Brown phase Cape Cobras are one of the more common colors.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

The Cape Cobra, Naja nivea, of southern Africa is variable both in color and pattern. Most common colors are various shades of brown, with or without sparse or heavy stippling that may be darker or lighter than the ground color. Beautiful yellow to copper colors, again with or without stippling, are also commonly seen. Juveniles are often more brightly colored than the adults. Average adult size of this very venomous cobra is from 4 to 4 ½ feet. However specimens to and just over 6 feet have been recorded. Hatchlings, 6 to 20 per clutch, are 12 to 16 inches long and are equipped with venom at hatching.

Preferred habitats of this cobra are even more varied than its color. It may be found in desert, semi-desert, grasslands and brushy regions as well as all combinations between. It seeks refuge in the rodent burrows, unused termite mounds, crevices. It is often seen near waterholes as well as streams. It may enter dwellings when attempting to escape the heat of the day.

This is primarily a diurnal, terrestrial snake, but it is well able to climb and often raids the nests of sociable weavers. Besides these birds it eats all manner of small vertebrates, and is known to eat road killed snakes and small mammals. The Cape cobra is not one of the spitting varieties. Because it is often common near dwellings, is dangerously venomous, and tends to stand its ground if surprised, this is considered one of the most dangerous of Africa’s venomous snakes.

Continue reading “Cape Cobra” …read more
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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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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! All venomous snakes need our support! This Cottonmouth is screaming it from the field in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user BowieKnife357 ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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These adorable Crested Geckos are just hanging around in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user MOC_Reptiles ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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A stunning shot from Ghana of this Crowned Bullfrog steals the limelight in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user Slaytonp ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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This hatching Cribo in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user alanB makes monday more bearable! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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One little, two little, three little Bearded Dragons in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user dedragons ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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An adult female Patch-nosed Salamander
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

In 2009 a new species of “miniplethodontid” salamander was described. Although looking much like the brook salamanders of the genus Eurycea, research determined that this pretty little miniature was sufficiently different from the brook salamanders to warrant the erection of a new genus—Urspelerpes. This genus contains only the single species, U. brucei. Because of the nose-spot this salamander was given the common name of Patch-nosed Salamander.

It is an uncommon denizen of the leaf-strewn montane streams and stream edges of northern GA and adjacent SC.

As mentioned the yellowish patch on the nose tip is characteristic. Including tail, adults are about 1 7/8th inches long. Unlike the Brook Salamanders on which males and females are similarly colored, the males and females of Urspelerpes differ in color. Females tend to be patternless while males are strongly patterned with a pair of dorsolateral stripes.

Continue reading “Patch-nosed Salamander” …read more
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The Western Diamondback is the most iconic rattlesnake and takes center stage in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user kevinjudd just learned we celebrate venomous animals every Friday! Boy is he happy for the respect! 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. Be sure to tell him you like it here.

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According to this tomato frog in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user RaderRVT it must be dinner time! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Of course we salute the greatest reptilian prankster today! Behold the glorious hognose in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user MCMB! 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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Variable bush vipers are often yellow to orange and may or may not be banded.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

This small bush viper is appealing to hobbyists who enjoy venomous species. A true viper, Atheris squamiger has no temperature sensitive labial (lip) pits. The variable bush viper attains an adult length of 18 to 30 inches. Females are usually larger than the males. Scales are strongly keeled. Despite the snake’s small size the venom is known to have caused several human deaths. There is apparently no specific antivenin.

The colors vary populationally. The snakes in one population may all be of pretty much the same color while other populations may vary from green to yellow or orange. Some snakes may be banded, others may be basically unicolored. Neonates are often dusky olive but the color may change radically as the snake grows.

This species is found in rainforest areas over West and Central Africa. They apparently prefer flowering shrubs over the taller forest trees.

Continue reading “Variable Bush Viper” …read more
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This Cobra in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user MaxPeterson just learned we celebrate venomous animals every Friday! Boy is he happy for the respect! 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. Be sure to tell him you like it here.

Upload your own reptile and amphibian photos photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here! …read more
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This Mexican Pine Snake (Pituophis deppei jani) is ready for action in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user pitparade . Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Martha, a Reeve’s Turtle, is just chilling out in the sun in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user kasie ! 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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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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What a gorgeous little Ameiva in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Agata ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Note the very well developed rostral horns of the Rhinoceros Viper.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

In its natural habitat of fallen, often wet, forest floor debris the almost gaudy colors of the Rhinoceros Viper, Bitis nascicornis, may render the snake nearly invisible Found primarily in the rainforest belt from West Africa to western East Africa, this magnificent, heavy bodied, 2 to 3 ½ foot long snake is both beautiful and dangerous.

The head is narrower than the body. Two to 3 pairs of upward directed, elongate (horn-like) scales are present on the tip of the snout. Color and pattern consist of saddles, bands, and other markings. The top of the head is blue or green at the edges but with a central black arrow. The overall appearance of this snake is often darkened or nearly obliterated by a coating of mud. The females are the larger gender

A nocturnal ambush predator, this primarily terrestrial snake seems a bit less likely to strike during the daylight hours than at night. Prey varies from small mammals to amphibians, and reportedly, fish.

Neonates, which may number from 6 to 36, are about 8 ½ inches in length.

Strongly neurotoxic, the venom also contains hemotoxin.

Continue reading “The Rhinoceros Viper (aka River Jack)” …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! This Crotalus tigris, found and photographed in AZ, is keeping her eye on you in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user kevinjudd ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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What a beautiful boa constrictor in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user biophiliacs . Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Snakes and Cats living together, it will be anarchy! Wait what? Nah it is just a nice shot of a Cat Snake (Boiga cyanea) in our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user ptahtoo! Be sure to tell ptahtoo you liked it here!

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Two Texas bills are currently working their way through the legislature that will update the names in their existing law. This change is including the Burmese Pythons, which were previously considered a subspecies of Python molurus on their listing to full species status. Be aware, this is already a law and it is just an update to the nomenclature.

Below is the list of species included in the regulation that requires a TP&W permit. There are two permits available: one for possession and one for commercial business This is already law! The bill just adds the Burmese python and hybrids to the list. Bold text is the new language:

(a) The commission by rule shall establish permits that allow permit holders to possess or transport in this state a live nonindigenous snake, including a hybrid of any kind, that is:
(1) venomous; or
(2) constrictor that is one of the following:
(A) African rock python, Python sebae;
(B) Asiatic rock python, Python molurus;
(C) Burmese python, Python bivittatus;
(D) green anaconda, Eunectes murinus;
(E) reticulated python, Python reticulatus; or
(F) southern African python, Python natalensis.

The bill also adds this text:

(c) If it is shown at the trial of the defendant for a violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter that the defendant has engaged in a commercial activity without holding a required permit and the defendant has been previously convicted of a violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter, on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.

For more information, visit the USARK page on this 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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What a lovely field shot of a Northern Yellow-faced Turtle hatchling in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user frilly ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Recently New York State has proposed wide sweeping legislation preventing shipping of animals by “any mail carrier”, which would also include frequently used outlets such as FexEx and UPS, which both allow the shipment of live animals with rules and restrictions. This includes shipping both to and from the state and aims ban the shipping of all mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

USARK has already set up a page including contact information for all legislative representatives involved and even a sample letter for you to personalize. You can read the full bill and access all needed information on USARK’s page for New York here.

Be sure at all times to remain calm and polite when reaching out to representatives on this matter. …read more
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Old adults are usually much darker than this half-grown example.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

The elapine (cobra relatives) Australian and Papuan genus Pseudechis contains at least 6 species. Although the snakes in this genus are commonly grouped as “Australian black snakes,” this generalization can be misleading, for some are gray with dark flecks, another is an almost uniform olive-brown, and the one we are about to discuss, Pseudechis colletti, Collett’s Black Snake or simply Collett’s Snake, is a beautiful mixture of red, pink, or off-white and black when a juvenile but does darken considerably as it ages. The venter is usually colored similarly to the light lateral barring.

This elapine is adult at 4 1/2 to 8 feet in length, is rather heavy bodied, and is endemic to the drier regions of the interior of the northeastern Australian state of Queensland. Males are longer than the females. When frightened or defensive this snake may flatten its head and neck like, but not as wide, as the hood of a cobra.

It is dangerously venomous, producing a virulent cytotoxic (blood cell destroying) venom that may be combined with neurotoxins. Despite this it is reportedly commonly kept in Australia as a captive, but because of export restrictions is less commonly seen in captive collections of other countries.

Clutches contain up to 20 eggs.

The diet consists of frogs, lizards, snakes, and small mammals.

Continue reading “Collett’s Black Snake (aka Collett’s Snake)” …read more
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The Florida Fish and Wildlife commission has moved ahead with their proposed rule change regarding a variety of species from Iguanas to Anaconda. This includes a ban on ownership of several species. If you already own these animals, there are a variety of changes in your ownership, but you still make keep the animals. The species impacted are:

Green iguana (Iguana iguana)
All Tegus (genera Salvator and Tupinambis, all species)
Reticulated python (Python reticulatus)
Indian and Burmese python (Python molurus and Python bivittatus)
Northern African python (Python sebae)
Southern African python (Python natalensis)
Amethystine python (Morelia amethistinus)
Scrub python (Morelia kinghorni)
Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)

USARKFL has a breakdown of restrictions, including ownership, breeding and sales info here.
​
Be sure you are following USARK to help fight future legislation. …read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! How stunning is the red on this Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii pyrrhus), uploaded by kingsnake.com user lichanura ! This Speck was found in Arizona. 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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Take a few moments today to follow the lead of this Giant Day Gecko in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user crazyrhacos and give yourself some time to relax! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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The colors on this Madison County locale corn snake in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user draybar are screaming! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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The cutest of our angry creatures, this great field shot of a Snapping Turtle takes the spotlight our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user anuraanman ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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For the first time since launching in February of 1997 kingsnake.com’s servers were knocked offline several times for long periods during last weeks polar vortex. The servers, located in Austin Texas, were victims of state mandated rolling blackouts that impacted many areas of Texas. Though the servers were backed up by a large uninterruptible power supply and a commercial generator system, those systems themselves eventually ran out of power. Additionally upstream internet switches also failed due to power issues thus causing a double-whammy, so when power was restored the servers were still unreachable. Those systems have all been restored for several days now and operations are mostly back to normal. Kingsnake.com will be totaling up the downtime and offering our advertisers credit to their accounts once we have determined the extent the outage. We apologize for not being able to provide you the level of service that you have come to expect for the last 24 years, but the situation was beyond our control.

That being said over the last 2 months kingsnake.com has been upgrading to a new set of Dell PowerEdge servers that are bigger, faster, and more capable than our old fleet of PowerEdge servers. For the first time our servers will be “viitualized”, utilizing the multiple cores that the more current generation of Intel processors offers. This has required us to upgrade the core software that runs our servers several generations at once, causing a few bugs here and there that need to be squashed. We have gotten most of them but every once in a while a new one unexpectedly crops up. If you hit one of those bugs please let us know by using our contact form.

This weekend we will be upgrading our classified ad server and you can expect brief periods of down time on Sunday, as well as a few bugs going forward. Next weekend we will be upgrading the main site including the blog, events system, business directories as well as other features. We have already upgraded the servers for the forums, forum archives, photo gallery, and banner ad system. We hope to have all our server upgrades completed by March 15. …read more
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For the first time since launching in February of 1997 kingsnake.com’s servers were knocked offline several times for long periods during last weeks polar vortex. The servers, located in Austin Texas, were victims of state mandated rolling blackouts that impacted many areas of Texas. Though the servers were backed up by a large uninterruptible power supply and a commercial generator system, those systems themselves eventually ran out of power. Additionally upstream internet switches also failed due to power issues thus causing a double-whammy, so when power was restored the servers were still unreachable. Those systems have all been restored for several days now and operations are mostly back to normal. Kingsnake.com will be totaling up the downtime and offering our advertisers credit to their accounts once we have determined the extent the outage. We apologize for not being able to provide you the level of service that you have come to expect for the last 24 years, but the situation was beyond our control.

That being said over the last 2 months kingsnake.com has been upgrading to a new set of Dell PowerEdge servers that are bigger, faster, and more capable than our old fleet of PowerEdge servers. For the first time our servers will be “viitualized”, utilizing the multiple cores that the more current generation of Intel processors offers. This has required us to upgrade the core software that runs our servers several generations at once, causing a few bugs here and there that need to be squashed. We have gotten most of them but every once in a while a new one unexpectedly crops up. If you hit one of those bugs please let us know by using our contact form.

This weekend we will be upgrading our classified ad server and you can expect brief periods of down time on Sunday, as well as a few bugs going forward. Next weekend we will be upgrading the main site including the blog, events system, business directories as well as other features. We have already upgraded the servers for the forums, forum archives, photo gallery, and banner ad system. We hope to have all our server upgrades completed by March 15. …read more
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Loving this Blue tongue skink just chilling in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user PatS . Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Fowler’s Toads are often rather precisely marked with 3 pairs of dorsal spots.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

Fowler’s Toad, Bufo fowleri, ranges widely in sandy habitats from central New England to southeastern Iowa, eastern Texas and the panhandle of Florida. It is one of the more precisely marked toad species. In some parts of its range it may be the dominant species, in other it is a comparative rarity. Where I (Dick) grew up in central New England, Fowler’s Toad was abundant but always 2nd in a lineup of 2. The American Toads would arrive first at the breeding ponds to voice their slow-pulsed melodious trills. Then a couple of weeks later, when many American toads had already left the calling sites, the rapidly pulsed, very non-melodious, “whirring notes” of Fowler’s Toads, back then a subspecies of Woodhouse’s , could be heard. Occasionally we would hear a vocalization that confused us and when we tracked it down it would be as intermediate between the 2 species in appearance as it was in voice—a hybrid between the 2. Mother Nature at work.

Continue reading “Fowler’s Toad” …read more
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We have an urgent action alert from USARK regarding the return of the “animal program ban” that has returned in Illinois. As it is written, it could end even the most common of after school educational programs. From USARK:

This bill bans much more than lions jumping through rings of fire. It is a ban on taking a Greek tortoise into a classroom for an educational program about reptiles. It is a ban on taking a ball python, a red-eyed tree frog, a parakeet, and a hedgehog into a library for an educational show discussing the differences between reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. It is a ban on llamas and any other non-traditional livestock at the State Fair or county 4-H fairs. Basically, if an animal non-native to Illinois is placed into a vehicle and taken to any location where someone will see it, other than a veterinarian in a private room, then it would become an illegal activity, and you a criminal. You could receive a year in jail and a $2,500 fine for taking a leopard gecko into your child’s classroom for a presentation.

The Chicago Herpetological Society hosts the largest and oldest hands-on reptile exhibit in the country. It reaches tens of thousands of people annually and this bill could destroy it. It could end programs coming to your child’s school, day care or scouting program. The impact to the reptile community in Illinois would be devastating.

USARK has detailed instructions for reaching out to representatives and what we as a community can do here.

…read more
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! This prairie rattlesnake in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user DanL shows us exactly what a rattlesnake does in the wild if they feel threatened! First they warn and then they try to run away! Rattlesnakes are so very important to our ecosystem and it is so very important to understand that it is important to watch for them, respect them and give them their space for freedom. Despite the urban legends, they run away! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Hang in there today just like this Borneo Eared Frog in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user tropicaltreefrog! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

Upload your own reptile and amphibian photos photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!
…read more
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