The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) should be listed as endangered under the state of California’s Endangered Species Act, The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended in its status review released August 16. The review, which determines if an animal…
A 2018 study found that micro plastics and what is now called marine plastics have been found in all seven marine turtle species. That study looked at both stranded and bycaught marine reptiles in both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean…
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is actively seeking any information leading to the arrest and conviction of perpetrators who painted the shell of a gopher tortoise. The tortoise is one of two which had their shells painted. The…
The Houston Zoo announced last week that it has successfully hatched four painted terrapin turtles (Batagur borneoensis), the first time the zoo has had success with this species. "It’s the first time the Zoo has hatched painted terrapin turtles, one…
A scientist in Ann Arbor, MI was driving home in early June 2021, and pulled over to help a turtle cross the road when upon going to retrieve the reptile, he found that the turtle was already dead, a victim…
A man on Marco Island in Florida has acquired a vacant plot of land next to his home to ensure that the gopher tortoises that live on the plot are ensured a lifetime of free rent in the form of…
Early this month two would-be tortoise thieves attempted to steal Jasmine, a 27-year-old Galapagos tortoise from Jerry Fife, an expert on tortoises and former contributing writer to REPTILES magazine. The suspects, a man and a woman, entered the compound of…
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere are tracking eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) in Nashville to determine how their urban environment affects them. Dr. Brian Flock, TWRA’s Wildlife Diversity and Intern Coordinator, created…
The first two captive-bred Palawan forest turtles (Siebenrockiella leytensis) from a captive breeding program on Palawan island in the Philippines have been released back into the wild, the fruits of a seven year effort to breed the turtles as part…
Does your state have a reptile-themed license plate? Well if you live in West Virginia, the state released a new plate featuring an image of an Eastern box turtle. West Virginia joins Nevada and Florida by putting a turtle on…
An 11-year-old Sulcata tortoise who has been suffering from metabolic bone disease since birth was outfitted with a custom wheelchair to help him move about more easily. George’s bones in his hind legs never fully developed, making it nearly impossible…
This story appeared in the May/June 2019 issue of REPTILES magazine. There I stood, boots digging into the black crust of volcanic rock, looking out onto the edge of the world. The cooled, jagged lava beneath me shatters more like…
As a proud tortoise owner, you know your reptile needs good nutrition to stay healthy and well but what does a balanced, complete tortoise diet include? “Tortoises need foods that are appropriate for their species, age and lifestyle,” said Dr.…
An environmental organization cofounded by Leonardo DiCaprio this week announced that it will work, in partnership with the Galápagos National Park Directorate, Island Conservation and the local communities on the islands, to help restore, protect and rewild the Galápagos islands.…
The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) announced last week that it has captured, tagged and released the 99th and 100th alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) in Buffalo Bayou, located in Houston, TX. The 99th turtle, a 131lb male is nicknamed J.J.…
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has proposed new restrictions on the keeping of native reptiles and amphibians, and would ban the keeping of box turtles completely, according to a report on Virginiamercury.com. While the proposal is targeted at poachers,…
Mississippi just gained an additional 38 gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in the wild as the Nature Conservancy earlier this month released the reptiles at three different tortoise burrows. The team wrote that after the released near the burrows, several tortoises…
Someone stole Calypso, a yellow-footed tortoise (Geochelone denticulata) from the Riverland Nursery in Fort Myers, Florida, and the folks at the nursery would like her back. The tortoise has been at Riverland for many years and even has her own…
The United States Department of Justice has charged a South Carolina man with violating the Lacey Act for allegedly trafficking in spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata), eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), and 15 Gaboon vipers (Bitis gabonica). Ashtyn Michael Rance, 35,…
From turtles and tortoises to iguanas and lizards, a complete and balanced diet is critical for the health and longevity of reptiles. Complete means all nutrients required for the species’ age and lifestyle are included, and balanced means all nutrients…
The Japanese government thought so highly of the unique and beautiful Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica) that the turtle was designated as a National Natural Monument on June 26, 1975 (who knew that a turtle could be classified as…
If you live in the state of Arizona and are considering a tortoise, the Arizona Game & Fish department announced it will hold an adoption event for Sonoran desert tortoises (Gopherus morafkai) it has in its possession. Register for a…
From turtles and tortoises to iguanas and lizards, a complete and balanced diet is critical for the health and longevity of reptiles. Complete means all nutrients required for the species’ age and lifestyle are included, and balanced means all nutrients…
The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans), one of the most beautiful tortoises in all of Asia, is sadly disappearing from the India landscape. Escalating illegal poaching of the tortoise has led to its rapid decline over the past 20 years.…
