This is an adult Royal Rat Snake.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

Of the Diadem Snakes, it is Spalerosophis atriceps the Black-headed or Royal Rat Snake that is most sought by hobbyists. A pretty but quietly colored snake, the ground color may vary from sand gray to orange. It has irregular dark blotches and spots both dorsally and laterally. The spotting may be reddish on juveniles but darkens as the snake ages. The head may be black or black and tan dorsally and the face may be orange to red, with or without black. The belly may be unmarked white or small dark blotches may be present.

These snakes are weak constrictors at best, and often smother live prey, such as a mouse, by grasping and holding it by the nose while laying body coils atop the rodent.

This snake may bite if carelessly restrained or otherwise frightened.

Adults may exceed 6 feet by a few inches. Hatchlings are 12 to 14 inches long.

Once commonly bred in the USA, the Royal Rat Snake is now rather infrequently seen. Many who have successfully bred this species have provided a several weeks winter brumation with temperatures in the mid 50sF. A clutch normally contains between 3 and 12 eggs.

India and Pakistan comprise the range of this snake.
Continue reading “Meet the Black-headed or Royal Rat Snake” …read more
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Awesome field shot of a Mojave (Crotalus scutulatus salvini) taken in Mexico in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user OXYUMAURUS! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Hoggies are SUCH drama queens, like this one in our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user JoeTaffis! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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No longer just black and white, these snakes show some of the variety in color that the Black Headed Pythons have in our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Tom_Keogan! Be sure to tell Tom you liked it here!

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Sonoma County has some beautiful Black Speckled Salamanders, just like this one in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user skyserpent ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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This male Lacerta has his eye on you in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user danielk! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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The “spindly” legs of spider geckos were always apparent.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

Although the Spider Gecko, also known as the Persian Spider gecko, Agamura persica for those of you scientifically inclined, was never particularly common in the pet industry, it was once at least sporadically available. As is suggested by both its common and species name, it ranges widely in Iran (also Pakistan and Afghanistan) Today (2021 it seems that it is one of the many reptile and amphibian species lost to the herp-hobby.

This is a sand-gray colored gecko, slender of body and long of leg and tail. The tail accounts for a little less than half of the Spider Gecko’s 5 to 6 inch length. Adult males are often a bit larger than the females. Males have noticeable hemipenial bulges.

This gecko is not particularly fast but is said to be quite agile as it moves about its rocky arid homeland. It is said to be active at temperatures between 60 and 95F. Captives quickly grew accustomed to close approach and would stand statue-still until actually touched. Like many other gecko species Spider geckos are primarily both crepuscular and nocturnal, but occasionally foraged and basked diurnally.

It is oviparous.

We hope you have enjoyed this short journey into our bygone days of herpetoculture. Continue reading “Meet the Spider Gecko” …read more
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Baby pics make #RattlesnakeFriday so much better! Loving this baby timber rattlesnake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jameswv! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! No round-ups this week, just a look at a new life.

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The best part about corn snakes is their wide variety of looks, like this Striped Sunglow Motley in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jcherry! Be sure to tell them you like it here!

Corn Snake, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jcherry” />

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Gotta love the smile from this Monkey Tail Skink in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user sreps ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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In an attempt to ban the keeping on non-native venomous animals in South Carolina, two bills had late stage amendments pushed through. These two bills were almost through the process to make them law with very little notice to owners.

A breakdown of what the amendments will do from USARK:

The bills vary slightly but both will:

ban all non-native venomous reptiles of the class Reptilia belonging to the families Elapidae, Crotalidae, Viperidae, and Hydrophiidae;
ban all non-native venomous reptiles in the genus Heloderma;
ban all non-native venomous reptiles in the family Colubridae belonging to the genera: Rhabdophis, Boiga, Dispholidus, Thelatornis, and Atractapsi;
make it unlawful for a person to import into, possess, keep, purchase, have custody or control of, reproduce, or sell a non-native venomous reptile, including transactions conducted via the Internet;
find that a person who possesses non-native venomous reptiles may be guilty of a felony and may be fined up to five thousand dollars or imprisoned up to five years.

There is an urgent phone campaign happening now and we need YOU to help! Please visit USARK here and make your calls today. The action alert has all the information needed! …read more
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This curious little wild Rat snake is checking out the camera in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user cmac107 ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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It is hard to not see beauty when you look at the Asian Vine Snake (Ahaetulla prasina) our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user 13lackcat! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! This Black-Tailed Rattlesnake (C. molossus) in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user erindonaldson is certainly full of sass! ! 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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The gentle anaconda takes center stage in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user flboy21283! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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“You’re kingsnake.com, where are all the kingsnakes?” Right here 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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Let’s go Hog Wild for this Eddy County New Mexico Locality Hognose in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user nearhoofm ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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A stunning Asian Forest Tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei,) takes over as our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user emysbreeder ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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The brassy and white markings and range of the Tellico Salamander renders it a rather easily identified member of the Slimy Salamander group.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

This group of salamanders, all of the genus Plethodon, is very aptly named, for not a single one out of the ~47 described species is tied to an aquatic habitat in any manner. To a species they are woodland dwellers that live their lives in woodland settings. Moisture is, of course, as necessary for these salamander’s survival as it is for any and all amphibians, but the moisture is accessed by rainfall, fog, and mists, and for some species, in streamedge situations (but not immersion). These salamanders are small and slender, varying from 3 ½”, (Red-backed, Peaks of Otter, and many others) to the nearly 9” of Yonahlossee and Bat Cave Salamanders).

All are oviparous, their egg clutches being laid in decaying logs, beneath rocks, or other such moisture holding situations including burrows. There is no aquatic larval stage, the young emerging from the egg- capsules as miniatures of the adults.

While some Woodland Salamanders are easy to identify, others are difficult. This is especially so of the 13 species that comprise the Slimy Salamander group. Some of these latter are identifiable only by locale or genetic studies.

And now, enjoy the photos. Continue reading “Woodland Salamanders” …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! Could this Cobra in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user eekster strike a better pose?! 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 and to raise awareness for their need for protection.

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We are loving this shot of a Black Milk Snake in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user gerryg ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Here’s to hoping this IJ Jag in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user StonedReptiles makes your day a bit brighter!! 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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This garter in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Concinnitor proves they are anything but boring! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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An uncommon striped pattern on McDowell’s Carpet Python.By Dick and Patti Bartlett

Excluding the Green Tree, Amethystine and Oenpelli pythons, Australia is home to 3 species and 6 subspecies of heavy bodied, moderately sized (to about 8 feet/ 2- 1/3 meters) Carpet Pythons.

• Morelia bredli, Centralian or Bredl’s Carpet Python
• Morelia carinata, Rough-scaled Python
• Morelia spilota, Diamond Python and Carpet Python

  • M. s. cheneyi, Tableland Carpet Python
  • M. s. imbricata, Southern Carpet Python
  • M. s. mcdowelli, McDowell’s Carpet Python
  • M. s. metcalfi, Interior Carpet Python
  • M. s. spilota, Diamond Python
  • M. s. variegata, Northern Carpet Python

Except for the southeasterly most member, the one that is usually referred to as the Diamond Python, the carpet pythons are often referred to simply as Carpet Snakes by Australians. All are constrictors, all are nonvenomous, all are capable of biting, but their readiness to do so varies individually. All are accomplished climbers but may be found terrestrially in habitats as diverse as gardens, attics, or the remote outback. All are oviparous, reproducing by egg clutches that are protected by the female. All feed primarily on small mammals and birds.

All (except the Diamond Python which is black with a variable but often speckled pattern of white or cream) are colored in various shades of yellowish, cream or tan with a darker pattern. But sometimes the dark color prevails, and the light markings are reduced in size or number. Subspecies may interbreed where their ranges abut or overlap. The resulting hatchlings may be patterned non-typically. Encompassing all species and suggested subspecies the ranges include southern Western Australia, then hops to eastern South Australia and northward well into western Queensland, then throughout most of New South Wales and northward in the coastal forests and plateaus to Cape York. Then after another break in range it may again be found in northern Northern Territory westward to newest Australia. Bredl’s Python, seen as a full species by some and as a subspecies of the carpet python by others, seems more arboreal and ranges widely in southwest Northern Territory. The uncommon Rough-scaled Python is found in northwest Kimberly Region of Western Australia.
Continue reading “The Carpet/Diamond Python group” …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! What a stunning shot of an albino Atrox in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user eekster ! 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 Gharial is smiling in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Majorpat because she is thankful we celebrate Earth Day! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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What a cute plated lizard in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jungleemporium ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Nothing to see here, just a Red Foot Tortoise in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user draybar running a marathon! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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During a recent research survey, a new species of marsupial frog in the Cordilleras de Colan National Sanctuary in Northern Peru.

The new species belongs to the Gastrotheca genus of tailless frogs found in South and Central America.

…

“This new species is distinguished by having a thick granular skin on the back, a green dorsal coloration without a pattern, turquoise iris and a belly without spots, specks or dots,” said SERNANP.

To read more visit phys.org here. …read more
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It’s like a glamour shot for Horned lizards with this handsome Phrynosoma solare in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user ninetynine is hoping for some tasty snacks! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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This is a typical Green Tree Python.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

Long the only species in the monotypic genus, Chondropython, the green tree python has now been lumped with the diamond/carpet pythons in the genus Morelia where it remains despite nomenclatural controversy. Hobbyists still often refer to this snake by the shortened name of “Chondro.” The species name is viridis, this meaning green. And this name fits the vast majority of the adults well, for almost all adults are green (occasional occurrences of yellow, blue, or albino adults have been verified) with or occasionally without white vertebral markings. But for the hatchlings it is a misnomer, for by locale they vary from bright yellow to a rich maroon-brown with reddish-brown or white highlights. These snakes are adult at 4 ½ to 5 ½ feet. The head is large, the neck slender, and the body laterally compressed.

Whether juvenile or adult, this is a beautiful snake. Adult coloration is assumed at an age of about 9-12 months and a length of about ~20 inches. It is an oviparous species, laying from a half dozen to two dozen eggs. Incubation periods of 49 to 60 days have been mentioned.

The diet consists primarily of rodents and occasional lizards. Prey is killed by constriction.

This beautiful python is a rainforest inhabitant of northeastern Australia, the Papua and New Guinea mainland and many of the surrounding islands. Adults are considered snakes of closed canopy forest while hatchlings and juveniles seemingly prefer more open and sunny perches.

This snake is a herpetocultural favorite and is bred extensively in captivity.
Continue reading “Green Tree Python (Chondro)” …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! Isn’t this a gorgeous Southern Pacific Rattlesnake in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Canes05 ! 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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I bet this Nile Monitor in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user orchidspider is hoping for some tasty snacks! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Here is to hoping this Northern Pine in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user orchidspider can cure any case of the Mondays!! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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What amazing colors Uros come in, like this ornate in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user plietz! Be sure to tell them you liked it here.

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What wonderful color contrast in this hatchling Mud Snake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Godfrey ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Sheltopusik may be patterned or unicolored. They are interesting lizards are are popular with herp keepers.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

Called by many different names around the world — glass lizards (USA), Slowworm (England and Europe), Sheltopusik (Eurasia), and Legless Lizards California, Baja, Australia) — all are legless (or in the case of the sheltopusik essentially legless), secretive, many are burrowers, and many have fragile, easily autotomized tails.

Glass lizards (seUSA, , Eurasia, Europe, Asia) have functional eyelids, ear openings, and an expandable fold along each side of their body. These may exceed 3 feet in length and lack the suppleness of a snake. Tail readily breaks from body (autotomizes).

Sheltopusik (aka European or Giant Glass Lizard) (Balkans, Crimea, Caucasus, Southwest and Central Asia) have eyelids, ear openings, lateral grooves. The tail is less easily broken off than in most smaller species. (a fold of skin running the entire body length from behind head to but not including the tail. The latter is easily broken off). Usually about 30 inches but rarely to about 50 inches long. May bluff or bite, but they are defensive, not aggressive.

Legless lizards (Western California and Northwest Baja) have tiny eyes with functional eyelids, no ear opening, short blunt tipped tail that is barely discernible from the torso, and seldom exceed 10 inches in total length. Despite being short and thick the tail can be autotomized.

Slowworms (England, Europe) have functional eyelids, tiny ear openings, and are usually under 18 inches in length. Tail readily breaks from body.

Although a few species of the legless lizards of Australia also occur in PNG, most are endemic to Australia.

And remember, no matter how similar these may seem to snakes, they are all harmless lizards.

These interesting reptiles feed primarily on arthropods and worms.

Despite folk tales to the contrary, allow me to assure you that the autotomized tails of these lizards do not reassemble and rejoin the body. A broken tail is a broken tail and if the affected lizard again has a tail, it is a regenerated one. When fully regrown the tail is sometimes as long as the original, but always discernible by aberrant scalation or other differences.
Continue reading “Meet the Various Legless lizards” …read more
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This Black Tailed Rattlesnake is poised and ready in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user erindonalson !? Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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This Mexican Burrowing Python (Loxocemus bicolor) in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user MXHerper is stunning. Such awesome little giants! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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