Cindy Steinle

Photo from Reddit

Two Ibiza wall lizards. Photograph: Guillem Casbas

Image screenshot from video from KVUE

Researcher Corinna Hazelrig studies a snake. Credit: Taylor Miller

Tini, an olive ridley sea turtle, recently laid her eggs on Junitper Beach, Florida marking the first time ever for that species. While loggerheads, leatherbacks and greens do typically nest on the beach, this was the first ever record nest for the species recorded by Loggerhead Marinelife Center.

Olive ridleys are among the smallest sea turtle species and are known for their olive-green, heart-shaped shells. They are also famous for two nesting strategies: solitary nesting and the "arribada," a mass nesting event in which thousands of females come ashore at once.

Despite almost a year long battle with keepers, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources moved ahead on ban of all native species with an exception on only three color variants. This does include captive bred species, as well as a variety of color morphs. There is also a ban in place now on turtle and frog races, which is probably the only truly good things here. A few things of note from the new rules:

NR 16.01 (2m) “Color variant” means any of the following atypical native amphibians and
reptiles of any age class:
(a) Individuals, regardless of species, that are:
1. Tyrosinase-negative albino (light pink or yellow body with red eyes).
2. Fully melanistic animals (entirely black).
3. Piebald (10% or more of the animal is pure white).
(b) Gophersnakes and milksnakes that are patternless.
....
(2) POSSESSION RESTRICTED. No Beginning on January 1, 2027, no person may take from the
wild or possess any live or dead native amphibians or reptiles or their eggs, except as provided under
sub. (3) and s. NR 19.26, or turtles taken under the authority of ss. NR 19.275, 21.13 and 22.13. Any live
native wild reptiles or amphibians possessed before January 1, 2027, must be registered with the
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department in a manner determined by the department on or before June 30, 2027. Any native wild
reptiles or amphibians not registered with the department on or before June 30, 2027, will be presumed to
be in violation of this chapter.

We aren't talking about the German Heavy Metal but here, but the actual arachnid! Scientists have recently discovered that 18 species of scorpions reinforce their stingers and pinchers with a variety of "heavy metals".

Attenborough in pursuit of a giant anteater in the Rupununi Savannah, British Guiana BBC David Attenbourgh's 100 birthday just passed and to many of us he introduced us to the wonders of nature and our beloved reptiles in their natural environments. Have you ever thought how he got his start? Amazingly he was not a naturalist but a film maker. His role was originally behind the camera! His big break came with a python on the third film expedition.

With my parang in my hand, I swung myself up into the tree. The branch around which the snake had draped itself was about 30 feet above the ground. As I approached it, I saw to my relief that the reptile was lying at least 10 feet along it, looking straight at me with its yellow button-like eyes. I braced my back against the trunk behind me, and began cutting. As the branch shook beneath my parang the reptile lifted its head, hissed and flickered its long black tongue. One of its coils began slithering smoothly over the branch. I redoubled my efforts. The bough creaked and slowly hinged downwards. With two more blows, it fell clear, carrying the python with it, and landed with a crash close by the boy and the old man.

image from Iowa County Sheriff facebook page of Burmese found in WI

Last friday in rural Wisconsin, a large Burmese python was discovered by the side of a road by a resident and police were notified. An investigation was launched and every rescue in Wisconsin was contacted by press. Seriously, the minute I saw the story, I had a text come through my phone asking if I was available and if I could bring reptiles with for the news piece.

It has been ages since I have been able to say this and boy does it feel good!
This weekend Kingsnake.com is officially BACK at the mighty Tinley Park NARBC!!
Come meet Jon with me, it is my first time too!

A few weeks ago Jon and Cindy were invited to sit down and chat all things kingsnake.com past and present with Mike Stefani and Nick Lillis. It was awesome and we had a great time!

Bryna Daykin, crew leader, is on an airboat during an American crocodile capture survey. (Photo by UF/IFAS Croc Docs) Today is International Women in Science Day and what better way to celebrate than to highlight some of the "Croc Docs" who track and research the alligators and even burmese pythons in the Everglades. The "Croc Docs" is a program through University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) carry out overnight conservation research projects that checks data on alligator populations as well as tracking invasive species.

For Pupo, a South Florida native, a career in science once felt unrealistic. Like many women in her family, she briefly considered medicine before rediscovering biology during her undergraduate years, inspired by female wildlife professors and peers who shared her passion. “I can’t imagine a more fulfilling way to spend my time than helping to conserve the environment and the fauna that taught me so much growing up,” she said in the news release.

There is a Testament song that I adore called "Practice What You Preach" and I do. Going back in our blogs as far as 2011 (check it out here and take the pepsi challenge), you can see me talking about the importance of public outreach and having positive public outreach. With rescue, I have been doing that for 32 years because honestly, that is how you find animals homes. This weekend however marks the 21st year of Pet Expo MKE, a huge pet event with a focus on rescue where no animals are sold or adopted out. It is dry goods only. I have run the reptile exhibit for 20 of the 21 years and we bring it bay bay! Our event usually averages around 10,000 people through the door in one day.

A devastating fungal pathogen has reshaped amphibian populations worldwide, but its true origins have long remained uncertain. By combining historical museum specimens, genetic evidence, and global trade records, researchers traced one major strain of the fungus back to Brazil, well before international frog farming began. Credit: Stock The devastation of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, otherwise known as chytrid fungus, to frog populations worldwide has been absolutely devastating, even wiping out entire species. How did it exactly start? Researchers think they finally have the clue.

Researchers believe the worldwide movement of Bd is closely tied to the commercial trade in bullfrogs (Aquarana catesbeiana), a species native to North America that is raised for food in many countries. Bullfrogs were first brought to Brazil in 1935, followed by another introduction several decades later during the 1970s. One particular variant, known as Bd-Brazil, was first identified in the country in 2012 and named accordingly. Its origins were later questioned after a 2018 study published in the journal Science proposed that the strain may have emerged on the Korean Peninsula. As a result, the genotype was subsequently referred to as Bd-Asia-2/Bd-Brazil.

Actual photo of author working on forums, circa 2010 in either Tinley Park or Daytona

I don't know about you but the world has been extra heavy lately. I find myself coming home and just locking down with my boyfriend, the animals and my music. Let's be honest, that is not healthy. I am having entire conversations with the bathroom frog y'all! Everywhere you turn it is gloom, doom and people want to fight.