Reptile & Amphibian News Blog
Keep up with news and features of interest to the reptile and amphibian community on the kingsnake.com blog. We cover breaking stories from the mainstream and scientific media, user-submitted photos and videos, and feature articles and photos by Jeff Barringer, Richard Bartlett, and other herpetologists and herpetoculturists.
Sunday, December 3 2023
![Emma Stone wins Speedy on SNL](/blog/uploads/SNL2.jpg)
Not really, but this sketch, from the quiz show Question Quest on this weekends Saturday Night Live, is pretty much on point when it comes to the responsibilities that attach when you suddenly acquire a pet that will likely outlive you, your children, and your children's children.
Being a long time owner of a 70lb Sulcatta tortoise this sketch really speaks to me.
Click below to watch the Emma Stone win Speedy on SNL...
Emma Stone meets Speedy the Sulcatta Tortoise
Friday, December 1 2023
Happy Rattlesnake Friday! We hopped into the wayback machine to visit this C.ruber in the field in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user joecarroll ! 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.
![](https://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/8195608-30-2005_03;27;12am_(2)-med.jpg)
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Presque Isle Co, MI, July 4, 2007, photo by kingsnake user ratsnakeheaven
The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy is closing on 457 acres of property known as the La Grange Valley wetlands that is known as a "biodiversity hot spot" that houses a pair of nesting bald eagles and two endangered species, including the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.
The agency’s ultimate goal is to protect an important fen habitat with upland islands and tall hardwood trees that harbor a lot of wildlife, including several state threatened or endangered species like the Blanding’s turtle. And no, Hansen says, the agency’s not revealing the other federally endangered species — apart from the massasauga rattlesnake — out of a need to protect it.
To learn more about the project visit swmlc.org
To read the full article, click here.
Thursday, November 30 2023
Throwback Thursday to the early days of Blood pythons with this stunning Python brongersmai in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Rich_Crowley ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
![](https://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/241STP_003.jpg)
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Wednesday, November 29 2023
Do you remember "Jawlene", the alligator that was found without an upper jaw in Florida? Gatorland recently shared an update!
It has been such a blessing and a wild ride since this little angel showed up at Gatorland!
Jawlene is an incredible testament to the strength and resilience of the great American Alligator. From learning how she had adapted to living as a wild alligator to being patient and watching her show us how to best feed her so that she doesn’t get frustrated and give up.
She’s gaining weight, learning to trust us and getting stronger every day. Gatorland Global, our conservation arm exists for situations just like this one.
Jawlene has gained 2 pounds since being there and she is almost fully cleared of parasites. For the full story, with video, visit Fox35 here.
How adorable is this Giant Ground Gecko in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user leighroomes ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
![](https://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/145450244we8g.jpg)
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Photo courtesy of NPR article
With their new found popularity from Minecraft, almost everyone now knows the Axolotl with it's goofy grin. The National Autonomous University is hoping that people love them enough to adopt one, well virtually at least! It might seem amazing with their popularity as a pet, but their wild numbers are on a rapid and drastic decline. Right now, they are running a campaign where you can virtually "adopt" an animal by naming one for a year, donating meals towards one or even donating towards habitat purchase!
Over two decades ago, there were about 6,000 of these tiny salamanders for every square kilometer in Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City. In the last count from 2014, there were only about 36 axolotls per square kilometer, according to Luis Zambrano, who was involved in the axolotl census.
"It's gotten worse. They're not completely extinct, but it's worse," said Zambrano, who is also an ecologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
As always, the biggest threat to the Axolotls is humans, this time it isn't the pet trade however. It is from the over expanding population in their native environment and the poisoning of the groundwater. We all know the importance this tells us about the stability of that area as a whole!
To read the full article, go to NPR here.
Tuesday, November 28 2023
This little cornsnake must have been racing to get out of the egg ahead of his siblings in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user cochran ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
![](https://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/96920tmpphpfJaLTu.jpg)
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Monday, November 27 2023
This Timor Python in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user carlovandunsure has her eye on you! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
![](https://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/83115t-med.JPG)
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![](/blog/uploads/InyoSalamander1.jpg) This adult Inyo Mountain was about 4" in total length.
I think I can move that boulder, Gary said. It’s the only thing I can see that’s blocking access.
I agreed with the 2nd of Gary’s statement, but the initial comment concerned me. It was a BIG boulder and neither Gary nor I were of boulder-moving stature. But move it he did, and we were again on our way along a tooth-loosening Jeep trail—and we were not in a Jeep.
It was an amphibian, a caudatan, that had brought us onto this sun-drenched trail. Around us stretched the peaks of the Inyo Mountains. Soon, no more boulders halting progression, we hoped this trail would swing a bit southward and then as it met with a tiny mountain stream, take us again eastward. And if we were then where we thought we actually should be, the stream would widen a bit, the moist banks would be surrounded by rock flakes, and beneath those flakes an interesting species of slender salamander, the Inyo Mountain Slender Salamander, Batrachoseps campi , was known to dwell.
As hoped for the Inyo Mountain Salamander we found was of the silvery phase. The presence of this salamander in an otherwise sere habitat proved the importance of even tiny trickles.
Guess what? Lady Luck was with us. We were right on target.
In a sudden turn the trail neared the trickle even more closely. The dried grasses gave way to tiny but beautiful orchids. And then the trail ended. We hopped out and carefully made our way to a stand of small shrubs interspersed with an occasional desert palm and sycamore. There the stream widened to a shallow 10 or 12 foot puddle, and along the banks were the rock shards we had hoped for.
As hoped, our careful search (of only a few minutes) turned up a salamander, one only, but this one was of the light phase. Photos were taken, the salamander replaced, and we left. A half hour later were back on the paved road, en route to another herp quest.
Continue reading "Inyo Mountain Salamander, "
Saturday, November 25 2023
![](/blog/uploads/tegu1.jpg) Black & White Tegu photo by user RamblinRose
Herp hobbyists in Georgia are running out of time to register their non-native reptiles with the Georgia Wildlife Resources Commission. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources board voted in 2022 that Burmese pythons can't be bred in the state.
The DNR says the rules are set in place so invasive species don't get released in Georgia. They can survive in the wild and impact the state's native wildlife. Also included in the new law are some tegus, monitor lizards, and turtles.
By Dec. 4, the following reptiles and amphibians must be registered by their owners:
- Nile monitors
- African helmeted turtles
- Chinese softshell turtles
- Argentine black and white tegus
- Indian rock and Burmese pythons
For more information see
Georgia Wildlife Resources Commission - Rules Pertaining to Wild Animals
Friday, November 24 2023
It wouldn't be Black Friday without a Black Tailed Rattlesnake 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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As always, on Fridays, we highlight our venomous animals as part of #RattlesnakeFriday to help bring awareness to their conservation status.
Wednesday, November 22 2023
This pair of Mocquard's Beauty Rat Snakes in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user RandyWhittington are feeling the love! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Tuesday, November 21 2023
What an awesome shot of a shedding in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user tylerwork! Bet this Ball Python loves it's new outfit! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
![](https://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/222984snake_shedding_cropped-med.jpg)
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What an awesome shot of a shedding in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user tylerwork! Bet this Ball Python loves it's new outfit! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
![](https://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/222984snake_shedding_cropped-med.jpg)
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Monday, November 20 2023
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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Friday, November 17 2023
This Horned Desert Viper (Cerastes cerastes) in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Gaboonviper1388is just peeking from its hiding spot! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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As always, on Fridays, we highlight our venomous animals as part of #RattlesnakeFriday to help bring awareness to their conservation status.
Thursday, November 16 2023
The Curly tailed lizard is a common sight in the southern US, but not so common as pets. They are totes adorbs as you can see in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Upscale!
Be sure to tell emvee you liked it here!
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Wednesday, November 15 2023
This awesome headshot of an American Crocodile in our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user reptiletubsgets us in the mood to feel a little like Steve! One of two crocodilian species we can find here in the US! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Tuesday, November 14 2023
This Emerald Tree Boa in our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user snakedawg81should leave you feeling green with envy! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Monday, November 13 2023
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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Friday, November 10 2023
Happy Rattlesnake Friday! What a cool field shot of a Timber in shed in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user seto2112!
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.
![](https://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/130981Timber_Rattlesnake_June_15_2007a_076-med.jpg)
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Thursday, November 9 2023
Two for Thursday with this cute pair of Australian water dragons in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user cochran! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Wednesday, November 8 2023
This beautiful Trans-Pecos Rat Snake is holding on to her most valueable treasure in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user pecoskid ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
![](http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/1489382011clutch10-med.JPG)
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Tuesday, November 7 2023
Check out this big ole male Green Iguana in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user cycluracornuta out in the wilds of Colombia! Went way back for this one! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
![](http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/38228maleIG2-med.jpg)
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Monday, November 6 2023
Get up close and personal with the Bredl's Python our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user sincitydragons ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
![](http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/147484Space_cadet__b_Aug_08-med.JPG)
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Friday, November 3 2023
Happy Rattlesnake Friday! This gorgeous shot of a Green Mamba is in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user fangfataleis most certainly not a rattlesnake, but it is one of our many venomous snakes that we love! With #RattlesnakeFriday, the focus is on education and conservation of venomous animals, we thought this one might be a good one! Did you know they are researching the venom of Green Mambas as a potential treatment for polycystic kidney disease? This is why the whole Rattlesnake Friday movement started! To educate about the importance of all our venomous animals, including the ones that do not buzz!
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.
![](http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/122625CRW_5839small-med.jpg)
Upload your own reptile and amphibian photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!
Thursday, November 2 2023
There is little we love more than a classic Grey Banded Kingsnake like this one in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user dickdeuel will brighten your day. Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Wednesday, November 1 2023
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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Tuesday, October 31 2023
Herpy Halloween from this little trick or treater in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user rosebuds ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
![](http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/142587Halloween_2011_010-1-med.jpg)
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