Search

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.

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.

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.

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!

Upload your own reptile and amphibian photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!

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!

Upload your own reptile and amphibian photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!

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.

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!

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!

Upload your own reptile and amphibian photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!

What an awesome field find! This desert Kingsnake is feeding on a rattlesnae in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user SDeFriez! Normally we do not share feeding pics but when they are part of wild observations, that is a different story! Natural behaviors are pretty awesome! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

Upload your own and photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!

To celebrate Earth Day, we bring you this newly hatching Snapping Turtle in our Herp Photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user pigletto symbolize new life! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

Upload your own reptile and amphibian photos photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!

This Gharial is smiling in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user Majorpat ! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

Upload your own and photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!

With Earth Day just around the corner, this copperhead in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user AlexNevgloski reminds us to only leave footprints when out in the field! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

How beautiful is this Everglades Rat Snake in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user eric561! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

Upload your own and photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!

Hopefully this hatching Ctenosaura palearis in our herp photo of the day, uploaded by kingsnake.com user ilovemonitorliza cures any case of the Mondays you might have! Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

Upload your own and photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here!

This Richard's Anole (Anolis richardii) is just hiding out on a branch in our Herp Photo of the day to the world, uploaded by kingsnake.com user davemangham in Tobago! So many to pick from! Which is your favorite? Be sure to tell them you liked it here!

Upload your own reptile and amphibian photos at gallery.kingsnake.com, and you could see them featured here