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Louisiana Man Charged With Trafficking Turtles Ordered Held In Custody
Turtles & Tortoises Information & News
The DOJ says the turtles are worth more than $550,000 in the Asian pet trade. The post Louisiana Man Charged With Trafficking Turtles Ordered Held In Custody appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
A man who has been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to trafficking turtle has been ordered held in custody after he was arrested. Albert Bazaar, formerly of Angie, Louisiana was charged with conspiracy and Lacey Act violations. The government alleges between January 2022 and December 2023, Bazaar poached and sold more than 1,700 loggerhead musk turtles (Sternotherus minor), 100 stripe-neck musk turtles (Sternotherus minor peltifer), and 15 striped mud turtles (Kinosternon baurii) from the state of Florida. In the state of Florida, the law protects fresh and marine turtle species from unregulated harvest. The government alleges that Bazaar aided and abetted an unnamed co-conspirator who is alleged to have exported the turtles from San Francisco, CA to Taiwan under the guise the reptiles were captive bred to obtain export permits. Bazaar is alleged to have conducted eight transactions and illegally collecting the turtles from the wild and selling them to the exporter in San Francisco. It is alleged that the exporter funded Bazaar’s poaching trips to Louisiana and Florida, providing money that enabled Bazaar to purchase a boat and a van. Bazaar is charged with “creating a declaration of captive bred wildlife that falsely stated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that the turtles were lawfully bred in Alabama and Georgia,” the U.S. Department of Justice wrote in a press release announcing the arrest. Striped Mud Turtle Care And Breeding Bazaar faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted of the conspiracy and Lacey Act charges and a $250,000 fine. he was under investigation and charged under the USFWS Operation Southern Hot Herps, “a joint federal and state law enforcement operation to detect and deter turtle poachers in the southeastern United States.” <a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Freptilesmagazine.com%2Flouisiana-man-charged-with-trafficking-turtles-ordered-held-in-custody%2F&title=Louisiana%20Man%20Charged%20With%20Trafficking%20Turtles%20Ordered%20Held%20In%20Custody" data-a2a-url="https://reptilesmagazine.com/louisiana-man-charged-with-trafficking-turtles-ordered-held-in-custody/" data-a2a-title="Louisiana Man Charged With Trafficking Turtles Ordered Held In Custody"> The post Louisiana Man Charged With Trafficking Turtles Ordered Held In Custody appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
New Species Of Reed Snake From China Described
According to the researchers, the snake uses its tail as a form of mimicry to confuse predators that the tail is a head. The post New Species Of Reed Snake From China Described appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
Researchers in China have discovered a new species of reed snake in the Calamaria genus. The snake, the Guangxi reed snake (Calamaria incredibilis) was found in Chongzuo and Guilin Cities in Guangxi, China. According to the researchers, the snake uses its tail as a form of mimicry to confuse predators that the tail is actually a head and there are two snakes in the area versus a single snake. The snake goes into a figure 8 position and then raises its blunt and rounded tail to mimic a second head. The Guangxi reed snake differs from all its congeners based on the following morphological characteristics, including “nine enlarged maxillary teeth; rostral higher than wide; prefrontal shorter than frontal and contacting the first two supralabials; mental not in contact with anterior chin shields; dorsal scales in 13–13–13 rows, smooth throughout; a single preocular and postocular; four supralabials, with the 2nd and 3rd ones contacting the eye; five infralabials; six scales surrounding the paraparietal; 170–182 ventrals in males; 21–23 paired subcaudals in males; a relatively short tail (8.2–8.4% of total length in males), thick and nearly cylindrical, gradually tapering to an obtuse point; dorsal coloration brown, seven longitudinal series of interrupted dark brown stripes are visible along the body, extending from behind the collar to the tip of the tail; the margins of the dorsal scales are heavily suffused with black pigment, forming an almost reticulate pattern; the ventral surface yellowish white, with dark brown blotches along the outermost lateral margins; absence of light spots on the dorsal tail.” Calamaria incredibilis is about 8 inches in length and is brown in coloration with seven dark stripes down its back. The head’s ventral surface is yellowish white with irregular dark brown blotches. The dorsal surface of the body is brown in coloration. Mostly nocturnal in nature, the snake eats invertebrates such as earthworms and insect larvae. It lives in leaf litter, rock crevasses and in the soil on the forest floor. The researchers (Shuo Qi, Tan Van Nguyen, Jian Wang, Zhao-Chi Zeng, Jing-Song Shi, Yu-Hao Xu, Han-Ming Song, Zhong Huang, Yun-Ming Mo, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Ying-Yong Wang) say it is mostly docile in nature except when it uses its tail as a “second” head to confuse predators. The complete paper describing the new species “An unexpected discovery of hidden diversity: a new species of the genus Calamaria H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827 (Squamata, Calamariidae) from Guangxi, China” can be read on the Zoosystematics and Evolution journal web page. <a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Freptilesmagazine.com%2Fnew-species-of-reed-snake-from-china-described%2F&title=New%20Species%20Of%20Reed%20Snake%20From%20China%20Described" data-a2a-url="https://reptilesmagazine.com/new-species-of-reed-snake-from-china-described/" data-a2a-title="New Species Of Reed Snake From China Described"> The post New Species Of Reed Snake From China Described appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
New Leopard Gecko Species From India Described
Jhuma’s leopard gecko was first encountered during a herpetofaunal survey in 2021, with three specimens from Parari, which sits outside the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary. The post New Leopard Gecko Species From India Described appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
Researchers in India have described a new species of gecko in the Eublepharis genus. The gecko, Jhuma’s leopard gecko (Eublepharis jhuma sp. nov.) has been described based on three specimens that are morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from its congeners. It is also 6.9 to 7.8% distinct from its closest sister species, E. satpuraensis. It was discovered in the Chota Nagpur Plateau in India. The species was first encountered during a herpetofaunal survey in 2021, with three specimens from Parari, which sits outside the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary. The three specimens were then added to the collection of the Reptilia section of the Zoological Survey of India in Kolkata. The scientists say that there are no confirmed prior records of the genus Eublepharis from Bihar and this is the first documented occurrence of the Eublepharis genus in the state. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-126216" class="wp-image-126216 size-full" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Eublepharis_jhuma-Mohapatra_Ray_Das__Mahapatra1000.jpg" alt="Eublepharis jhuma" width="1000" height="1000" srcset="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Eublepharis_jhuma-Mohapatra_Ray_Das__Mahapatra1000.jpg 1000w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Eublepharis_jhuma-Mohapatra_Ray_Das__Mahapatra1000-400x400.jpg 400w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Eublepharis_jhuma-Mohapatra_Ray_Das__Mahapatra1000-650x650.jpg 650w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Eublepharis_jhuma-Mohapatra_Ray_Das__Mahapatra1000-250x250.jpg 250w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Eublepharis_jhuma-Mohapatra_Ray_Das__Mahapatra1000-768x768.jpg 768w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Eublepharis_jhuma-Mohapatra_Ray_Das__Mahapatra1000-150x150.jpg 150w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Eublepharis_jhuma-Mohapatra_Ray_Das__Mahapatra1000-800x800.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /> Eublepharis jhuma Mohapatra, Ray, A. K. Das, Satrusallya, Jena, Bhupathi, R. Das & Mahapatra. 2026. A+C: The habitat in which the gecko was found. The Jhuma’s leopard gecko has a snout to vent length of 142.2mm. It has 18-22 rows of flat tubercle-like moderately keeled scales that run across the dorsum. These are in conjunction with smaller granular scales, two pale bands between the nuchal loop and caudal constriction, the researcher wrote in their paper. It is a large leopard gecko that features a dark brown dorsum, pale color bands and a mid dorsal light band that starts at the nuchal region of the groin to the bands of the body. The top of the head features a light cream reticulation that extends up the lateral sides. The limbs feature a pale body color and it has whitish spots on the legs. Habitat Jhuma’s leopard gecko is known to inhabit tropical dry deciduous forest ecosystems in the Kaiser range that is isolated from the main sanctuary forest by agricultural fields. All leopard gecko species in India are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act Amendment Act of 2022. Threats to the species include forest fires, habitat loss, pollution, roadkill, and persecution, according to the researchers. The complete paper describing the species, “Description of a morphologically distinct and phylogenetically divergent new species of the leopard gecko in the genus Eublepharis Gray, 1827 (Reptilia, Eublepharidae) from India” can be read on the Herpetozoa website. Zoo Med 40 Gallon ReptiHabitat Naturalistic Enclosure Build For Leopard Geckos <iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" title="“Zoo Med 40 Gallon ReptiHabitat Naturalistic Enclosure Build For Leopard Geckos” — Reptiles Magazine" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/zoo-med-40-gallon-reptihabitat-bioactive-enclosure-build-for-leopard-geckos/embed/#?secret=LsEJlZtXbJ#?secret=h65sLcrD9g" data-secret="h65sLcrD9g" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"> The post New Leopard Gecko Species From India Described appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
More Than 1 Million Houston Toad Tadpoles Released in Texas
Frog & Amphibians Information & News
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department released more than 1 million Houston toad eggs into Bastrop State Park southeast of Austin. The post More Than 1 Million Houston Toad Tadpoles Released in Texas appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced last week that it has released more than 1 million Houston toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis) tadpoles into Bastrop State Park southeast of Austin. The release, in conjunction with the Houston Zoo, Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy (ARC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) took place this spring and is the first year in a renewed push to restore the amphibians into Bastrop State Park. According to the department, the endangered species has been missing from Bastrop State Park for 10 years. They disappeared five years after the 2011 Bastrop County Complex Wildfire. The effort to recover the amphibians reached a milestone this year with the one million eggs released into the park. Previous reintroductions into the park occurred in 2015 and 2019 but were ultimately unsuccessful. “This year, the overall program pivoted to releasing eggs in three sites – two in Bastrop County and one in Milam County,” Matt Lammers, Houston Zoo’s Houston Toad Recovery Coordinator said in a statement announcing the release “Each of these sites is managed a little bit differently. Going forward, we can measure the varying success of these populations to determine what environmental factors are helping them along. Then we can try to replicate the most important of these factors in our other sites and across the state.” Houston Toad Information The Houston toad is 2 to 3.5 inches in length and is light brown to purplish gray to sometimes green and red patched skin. Males have a dark throat. They live primarily on land and aestivate during hot and dry conditions. It was listed as an endangered species in 1970, one of the first animals listed under the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969. This act led to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It was listed due to landscape fragmentation and urban development. Feral hogs, invasive red fire ants and drought in Texas further led to the population decline of the species. They can be found in grassland and forests of loblolly pine and post oak, and in sandy soils that it uses for migration, hibernating and feeding, according to the TPWD. The Great American Turtle Chase <a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Freptilesmagazine.com%2Fmore-than-1-million-houston-toad-eggs-released-in-texas%2F&title=More%20Than%201%20Million%20Houston%20Toad%20Tadpoles%20Released%20in%20Texas" data-a2a-url="https://reptilesmagazine.com/more-than-1-million-houston-toad-eggs-released-in-texas/" data-a2a-title="More Than 1 Million Houston Toad Tadpoles Released in Texas"> The post More Than 1 Million Houston Toad Tadpoles Released in Texas appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
Hyundai Alabama Announces Support for Interactive Gopher Tortoise Exhibit
To be built in conjunction with the Alabama Wildlife Federation, the exhibit will be located at the Alabama Nature Center. The post Hyundai Alabama Announces Support for Interactive Gopher Tortoise Exhibit appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama announced its support for an interactive gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) exhibit with a $50,000 donation to help construct the exhibit. To be built in conjunction with the Alabama Wildlife Federation, the exhibit will be located at the Alabama Nature Center and with enable thousands of students and visitors to learn about the role the gopher tortoise, a keystone species, plays in its local ecosystem. “This investment strengthens our long-standing partnership with AWF and will fund a hands-on, crawl-through exhibit inside the Discovery Hall, giving students and families a unique way to explore Alabama’s longleaf pine ecosystem and learn about the importance of conservation,” HMMA wrote on social media. ﻿ “Since 2009, HMMA has invested annually in our conservation education work at Alabama Nature Center. Cannot thank them enough for that great history of support. This new investment is a game-changer that will yield a great new addition to our Discovery Hall. It’s a big, big deal!!! Thank you HMMA – proud to call you our friends,” the Alabama Nature Center wrote on social media. Gopher Tortoise Information The gopher tortoise is an endangered species in western Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. It is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is considered a keystone species by scientists, due to its burrowing nature, which then helps an estimated 360 other animal species who take advantage of those networks of tunnels. The reptile averages about a foot long and can be found in along the coastal plains of the Southeastern United States, including South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, southern Alabama, Mississippi, and southeastern Louisiana. Gopher tortoises dine primarily on grasses in the wild and can eat beans, corn and most fruit. It is protected throughout its range and requires a permit to keep. Gopher Tortoise Painted Pink, Florida FWC Seeking Culprit <iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" title="“Gopher Tortoise Painted Pink, Florida FWC Seeking Culprit” — Reptiles Magazine" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/gopher-tortoise-painted-pink-florida-fwc-seeking-culprit/embed/#?secret=Cfd21q1X2O#?secret=K7Jnp85EOH" data-secret="K7Jnp85EOH" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"> <a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Freptilesmagazine.com%2Fhyundai-alabama-announces-support-for-interactive-gopher-tortoise-exhibit%2F&title=Hyundai%20Alabama%20Announces%20Support%20for%20Interactive%20Gopher%20Tortoise%20Exhibit" data-a2a-url="https://reptilesmagazine.com/hyundai-alabama-announces-support-for-interactive-gopher-tortoise-exhibit/" data-a2a-title="Hyundai Alabama Announces Support for Interactive Gopher Tortoise Exhibit"> The post Hyundai Alabama Announces Support for Interactive Gopher Tortoise Exhibit appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
Ibiza Wall Lizards Decline Due To Invasive Horseshoe Whip Snake Predation
According to researchers, the wall lizard represents more than half the diet of the snake, and due to this, the lizard has been reclassified as Endangered by the IUCN. The post Ibiza Wall Lizards Decline Due To Invasive Horseshoe Whip Snake Predation appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
The Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis), one of the most colorful lizard species in the world, has been negatively impacted on its island homes of Ibiza and Formentera in the Mediterranean Sea. This is due to the horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis), an introduced species (likely via imported olive trees) that is preying on the wall lizard. According to researchers, the Ibiza wall lizard represents more than half the diet of the snake, and due to this, the lizard has been reclassified as Endangered by the IUCN. Culling of more than 12,000 of these invasive snakes since 2016 hasn’t stopped the spread of the species across the main island of Ibiza, and in fact, the population of the snake has accelerated, leading to a more rapid decline of the iconic lizard. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-126203" class="wp-image-126203 size-full" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Horseshoe-whip-snake.jpg" alt="Horseshoe whip snake Ibiza wall lizard" width="507" height="666" srcset="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Horseshoe-whip-snake.jpg 507w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Horseshoe-whip-snake-400x525.jpg 400w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Horseshoe-whip-snake-250x328.jpg 250w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Horseshoe-whip-snake-150x197.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 507px) 100vw, 507px" /> Horseshoe whip snake swimming in open water off the coast of Ibiza, displaying the same behavior observed during the colonization of Santa Eulària islet. (C) A close-up of the invasive snake. (D) An individual from the now-extirpated Ibiza wall lizard population on Santa Eulària islet. This image might be the last picture taken of an individual belonging to this evolutionary significant unit. Photo credits: A, B—Rubén Casas; C—Guillem Casbas; D—Roberto García-Roa. Scientists initially had thought that small populations of the Ibiza wall lizard living on surrounding islets were considered safe from predation, but that is no longer the case. Researchers in April 2024 discovered, during a routine marine bird nesting and monitoring campaign, a horseshoe whip snake swimming from the main island toward the islet and reaching it. This interaction was captured on video, and a second interaction was also observed and photographed showing the invasive snake exhibiting open sea swimming behavior. A third snake was found on the islet. That snake was captured and euthanized. This isn’t the first instance of the snake on the islet. In September 2023, 12 snake traps were deployed on the islet with active monitoring. From the time of the installation of the traps to May 2025, 58 snakes were captured either via hand or via the traps. Santa Eulària islet is only 4.67 hectares. This puts the estimated density of the snake at 12.4 snakes per hectare. The researchers in 2023 then conducted surveys to determine the abundance of the wall lizard. They observed only two lizards September 28, 2023 and one lizard October 4, 2023. Contrast this with a 2016 census where 72 lizards were found along an 869 meter transect on the same islet. This suggests the population was abundant 10 years ago. Eleven more visits were made between October 2023 and May 2025 and zero lizards were observed. The population on Santa Eulària is now considered completely extirpated. The complete paper, Swimming snakes wipe out endemic lizards from Mediterranean islets” can be read on the Ecology Society of America website. Ibiza Island Wall Lizard Devastated By Invasive Snake <iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" title="“Ibiza Island Wall Lizard Devastated By Invasive Snake” — Reptiles Magazine" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/ibiza-island-wall-lizard-devastated-by-invasive-snake/embed/#?secret=WiapI5903U#?secret=0ugNfZb1pG" data-secret="0ugNfZb1pG" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"> <a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Freptilesmagazine.com%2Fibiza-wall-lizards-decline-due-to-horseshoe-whip-snake%2F&title=Ibiza%20Wall%20Lizards%20Decline%20Due%20To%20Invasive%20Horseshoe%20Whip%20Snake%20Predation" data-a2a-url="https://reptilesmagazine.com/ibiza-wall-lizards-decline-due-to-horseshoe-whip-snake/" data-a2a-title="Ibiza Wall Lizards Decline Due To Invasive Horseshoe Whip Snake Predation"> The post Ibiza Wall Lizards Decline Due To Invasive Horseshoe Whip Snake Predation appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
New Goniurosaurus Cave Gecko Species Discovered in China
Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni sp. nov. is from the karst region of northern Guanxi, China. The post New Goniurosaurus Cave Gecko Species Discovered in China appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
Researchers in China have discovered a new species of gecko from the Goniurosaurus genus. The lizard, Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni was collected during field surveys in 2025 in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China. The rock-dwelling lizard is known to feed on a diverse selection of small invertebrate prey items that come out at night. The gecko features a head, body and limbs that are orange and brown in coloration on its dorsum with dense and irregular black blotches. Its tail has white and black striped patterns and its irises are orange. It is a unique species in the G. lichtenfelderi group in that it has a more slender body and limbs and a larger number of sub digital lamellae under its first fingers. It also features a broader black band anterior or posterior and three pale-yellow body bands. It has a snout to vent length of 9.2 to 10.9 cm, or 3.6 yo 4.2 inches in length. With the tail, the lizard measures between 14-19cm or 5.5 to 7.5 inches in length. This puts it into similar size ranges as other cave geckos. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-126199" class="wp-image-126199 size-full" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Goniurosaurus_wuzhengjuni.jpg" alt="Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni" width="1000" height="654" srcset="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Goniurosaurus_wuzhengjuni.jpg 1000w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Goniurosaurus_wuzhengjuni-400x262.jpg 400w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Goniurosaurus_wuzhengjuni-650x425.jpg 650w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Goniurosaurus_wuzhengjuni-250x164.jpg 250w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Goniurosaurus_wuzhengjuni-768x502.jpg 768w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Goniurosaurus_wuzhengjuni-150x98.jpg 150w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Goniurosaurus_wuzhengjuni-800x523.jpg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /> Photograph of Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni sp. nov. from Guangxi, China in live. A. Adult male (Holotype, GXNU2025101603); B. Adult female (Paratype, GXNU2025090812); C. Adult female (Paratype, GXNU2025101601); D. Adult female (Paratype, GXNU2025101602). (Photos by Zening Chen and Hanzhang Cai). Location Goniurosaurus wuzhengjuni sp. nov. is from the karst region of northern Guanxi, China. It was found at elevations ranging from 280 to 351 meters above sea level in areas that feature dense arborous vegetation. It is a nocturnal species and was found often on limestone surfaces near roadside slopes. It was also found around limestone accumulations at cave entrances. The complete paper describing the new species, “A new species of Goniurosaurus (Sauria, Gekkota, Eublepharidae) from Guangxi, China,” can be read on the Zoosystematics and Evolution website. Keeping And Breeding Goniurosaurus Cave Geckos <iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" title="“Keeping And Breeding Goniurosaurus Cave Geckos” — Reptiles Magazine" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/keeping-and-breeding-goniurosaurus-cave-geckos/embed/#?secret=KxaPyTphQi#?secret=JDWwLLtarz" data-secret="JDWwLLtarz" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"> <a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Freptilesmagazine.com%2Fnew-goniurosaurus-cave-gecko-species-discovered-in-china%2F&title=New%20Goniurosaurus%20Cave%20Gecko%20Species%20Discovered%20in%20China" data-a2a-url="https://reptilesmagazine.com/new-goniurosaurus-cave-gecko-species-discovered-in-china/" data-a2a-title="New Goniurosaurus Cave Gecko Species Discovered in China"> The post New Goniurosaurus Cave Gecko Species Discovered in China appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
Formosan Legless Lizard Dopasia formosensis Is Distinct Species
For many years, science has described a single legless lizard living on the island nation of Taiwan. Classified as Dopasia harti, the reptile was considered a single species due to the loss of the original Dopasia formosensis type specimen after World War II. The post Formosan Legless Lizard Dopasia formosensis Is Distinct Species appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
And then there were two. For many years, science has described a single legless lizard living on the island nation of Taiwan. Classified as Dopasia harti, the reptile was considered a single species due to the loss of the original Dopasia formosensis type specimen after World War II. The scientists from National Taiwan Normal University stabilized the identity of the species to re-establish it as distinct from D. harti by designating it a neotype, or a new type specimen that is selected to replace the original type specimen that was lost or destroyed. First There Were Two The two legless lizards were described as two species until 2003, when scientists synonymized the two species because they couldn’t define any consistent molecular or scalation differences. They also interpreted the presence or absence of the bluish blotches as sexual dichromatism. Due to the fact that D. harti from its original location (Fujian province) where it was first described was not studied in the research, and the original data of D. formosensis was lost, the use of these names in Taiwanese populations remained uncertain, until now. The researchers designated a neotype of D. formosensis and published a detailed rediscription based on the vouchered specimens from Taiwan. The updated data includes “standardized morphometric and meristic datasets, including X-ray–based vertebral counts, and generate new mitochondrial sequences to document genetic variation.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-126193" class="wp-image-126193 size-full" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/formoson-legless-lizard.jpg" alt="Dopasia formosensis" width="1000" height="1462" srcset="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/formoson-legless-lizard.jpg 1000w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/formoson-legless-lizard-400x585.jpg 400w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/formoson-legless-lizard-650x950.jpg 650w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/formoson-legless-lizard-250x366.jpg 250w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/formoson-legless-lizard-768x1123.jpg 768w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/formoson-legless-lizard-150x219.jpg 150w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/formoson-legless-lizard-800x1170.jpg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /> Dopasia formosensis in natural habitat. A. A fully mature adult male showing its dorsal bluish marking; B. A relatively younger male; C. A young individual with pale brown dorsal coloration and sharply contrasting black ventral surface. Photographed by Y-JL. The researchers made their observations with the assistance of citizen science data. They used the Taiwan Roadkill Observation Network to obtain information to make their assessments. One notable clarification has to do with the color of the lizard. It was previously thought that the bright blue spots present on the lizard indicated a different species than those without them. The markings, however, were a form of sexual dichromatism. Females lacked the blue markings and were only present on males. Notable traits with this species is the females provide a level of parental care to the eggs, guarding the clutch from predators and external hazards until the offspring hatch. The males offer up an interesting fighting behavior whereby they circle each other with their mouths open, their throats flattened and their forebodes elevated. This moves on to physical combat that includes biting and rolling as each attempts to subdue the other. Six Legless Lizards Formosan Legless Lizard Information The Formosan legless lizard lives under leaf litter and humus in forests that are moist. Because they live in this type of environment, hidden away, field observations and the study of this species is not easy, the researchers said. It feeds on earthworms, slugs and snails, insect larvae and soft-bodied insects such as ants and termites. The paper with the redescription data, “Redescription and neotype designation of Dopasia formosensis (Kishida, 1930) (Squamata, Anguidae) from Taiwan” can be read on the ZooKeys Journal website. <a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Freptilesmagazine.com%2Fformosan-legless-lizard-dopasia-formosensis-is-distinct-species%2F&title=Formosan%20Legless%20Lizard%20Dopasia%20formosensis%20Is%20Distinct%20Species" data-a2a-url="https://reptilesmagazine.com/formosan-legless-lizard-dopasia-formosensis-is-distinct-species/" data-a2a-title="Formosan Legless Lizard Dopasia formosensis Is Distinct Species"> The post Formosan Legless Lizard Dopasia formosensis Is Distinct Species appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
The desert iguana is a medium-sized, well-proportioned reptile with developed legs, expressive eyes, and large ear openings. The post Desert Iguana Natural History And Care appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
Desert iguanas (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) are medium-sized, long-tailed lizards in the Iguanidae family. As their name implies, they thrive in the desert climates of the southwest United States and northwest Mexico. Despite an ideal temperament and size for captivity, desert iguanas are uncommon pets and can be difficult to find at pet shops or other reptile dealers. Plus, certain jurisdictions restrict collection of this animal, so seek out captive breeders of the species. Care requirements are slightly more intensive than more common lizards: they require very high temperatures in excess of 33º C (90º F) and a deep, sandy substrate, as well as a varied vegetable diet to both hydrate and provide proper nutrients. They make wonderful, long-lived pets given proper care. As of this article, my desert iguana, Zak, is about to celebrate his 18th birthday. Desert Iguana Natural History The desert iguana is a medium-sized, well-proportioned reptile with developed legs, expressive eyes, and large ear openings. Their legs and bellies are naturally cream colored but often dirtied tan by incessant burrowing, and their backs and sides are covered with a distinct brown pattern. This dorsum coloring will become darker in shade and lighten during prolonged basking. They reach an average 40 cm (16 in) in length, but can grow up to two feet including a long tail which is more than half their length. Hatchlings measure 4.5 to 5.5 inches in total. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-126185" class="wp-image-126185 size-full" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert-iguana.jpg" alt="Desert iguana" width="1000" height="984" srcset="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert-iguana.jpg 1000w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert-iguana-400x394.jpg 400w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert-iguana-650x640.jpg 650w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert-iguana-250x246.jpg 250w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert-iguana-768x756.jpg 768w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert-iguana-150x148.jpg 150w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert-iguana-800x787.jpg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /> Zak at 18.Photo by Andrew Cohen Males and females are very difficult to tell apart. During the breeding season, both sexes become pinkish ventrally. Males have enlarged femoral cones during these months, found as pale spikes on the inside of the thighs. The expected lifespan of a wild desert iguana is around seven years. The relative scarcity of desert iguanas in captivity makes guesswork of their true longevity. The average lifespan of similar lizards is 10 to 12 years; one captured desert iguana lived to over 14 years in captivity; personal experience suggests maximum lifespan exceeds 18 years. Taxonomy The desert iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis, belongs to the Iguanidae family, a group of lizards including chuckwallas and the ubiquitous green iguana. The genus name Dipsosaurus comes from the Greek word dipsa (δίψα) for “thirsty,” meaning “thirsty lizard.” Desert iguanas are the only lizards native to the U.S. with an enlarged dorsal spine, a row of spiked scales forming a crest down the lizard’s back. The species name, dorsalis, comes from the Latin word dorsum, meaning “spike.” Genetic analysis suggests that Dipsosaurus is the basal extant member of Iguanidae, meaning it is the oldest evolutionary line of iguanids. Habitat Desert iguanas prefer dry and sandy climates, native to the scrublands of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Their population significantly overlaps the range of the creosote bush, whose flower is an important part of the iguana’s diet. The lizards are tolerant of extreme heat, foraging and exploring at temperatures reaching 40ºC (104º F) when most other desert animals have retreated to the shade. At higher temperatures, even the desert iguana will seek shade or a burrow. They dig extensively in the sandy substrate beneath desert shrubs like the creosote. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-126186" class="wp-image-126186 size-full" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert5.jpg" alt="Desert iguana" width="1000" height="1333" srcset="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert5.jpg 1000w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert5-400x533.jpg 400w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert5-650x866.jpg 650w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert5-250x333.jpg 250w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert5-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert5-150x200.jpg 150w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert5-800x1066.jpg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /> A portrait of Zak in the author’s room. Photo by Andrew Cohen In Captivity Obtaining a Desert Iguana Desert iguanas are fairly uncommon in the pet trade, and are not readily available at most pet shops. Your best bets are finding an online listing or getting lucky at a reptile expo. They can also be collected legally in some states: refer to the bag limits and permit laws here. The best time to find desert iguanas are the warm, daylight summer hours just before and after the hottest time of day. Caging The proper caging of a desert iguana, including size, heat, lighting, and substrate, is absolutely essential to its health. One or two lizards may be kept in a 3 ft x 2 ft terrarium at minimum, with enough height to support climbing and burrowing. A 4’x 2’x 2” is ideal. Desert iguanas are very curious, and should be placed in an active viewing area with plenty to observe outside the cage. Consequently, they will rub their noses against and attempt to climb the walls of the cage, so glass is preferred over scratchable plastic. Do not place desert iguanas in screened enclosures, as their long nails become easily stuck and may break their toes. Desert iguanas can be kept in groupings larger than pairs, but require significantly larger housings (>16 sq ft) and no more than one male per enclosure. Heat and lighting are the two most intensive and important factors in housing a desert iguana. Daytime temperatures around 35º C (95º F) and UVB lighting are key to digestion, and bright light supports growth and the immune system. The desert iguana is a Zone 4 reptile on the Ferguson Zone scale for UVB. The UV index should be 6.0 to 8.0 on the basking spot. Use a T5 HO 10-12% UVB tube with the basking spot 10-14 inches below the bulb. Arrange a heating setup with a heat/UV lamp above the basking area inside a reflective cone to focus the heat. Generally, the heat source should be 12 to 14 inches from the basking area, but it depends on the brand and wattage. The rest of the cage should be illuminated with a bright light or glow lamp during daytime hours, and turned off during the night; a good day/night cycle promotes normal behavior, faster growth, and overall health in diurnal lizards. If a desert iguana is frequently awake at night, it may indicate something is uncomfortable with its current enclosure. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-126183" class="wp-image-126183 size-full" src="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert__iguana.jpg" alt="Desert iguana" width="1000" height="1325" srcset="https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert__iguana.jpg 1000w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert__iguana-400x530.jpg 400w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert__iguana-650x861.jpg 650w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert__iguana-250x331.jpg 250w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert__iguana-768x1018.jpg 768w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert__iguana-150x199.jpg 150w, https://reptilesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/desert__iguana-800x1060.jpg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /> Zak. Photo by Andrew Cohen The cage should be filled with about 8 to 10 inches of sandy substrate, decorated with objects to encourage healthy behaviors. Almost any sandy substance will do; calcium sand is digestible but some claim unsafe for reptiles, clean quartz sand is ideal (personally, calcium sand has never caused issues for my desert iguana). Clean the sand about once a month with a filtered scooper, and replace it when it gets dirty. Desert iguanas, again, love to climb and burrow, so add small branches, shells, and basking rocks to the terrarium. Desert lizards do well with low humidity, so misting the cage is not necessary but may be done rarely if the substrate is too dry for burrowing. If nothing else, make sure there are areas in which the iguana can move to escape heat and direct light. Diet Desert iguanas are primarily herbivorous. In the wild, they eat leaves and flowers from desert shrubs with occasional insects as a supplement. Captive diets can be much more varied. Desert iguanas will eat a large variety of fruits and vegetables, including berries, grapes, tomatoes, sweet peppers, corn, squash, collard greens, and small nuts. Importantly, dice these foods to the appropriate size for your iguana’s small mouth. In my experience, finding new foods for my iguana to try was great fun, and he has clear favorites (squash and cucumber flowers, and garden raspberries). However, some foods like avocados and eggplant are bad for lizards, as are high quantities of spinach or kale. While a dish of fresh water should be supplied at all times, desert iguanas very rarely drink directly to hydrate. Moist, leafy greens are great to include as a means for hydration, but should not be relied on for nutrients. They do not need supplements, including insects, if varied vegetable matter is supplied. They will also not overeat, so old excess food should be replaced daily. Behavior Desert iguanas are very docile animals and can become very accustomed to handling or eating out of one’s hand. Handling your lizard frequently, especially when young, will make them even friendlier. They enjoy being lifted from beneath, not enclosed, and are cautious about their delicate limbs and tail. Reptile behavior is linked to temperature, and very warm iguanas will be alert and quick. A sluggish lizard is likely too cold. Wild, frightened, and/or warm individuals can bite, but very rarely. More likely, they will run away suddenly and quickly. Desert iguanas are very fast sprinters, and will be difficult to catch if loose. Your lizard will love being taken outside, but keep an eye on them at all times for this reason. Desert iguanas shed about once a month, more or less frequently with age. The dead skin can be removed when cleaning the cage, and you must never pull the skin directly to try and remove it. This can damage the skin underneath. For very old or dry lizards, a bit of moisture and tweezers can be used to carefully and slowly remove shed skin stuck to the nose or ear holes. Desert iguanas will dig, and move around items in their cage. Food and water will be covered with sand unless they are in raised containers. A fun game when cleaning sand, or anytime: move all the sand to one side of the cage, and leave the rest barely covered. Your iguana will spread the sand evenly across the floor within the day. Health Concerns Of the health issues that any reptile may face, a few are more common with desert iguanas. In particular, metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a common issue for all iguanas with a calcium deficiency. Dietary issues (too much spinach) or improper lighting are common factors, and the disease can be fatal. Look for muscle twitching and general illness. Desert iguanas are generally hardy, but have fragile extremities. In an unsafe terrarium, desert iguanas may break their nails or toes. They can drop their tails, but only do so under extreme duress. The tail will not always grow back, depending on the iguana’s age and health. Breeding Fair warning: I have not bred the desert iguana myself, but know people who do: Breeding any reptile can be a challenge, and requires time and space to do properly. Breeding desert iguanas is not recommended for novice reptile keepers, but is possible with the proper expertise. An excellent terrarium is essential, as lizards will only breed in ideal conditions with low stress. In particular, desert iguanas require a deposition site for eggs with soil that is moist and at a temperature between 30ºC and 38ºC (85ºF and 100ºF). A female will lay up to eight eggs, which take 60 to 75 days to hatch depending on incubation temperature. Hatchlings are around 4.5 to 5.5 inches total, growing quickly and reaching maturity at about 33 months. They can be housed together but males must be separated after a few months. References: Hulse, A.C. 1992. Dipsosaurus dorsalis. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles 542: 1-6. Sprackland, Robert. 2010. Pocket Expert Guide to Lizards: 300+ Essential Species. TFH Publications, Neptune, NJ. Stebbins, R.C. 2003. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA. Sprackland, Robert. 2014. Desert Iguana Care Sheet. @ 2023 Reptiles Magazine Malone, C. L., Reynoso, V. H., & Buckley, L. (2017). Never judge an iguana by its spines: Systematics of the Yucatan spiny tailed iguana, Ctenosaura defensor (cope, 1866). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 115, 27–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2017.07.010 The post Desert Iguana Natural History And Care appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
New Species of Glass Frog From Ecuador Named After Olympic Champion Neisi Dajomes
A unique aspect of this particular frog is the fact that it hides several of its organs with bright white tissue. The post New Species of Glass Frog From Ecuador Named After Olympic Champion Neisi Dajomes appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.
A new species of glass frog that was newly identified by researchers has been named after Ecuadorian Olympic champion Neisi Dajomes. Dajomes an Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in the 76kg weightlifting event. The glass frog, Nymphargus dajomesae, was found in the El Quimi reserve about three miles from farmland and four miles from a large mine. More active at night, the glassfrogs were found to be perched on leaves that were two to six feet above streams. A unique aspect of this particular frog is the fact that it hides several of its organs with bright white tissue. Most glass frog species have transparent undersides, with the organs in wide display. The bright tissues are reflective and are known scientifically as iridophores. These are tiny, light bouncing structures that hide the frog’s heart, esophagus, stomach and kidneys. Contrast this with the plain green coloration on its dorsum, complete with a pebbly like skin structure and yellow fingers. This separates it from its relatives. The complete paper, A secret from a hidden world: A new glassfrog of the genus Nymphargus (Anura: Centrolenidae) from Cordillera del Cóndor, Ecuador” can be read in the PLOS One Journal. <a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Freptilesmagazine.com%2Fnew-species-of-glass-frog-from-ecuador-named-after-olympic-champion-neisi-dajomes%2F&title=New%20Species%20of%20Glass%20Frog%20From%20Ecuador%20Named%20After%20Olympic%20Champion%20Neisi%20Dajomes" data-a2a-url="https://reptilesmagazine.com/new-species-of-glass-frog-from-ecuador-named-after-olympic-champion-neisi-dajomes/" data-a2a-title="New Species of Glass Frog From Ecuador Named After Olympic Champion Neisi Dajomes"> The post New Species of Glass Frog From Ecuador Named After Olympic Champion Neisi Dajomes appeared first on Reptiles Magazine.