-being. The habitat’s substrate should be cleaned out every week to provide optimal care, health, and comfort.
The ideal substrate is one that closely resembles the environment a box turtle would encounter in the wild.
The majority of box turtles reside in densely wooded places where sunlight rarely reaches the ground. The soil is loose and wet, and the terrain is not sandy, dry, or packed. It demonstrates that high humidity is ideal for box turtles and that they can survive in low-light conditions.
To replicate the natural ecosystem, you must accomplish three simple things.
Types of Substrate
The composition of commercially accessible substrates ranges from delicate and dry sandy substances to wet soils and more extensive dry “chippings.” Some popular varieties include:
Tortoise owners have always utilized play sand because it looks similar to the natural surroundings of desert and Mediterranean tortoises. Even though this may be true, pure sand is not advised as a substrate, mainly because it can be swallowed unintentionally. Sand is indigestible, and if consumed, it will remain in the tortoise’s intestines. It is essential to avoid …read more
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By Arman
Turtles are among the most popular exotic pets, and several turtle breeds have risen to the top of the reptile pet. Tiny pet turtles are also known as small-dollar turtles, quarter turtles, turtles, dwarf turtles, and other names in the market. Only a few turtle species remain more than a foot long in adults, even though there are more than 250 species worldwide.
Smaller turtles are frequently assumed to make better pets due to their size and associated environmental requirements; even tiny turtles can have special needs that prevent them from being the ideal pet choices. The padlopers, for example, are not excellent captives because of their unique feeding requirements.
The Five Padlopers Species
Padlopers are a type of small African turtle. Adult speckled padloper turtles only reach a length of 3.75 centimeters. The karoo padloper is slightly larger, measuring 4.3 centimeters in length and having a somewhat domed shell.
The white markings on the shell of the Namaqualand speckled padloper give him this name, and he grows to be about 2.5 to 3 inches long. The Nama padloper is 3 inches long, compared to 2.5 to 3 inches for the typical padloper.Mud and Musk Turtles
Mud and musk turtles are both about 5 inches long. Mud turtles reach a length of 3 to 4 inches and make excellent pets. In captivity, these animals can live to be 50 years old.
Musk turtles are known as stink pots because they have smell glands that generate a foul odor as a kind of self-defense. These fragrance glands are present in both mud and musk turtles, but the mud turtle in captivity does not utilize them.
Spotted Turtles and Reeves Turtles
Spotted turtles are black turtles with yellow spots on their heads, necks, legs, and shells that grow around 3.5 to 5 inches long. Reeves turtles can be found in mainland Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea. These creatures are rectangular rather than spherical, and they grow to be roughly 5 inches long.
Common Pet Turtles
The red-eared slider is 7 to 9 inches long, while the eastern box turtle is 4.5 to 7 inches long. The western painted turtle can grow up to 4 and 10 inches long. The female map turtle is 7 to 10.5 inches long, whereas the male map turtle is 3.5 to 6.5 inches long. The wood turtle grows to be between 6.5 and 9.4 inches long.
Tiny Turtles Need Care Too
Turtles are relatively easy to handle; they do require frequent attention. They’re just like any other house pet. They, like any other companion animal, want your love and care. Turtles are often a messy animal that quickly pollutes the water. Regular tank maintenance is required; after every 15 days, you must thoroughly clean the tank.
Do Turtles Stay Small in a Small Tank?
If properly cared for, turtles in smaller enclosures will quickly outgrow them and find something more considerable. Turtles confined to a …read more
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By Arman
When turtles don’t get enough Vitamin A in their food, they develop Vitamin A deficiency (also known as hypovitaminosis A), which causes problems with their skin and other organs.
Vitamin A insufficiency is common in turtles when they are kept as pets. Vitamin A is required to develop healthy skin, mucous membranes, and ducts within the turtle’s organs. Suppose turtles do not obtain enough Vitamin A. In that case, they will develop squamous metaplasia, which will prevent the turtle’s skin or organs from performing their normal functions, most commonly by blocking fluid flow through ducts.
Vitamin A insufficiency is widespread in young semi-aquatic turtles and box turtles over six months of age. Tortoises are rarely deficient in Vitamin A because their diet naturally includes vitamin-rich plants. The shortage is seldom seen in children under six months because the yolk typically contains enough Vitamin for a few months of nourishment.
Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency in Turtles
When a turtle is deficient in Vitamin A, the following symptoms may appear:
The most visible sign of a Vitamin A deficiency is swollen eyelids. Because this could signify a bacterial infection in the turtle’s eyes or respiratory tract, the veterinarian will want to figure out what is causing the problem before starting therapy.
Stomatitis, pneumonia, and otitis are only a few problems linked to a lack of vitamin A in turtles. Treatment for these illnesses is generally ineffective until the Vitamin A deficiency is corrected.
Causes of Vitamin A Deficiency in Turtles
Turtle’s Vitamin A deficiency, also known as Hypovitaminosis A, is caused by a lack of Vitamin A in his diet. Turtle’s body needs Vitamin A for mucous membranes, healthy skin, and ducts (small tubes that allow fluids like saliva, urine, or bile to pass through) within their organs; if they do not get enough of it, their cells will grow abnormally thick and thicken. As a result, the natural function of the skin or organs will be disrupted.
Diagnosis of Vitamin A Deficiency in Turtles
You should take your turtle to the veterinarian if you observe any alarming symptoms in him. An eye exam and an oral exam will be performed as part of the physical assessment. The veterinarian will want to know about your turtle’s medical history, any symptoms that have been noticed, and his food, as well as any supplements he takes. The symptoms of a Vitamin A deficiency are similar to those of other diseases. Veterinarians will want to rule out other possible causes for your turtle’s symptoms before diagnosing it.
Bacterial infections are a common side effect of Vitamin A deficiency in turtles. A complete blood count (CBC) and a serum or plasma chemistry panel will be performed. This will assist …read more
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By Arman
If you have a turtle as a pet and keep it in a tank, you probably see algae developing on its shell. While this is a standard process in wild turtles, it is not always suitable for your pet turtle.
You may get rid of the algae on your turtle in a variety of methods. Cleaning your turtle is an essential aspect of having one.
You may not feel it necessary to clean the tanks if you change their water regularly. But there are several conditions that your turtle will develop algae if you do not clean them regularly.
Symptoms and Causes
A fungal infection on your turtle’s skin may appear as fuzzy white or grey spots. Flaking, peeling, blisters, or the appearance of cheese-like material on his skin are some of the other signs.
Normal skin shedding does not produce redness, white patches, or swelling. Poor water quality or an insufficient basking space are common causes of skin fungus.
What should you do if you notice algae on your turtle?
Skin fungus can affect aquatic turtles. The fungus can prove deadly if left untreated. It’s natural for algae to develop on a turtle’s shell. Most wild turtle “carapaces” have algae growing on them.
You cannot ignore the algae on the shell completely. It may be hiding anything as a result of a previous infection or disease. Examine your aquatic turtle’s skin for indications of skin fungus regularly. If you suspect skin fungus or other health problems in your turtle, consult a veterinarian who specializes in turtles.
Removing Algae from Your Turtle
Following are some of the methods to reduce algae from your turtle.
Algae require both sunshine and nutrition to thrive, and if you deprive them both, they will either die or certainly reduce. Keeping the water flowing using a filter or aerator will also help, as it is difficult for algae to grow in this environment.
Remove your sick turtle from his tank and carefully clean his shell with a gentle toothbrush while washing him in warm water.
Soak your pet in just enough solution to cover his shell for 15 minutes every day until the fungus is completely gone. Allow your turtle to dry completely before applying a tiny amount of betadine-containing antibiotic ointment to the fungal regions.
If you detect the fungus early enough, a few salt baths may be all your turtle needs. At 80 degrees Fahrenheit, make a solution of 2 teaspoons of salt in a gallon of water. Soak your pet for 15 minutes, barely covering his shell, once or twice every day for four or five days. After his soak, let him dry thoroughly, but do not keep him out of his tank for more than two hours.
Clean and disinfect your turtle’s tank and all its accessories with a solution of 1 part chlorine to …read more
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By Arman
If you have a tortoise to care for, you have to ensure that you provide them with the best diet available. Your house or school is not a natural habitat for a tortoise; you should do everything you can to help them feel at ease and to replicate some of the natural surroundings they are used to. One of the most important things you can do is make sure your pet is eating food they are used to and should be eating.
Finding Natural Products
When it comes to tortoise food, there are many options available, but natural goods are always preferable. There are many different types of tortoise food available, but the advantages of fresh food will pay off in the long term.
The convenience of specifically designed food may be appealing to you, but these foods are not suitable for your pet. They are typically rich in sugar and protein and do not replicate the natural foods that your pet enjoys. Because these foods are not found in a tortoise’s native environment, they should be avoided. Fresh reptile food is available, and this is the type of meal that your tortoise will enjoy.
Benefits Of Prickly Pear Fruit
Prickly pear leaves are found in the natural habitats of reptiles and tortoises, so feeding them to your pet is a natural choice. They give your tortoise calcium and fiber, which is essential for keeping them healthy. These kinds of leaves are similarly high in water content. This is due to the nature of cactus plants, and tortoises, like humans, perform significantly better when adequately hydrated.
Your pet tortoise would happily eat a whole prickly pear, and you can also break it up into smaller slices. When kept uncut, an entire leaf can last up to six months in good eating condition.
Prickly Pears Are Suitable For All Reptiles
Fresh prickly pear is not just for tortoises. It is also suitable for a variety of other species. Prickly pears are a good source of food for iguanas, turtles, and even chameleons. This is the most natural and healthy type of diet for all vegetable-eating reptiles.
Make Sure Your Tortoise Stays In The Best Of Health
The Opuntia Cactus is high in calcium, which is necessary for your tortoise’s good health. If you have a tortoise, you should try to recreate their natural habitat as much as possible, and the food you feed them is a big part of that. It is possible to provide your reptile with a healthy and nutritious diet, which means that you will get the best results.
If you want your tortoise to be in good health and live a long and satisfying life for many years to come, you should feed it the highest quality food possible. Even the fussiest tortoises will be pleased with the fresh prickly pear on offer at dinner time.
Tortoises and reptiles are excellent pets to have, and many of …read more
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By Arman
The shell of the tortoise is just like other sections of the body, a live organ. The shells consist of a mixture of bones, cartilage, skin, blood vessels, and nerves, etc. Turtles’ shells can get Bacteria, break, fracture or damage.
Turtle shell rot is a disease that is infected by polluted waters. Both sections of the shell, e.g., plastron or Carapace, might experience this common bacterial illness. Shell rot is mainly the spiral development that can lead to diseases of the ulcerative shell. The aggressive growth of bacteria in the shell enters their blood. This leads to ulcers on the outer layer of the shell.
What Does Shell Rot Look Like?
Discoloration or changing shell into white, yellowish-green, or mild color is a notable symptom of shell rot.
The usual symptom of shell rot is pale scars and patches on the shell or shell plastron. The major clue of shell rots is crumbs and shell softness.
Symptoms Of Turtle Shell Rot
Turtle shell rot is sometimes called ulcerative shell illness in veterinary circles. This is a general name for a common illness, which may be found in either the top half (the Carapace) or the bottom half of the shell (known as the plastron).
In wild turtles, shell rot symptoms are typically more conspicuous than in captive tortoises. Wild tortoises seem dehydrated and usually in poor physical condition. The shell can be covered with moss and produce an unpleasant odor, sometimes a bloody smell.
Is Shell Rot Contagious?
In most situations, shell rot may be highly contagious. It’s easy for bacteria to transfer bacteria from one tortoise to another. It is probable by direct or indirect touch to spread or infect other tortoises.
Shell rot may not be harmful to humans. However, it is good to take measures at a time.
How To Treat Shell Rot?
Following are some ways to treat turtles’ shell rot.
The cleaning and disinfection of a wound are done to cure an injury. Nolvasan is a hospital disinfectant, combined with a cleanser, produces an excellent wound cleanser. Nolvasan is best to use if you want a disinfectant that works with organic substances such as blood, pus, dead skin, etc. Use this on damaged skin anywhere you wish to minimize germs because Chlorhexidine is included in the product. Nolvasan works against other viruses as well. It destroys all germs and helps the area in healing.
Nolvasan antiseptic is a great and most efficient solution for healing shells. It is utilized in 60 different microorganisms as a powerful cleanser and disinfectant. Chlorhexidine dictates to work more quickly than other antibacterial and antiseptic therapies for the red shell.
Online purchasing of the Nolvasan solution is one of the best ways to get it. Online stores provide a wide range of varieties.
The natural treatment for promoting a robust and healthy shell is coconut oil. It can fight several …read more
Read more here: Turtle Times
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By Arman
A turtle that refuses to eat is not necessarily a cause for worry, and there are many reasons why this may be the case. However, before moving on, make sure nothing is wrong, especially if you are dealing with a young turtle.
A stressful shift in the animal’s surroundings might be the reason for its lack of hunger and movement. At some point, every turtle owner will experience this problem; your turtle will stop eating for no particular reason.
Let us discuss each situation separately to determine if it is the cause of the issue and how to fix it.
Water Temperature
Turtles are cold-blooded animals, which means they do not create any heat of their own and must rely on the surrounding temperature to keep warm.
Your turtle will stop eating If the water is not warm enough. They would not be able to digest the food correctly, and they may get sick.
The actual temperature of the water varies depending on the species. The temperature is usually between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (24 and 27 degrees Celsius). If you keep the water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees, your turtles will quickly resume feeding.
Stressed
Turtles are sensitive to get stressed. Excessive sounds, other pets, poor treatment, and various other factors can stress them out.
If your turtle becomes stressed, it will stop eating until the situation has calmed down. They will also act strangely compared to their typical behavior, frequently due to a lack of energy. When most turtles are stressed, they either try to escape the tank.
All causes of stress must be eliminated in this situation. After you have removed the pressures, your turtle should be able to eat again.
Dirty Water
When it comes to turtles, dirty water is one of the most severe issues. The tank should be cleaned once a week. Your turtle may stop eating and may develop various other health issues if the tank is dirty. Cleaning the tank is the only way to solve this problem; there is no other option.
The ideal way is to feed your turtles in a different container. To do so, place one of your turtles in a separate container filled with water and provide them in that container. After eating, they left them there for another 10 minutes before returning them to the tank. If you have more turtles, remember to take them one at a time rather than all at once. They may end up fighting over food if you place them all in a single container.
Feeding Your Turtle the Wrong Food
Live prey, meat, pellets, fruits, and vegetables should all be included in your turtle’s diet. They would not eat anything else if you only fed them what they wanted. Fruits and vegetables play an essential part in a turtle’s diet, and they should be consumed regularly to avoid health issues.
It will be challenging to …read more
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By Arman
Shedding of Shell
According to turtle breeders and owners, it’s pretty standard for a turtle to have an itchy shell when it’s going to shed its shell or pieces of its shell. Turtles love to scratch by themselves but don’t help them in this task because they will indeed not like this. They don’t prefer getting help, tiny turtles with a giant ego. However, during this time, if you have to help them in scratching, avoid being too harsh as not to peel the pieces of shell off because the shell is quite loose until it’s ready to shed off completely.
Cleanliness
Sea turtles scratch the back of their shell to clean it. This scratching helps them remove any biotic life form that might stick to their shell-like barnacles, algae, diatoms, etc. turtles scratch the back of their shells against the rocky or stony beds or any hard surface coming in contact with their shell. Excessive growth of any biotic component of water would adversely affect the movement and swimming speed of the turtle.
Fun
You will come across many funny videos of little turtles being scratched by toothbrushes or fingernails of their keepers on the internet. All turtles can feel their shell; being a rigid structure does not keep them from getting a feel of it. The shell of the turtle has many nerve endings. The neurons in them get excited when touched or tickled lightly. This action makes a turtle content and happy as they enjoy the activity.
A scratching must feel like tickling a turtle, and just as we humans get tickles, it is always followed by laughter; turtles also feel good. A zookeeper Torunn Gundersen has built a scratcher. With the help of this scratcher, turtles can scratch themselves whenever they want, and wherever they want, they can have fun on their own. The scratcher is one of the enrichment activities, so the animals don’t get bored. These activities also connect the sea turtles to their natural habitat, and they get to enjoy the experience they would have in their wild and natural environment.
But not all turtles are into scratching. For instance, radiated turtles are not so fond of scratching, but on the other hand, sliding turtles love it.
Skin and Shell Infections
Turtles and tortoises suffer from many skin and shell infections. They could be either fungal or bacterial. If these infections are not treated on time, they can cause permanent damage to the shell and skin. They could also advance into septicemia, in which infection spreads in animals’ bloodstream, which is critical and most lethal.
Symptoms and Types
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By Arman
Turtles, like many other pets, require a specific tank temperature to keep their body temperature stable. It is necessary for them because it helps in digestion, breathing, and disease resistance.
Turtles, unlike humans, cannot adjust their body temperature internally. It is your responsibility to keep your body temperature stable by maintaining your surroundings. As a result, you must do everything you can to keep the tank at the proper temperature.
It might cause respiratory problems if the water in your turtle aquarium is freezing. Because your turtle will be less likely to maintain activity and swim around, it might develop into obesity.
In the same way, overly hot water can cause illnesses in pet turtles. For a healthy turtle, it is necessary to ensure the water temperature is within a few degrees of the desired temperature.
How to Maintain a Turtle Tank Temperature
By maintaining a consistent temperature in the tank, you can keep your turtle healthy.
In the turtle tank, the temperature of the basking area must be carefully monitored and maintained. The interior temperature of an electric heat lamp with UVB light can get too hot, and turtles will avoid visiting there because they will fear getting too hot or having their skin dry up.
To help turtles survive, it’s critical to control the temperature of their environment. If the temperature inside is too cold, it might cause respiratory illness, which is terrible for turtles. Ensure that the basking area temperature is controlled by habitat lighting.
Species determine the ideal temperature for a turtle. It’s also important to note that turtles under the age of one need slightly warmer temperatures. This indicates that the temperature should be about 5°F higher than the recommended target in most situations.
Sick turtles require greater temperatures than healthy turtles. Turtles are ectothermic creatures that are susceptible to respiratory diseases. Raising the temperature of the environment can help in the battle against germs and respiratory diseases. Make sure to raise the water and air temperature of a sick turtle’s tank to 4 degrees over its average temperature.
Maintain the water temperature in a turtle tank with aquarium heaters. Because most turtle tank heaters are built for fish tanks, make sure you choose the correct one. A protective covering should be applied to the heater’s exterior layer, which should be made of thermal-resistant plastic.
The power of your heating source should be sufficient to heat the water in the tank. If the turtle tank is kept cold, the most powerful heaters are required. You may utilize the less powerful ones in hotter climates. If you live in a cold region where the power goes out frequently, you should constantly check your tank. Even a few hours without a heater can be deadly to a turtle.
To help turtles survive, it’s essential to keep the turtle tank …read more
Read more here: Turtle Times
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By Arman
The shell of a turtle is composed of almost 60 bones. The hard outer shell layer, known as the scutes, is formed by a thin epithelium covering the bony shell. Scutes are plate-like scales with a keratin composition comparable to that of fingernails.
They protect the bones and epithelium of the shell underneath them. The epithelium generates a new scute beneath the old ones bigger in diameter than the one layered on top, allowing the shell to expand as the turtle develops.
The scutes on the shells of most turtles and tortoises stay on for the rest of their lives, strengthening and protecting the shell. Scutes’ outer layers can be worn down, particularly in burrowing tortoises, although rarely shed.
The outer layer of scutes is lost annually by several species of water turtles (Deirochelys, Genera Chrysemys, Graptemys, Trachemys, Pseudemys, and Malaclemys). This prevents the shell from becoming too thick and heavy to swim in, and it also helps in the removal of algae and other organisms that develop in an aquatic environment.
Water turtles shed their scutes as they get mature, which is natural. Depending on the species of turtle and if it is healthy, a peeling shell might indicate illness.
All turtles and tortoises lose the skin on their legs and necks in addition to their scutes. The skin of a turtle differs from yours; it is not elastic and does not expand to allow for growth. Turtles outgrow and lose their old skin in stages as they get older. This is particularly visible in aquatic turtles, and it also acts as a defensive measure against infection.
Why Do Turtles Shed Their Scutes?
The shell of a water turtle grows in parallel with the rest of its developing body, resulting in healthy shedding. Bacteria, parasites, algae, environmental problems, and nutritional deficiencies are significant causes of shell disorders. It’s critical to be able to tell the difference between normal shedding and issues that might put your pet’s health or life in danger.
First, check to see if the shell behind the peeling scutes appears to be expected. There’s an issue if the shell seems misshapen, reddish, or bleeding behind the scute, has exposed bone, or feels soft or spongy. Seek veterinarian care as soon as possible. If your turtle’s scutes are constantly shedding or are peeling but not entirely falling off, you should consult a veterinarian.
Healthy Shedding
Peeling is expected during the development process as long as the thin layers peel off, leaving a normal-looking and feeling shell.
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By Arman
The most common and best turtle tank substrates are sand, river pebbles, and gravel. You must take extra care while selecting a substrate because some types of substrates may be pretty harmful to your turtle.
Let’s take a deeper look at each type of substrate to discover which ones are potentially hazardous, as well as their other advantages and disadvantages.
Gravel
Select smooth river stones that are larger than your turtle’s head to prevent him from eating them. When your turtle dives into the water, large, smooth stones are less likely to injure his plastron.
Advantages of Gravel
There are some good things about using gravel; let’s discuss that:
Gravel has the unique advantage of being incredibly easy to clean. Food or algae will not be able to penetrate the gravel because it is so tiny. It’s also heavy enough that the siphon won’t suck it.
Gravel also has the benefit of looking great in a tank. Gravel is available in various colors, including white, black, blue, red, and fluorescent.
Disadvantages of Gravel
Gravel is a problem because turtles may easily mistake it for food and swallow it. If this happens, the digestive system may become blocked, or internal bleeding may occur. Both of these situations can lead to serious health issues and even death.
When turtles eat, they lunge at their meal and ignore what else they could ingest, so there’s a good possibility this will happen.
Another issue with gravel is that many sellers include calcium in it. Calcium is beneficial to turtles, but too much can cause pyramiding, which you want to avoid.
River Rocks
River rocks are a fantastic alternative for tank decoration in general. They have several benefits and only one drawback.
Advantages of River Rocks
River rocks have several benefits that make them popular among turtle owners.
The first is that they are sufficiently heavy to prevent your turtle from moving them around. River rocks are the way to go if you want to establish a particular arrangement in the tank and don’t want your turtle to damage it.
The second advantage is that, unlike the other alternatives, they are effortless to remove. This will come in handy when it’s time to clean the tank.
Disadvantages of River Rocks
River rocks leave a lot of space between them, which is the one drawback. As a result, a lot of dirt will get in between them, causing the water to become dirty faster, and the tank’s appearance would not be too attractive.
Sand
Sand is also used as a substrate, having lots of advantages.
Advantages of Sand
The first is that it fully covers the bottom of the tank, preventing even the tiniest particle of dirt from reaching the bottom. Cleaning the tank will be much easier as a result of this.
Many people are concerned that their turtles may eat the sand, and this is a valid concern. …read more
Read more here: Turtle Times
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By Arman
It is a piece of crucial information to have if you are thinking about adding a second pet turtle to your household or if you currently have two turtles and want to learn how to better care for them.
Is it possible for two turtles to share a tank? The answer is yes.
Consider your options carefully before choosing a home for your pet turtles. Allowing them to do so can lead to various issues, including the spread of disease, severe territorial aggressiveness, and conflicting climate demands.
It depends on the temperament of each turtle, as well as a few other things to be considered, such as species, size, sex, age of both turtles, and the tank’s size and equipment.
Same Species Together
If you want to keep two turtles in the same tank, make sure they are the same species, or at least species compatible, and that their care requirements are the same or extremely comparable.
Many turtles, particularly those of the aquatic species, have strong territorial streaks. If male turtles of the same species live in close quarters, there may be many fighting. Putting small and huge individuals together can also be exceedingly dangerous. Even if they are of the same species, young and mature individuals should not be kept in the same enclosure.
Hazards of Sicknesses
In most circumstances, turtles of various species should not be kept together in the same tank. While turtles of many kinds can live together peacefully, there is a possible health risk. If one turtle comes from a different place than the other, one may be immune to the diseases that the other carries.
If one transmits anything to a cage mate of a different species by contact, there is no guarantee that the other will be protected in the same way. This could cause the other turtle to become extremely sick, and in some cases, they could die. By avoiding putting different species together, you can prevent these types of problems from developing.
Temperament Variations
Turtles from all over the world have a wide range of personalities, and some turtle species are more fearful than others. If a shy turtle is forced to live among a bolder and more outgoing species, it may be subjected to a great deal of harassment and even aggression. Aggression between turtles can quickly evolve into violence that can be deadly, or at the very least, cause serious injuries.
Size and Age
The size and age of your turtles are connected and crucial when considering housing them together. Aggression and fighting are more likely when one turtle is substantially larger than the other.
This can be lethal if a fully-grown adult turtle attacks a yearling or juvenile turtle or if two different species are significantly larger than one another. It may be possible to house your turtles together if they are of similar size and age and are of the same or similar species …read more
Read more here: Turtle Times
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By Arman
Whether you’re a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or not, there’s no excuse not to see the Turtles in their natural habitat. Turtles are one of the oldest creatures in the ocean and have lived on the land for 215 million years.
Giant tortoises found in South America and Africa are now very common in the United Kingdom. Six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles have been recorded in British waters, with Leatherback visiting the waters every summer to feed on jellyfish. Other species are often washed ashore or die on the shore in winter, and most often are young turtles lost in the cold waters of England.
Giant tortoises look exotic, but according to conservation groups, they visit our oceans often enough to be considered normal British animals. Leatherback turtle and turtle visits, usually associated with beaches in South America and Africa, are common enough to show that the waters around Britain are a home from home.
However, the number of visitors to the British Sea can be much higher, as turtles can swim quite deeply and be unobtrusive. The reptile and amphibian charities want sea turtles to be recognized as typical British animals.
Turtles in the UK
Studies show that most turtles are found in the western part of the UK, including the English Channel, around Ireland, and north of the Orkney and Shetland Islands.
A seemingly rugged five-foot Leatherback turtle was discovered off Wales by a fisherman who said he had never seen it in 20 years of fishing. Despite weighing up to 1 ton and 5 feet in length, an average of 15 leatherback turtles are most commonly found in British waters each year. Their heavier weight makes them more resistant to the cold waters of the coast, allowing them to travel to the United Kingdom.
Leatherback turtles are undoubtedly regular summer dwellers of the sea. The sea here is beautiful with lots of jellyfish, and there is a lot of food for Leatherback, so they travel to the UK.
Several species of water turtles occur in waterways. The most common is the red-eared-terrapin, initially in the UK 8,000 years ago, but now back. European pond turtles and freshwater turtles have also been observed along waterways. Studies show that most turtles are found in the western part of England, including the English Channel, around Ireland, and north of the Orkney and Shetland Islands.
A number of sea turtles can be spotted along the coastlines of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Leatherbacks, Juvenile loggerheads, and Kemp’s ridley turtles are usually the most common turtles spotted.
Head out to local lakes and ponds on sunny days to witness the turtles that come out to bask in lakes and ponds of the UK. Most turtles will be basking on the logs or edges of the river bank.
The Turtle Sighting Program is a great way to help understand turtles in UK waters, but you will …read more
Read more here: Turtle Times
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By Arman
Best Sites To Buy Turtles
Have you ever thought about raising a turtle as a pet? If not, then this does it right now? Baby turtles are raised as pets all over the world. No matter from whichever part of the world, if you want your baby turtle, you can get your baby turtle. There are many sites where you can place your order online with all the specifications about the turtle species, and it will be delivered to your doorstep. Nowadays, finding a good, professional and trustworthy site is becoming more and more complex, but there are still some sites maintaining the caliber, providing excellent shipment and service.
My Turtle Store (https://myturtlestore.com)
This site has established its business of rearing, breeding, reproduction, and taking care of all unique, exotic, and rare species of turtles for more than 40 years. Their supplying line is stretched to the schools, zoos, aquariums, homes, and educational sectors. And if you have the foggiest idea about petting a turtle, they will guide you superbly.
They have a lot of options for beginners as well as experienced turtle lovers. Either it’s a turtle or the turtle products needed for taking care of your pet, they cover it all. They have immense knowledge and experience when it comes to husbandry, and the advice is one of the best you can lay your hands online.
My turtle store is also very active when it comes to social services. They also have the membership of many national organizations which aim for the well-being of turtles. They believe in providing health services to every turtle and tortoise. They are also affiliated with teams specified for the rescue of this wildlife. Till now, they have saved almost three hundred endangered tortoises. They are actively researching to develop safer and much more reliable standards for the shipping of turtles.
Tortoise Town (https://www.tortoisetown.com)
Tortoise Town is known for its gorgeous colored tortoises and turtles. If you are interested in buying some baby turtles, then this site won’t disappoint you. They have many types and species of turtles. Turtles from specific habitats are also available here. They have a wide variety of turtles, including freshwater turtles and all kinds of aquatic turtles.
They have also got some regular water turtle-like slider turtles and some pond water turtle species. They also offer box turtles like eastern box turtles and Chinese box turtles at a very reasonable price. They also have three-toed and ornaments in store for their customers.
Tortoise town aims to ensure the highest quality delivery and satisfy their customers because they treat their clients like their families. They have a variety of high-grade, hand-raised captive types of turtles. They offer a variety of captive-bred box turtles to their buyers. So, place your order online, and after overnight shipping, your turtle will meet you at your doorstep.
Turtle store (https://www.turtlestore.com)
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This female Kimberly Rock Monitor is just hanging out in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user bob! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Such a lovely contrast against the blue, this Angolan Python takes the spotlight in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user EdCB ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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This is a hatchling Russian Rat Snake
In bygone days the Russian Rat Snake Elaphe schrencki was the nominate subspecies, with the Korean Rat Snake, Elaphe schrencki anomala, being the second subspecies. Each were elevated to full species status several years ago.
Talking about this pretty constrictor should make all of the diehard wannbe users of the genus Elaphe, happy, because it, as well as several other Eurasian species, remain in that genus. Although commonly known as the Russian Rat Snake by USA enthusiasts, it is also commonly referred to as the Manchurian Rat Snake. The range of this white banded black snake includes Russia, Mongolia and Northern China (Manchuria).. Like other rat snakes, including those of the USA, the Russian Rat Snake’s preferred habitats include open forest, scrublands and farmlands. It is an agile climber and swimmer that does not hesitate to use lakes and streams as escape routes if harried.
As mentioned above, the ground color of this snake is black. This is interrupted by numerous widely separated narrow white (often dirty white) to yellow bands. The head is black but the labials are white to yellow(ish) with black interscale sutures. The venter is cream to pale yellow with numerous black spots. Adult size ranges from 4 ½ to 6 feet in total length.
Prey includes rodents and other small mammals, birds and their eggs.
Clutch size varies between 4 and 25+ eggs. Incubation duration is less that with other rat snake species, varying from 38 to 50 days. Ground color of the 10” long hatchlings is brown with black-edged lighter bars.
Continue reading “That Other Black Rat Snake, the Russian Rat Snake” …read more
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Celebrating the start of Croctober with this head shot of a Nile Crocodile in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user CDieter! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Loving this Dumeril’s basking in the sun for a photoshoot in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user liljenni ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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There is no denying the extreme cute factor of this Xenopus laevis 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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Here is to hoping this hatchling albino Siamese Crocodile our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user crocodilepaul helps you survive this Monday!! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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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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Often associated with India, the snake also ranges into Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other nearby countries. Despite the terrible toxicity and efficiency of the venom, when the Russell’s Viper Daboia russelii is available to hobbyists and zoos it is usually quickly purchased. Admittedly, this rough-scaled, grayish to brownish snake is a beautiful species.
To the pleasing ground color add 3 rows of lengthwise black and white edged oval, russet, markings. Dorsally these are occasionally elongated into a broad stripe. The top of the head has a dark edged half oval above each venom gland and the crown is outlined by light scales forming a V with the apex on the nose. Overall, what you now have, is 3 to 5 feet of beauty along a moderately heavy body.
This snake is ovoviviparous, birthing from 5 to 40 neonates. The largest substantiated litter contained 75 neonates. The babies are about 9 ½ inches long at birth.
Russell’s Viper is preferentially crepuscular to nocturnal.
The habitat of Russell’s Viper may vary from relatively dry, overgrown suburban areas to scrublands and open woodlands. These snakes are often seen wherever there are the rodents, their preferred prey. Ricefields form an ideal habitat and, sadly, workers are often bitten.
What seem to be bright colors when captive blend remarkably well with this snake’s natural habitat.
Continue reading “Deadly Beauty, the Tic-Palonga or Russell’s Viper” …read more
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A great shot of a live (as they should be) Pygmy Rattlesnake on concrete in the field in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user JARHEAD1969 ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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