Snakes

Snakes are feature care articles and other information regarding the family of serpents.

Royal Pythons The true kings of the vivarium

This entry was posted in Pythons Reptile Health Reptiles Snake Care Snakes and tagged Ball Python herpetoculture herpetoculturist John F Taylor Reptile Author python pythonidae reptile reptile blog Reptiles Reptilia Magazine royal python snake Snakes on by

Python regius Royal Pythons are compact thick bodied snakes which are found throughout the African continent south of the 15˚ longitudinal line. The average sized P. regius will achieve a maximum length of 4 ft with the occasional large female reaching lengths of 6 ft. Almost all Pythons have pitted labial scales which are extremely sensitive to temperature variation. Whether these are used for hunting as in the Viperidae is unclear scientifically but, from personal observations in my own snakes I am inclined to believe that they are indeed used for just such a purpose.

Field Herping: Anza Borrego – Lone Desert Highway

This entry was posted in Field Herping Lizards Reptiles Scorpion Care Slideshows Snakes Venom and tagged Anza Borrego Barefoot Gecko Border Patrol Chionactis occipitalis Coleonyx Coleonyx switaki Coleonyx variegatus variegatus Colorado Desert Sidewinder Crotalus cerastes laterorepens Desert Banded GeckoColeonyx variegatus variegatus Field Herping gecko Geckos Kingsnake kingsnakes Lampropeltis getula Leopard Gecko Lizards Rattlesnake road cruising Scissors Crossing Snakes venom Western Shovel-nosed snake Chionactis occipitalisWestern Shovel-nosed snake on by

About this time, I am thinking that we should be encountering the Desert Banded Gecko C.v.variegatus that we had originally come out for. My family and I were about to leave the desert for the night and head back home for some rest, happy, but still disappointed we had not seen our target species. It was at this time that I noticed a vehicle following us. Now in case anyone is unaware, it is illegal to collect anything in most state parks. My family and I are aware of this and do not collect, but simply go and photograph those species that we are searching for.

Poisonous Snakes and Science!

This entry was posted in Amphibians Field Herping Lizards News Reptiles Snakes Venom and tagged amphibia Amphibian Amphibians and Reptiles Hall at the National Museum of Natural History Are LD50 studies accurate? Bulgaria bulgaria amphibians Bulgaria Museum Bulgaria Reptiles genus John F Taylor John F Taylor Author John F Taylor Reptile Author LD50 study lizard Lizards Poison Arrow Frog Poison Dart Frog Poison Frog reptile Reptiles reptilia Science Sofia species toxin venom venomous venomous animal what is LD50 study what's an LD50 Study on by

As I stated earlier in my Venom overview piece there is a large difference between Venom and Poison. This is a fact which the reporter failed to look into as they state “poisonous species of amphibians and reptiles inhabiting Bulgaria” and “Sofia presents the most interesting poisonous snakes.” There are NO poisonous snakes never have been and most likely never will. They then make a statement referring to data regarding the lethal dose for humans. For those who are unaware this is typically attributed to what is known as the LD50 study which means exactly this. A toxin is given to a certain amount of lab animals typically mice when it comes to snake venom. When enough toxin is injected to cause a 50% death rate you get the LD50 result.