Only minutes earlier we had found on the pavement one of the prettiest little banded water snakes I had ever seen. Jake and I were up in Columbia County, Florida, and although conditions were a bit wet and cool, a few interesting snakes were crossing.

Garters, ribbons, waters, a corn, and a yellow rat had been seen. Actually our target for the night was a living example of the rough earth snake, Haldea (formerly Virginia) striatula, a tiny burrowing species.

A few days earlier we had been on the same roadway and had seen 3 rough earth snakes. Sadly all had been DOR. Since both Jake and I wished to upgrade our photos of this species, we had decided to try our luck once more.

Not only had we seen none, but until finding the little water snake mentioned above we had not seen anything of great interest.

We had just about given up on finding our target that night when, on the last pass, the rain having nearly stopped: bingo! An earth snake, the only one seen that night, was slowly crossing in front of us. Success!

Note: Based on genetic findings, the generic name of Haldea has recently been resurrected for this small snake. Whether this will be accepted remains to be seen.
Continue reading “Rough road herping: finding a rough earth snake” …read more
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What do you know about the “lesbian lizards” that reproduce asexually?

From the Guardian Liberty Voice:

This hybrid species, the Leaping Lesbian Lizards, also go by the name New Mexico Whiptail Lizard. In fact, the Whiptail is the state’s official reptile. It is one of a number of reptiles that is known to be parthenogenic. This means that this particular species of lizard uses asexual reproduction, so the development and growth of the reptiles embryos occurs without there being any fertilization.

The creation of the Leaping Lesbian Lizards takes place through the hybridization of the western whiptail and the little striped whiptail. Once the hybrid species is formed, they can actually reproduce through parthenogenic reproduction. If a male is born out of the hybridization process, they are actually sterile and seemingly do not live long, but through parthenogenesis the female population is able to reproduce.

Essentially the Leaping Lesbian Lizards, a hybrid species out of New Mexico, are actually a highly evolved reptile species capable of reproduction asexually, as well as through the hybridization process. These reproductive traits seem to be very prevalent across a number of different varieties of whiptail lizards.

Read more here. …read more
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Three days after Judge Moss ruled that he would be granting USARK a preliminary injunction, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a joint motion along with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to intervene in USARK’s case.

The extreme position of CBD had been announced promptly after the Lacey Act listing of reticulated pythons and three anaconda species by Collette Adkins, a CBD attorney and biologist focusing on reptiles and amphibians: “Unfortunately, it appears that the agency caved to pressure from snake breeders in its decision not to restrict trade in the boa constrictor — a snake that is clearly damaging to U.S. wildlife.”

USARK has filed to oppose joint intervention by HSUS and CBD.

It seems very unlikely that CBD and HSUS will be allowed to intervene in the PI stage of the case, which would allow them to immediately appeal the PI even if USFWS decides not to appeal the PI at this time. (See my earlier discussion of a potential appeal of PI by USFWS.) Fortunately, the time period for CBD and HSUS to appeal the PI on their own has now expired.

It is also possible that the court will deny the motion to intervene because neither CBD nor HSUS established standing in their supporting declarations. Even if allowed to intervene, it is likely that the judge will limit the issues on which CBD and HSUS will be allowed to participate.

For the basics on the PI, please see http://www.kingsnake.com/blog/archives/2929-The-injunction-against-USFWS-What-you-need-to-know-now.html.

Photo: kingsnake.com user PSYCHOTRON
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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!

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By Herp News

Indonesia is a global hub for the wild bird trade, given its abundance of bird species and deep-seated tradition of bird-keeping. But while newspaper headlines regularly trumpet the most alarming examples of international smuggling, experts warn it’s the domestic pet trade that poses a bigger threat.

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By Herp News

In March 2012 poachers struck a South African game reserve. They drugged three rhinos and hacked off their horns, inflicting massive facial trauma to the immobile but unanesthetized animals. Wildlife veterinarian Will Fowlds attended to the victims.

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By Herp News

With all sea turtles being currently on the list of endangered species, authors now offer a critical review of what is being done towards saving injured Mediterranean loggerhead and green turtles. They also call for further development and implementation of rescue centers, first-aid stations and awareness campaigns.

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Whenever I am visiting an another state or city, I make sure that I get in touch with a snake rescuer in that area. And that is exactly what I did when I was leaving for Nagpur with my family.

Nagpur is a district in Maharashtra which is about a day’s drive away from my place. I was supposed to be visiting Nagpur to attend a wedding ceremony with family, but to be frank I was not at all interested in the wedding! All I ever wanted was to explore new snakes in Nagpur and I got one.

The stout sand snake (Psammophis longifrons) is a common non-venomous snake found in Nagpur, but was new for me. After attending some rescues of cobras and vipers with the local snake rescuer, I found this sand snake on the third day of my visit.

The stout sand snake is thick and it moves fast. The body is uniform brown with black-edged smooth scales. The maximum length is 123 centimeters and it is oviparous by nature.

I attended many more rescues on that trip – and it took some convincing from my mom, but I also attended the wedding! While returning I was really happy as I was leaving with some sweet memories of stout sand snake.

Photo: Riyaz Khoja …read more
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The latest clutch of Gray’s monitor lizards hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo is just the second time Gray’s monitors were born in captivity in the Western Hemisphere.

From My News LA:

Gray’s monitor lizards had long been considered extinct in the wild until some were discovered in 1975 on islands in the Philippines.

The species is considered one of the largest lizards in Asia, as the reptiles can grow to be 6 feet long and 20 pounds. The tree-dwelling, olive-green lizards usually dine on fruit and invertebrates.

The zoo’s reptile and amphibian curator, Ian Recchio, said his staff used their knowledge of other Asian monitor species and Komodo dragons to hatch the Gray’s monitor eggs.

Read more here. …read more
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It isn’t shocking that movie’s have taken inspriation for dinosaurs from our reptiles. This frilled dragon in our herp photo of the day is a prime example, uploaded by kingsnake.com user frilly!

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By Herp News

Fencing is used to protect wildlife against poaching and human encroachment, and also to protect people and livestock from wildlife. As a conservation strategy, it has proponents as well as detractors. A recent paper by a team of 45 international researchers in the Journal of Applied Ecology questions the wisdom of erecting wildlife fencing in dryland ecosystems. It also seeks to ease decision-making on fencing initiatives by setting a research agenda to answer open questions that will help resolve the debate.

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By Herp News

A new update of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorized the West African population of lions—which is considered genetically distinct and separate from East and Central African lions—as Critically Endangered. Based largely on a paper in 2014, the researchers estimate that there are only 121-375 mature lions in West Africa today.

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On a rainy April night Jake and I were out road-hunting in Columbia County, up in northeastern Florida. It had been a warm day but an afternoon rain cooled both the temperature and the road surfaces.

But what the heck – the alternative was to sit at home and write blogs, so we elected to hit the road for a couple of hours. As might be expected under conditions such as these, the most commonly seen snakes were natricines, garter, ribbon, crayfish, and water snakes.

The garters and waters are variably colored and patterned. The former may be reddish with or without stripes or dark with bluish stripes. And the waters (these are Florida banded waters, Nerodia fasciata pictiventris) are even more variable, usually being black with thin or fat crossbands, cinnamon with only obscure banding, or rarely, like this juvenile, bright orange and reddish.

It had just begun to sprinkle again when this little snake chose to cross and beaded with rain droplets, it shown like a beacon in the headlights.

In my opinion, this was the find of the evening – almost!
Continue reading “Water snake glamor: shining in the lights “ …read more
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In just one year, researchers discovered 176 new species living in India.

From Mid-Day News:

According to official records by ZSI responsible for animal taxonomy under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, 176 new species were discovered, described and reported from all over India last year.

Insects, which escape attention due to its size in areas with dense undergrowth, leads the pack among the animal kingdom as 93 new species of the invertebrates were found.

The list includes 23 species of fishes, 24 amphibian species like frogs, toads, etc, two species of reptiles, 12 species of arachnida (spiders) and 12 crustacean (crabs,lobsters, shrimps, etc).

Most of these discoveries have been made by ZSI scientists working across the country.

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This female Spencer’s monitor is catching some rays in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user mariamoon!

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By Herp News

A deadly fungal infection afflicting snakes is eerily similar to the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats, researchers report. Although the snake fungus and the bat fungus inhabit different ecological niches and thrive at different temperature and humidity ranges, the fungi share basic traits that allow them to persist across a range of habitats and infect multiple species, the researchers say.

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Can naturally occurring bacteria on the skin of some frogs offer protection from chytrid fungus?

From the Australian Broadcasting Corporation:

The chytrid fungus (Bd) has been linked to amphibian decline and even extinction in more than 200 species worldwide.

Now, a new report adds to growing evidence that the key to beat this fungus may lie on the skin of some of these amphibians.

In a new study, southern leopard frogs (Lithobates sphenocephala) treated with an antibiotic cocktail which eliminated their skin microbes were more likely to be affected by the chytrid fungus, whereas frogs that maintained their normal skin microbes fared better against the fungus.

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When you visit the Northern Himalayan States of India, I am sure you will see these creatures basking on the rocks.

The Himalayan rock agama or Kashmir rock agama, Laudakia tuberculata, is a very common species of agamid lizard found in North India (Kashmir, Uttarakhand and the western Himalayas).

I’m from Uttarakhand, where you can find plenty of these lizards, and I’ve been seeing these creatures since I was a child. As I have mentioned in my previous blog post, my unfamiliarity with lizards and these agamas leaves me a little frightened of them, but according to reptile lovers they are magnificent and harmless.

It is said that these lizards are from iguana family and I guess that is the reason some people call them “mini iguanas!”

These agamas can reach 15-16 inches and they have many color variations.

I have been watching these lizards in the backyard of my house in Uttarakhand for 19 years, and the thing that makes me most happy is knowing their numbers haven’t decreased. It always gives me a feeling that the reptiles are safe out there!
Continue reading “Basking beauties: Himalayan rock agamas” …read more
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Dinosaurs, Schminosaurs. We have crocodilians! Still very prehistoric, this Nile is keeping her eye on you in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user CDieter!

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By Herp News

Humans are wiping species off the plant at a rate at least 100 times faster than historical levels, providing further evidence that we’re in the midst of a sixth great extinction, concludes a new study based on ‘extremely conservative’ assumptions on past and current extinction rates.

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By Herp News

Families across the United States are today celebrating Father’s Day. But this Sunday is extra special because it is also World Giraffe Day.

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A number of conservation groups have partnered up to deliver a full day of rainforest wildlife viewing via social media.

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‘One percent of the world’s population,’ veterinarian Zulfi Arsan says as he nods towards Bina, a 714-kilogram, 30-year-old female Sumatran rhinoceros leisurely crunching branches whole. A gentle and easygoing rhino, pink-hued Bina doesn’t seem to mind the two-legged hominids snapping pictures and awing at her every move at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary.

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The seven surviving offspring of the Leucistic Boa Constrictor smuggled by reptile breeder Jeremy Stone have been repatriated to Brazil, nearly a year after Stone plead guilty in federal court. The original boa, as well as one of the offspring, died, but the remainder returned to Brazil, which claimed ownership because the original specimen had been captured there.

In July 2014, Stone pleaded guilty plea to unlawfully transporting wildlife into the United States. As part of his plea agreement, Stone agreed to forfeit the boa’s offspring to the United States.

“The successful prosecution of Mr. Stone and the recovery and repatriation of the offspring from this rare and valuable leucistic boa constrictor are due to the exceptional cooperation between the United States and Brazilian authorities,” said U.S. Attorney Huber.

For more information, read the Department of Justice press release at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-repatriates-seven-boa-constrictors-brazil …read more
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Not all monitor lizards are giant. The recently discovered Dampier Peninsula Goanna gets it’s time in the spotlight at the Western Austrailian Museum.

Submit your own reptile & amphibian videos at http://www.kingsnake.com/video/ and you could see them featured here or check out all the videos submitted by other users! …read more
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The most distinctive of all crocodilains, the gharial, helps us kick off the weekend in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Majorpat!

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By Herp News

Do you know where your study animals are? How fast have they travelled over the past day or week? How far are they from a river, or from a highway? Previously, wildlife biologists had to estimate the locations of their study subjects, using either triangulation from two or more receiver locations or identifiable landscape features on aerial photos or hand-drawn maps. With the advent of GPS technology, they can pinpoint the location of their subject to within a few meters, at any given time.

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In Columbia County, Florida yellow rat snakes, Pantherophis obsoletus quadrivittatus, are not apt to be yellow.

And many fail to have the 4 prominent lines so typical of the subspecies further south. In fact, although some may be prominently striped, the rat snakes in this mentioned region are more apt to be brownish yellow and bear both blotches and stripes (similar to but more tan or brown than the rat snakes of the Gulf Hammock area) than they are to be yellowish and striped.

Why the hodgepodge of characteristics here? Possibly some are intergrades between the more northerly black rat snake or the more westerly gray rat snake. Such naturally occurring interbreedings could certainly create the colors and patterns found.

But Jim Peters, an excellent field herper, has mentioned that these strangely patterned snake may have had a bit of outside help. He says, “Rumor has it that several subspecies of rat snakes were let loose in that area in the sixties.”

Whatever the reason(s) these snakes are very different and every time I see one I can’t help wondering at the cause
Continue reading “The many patterns of the yellow rat snake” …read more
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A biodiversity survey in the Philippines found species unseen for decades: the Malatgan River caecilian and Palawan toadlet.

From National Geographic:

When the expedition finally stumbled across the serpentine amphibian, it was at the end of a road and a seven-hour hike beyond that from the nearest village. The area is known as Cleopatra’s Needle.

“This is an animal that doesn’t have any flashy colors or anything like that, but it’s one of those last, iconic species that we couldn’t find,” says Brown.

Remarkably, the expedition also found the Palawan toadlet (Pelophryne albotaeniata), which had been missing for the last 40 years.

Read more here.
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Hat tip to the green iguana! The animal that brought so many of us to the cold-blooded side deserves center stage in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user knoxville!

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By Herp News

Have you seen a video where a slow loris—a small, cute, big-eyed primate from Asian rainforests—gets tickled? Here’s the real story of how that slow loris got there. It was stolen from the wild by poachers, who probably took it from its mother—after killing her. Then its teeth were torn out with pliers and without anesthetic, a procedure many stolen slow lorises don’t survive.

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Little turtle frogs have some unusual behavior, from the way they give birth to the way they dig.

From io9:

The turtle frog is not something that, on sight, you would automatically call a frog. For one thing, if you see it, you’re probably in the middle of the Australian desert. The frog prefers living on and in sandy, loose soil. It’s also an unpleasant pink color which sometimes deepens to purple, so it generally looks like a lump of raw meat that someone stuck eyes on.

If you see it hatch its young, it still won’t seem froglike to you. This is one of the few frogs that’s never a tadpole. There being a dearth of pools in the desert, the turtle frog waits for heavy rains, comes out to mate, and then lays eggs that hatch small, but perfectly formed frogs. No little swimmers here.

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Whenever I am in the wild searching for some snakes on trees, most of the times I end up finding these beautiful frogs. My passion of herping has brought me down to this conclusion that, though being so beautiful and tender these frogs are very obvious to be seen in woods.

The common Indian tree frog, Polypedates maculatus, is a common species of frog found in South Asia. It is widespread through Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, and its range might also extend into nearby China and Myanmar. These frogs measure about 7-8 cm in body length. They are mostly brownish, yellowish, greyish, or whitish above with darker spots or markings. The fingers are barely webbed, and the toes are two-thirds webbed.

These frogs are one of the main reasons to motivate me during my herpings for finding tree snakes. Whenever I see these frogs in a good number, my hopes boost up as it is easier to find tree snakes because, as the saying goes, “a predator is always lurking behind its prey.”

Photo: Riyaz Khoja
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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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By Herp News

When it comes to trafficking rhino, elephant, and tiger parts the biggest players are China, Kenya, India, Vietnam, South Africa and Thailand, according to a new paper in PNAS. Examining news media reports aggregated by HealthMap: Wildlife Trade, researchers were able to pinpoint the most important countries for exporting, moving and importing illegal wildlife parts worldwide.

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Lava from a volcanic eruption in the Galapagos is flowing away from the only known habitat of pink iguanas.

From Newsweek:

Isabela is a mostly uninhabited island that, along with the rest of the Galapagos, lies about 560 miles west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. It’s home to the incredible diversity of life that helped inform Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution when he visited the area in 1835.

Luckily, it appears that the iguanas are not in any immediate danger. The Galapagos National Park released a statement that these pink animals, along with their cousins the yellow iguanas and Galapagos giant tortoises, are not “expected to be affected.” The park reports that the lava is largely flowing onto the southeastern portion of the summit; the iguanas live on the northern flank of the volcano.

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As Jake and I started southward towards Okeechobee County, Florida, the conditions seemed perfect. A low pressure system with scattered thunderstorms was forecast at our destination for the evening hours, forecast temperatures seemed ideal, and almost exactly a year earlier Josh had found our target snake, a South Florida mole kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster occipitolineata.

Seemingly uncommon, the South Florida mole kingsnake was described in 1987. This grayish, yard long, largely fossorial constrictor bears 60-80 well defined dorsal blotches as well as smaller lateral blotches between each of the dorsal markings.
The belly, also bearing dark blotches is cream colored.

A prominent dark diagonal bar extends from each eye to the angle of the mouth and two elongate dark blotches are present on the nape.

Jake and I were stoked. Except for a slight breeze, even as we left the turnpike the conditions seemed ideal. Storm clouds amply decorated with lightning continued to build a bit to the west. When we turned westward, the storms seemed more distant than earlier, the gentle breezes had become gusty winds, and the high humidity had become almost desert dryness.

What had earlier been ideal mole king weather now seemed more appropriate for desert kings. And it stayed that way for the 2 days we had allocated. The mole kings failed to become surface active. We failed again!

Well, maybe next time.
Continue reading “Mole Kingsnakes: becoming accustomed to failure” …read more
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You know it is going to be fun when you start out the day with an Eastern coachwhip in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user jodscovry!

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By Herp News

A new survey last month put the number of wild Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) at 523 individuals, a rise of 27% from the previous survey in 2010. Once roaming across much of Central and Western Asia, Asiatic lions today are found in only one place: Gir Forest National Park and surrounding environs in western India.

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The Beddome’s keelback, Amphiesma beddomei, is the smallest member of the keelback family I have encountered. Its maximum length is 69 cm and it is named after Richard Henry Beddome, a British officer and botanist. I recently met this snake during my trip to Western Ghats.

Calling this post “Happy Ending” might have worked, too, because after couple of hours of herping in Western Ghats it was time for me to pack up things and return to my accomodations. On my way back I came to a stream and decided to wash my face. There in front of me I saw something moving on a small river rock.

After an observation of a few seconds I realized it was a Beddome’s keelback flicking its tongue!

Photo: Ryaz Khoja

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