I’m a little green with envy of this Green Tree Monitor in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user roadspawn and her plans for a lazy day. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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This is one gorgeous panther chameleon uploaded by ToucanJungle and it is guaranteed to brighten your day. 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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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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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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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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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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Botflies perch on the head of a northern green anaconda in Yasuni National Park in Ecuador. A recent study revealed that the green anaconda is two distinct species, more genetically diverse than humans and chimpanzees. (Karine Aigner/Naturepl.com)
Thanks to Will Smith, we now have two different Green Anacondas. Researchers used genetic data to determine that the Green Anaconda not one but two very distinct species, a southern and northern type. They were in the Amazon filming Smith’s show “Pole to Pole with Will Smith” with Dr. Bryan G. Fry, an old friend of kingsnake.com as well a biologist at University of Queensland in Australia, when the differences were notice. Research ensued!
The Northern and Southern species show a 5.5% genetic difference from each other, which is huge considering humans only differ from chimpanzees by 2% difference.
The Amazon is made up of two separate basins — the large southern Amazon basin and the “much smaller” northern Orinoco basin.
“The southern green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is found across a vast range spanning Brazil, Bolivia, Perú and parts of French Guiana,” he said.
“By contrast, our newly described northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima) is restricted to Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad, Venezuela and parts of French Guiana.”
To read more about the new anacondas, click here! …read more
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Today’s herp photo of the day reminds us to always flip that tin! This five-lined skink was found with her eggs under a paving stone, uploaded by kingsnake.com user CDB_reptiles!
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The underrated Florida Softshell Turtle takes center stage in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Amazoa ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! Check out this aberrant patterened Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake found in Northern Florida in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user chance37! 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 am quite sure when they wrote this article it really was not a tourism guide, but they also are not people like us, you know, herpers. World Atlas gave us a perfect guide for field herping however, listing the lakes and species you might find there. I was somewhat impressed with the article because despite the fact that the word “infested” is a constant in the article giving a negative feel, they talk about what brings the snakes there and how most of the species are harmless and important. They also have fairly decent identification photos. At the end of the article they even include this little part about safety:
Water snakes and semi-aquatic snakes enjoy the lakes in Arkansas. In particular, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Ouachita, and Lake Fayetteville are popular spots for snakes. Despite the abundance of snakes, these Arkansas spots are still worth a visit. For outdoor enthusiasts, these lakes offer many activities to enjoy, from camping and hiking to fishing and kayaking. Visiting these spots is comforting because water snakes are usually harmless to humans. While semi-aquatic snakes can be venomous, identifying them can help you stay safe in snake territory.
In case you are interested, the three most “infested” according to the article are Lake Ouachita, Lake Fayetteville, and Greers Ferry Lake so book your trip now. You can check out the full article here. A warning to some, is an invitation to others! Just another place to add to your herping lists! …read more
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So simple and so beautiful. That is the black racer in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user ReptileProducts ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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What an awesome shot of this pair of Common Toads in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user Krallenfrosch ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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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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Gallery photo by Doug Beckwith
A Colorado man illegally keeping 2 Gila Monsters as pets was killed after being bitten by one of them last week. The 12 inch Gila, a juvenile, was confiscated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and will be transported this week to a lab in Greeley at the University of Northern Colorado, known for researching reptile venoms for use in pharmaceuticals.
Gila Monsters, Heloderma suspectum, are the only venomous lizard in the United States and bites from them are quite rare, deaths even moreso, the last recorded death being in 1930. While it is illegal to collect wild Gila Monsters everywhere in their natural range in the United States, Gilas are relatively uncommon in the pet industry, but captive bred specimens are available to those that can obtain the proper licenses and paperwork.
Gila Monsters venom and their unique blood chemistry, have long been subjects of research by the pharmaceutical industry, and research has led to the Semaglutide diabetes drugs Ozempic, Rybelsus, and others.
Read more at:
Gila Death News Article Link …read more
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Gotta love this stunning pair of Chondros in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user NYCMedic ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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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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According to the World Health Organizations, 83,000-138,000 die annually from snake bites. The numbers are hard to estimate due to the fact that medical care is not easily available in third world countries and the access to things like antivenom is even rarer. The scientists at Clodomiro Picado Institute are working to increase the availability of antivenom worldwide using horse serum, a fairly common practice.
The institute produces 100,000 to 150,000 doses per year, which are exported to Central America, South America, Asia and Africa.
“It has been taken…also to strengthen clinical studies that attest that the product is safe and effective, this strengthens the idea that the product saves lives, which is what we want. We could talk about [approximately] 5,000 lives that are saved with this serum,” said Andrés Hernández, pharmaceutical manager of the Clodomiro Picado Institute.
Antivenom is administered to patients who have suffered a bite from a poisonous snake and works by boosting our immune response.
One small group of scientists making a change in the world for the 5.4 million people who are bitten by venomous snakes. To read the full article and see the video, click here. …read more
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This tri-color Bullsnake is just chilling in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user JoeyCoco. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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This Kenyan Sand Boa is getting into the mood for today, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Thera, in our herp photo of the day! Be sure to tell them you liked it here.
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For Fat Tuesday, this beautiful Louisiana Pine Snake baby graces our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user dallashawks. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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USARK has issued an absolutely terrifying action alert for Arizona that all animal owners need to be aware of. Please spread the word far and wide. There are almost two identical senate bills being introduces which allow for warrentless search of private property and immediate seizure of animals without cause. What does that mean? USARK explains:
Remember, warrants protect us from unreasonable governmental intrusion. As if that is not bad enough, the bills would make it so that, “The formal rules of evidence do not apply and reliable hearsay is admissible in the postseizure hearing.” Please read that last sentence again! “The formal rules of evidence do not apply and reliable hearsay is admissible…”
First, the formal court rules are tossed out the window. This means that the due process that typically exists in court does not apply. Additionally, hearsay is generally inadmissible in court unless a special exception is provided because it is not considered reliable or trustworthy. If this bill passes, hearsay will be good enough for the seizure and State possession of animals in Arizona. Needless to say, this goes against our constitutional rights as Americans.
We know from what we have seen in Florida what happens when government has too much power, healthy innocent animals that could be relocated and rehomed die violently on video for all to see. SB1204 has a hearing on Thursday, February 15 with the Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee. Please share this with everyone you know in Arizona. Visit USARK page HERE to learn more and keep up to date. Also JOIN USARK. Membership matters. Our numbers count! We will keep you up to date here as well! …read more
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An absolutely beautiful headshot of a Striped Mud Turtle kicks off the weeks in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user mayday. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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The photo may be a bit blurry, but there is no mistaking that is a gravid Masssasauga in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user LetsConservate24 in the field! We can only imagine the excitement at this find! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Alterna crew in Del Rio, Photo by Jeff Barringer –
While looking for the photo of the day today, I came across this old gem. See kingsnake.com turns 25 today. I have heard the story many times of how Jeff tried to sell this whole website to people 25 plus years ago on herping trips and everyone thought he was crazy! See you have to realize the internet and the tech world we know it is new. We old fogies used to actually talk to people. I know! We would CALL people on the phone and we would answer phones not knowing who was calling! It was insanity! Forums lost their flair when social media hit because people liked that instant gratification. Our archives however is the history of our world. The who’s who of the reptile community really and well worth the time to look back. We learned how to make things better back then and you can watch how the reptile community grew to where it is now. We were also closer.
This photo is the early days. Well before kingsnake.com started in West Texas the old Alterna crew days. Many of these people are still around, some aren’t. How many can you recognize?
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For our 25th birthday, there is only ONE snake we can post to celebrate. This Alterna here in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jusmebabe is how we started and we will never forget our beginnings. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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That’s a whole lotta bull. Bullsnake that is! Loving the colors on the one here in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user orchidspider has never missed a meal! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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A perfectly posed Red Tailed Green Rat Snake graces our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user uggleedog! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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They may be sassy but the beauty of a Tokay gecko is undeniable, like this one in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user stingray! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! Here is a beautiful shot of a Mexican Cantil (Agkistrodon bilineatus) in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Bitis! Fairly common captives, but bordering on threatening with decreasing populations in the wild, they definitely qualify as a species that needs our attention for conservation! 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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Sydney Sylvain Dubey
In Australia, venomous snakes are everywhere and killing them is quite common. One professor is attempting to change that mentality explaining how they can actually benefit the farmers who kill them.
New research by myself and colleagues estimated the magnitude of that benefit. We found adult eastern brown snakes can collectively remove thousands of mice per square kilometre of farmland each year, which substantially increases farm productivity.
Our study suggests the benefits of snake populations on agricultural land far outweigh the potential costs, and farmers should tolerate rather than kill them.
…..
Agricultural productivity gains are not the only benefits of tolerating brown snakes on farmland.It would also allow a reduction in the use of chemical methods for rodent control, which can be expensive and ineffective. The chemicals can also threaten the health of humans, livestock, scavenging wildlife and pets.
Tolerating brown snakes might also reduce the incidence of snake bite. Most snake bites are inflicted when people are trying to catch or kill the reptile.
Its a pretty refreshing article that attempts to change the minds of people on venomous animals. Here’s to hoping he changes a mind or two. To read the full article and attached study, click here.
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Back to our roots with this alterna found in Sanderson in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user StuTennyson! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Second Chance Wildlife Center
Yeah you read that right. It is well known that Rat snakes are often chased from hen houses for eating eggs and one of the more common dangers to many native colubrids is golf balls because they resemble eggs, but this one rat snake decided he was going for broke,
This rat snake was one of the most unusual cases we have treated at SCWC! Upon intake, it was apparent that the snake had ingested a foreign object resembling an egg. This is common in rat snakes, as golf balls and decoy eggs are often mistaken for fresh chicken eggs. In this case, the object had been trapped in the snake’s stomach so long that there was a hole worn through the snake’s skin.
The object turned out to be a gear shift knob and was surgically removed by doctors at Second Chance Wildlife Center, in Gaithersburg, Maryland! She is stable and will winter there before being released in spring. To read the full story click here or visit the rescue’s page here. …read more
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I wonder what this Hernandez’s helmeted basilisk in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user chrish has his eye on? I bet it’s food! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Two for Tuesday with this pair of hatching Beauty snakes in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user DunnsMtnReptiles! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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A different perspective of a fired up Frilled-neck lizard in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user bulgakov! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Happy Rattlesnake Friday! What a lovely shot of a Guarico Rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user robnimmo ! 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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Zoo Atlanta in Georgia recently sent 11 endangered Guatemalan beaded lizards (Heloderma charlesbogerti) to La Aurora Zoo. (Zoo Atlanta v)
With an estimated 500-600 animals in the wild, the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti) is one of the more endangered lizards on the planet. Now when you consider the fact that they are part of the family of the only medically significant venomous species of lizards, it makes them even more special. Zoo Atlanta has been long involved in their conservation efforts and recently had a clutch hatch!
“The lizards that went down will not be released into the wild themselves, however,” Zoo Atlanta’s Curator of Herpetology Robert L. Hill explained on Wednesday.
“The plan is that these animals would reproduce in their beaded lizard-specific facilities, and that following a quarantine period, the offspring would then be transferred from La Aurora Zoo to protected areas within the known wild range of the species in the dry forests of the Motagua Valley.”
When I spoke in 2022 at the International Herpetological Symposium, I had the pleasure of seeing the breeding setup at Zoo Atlanta! It was very amazing to see in person and get up close to conservation project in action! Congrats to the full Zoo Atlanta team! To read the full story, click here! …read more
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It is a whole lotta squee with this pair of hatching Hognose in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user caracal ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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