New wide-eyed boa discovered in Dominican Republic
For the first time in more than a century, researchers have discovered a new boa species in the Dominican Republic. The Hispaniolan vineboa (Chilabothrus ...
reptiles
Models say this African gecko shouldn’t survive in Florida—so why does it?
Ecologically, Madagascar day geckos aren’t supposed to be in Florida. The species didn’t arrive until the 1990s, when it was introduced to adorn gardens in the ...
A fifth of the world’s skinks face extinction
Agriculture, invasive species, harvesting and pet trade are threatening 20% of the world’s skink species with extinction. According to the first “comprehensive ...
Toxic algal bloom cause mixed reactions in birds, reptiles
Toxic algal blooms could stress out wildlife, and in some cases, cause weaker immune systems in reptiles and birds in the Great Lakes region. Blue-green algae ...
Officials remove hundreds of gators from Disney
Wildlife officials with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and private trappers have removed 250 alligators from Disney properties in central Florida ...
Do journals lead traffickers to newly-described reptiles?
When a newly-identified reptile is described in scientific literature, it’s not just exciting for biologists. It also catches the eyes of wildlife traffickers, ...
Urbanization may lead to Puerto Rican boa decline
Increasing urbanization in Puerto Rico may cause declines in the territory’s endangered boa population. The Puerto Rican boa (Chilabothrus inornatus) is the ...
Wild Cam: Solving the hatchling sea turtle mystery
Small satellite tags glued onto green sea turtle hatchlings are revealing where the reptiles go immediately after they leave the beaches of central Florida. The ...
JWM: Hog-nosed snakes need sandy dunes for nesting
Saying eastern hog-nosed snakes are a little prickly is probably an understatement. When Laura Robson, a master’s student at the University of Ottawa at the time, ...
eDNA can root out hidden Louisiana pinesnakes
The best way to track down a cryptic pinsesnake may be searching for trace DNA left in the soil around its prey. Louisiana pinesnakes are notoriously hard to find, ...