Author: John Virata

Arizona Game and Fish Department Has 300 Sonoran Desert Tortoises Up For Adoption
Desert tortoises range from the Mojave and Sonoran deserts in Southern California and can also be found in Arizona, Nevada, as well as in areas in Mex [...]

Two Arakan Forest Turtles Hatched At Tennessee Aquarium
The Arakan forest turtle is a terrestrial species that is currently only known to exist in the bamboo and old growth forests of the Arakan Mountains. [...]
Florida Venomous Reptiles Bill Amended To Exempt Native Species
The bill, if passed would increase penalties to up to five years in prison, five years probation and a $5,000 fine. [...]
Specialist Turtles And Crocodiles Most Likely To Go Extinct, Study Says
Issues such as unsustainable local consumption, diseases, and pollution are associated with the life history strategies of these animals and climate c [...]
Zen Habitats Meridian 4’ x 2’ x 4’ PVC Enclosure Review
The Zen Habitats Meridian enclosure came essentially pre-built. [...]
Ormat Technologies Sues USFWS Over Dixie Valley Toad Listing
The toad is the smallest toad within the western toad species complex and was only recently described by science in 2017 [...]
Fresno Chafee Zoo Gets $1.2 Million Grant To Bolster Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard Populations
The zoo in 2020 joined an emergency action by the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fresno State University and the Calif [...]
Golden Dorado Follows Green Anaconda In Potential Nuclear-Follower Feeding Association
The golden dorado was observed following the green anaconda on four separate occasions. [...]
Hellbender Salamanders Found In Creek Near East Palestine Train Derailment
The findings of these two salamanders was called a "positive discovery" by the state as Hellbender salamanders can only thrive in cool, clean water. [...]

90-Year-Old Radiated Tortoise At Houston Zoo Becomes First Time Father Of Three
The new hatchlings came as a surprise when a herpetology keeper happened upon Mrs. Pickles as she was laying her eggs at closing time. [...]

This is Why The Komodo Dragon Is Such An Apex Predator
Video has appeared on social media of a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) taking down a small deer. [...]
Dwarf Boa New To Science Discovered In Ecuador’s Upper Amazon Basin
Researchers have discovered and described a new species of dwarf boa of the family Tropidophiidae living high in the cloud forests of northeastern Ecu [...]
New Lizard Species Of The Genus Proctoporus Discovered In Peru
There are 20 known species of Proctoporus, with 18 that found in Peru. [...]

The Top 10 ReptilesMagazine Website Stories For 2022
Consistently over the years the No. 1 story of the year is 5 Great Beginner Pet Snakes. This story has performed exceptionally well ever since it was [...]

10 Great Christmas Gifts For Reptile Lovers
It is that time a year. Make your reptile related gift count. Your reptile lover will be thankful! [...]

Should California Red-legged Frogs Be Treated With Experimental Chytrid Treatment?
UC Santa Barbara researchers exposed lab raised California red-legged frogs to the chytrid fungus, treated them and then released them. [...]
Rábida Leaf-toed Gecko Thriving On Galapagos Islands 10 Years After Invasive Rat Removal
The Galapagos islands are home to 28 gecko species of the family Geckkonidae. Nineteen species are endemic to the islands. [...]

Female Snakes Possess Two Clitorises, Study Finds
The researchers discovered that the female snakes possessed two hemiclitores, both which are separate and non-eversible structures in the tails. [...]

Josh’s Frogs Announces Winners Of 2022 Amphibian Conservation Grant Program
The winners will receive a grant ranging from $500 to $1,500, with the recipient of each grant decided by a public vote on the Josh's Frogs website.
[...]

New Lizard Species Cryptovaranoides microlanius Discovered In Natural History Museum Cupboard
The lizard is a game changer in the history of reptiles in that the changes in the rates of evolution most likely need to be reassessed. [...]

New Leptobrachella Frog Species Discovered In China
Leptobrachella verrucosa is found in rocky streams with clear water surrounded by broad-leaved forests. [...]

Jonathan The World’s Oldest Giant Tortoise Celebrates 190th Birthday
Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise (Geochelone gigantea) who also happens to be the world’s oldest land animal, celebrated his 190th birthday at his [...]
Georgia Biologist Records Banded Water Snake Swallowing American Eel
The snake and eel were splashing in the water at first and then the snake was able to get the eel onto land, where it began to eat it. [...]

Florida FWC Denies Captive Breeding Request of Diamondback Terrapins
The proposal, put out by USARK Florida for commercial breeding of the species would have reduced pressure on wild populations. [...]