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, May 13 2025
If this axolotl in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user tadpoleo doesn't make you smile, I am not sure what will! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Monday, May 12 2025
Kick off your week with this perfectly poised Reed Frog in our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user arkherps! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Friday, May 9 2025
Get up close and personal with this Crotalus lepidus klauberi in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user lepidus-klauberi! He's absolutely stunning! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! On Rattlesnake Friday, we celebrate all forms of venomous reptiles to promote conservation of them world wide!

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Thursday, May 8 2025
It is hard to not see beauty when you look at the Asian Vine Snake ( Ahaetulla prasina) our Herp Photo of the Day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user 13lackcat! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Tuesday, May 6 2025
Today's herp photo of the day reminds us to always flip that tin! This five-lined skink was found with her eggs under a paving stone, uploaded by kingsnake.com user CDB_reptiles!
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Monday, May 5 2025
We love this smile on this Red Cheeked Mud Turtle in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user mayday! She seems so curious! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Friday, May 2 2025
Love this Southwest Speckled Rattlesnake found in the field in California in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user sluggo781 ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here! On Rattlesnake Friday, we celebrate all forms of venomous reptiles to promote conservation of them world wide!
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Thursday, May 1 2025
There is so much to love about Colubrids, so why not celebrate them with a big ole pile of beauty in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user xtranch ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Wednesday, April 30 2025
Author at St. Augustine Alligator Farm getting the Ultimate Experience photo shoot, the closest to acting irresponsibly she had in her photos. - credit Cindy Steinle
In what the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) calls "groundbreaking research study" it has been determined that alligators are not the aggressors in the attacks that occur on humans but rather risky human behavior that cause the attacks.
Color us herpers SHOCKED! Absolutely STUNNED! Yes, that is sarcasm. Anywho, from the study:
Our ranking system indicated that 96% (26% low risk, 48% moderate risk, 22% high risk) of the recorded human–alligator incidents reviewed were caused by some level of human inattention in the form of risky behaviors, often while participating in recreational water activities. These results highlight the need for increased and targeted public education concerning safe and responsible human activities in areas inhabited by alligators. By making a conscious effort to implement proactive and preventative safety measures, human injury and death as well as the needless destruction of alligators can be reduced.
You can read the full study here and their blog post about it here.
Despite my sarcasm, this can lead to better efforts in helping protect our wild populations putting the blame rather than on the animal, directly on the person. This can also lead to better public education efforts on how to approach waterways and share our world with our cold blooded friends, not only our alligators but also other reptiles. If we can educate respect at one level, we can work out way down through the food chain! Hopefully this study helps with that for future generations.
This Crested Gecko has a huge smile for us in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user dragonchaser123! Be sure to tell them you liked it here.
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Tuesday, April 29 2025
Poised and watching, what a stunning Mangrove ( Boiga dendrophilia gemmicincta) in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user ptahtoo! Be sure to tell them you liked it here.
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Monday, April 28 2025
What do you mean it is a lizard, it ain't got no legs! Check out this field shot of a Glass lizard in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user rosycorn found in Florida! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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What do you mean it is a lizard, it ain't got no legs! Check out this field shot of a Glass lizard in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user rosycorn found in Florida! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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Friday, April 25 2025
Late last session, Rep Betty McCollum (MN) introcuded a bill to " “To amend the Animal Welfare Act to include cold-blooded species as animals, and for other purposes.” That bill died with the close of the last session, but this week she reintroduced as HR2976 and we can only guess that it will have the same wording.
The nitty gritty from the USARK Web Alert is:
This bill, which should be identical to last session’s introduction, adds reptiles, amphibians, fish, and cephalopods as “animals” under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), meaning the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must develop new regulations. Basically, the USDA would now be required to license and inspect facilities and breeders with these animals. Businesses would need to comply with the new USDA regulations. The USDA began inspecting and licensing aviculturists (bird breeders) in 2024 (for new licensees). The bill has been assigned to the House Agriculture Committee. We will post more information when available.
You can find the wording of the original bill here. While we are unsure of the wording exactly of the new bill, this gives a good guess as to what will come. As always, you know there is strength in numbers, so be sure to join and keep up with our friends at USARK.
Happy Rattlesnake Friday! This albino Western Diamondback looks like a statue our herp photo of the day uploaded by kingsnake.com user krantz. Remember that on Rattlesnake Friday, we celebrate all our venomous creatures for their importance to our world and humanity! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!
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Thursday, April 24 2025
This vibrant Cape Gopher Snake ( Pituophis catenifer vertebralis) in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user pitparade will brighten your Monday for sure! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

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