Table of contents for August 2025 in Practical Reptile Keeping

An international team of researchers has obtained truly remarkable evidence revealing that at least one early reptile from the Triassic period had unique structures growing from its skin that formed an alternative to feathers. The project was coordinated by the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart (SMNHS) and the University of Hohenheim in Germany. Reptiles have been different — until now! Body coverings such as hair and feathers have played a central role in evolution. They facilitated warmbloodedness by insulating the body, and have been used for courtship, display, deterring predators and, in the case of specialised feathers, for enabling flight. Their structure is characterised by longer and more complex skin outgrowths that differ significantly from the simple and flat scales of reptiles. Complex skin outgrowths have previously only been…

The range of this species spans no less than three continents, extending far beyond the shores of the Mediterranean westwards into Asia. It has a restricted range in western Europe, centred in southern Spain, but it can also be found more widely along the opposite North African coast. This has given rise to considerable confusion, to the extent that although some herpetologists recognise distinct subspecies over this huge area, where populations can be isolated, others suggest that T. graeca is actually a conglomerate of several distinctive species that should be recognised independently. As many as 20 separate subspecies have been proposed, but these are generally not that clearly defined. The accepted view at present is that just four valid subspecies exist. Arguments of this type will only be settled with…

Originating from the northern end of New Zealand’s North Island, this highly unusual gecko was first described by Thomas Bell in 1843. Its scientific name commemorates that of John Edward Grey, a leading herpetologist and contemporary of Bell, and it is found in Northland, as far south as Whangaroa. Although green is the predominant colour of this species, it also displays variable markings on the upperparts of the body, while the underparts are a paler shade of green. Blue markings along the side of the body signify a male. In terms of size, the Northland green gecko measures approximately 9.5cm (3.7in), with its tail being roughly twice as long again. Active during the day, these geckos are also arboreal in terms of their lifestyle. They lack the typical toe pads…

Overview Frog-eyed geckos (Teratoscincus scincus), which are also known as wonder geckos, are medium-sized, nocturnal, terrestrial lizards. They are native to the arid deserts of Central Asia, including areas within Kazakhstan, Iran, and Pakistan. They are characterised by their large, frog-like eyes, fish-like scales, and a unique and quite colourful appearance that makes them attractive vivarium occupants. Bear in mind that their delicate skin and preference for minimal handling make them best suited for owners who enjoy observing rather than interacting with their reptiles. These geckos reach a length of approximately 15cm (6in) when adult. With proper care, they can live anywhere from six to 20 years in vivarium surroundings. Habitat setup Frog-eyed geckos thrive in enclosures that replicate their desert environment, with a focus on burrowing opportunities, temperature gradients,…

A study led by the University of Queensland (UQ) has found Australian skinks have evolved molecular armour to stop snake venom from shutting down their muscles. Professor Bryan Fry from UQ’s School of the Environment says revealing exactly how skinks dodge death could assist biomedical approaches to treating snakebite in people. “What we saw in skinks was evolution at its most ingenious,” he explains. “Australian skinks have evolved tiny changes in a critical muscle receptor, called the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This receptor is normally the target of neurotoxins which bind to it and block nerve-muscle communication, causing rapid paralysis and death. Fighting back “But in a stunning example of a natural counterpunch, we found that on 25 separate occasions, skinks independently developed mutations at that binding site to block venom…

Arecent University of Queensland (UQ) study suggests the antivenom given to people bitten by eastern brown snakes (Pseudonaja textilis) may not be as effective as it could be, prompting a review of hospital cases. Professor Bryan Fry from UQ’s School of the Environment has led a team which assessed the blood-clotting toxins in venoms from all Australian brown snakes. Very different effects “We discovered that not all brown snake venoms are the same -meaning that lifesaving antivenom may need an urgent upgrade,” Professor Fry confirms. “Some venoms formed a rock-solid clot in blood, while others spun up a rapid but flimsy web of clots that shredded almost instantly. Both types of venom can kill but they do so in completely different ways.” The team used a process called thromboelastography, which…

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a condition characterised by poor bone calcification, often as a result of low blood calcium. The most common causes are the absence of calcium supplementation in the diet and a lack of provision of an appropriate spectrum of ultraviolet light. What can go wrong The mechanism by which the body controls its calcium levels is quite complex. When blood calcium levels drop, parathyroid hormone (PTH) is released from the parathyroid gland in the neck. This acts on the kidneys to reduce calcium excretion, stimulates vitamin D to increase absorption of dietary calcium, and releases sources of stored calcium from the bones. A combination of these mechanisms will result in an increase in blood calcium levels. Once blood calcium has risen to a suitable level, then…

The power of a snake’s venom to incapacitate its prey may depend on more than just its potency, or even the prey’s tolerance for the toxin. According to a new study just published, it also perhaps surprisingly depends a bit on the weather! “Even across different populations of the same snake species, eating the same prey, we see evolutionary differences in their venoms,” explains Dr Matthew Holding, an evolutionary biologist in the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute. “With this study, we really wanted to dig into what drives these differences in the natural coevolutionary arms races between the snakes and their prey.” A powerful mechanism Working with colleagues from the University of Nevada Reno and University of Utah, Holding analysed how blood serum samples from wild woodrats responded to…

Research into fatal tumours being found on Queensland tree frogs has begun at Australia’s University of Queensland (UQ). Dr Viviana Gonzalez-Astudillo from UQ’s School of Veterinary Science explains that two species of green tree frog — the white-lipped (Nyctimystes infrafrenatus) which is the largest known species of tree frog, growing up to 14cm (5.5in) and the White’s or common green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) can both be affected. Members of these species have been found with external tumours in north Queensland for at least 20 years, but the cause or prevalence of the condition is currently still unknown. A possible range of causes “A chemical could potentially be inducing these tumours but there are also viruses that are very well known for being oncogenic, causing tumours,” she explains. “The tumours…

Choosing your first pet lizard can be both exciting and yet confusing, especially with all the different species available in the hobby. While some lizards make amazing, easy-to-care for companions, others are best left to experienced keepers due to their size, aggression, or complicated care requirements. In this guide, I’ve put together a personal list of the five best, along with five worst choices that a beginner could make, based on my own experience in keeping, breeding and selling reptiles for many years. If you’re just getting started, this list will hopefully help you to avoid common mistakes and pick a species that is very likely to thrive in your care. The majority are quite easy to handle as well — and should become tame. Remember though: if you want…

Q&A I keep a group of giant prickly stick insects in a large glass vivarium and have spoken to a friend who recommends UV lighting for them, but why and how would it be of use to them? The thinking and science behind lighting exposure for many species of animal is moving ahead at a very rapid rate. Scientific research is revealing more and more information about reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates and their relationship with the sun. It is true to say that we are far more knowledgeable about reptiles and amphibians than ever before, while at present, research into the impact of lighting for invertebrates is very much in its infancy. But the sun is the world’s best source of free energy. It provides light and heat, and the wavelengths…

Sexual dimorphism is a general term that is used to describe key visual differences between males and females of the same species, based on their appearance. These may fall into a number of different categories, such as colouration and patterning, as well as size or shape (such as the casque on the head that helps to distinguish the sexes in the case of veiled chameleons). Since reptiles lack external genitalia, so that aspect of sex determination is of little use when trying to identify the sex of an individual by visual means. Which leads us onto an interesting question as to whether it is possible to tell the difference between a male and female snake using any one of the other criteria? In their approach to sexual dimorphism, snakes are…

Stepping out of the plane at the stroke of midnight, the humidity of the wet season hit our faces like a tsunami. It was the middle of the night but it was still an excruciating 35°C (95°F). We headed off to locate our hire car that was to be our home for the next week, as we travelled through the Northern Territory of Australia to Western Australia. This is one of the last true remote parts of our world; where unbearably hot days and flash flooding are nothing but a normal occurrence, and you can drive all day without seeing anyone else. Loading up our gear, we had a journey of 1700km (1000ml) ahead of us, to reach the red ochre rocks of the Kimberley region that was our ultimate…