That Reptile Blog » Lizards

New Dinosaur Described as a “Komodo Dragon-Tiger Cross”

findiviglio — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:12:25 +0000

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 More >

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New Dinosaur Described as a “Komodo Dragon-Tiger Cross”

Breeding Leopard Geckos

findiviglio — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:22:47 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. At some point, lizard keepers usually think about breeding their favorite species. The ever-popular Leopard Gecko, Eublepharis macularius, is an excellent choice for both novice and advanced hobbyists. It is a reliable breeder, yet the conditions that must be established if one is to succeed are similar to those required by More >

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Breeding Leopard Geckos

Chameleons as Pets – an Overview of their Natural History and Captive Care

findiviglio — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:43:39 +0000

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; More >

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Chameleons as Pets – an Overview of their Natural History and Captive Care

World’s Smallest Frogs Added to 2011’s List of Newly-Discovered Amphibians

findiviglio — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:55:03 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Two frog species recently discovered in southeastern New Guinea are smaller than any other 4-legged vertebrate. Within their pea-sized bodies, they pack a brain, lungs, heart, digestive system and most of the other organs that people have…simply astounding! Tiny Frogs and Fish The frogs, Paedophryne dekot and P. verrucosa, were collected More >

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World’s Smallest Frogs Added to 2011’s List of Newly-Discovered Amphibians

Reptile and Amphibian Foods – Breeding and Rearing Grasshoppers and Locusts

findiviglio — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:29:34 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The Domestic or House Cricket is perhaps the world’s most popular herp food, the closely-related locusts, grasshoppers and katydids have been neglected as a food source here in the USA. However, many are easily collected and bred in captivity, and offer important nutrients lacking in commercially-bred insects. What’s more, they are More >

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Reptile and Amphibian Foods – Breeding and Rearing Grasshoppers and Locusts

Lizard Societies – Great Desert Skink Families Build Communal Homes

findiviglio — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:27:09 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Twenty of the world’s 5,000+ lizard species have been shown to live in family groups (i.e. the Prehensile Tailed Skink, Corucia zebrata, and the USA’s Desert Night Lizard, Xantusia vigilis). Field studies have now revealed that one social lizard – Great Desert Skink or Tjakura, Liopholis kintorei – actually constructs complex, More >

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Lizard Societies – Great Desert Skink Families Build Communal Homes

New Test for Cryptosporidiosis, an Incurable Disease of Snakes and Lizards

findiviglio — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:38:49 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. A decade or so ago, Cryptosporidiosis became recognized as a major concern in captive snake and lizard collections. Caused by a one-celled parasite known as Cryptosporidium varanii, the disease remains incurable to this day. At the Bronx Zoo, where I worked at the time, tests showed that many snakes already in More >

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New Test for Cryptosporidiosis, an Incurable Disease of Snakes and Lizards

New Ancient Animals Found – Tiny “T Rex” and a Saber-Toothed Vegetarian

findiviglio — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:11:43 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Paleontologists have recently uncovered the fossils of two small creatures that defied some basic “dinosaur rules”, and which have provided unique insights into the evolution of both carnivorous and plant-eating creatures. Eodromaeus, christened the Dawn Runner, resembled a pint-sized Tyrannosaurus, and likely gave rise to the most ferocious predator of ancient More >

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New Ancient Animals Found – Tiny “T Rex” and a Saber-Toothed Vegetarian

Reptile Hobbyists – Helping or Hindering Reptile and Amphibian Conservation?

findiviglio — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:37:14 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.While over-collection and poorly-prepared pet keepers have certainly led to declines in wild populations of some species, private hobbyists have also contributed immensely to the conservation of amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles (as well as fishes, birds and mammals). This is especially true of those animals which zoos lack the interest or space More >

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Reptile Hobbyists – Helping or Hindering Reptile and Amphibian Conservation?

Chameleon Diets – The Best Foods for Pet Chameleons

findiviglio — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:26:44 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Most chameleons will eagerly accept crickets and mealworms. However, even if you use reptile vitamin/mineral supplements, a diet comprised of 2-3 insect species is not suitable for chameleons – or for hardly any reptile or amphibian. Your lizards will survive on such fare for awhile, but will inevitably develop nutritional disorders More >

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Chameleon Diets – The Best Foods for Pet Chameleons