General Reptile & Amphibian Articles
New Dinosaur Described as a “Komodo Dragon-Tiger Cross”
Feb 6th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. A farm in southern Brazil’s pampas region has yielded the bones of an ancient mammal-like reptile loosely described as a terrifying cross between a Komodo dragon and a tiger. Having worked with both of these modern-day predators, I was immediately intrigued by the newly-described creature (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dec., 2011), dubbed the “Pampas Killer”.
A Reptile, but…
The Pampas Killer, or Pampaphoneus biccari, haunted Brazil’s grasslands during the Permian Period, some 260 million years ago. It has been classified as a Dinocephalian Theraspid, or “Mammal-like Dinosaur”. Interestingly, today’s monitor lizards are also sometimes described as “mammal-like” by those familiar with them.
The Paleontologists (scientists who research ancient creatures and the history of life on earth) who are studying the Pampas Killer believe it possessed characteristics of both monitors and predatory mammals such as tigers – yikes! It and related dinosaurs may have been an early step in the evolutionary march towards warm-blooded, furred mammals, which appeared 35 million years later. Please see the drawings and articles below for artists’ re-creations of the Pampas Killer and its relatives. More >
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Loading ...People as Python Prey – Giant Snakes Attack 150, Kill 6 in Philippines
Jan 30th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The subject of giant constrictor attacks upon people always brings out wild claims. While working with Green Anacondas in Venezuela, I tried to track down 2 reports of human predation, but was unable to prove or disprove either. I recall reading several well-authenticated accounts in old issues of Herpetologica, and sadly, have first-hand knowledge of a tragic incident involving a captive Burmese Python in NYC. But a recent article on the Agta people of the Philippines took me very much by surprise – from 1939-1973, 26% of all Agta men, and 2% of the women, had been attacked by Reticulated Pythons!
Living with Giant Pythons
The article, published in a recent issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the USA, was co-authored by a prominent herpetologist and a scientist who lived with the Agta people, in a remote region of the Philippines, for 24 years; some impressive photos are included as well (please see abstracts, below). More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Venomous Snakebite – a New Study, and my own Experiences
Jan 17th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. As a career herpetologist, I’ve had several opportunities to study venomous snakes in the field, and have spoken with many people who live in areas where they are common. My experiences led me to believe that venomous snakebite is a far more serious problem than is typically reported. Recently, two important studies have established that at least 4.5 million people are bitten annually – 1.5 million in Sub-Saharan Africa alone. Yet snakebite was only recently included on the World Health Organization’s list of Neglected Tropical Conditions, and in many countries few victims receive appropriate treatment.
Africa
The most intensive study to date, published in the journal Toxicon (V.57, N.4; see abstract below), reviewed 40 years’ worth of African medical reports and surveys. The authors concluded that at least 1.5 million people, 95% of whom live in rural regions, are bitten in Sub-Saharan Africa annually. At least 7,000 people die as a result, and up to 14,000 require limb amputations. Antivenin, the most effective snakebite treatment, is administered to only 10% of those bitten in Africa. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...A Sub-Surface Basking Site and Shelter for Semi-Aquatic for Turtles, Newts and Frogs
Jan 10th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’ve found the Penn Plax Turtle Pier to be one of the most useful of all basking platforms. In addition to providing a haul-out site that does not take away from the swimming area, it can be used by reptiles and amphibians in a variety of other ways. Today I’d like to describe two “fine points” that are sometimes over-looked when semi-aquatic terrariums are designed.
Sub-Surface Resting and Basking Spots
Many semi-aquatic turtles do not often fully emerge from the water, but rather rely upon resting sites that are just below the surface. Included among these are Mud, Musk, Snapping and Chinese Big-Headed Turtles. In the wild, these turtles, as well as Green Frogs, Ribbed Newts and many other amphibians, rest upon submerged logs, branches and rocks that almost, but not quite, reach the water’s surface. From such locations, they can watch for predators and prey and, possibly, obtain some UVB exposure (UVB rays do not penetrate very far into water). In aquariums, driftwood is also useful in this regard…please see the article below. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Chameleons as Pets – an Overview of their Natural History and Captive Care
Jan 10th
Chameleons, the most unique of all lizards, are truly marvelous creatures to know and care for. In the past, I’ve written about Veiled, Dwarf and Senegal Chameleons, and related topics (please see articles below). Today I’d like to discuss some general principals of chameleon care.
The following information can be applied to most available Chameleons; however, details will vary. Please write in for specific information on individual species.
Natural History
To date, 186 Chameleon species have been described (Family Chamaeleonidae). They range in size from the 1.5 inch-long Pygmy Leaf Chameleons (Rhampholeon spp.) to the Oustalet’s Chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti), which may top 30 inches in length.
Unique characteristics include a tongue that may exceed the animal’s length, mobile eyes, a “swaying” walk that mimics wind-ruffled leaves, joined toes that form grasping “hands”, a prehensile tail and remarkable color-changing abilities. Color changes are mainly used to communicate, but also serve as camouflage. More >
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