Venomous Snakes
New From Southeast Asia – Yellow and Red Eyed Vipers and a Giant Cave
Sep 20th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Politics and war have long hindered the work of resident and foreign biologists inVietnam and elsewhere inSoutheast Asia. Governmental red tape is also a serious concern…several years ago I obtained funding to study salamanders in northernVietnam, but abandoned the project for this reason. However, the situation is improving, and recent expeditions have brought a host of amazing new creatures and places to light, including 2 beautiful arboreal snakes and a cave housing a large, underground river.
Ruby-Eyed Green Pit Viper, Cryptelytrops rubeus
Southeast Asia’s pit vipers are a confusing jumble of similarly-colored venomous snakes that are supremely adapted to life in the trees. Many were originally classified in the genus Trimeresurus, along with the Bamboo Viper (please see photo) and related snakes. Genetic research and behavioral studies on specimens collected from 1999-2003 has revealed at least 2 new species. More >
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Loading ...Recent Field Research – Reptile and Amphibian Feeding Observations
Aug 15th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Many interesting field research reports are published in professional journals such as Copeia, Herpetologica and Herpetological Review, and are not available on the internet. From time to time I’ll provide summaries of some of the fascinating articles that I come across. Today’s report, drawn from Autumn, 2010 publications, covers observations of free-living snakes, turtles and caimans.
Giant Meals…even for snakes!
Snakes are “big meal specialists”, but rarely consume animals larger than themselves. However, a Southern Toad and a Spadefoot Toad, swallowed by different Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes, Heterodon platyrinos, each outweighed the snake by several grams! More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Legendary Snakeman Bill Haast Passes at Age 100
Jul 1st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The herpetology world lost one of its oldest and most celebrated members with the passing of the legendary Bill Haast on June 15, 2011. Although surrounded by controversy for (literally!) most of his 100 years, Mr. Haast inspired millions of reptile enthusiasts, myself included, and saved countless lives by harvesting the venom needed to produce antivenin (the medicine used to treat bites from venomous snakes). He even donated his own blood, which he believed to contain antivenin, to snakebite victims (please see below). More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Recent Field Research – Unusual Snake and Frog Feeding Observations
Jun 21st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Many interesting field research reports are published in professional journals such as Copeia, Herpetologica and Herpetological Review, and are not available on the internet. From time to time I’ll provide summaries of some of the fascinating articles that I come across. Today’s report, drawn from Autumn, 2010 publications, covers a favorite topic of mine – feeding records. As theses reports show, snakes and frogs often do battle – and the results are hard to predict!
Fer-de-lance and Smoky Jungle Frogs: Venom vs. Poison
In Costa Rica, a Fer-de-lance partially swallowed and regurgitated a Smoky Jungle Frog. The snake was rendered lethargic incapable of defending itself for at least 45 minutes (and would likely not repeat the experience!). Smoky Jungle Frogs produce Leptotoxin, a powerful chemical that causes rapid death from cardiac arrest when administered to rats. People have reported experiencing “tingling” sensations after handling Smoky Jungle Frogs. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Paradise and Ornate Flying Snakes – New Research and Notes on Captive Care
Apr 22nd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Of all the gliding animals, Flying Snakes (Genus Chrysopelia) appear to me to be the most unlikely…they just don’t seem suited to moving through the air. Yet they do, and quite well – not matching the abilities of flying squirrels, but certainly right up there with gliding geckos and frogs. A recent study shed some light on their unique abilities, and suggests that they may serve as models for small, agile flying vehicles. More >
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