Table of contents for June 2025 in Practical Reptile Keeping

After the island of Madagascar drifted away from India 88 million years ago, isolating it from all other landmasses, its existing flora and fauna evolved in seclusion. As these species transformed into plants and animals completely unique to their island, Madagascar became a biodiversity hotspot unlike anywhere else on Earth. An important facet of this biodiversity is an ecological process called endozoochory, which occurs when animals eat plant seeds and then pass these out undigested somewhere else, thus aiding the spread of the plants. Most research on this phenomenon has focused on the roles of birds and mammals as seed dispersers, but lizards, which are also known to play a role, have remained largely overlooked until now. New thinking This state of affairs inspired a team of researchers at Japan's…

Scientists at the Natural History Museum (NHM), London, have discovered that a long-overlooked moth specimen in the Museum's collection was in fact collected by explorer and naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, in 1855. This was at the same time as he was formulating his own revolutionary ideas on the origins of species which he would go on to share with Charles Darwin. The small white moth, Topiris candidella, was then described for the first time in 1863 by Francis Walker but was dismissed in 1927 by leading entomologist Edward Meyrick as “better neglected” having suffered substantial damage due to historic storing practices. The moth has since remained overlooked for nearly a century, until now. New investigative techniques Using a cutting-edge DNA sequencing method, NHM scientists extracted genetic material from a single…

The current trend towards maintaining a bioactive environment in vivarium surroundings is something that should be encouraged, because it could easily represent the next big leap forwards in improving captive care. The whole theory of ‘wild re-creation’ is based upon taking information from the animal's natural environment and replicating this in as many ways as we can within the limitations of modern technology and safety. In real terms, we should then start to see positive changes in animal behaviour through better enrichment, as well as lessening the risks of avoidable nutritional disease. We should also start to see those species that were once regarded as being difficult to breed then beginning to reproduce readily in such surroundings. Why bother with live plants? Based on my experiences to date, I firmly…

Differences in diet Tortoise, turtles and terrapins (collectively known as chelonians) have existed on the planet for over 200 million years. During this time, a range of different chelonian feeding habits have evolved, from the jellyfish-eating leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) to the strictly vegetarian desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). This article will cover the dietary components needed by some of the more commonly kept herbivorous species. These typically include Horsfield's (Agrionemys horsefieldii), Hermann's (Testudo hermanni), the Mediterranean spur-thighed (T. graeca) and marginated (T. marginata) tortoises. Other species are becoming more commonly bred, however, including the red-footed (Chelonoidis carbonaria) and yellow-footed (C.denticulata) tortoises: keep in mind these particular species do have different dietary requirements due to their rainforest origins, as may others. The large sulcata tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata) have a much higher…

Iremember walking through the town and noticing every little detail around me, from the smell to the sights that surrounded me but the one obvious thing was that I was the new guy in town. Let's just say that I learnt the common Malagasy greeting incredibly quickly. I had to say it to everyone, out of politeness but also because I wanted to be friendly! Rainforest destruction On our way out to the edge of town, on the main road that takes you towards the National Parks, I noticed an extremely well preserved (yet seemingly almost new) building with big capital letters on the sides of it stating “ANDASIBE”. I asked my companion Devin exactly what the place was and why it appeared abandoned when it looked so new. Yet…

In many animals, skin colouration and patterning play a crucial role in terms of camouflage, communication or thermoregulation. As far as the corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is concerned, some morphs display red, yellow, or pink blotches, and their dorsal spots can merge to form blotches or turn into stripes. But which genetic and cellular mechanisms determine these colourful patterns? A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Switzerland discovered that just a single gene, CLCN2, is involved in these variations. Their investigation opens new perspectives on the evolution and genetics of animal colouration. New forms and patterns The skin colouration and patterns of the corn snake are produced by the arrangement and localisation of chromatophores — cells found in the skin of many animals that contain pigments or light-reflecting…

The call of American bullfrogs was deafening when scientists from the University of California, Davis, first began researching the impact of invasive bullfrogs on native northwestern pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata) within the Yosemite National Park. “At night, you could look out over the pond and see a constellation of eyes blinking back at you,” says researcher Sidney Woodruff, who has chronicled the effects of their removal. “Their honking noise is iconic, and it drowns out the calls of native species.” But the ponds of Yosemite sound different today, with a chorus of native species making themselves heard once again. The researchers’ study found that as the park was depopulated of bullfrogs, northwestern pond turtles began to return. The study suggests that removing invasive bullfrogs may be necessary in priority conservation…

Lifestyle Arizona mountain kingsnakes (Lampropeltis pyromelana) are a species of tri-coloured kingsnake whose distribution is centred in the upland areas of Arizona, extending south into Mexico. They can also be found in adjacent parts of Nevada, as well as similar regions in the neighbouring U.S. states of New Mexico and Utah. These kingsnakes are banded in patterns of red, black and white. The closely related milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum) have a similar appearance, but an Arizona mountain kingsnake has bands that tend to be triangular in shape rather than smooth, although the appearance of the milksnake can be very variable through its range, with more than 20 different forms recognised. Arizona mountain kingsnakes have a patterning which to me personally looks more attractive than those of a milksnake. The reason for this…

Almost any snake and a significant number of lizards have the ability to climb trees if necessary, whether to escape potential danger or in the pursuit of food. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, as a 226kg (500lb) anaconda would find it all but impossible to climb a tree due to its sheer bulk. On the other hand, its Asian counterpart in the guise of the reticulated python (Python reticulatus) is semi-arboreal, living and hunting in trees up to a certain point in its growth cycle. Up or down? There are key differences between semi-arboreal and arboreal species. Throughout its New World range, the boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) is a semi-arboreal snake, as is the African rock python (Python sebae); I have climbed many trees in Botswana trying…

Wandering or clouded salamanders (Aneides vagrans) are known for gliding high through the canopies of coastal redwood forests in western parts of North America, but how the small amphibians manage their take-offs and landings with ease remains something of a mystery. A new study now reveals the answer may have a lot to do with a surprising mechanism: blood-powered toes. The Washington State University (WSU)led research team discovered that these amphibians can rapidly fill, trap and drain the blood in their toe tips to optimise attachment, detachment and general locomotion through their arboreal environment. A significant discovery This investigation not only uncovers a previously unknown physiological mechanism in salamanders but also has implications for bio-inspired designed. Insights into salamander toe mechanics could ultimately inform the development of adhesives, prosthetics, and…

The world's amphibians are in trouble. As a result of their sensitivity to climate change, habitat loss, and pollution, they may be the canary in the coalmine, in terms of the current anthropogenic (‘man-made’) mass extinction. Approximately 200 amphibian species have become extinct since the 1970s, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature estimates that 34% of the 7,296 known remaining species are likewise at risk. Infectious diseases Another reason why amphibians are vulnerable is their susceptibility to disease, such as various newer and potentially more lethal types of virus. An emerging, potentially deadly disease of frogs and salamanders is ranavirus, a genus of at least seven viruses forming the family Iridoviridae. Ranaviruses can rapidly jump from host to host among fish, amphibians, and reptiles: this flexibility can…

Although our summer here in the UK is quite brief, sunshine at this time of year can be a tonic to our reptiles as well as ourselves. But if they are to benefit rather than end up in danger, reptiles must be housed securely, so that they cannot escape. It is also vital not to overlook their need to thermoregulate - although most reptiles originate from warmer climates than ours, they can still die if they become too hot. Never leave a reptile outdoors in a glass vivarium in direct sunlight therefore, as this can rapidly prove fatal, much like leaving a dog in a car at this time of year. The group of reptiles which most commonly are allowed out to wander are the Mediterranean species of tortoise, such…

Rather confusingly, there are a number of different salamanders that have become known as cave salamanders, simply because this is where they tend to be found. Some are much more specialised than others, with the olm (Proteus anguinus) being encountered deep within this subterranean world. Occurring in southeastern parts of Europe, it is both blind and unpigmented, displaying the typical features associated with creatures found in this type of environment. The cave salamander seen here, however, does not fit into this category, despite what its name might suggest. It lives in North America, frequenting limestone areas mainly in south-central parts, and was one of the first members of the group to be studied. This species can often be found at the entrance to caves, or even out in the open,…

Aside from the obvious restrictions on venomous species imposed by Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWA) legislation, there are relatively few limitations on which snakes can be kept by private hobbyists. Given that there are currently some 3567 different species of snake alive on the planet today, there is certainly plenty of choice when it comes to deciding which ones you would like to keep in your collection, although of course, many are not even represented in the hobby, let alone being bred regularly. A number of species are very widely established though, and it is usually these species that will prove the most reliable and easily maintained by a novice reptile owner. As you progress through the ranks and gain a little more experience, I always think it is better…