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.
Tuesday, February 18 2025
This Shingleback Skink is definitely threatening us in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user frilly! He's trying so hard to be scary while still being harmless! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Monday, February 17 2025
One little, two little, three little Bearded Dragons in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user dedragons ! It's three for Thursday! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Friday, February 14 2025
Happy Rattlesnake Friday! Look how wee this hatchiling Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake is in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user ssnakes is no exception! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
We celebrate #RattlesnakeFriday to celebrate the wonderful venomous species that contribute to making our world greater and also use it as a way to support conservation efforts to protect these species worldwide!
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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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Thursday, February 13 2025
Feeling a little Blue with this Grand Cayman hybrid (likely lewisi x caymanensis) our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user raptorick ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Wednesday, February 12 2025
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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Tuesday, February 11 2025
How precious is this hatchling Peach throat monitor in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user MikesMonitors brightens your Monday! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Monday, February 10 2025
Hope this beautiful Sumatran Short Tail (aka Black Blood) in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user amaliamoran brightens your Monday! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Friday, February 7 2025
Happy Rattlesnake Friday! Here's lookin' at you kid! Check out this gorgeous albino Southern Pacific Rattlesnake in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user lichanura . Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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As expected, likely in response to the irresponsible owner with the Taipan who was bitten in 2024, the state of South Carolina is now proposing a state wide venomous Ban. They are including a grandfather clause for current owners who can register their animals and receive permits within 90 days of the law going into effect. There are exemptions included for research facilities and zoos as well.
The proposed banned list is:
Venomous reptiles banned, including hybrids: families Elapidae, Crotalidae, Viperidae, and Hydrophiidae; all reptiles in the genus Heloderma; all reptiles in the family Colubridae belonging to the genera: Rhabdophis, Balanophis, Macropisthodon, Boiga, Dispholidus, Thelotornis, and Thrasops, and all reptiles in the family Atractaspididae.
USARK has supplied sample letters as well as all the contact information in their action alert which can be found here.
Thursday, February 6 2025
A species of semi-aquatic lizard produces a special bubble over its nostrils to breathe underwater. (Credit: Lindsey Swierk)
The semi-aquatic species of lizard, water anole ( Anolis aquaticus) found in Costa Rica have recently shown to have a unique way to evade predators, they dive into the water and create their own air bubble to breathe from! This marks the first known vertebrate that uses its own air bubble to breathe underwater, a feat previously only seen in invertebrates like beetles and spiders.
The mechanics of this rebreathing system are remarkable. When threatened, a water anole will quickly dive underwater and exhale a bubble that adheres to either the top or sides of its head. The lizard’s skin contains microscopic hair-like structures called spinules that trap air and repel water, allowing the bubble to stick to its body. Throughout its dive, the anole “rebreathes” this bubble at regular intervals, appearing to recycle the trapped air supply. The bubble can be observed appearing and disappearing around the head with each respiratory cycle as specialized scale and head structures help move air between the body surface and nostrils.
To read more about this study, visit here! Such a cool little lizard man! Nicknamed the Chicken Nuggets of the Forest, this finger sizes lizard is showing it is a true survivor!
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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