Reptile & Amphibian News Blog
Keep up with news and features of interest to the reptile and amphibian community on the kingsnake.com blog. We cover breaking stories from the mainstream and scientific media, user-submitted photos and videos, and feature articles and photos by Jeff Barringer, Richard Bartlett, and other herpetologists and herpetoculturists.
Tuesday, February 7 2023
What was your first? For so many of us it was the same animal! All hail the mighty Garter Snake in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user TomDickinson for being so many of our first wild herp! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Monday, February 6 2023
A True Giant. This Komodo Dragon takes center stage in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user cowboyfromhell s! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Friday, February 3 2023
Happy Rattlesnake Friday! How beautiful is this Barnett's Lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user PeteSnakeCharmer ?! This rattlesnake was found in Portal, NM. Be sure to tell them you liked it here! Remember on Friday, we highlight our venomous species to help increase awareness about their conservation and celebrate #RattlesnakeFriday with everyone.
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Thursday, February 2 2023
This is an amazing shot showing the cold tolerance of a Tiger Salamandar in Minnesota in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user TJ ! YES THAT IS SNOW! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Wetlands are so important not only to the animals we love that live there, but to us as humans too! Wetlands control erosion, store and purify our water, prevent floods and provide safe habit to a variety of species that we as humans need. 35% of the worlds wetlands have already been destroyed in the last 50 years. To learn more about World Wetlands Day visit here!
Wednesday, February 1 2023
This pair of Black Breasted Leaf Turtles ( Geoemyda spengleri) are doing what they do best in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user schroderal! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Tuesday, January 31 2023
This Boa is doing what they do best in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user minicopilot ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Monday, January 30 2023
How cute are this pair of hatching Agamas in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user John-C! So much variety in coloration! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Friday, January 27 2023
Happy Rattlesnake Friday! We are loving this Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus) from the field in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user BowieKnife357 ! This rattlesnake was found in Portal, NM. Be sure to tell them you liked it here! Remember on Friday, we highlight our venomous species to help increase awareness about their conservation and celebrate #RattlesnakeFriday with everyone.
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Thursday, January 26 2023
How cool is this pile of drymarchon in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user alanB! So much variety in coloration! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Wednesday, January 25 2023
This field found Thorny Devil ( Moloch horridus) in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user frilly looks regal in his pose! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Tuesday, January 24 2023
There can be little more precious than a child and his pet Ball Python, like Markus and his snake in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user mikev ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Monday, January 23 2023
Start the week with this cute pair of Australian water dragons in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user cochran! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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 A quacking call and "robbers" mask identifies the earthen colored Wood Frog.
By now herpers in the north east must be anxious for spring to arrive, and for herpers in the south-land it is probably already here. With the blooming of the spring flowers and the budding of the hardier trees comes the emergence of the hardiest species of amphibians.
To fish-free, vernal, woodland and country waterholes come several species of Mole Salamanders. Among these are Spotted Salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum, Blue’spotted Salamanders, Ambystoma laterale, Jefferson’s Salamanders, Ambystoma jeffersonianum, Wood Frogs, Rana sylvatica, and Spring Peepers, Pseudacris crucifer.
These species often begin their breeding cycles while ice still rims the ponds and snow yet remains, patchy but not yet forgotten.
The quacking vocalizations of the dark-masked Wood Frogs, Rana sylvatica, and strident peeping of the aptly named, tiny, but very vocal Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer, advertise the anurans presence, but that the silent salamanders are there and active may first be noticed by sighting their characteristic gelatinous egg masses.
Of the salamanders, it is the beautiful but variably patterned Spotted species that is most easily seen. The yellow, sometimes orangish, spots from which the name is derived may be profuse, present in moderation, or almost missing. The other two salamanders mentioned are of earthen colors with variably contrasting blue(ish) spots along the sides.
When any of these are seen or heard, we can be relatively certain that while chilly days and cold nights might still prevail, warmer weather is actually right around the corner--or maybe 2 corners.
Continue reading "Salamander and Frog Emergence Time"
Friday, January 20 2023
Happy Rattlesnake Friday! All venomous snakes need our support! This Cottonmouth is screaming it from the field in our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user BowieKnife357 ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! Remember on Friday, we highlight our venomous species to help increase awareness about their conservation and celebrate #RattlesnakeFriday with everyone.
Upload your own reptile and amphibian photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!
Thursday, January 19 2023
This is a gorgeous corn snake in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user dallashawks ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! No offense USPS!

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