The Horny Toad, is quite a misleading name for an animal that, despite their appearance, is neither a toad, or even an amphibian. They are often mistaken for toads however, due to their flattened, rounded bodies. They are also known as the Horned Lizard, which is more accurate, … [Read more...]
Hognose Snakes – Theatrical Flair And A Distinctive Snout
Hognose snakes are snakes that are recognized for their distinct upturned snouts, and exist within two distinct families within the Serpentes suborder. These families are Colubridae and Pseudoxyrhophiidae. Not all snakes within these families are Hognose Snakes. In fact, of the … [Read more...]
Garter Snakes – From Gardens to Wetlands to Household Pets
Garter Snakes, are small snakes that make up the genus 'Thamnophis', in the subfamily Natricinae. Within the genus, there are around 37 species and over 50 subspecies. The most numerous is the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) which has 13 subspecies across their … [Read more...]
Iguana – Understanding The Species, Their Features And Habitats
These fascinating reptiles have captured the imagination of generations, with their dragon-like appearance and intriguing behaviours. Scientifically known as Iguana, they belong to the genus 'Iguana' within the larger 'Iguanidae' family. This family is a vast and varied group, … [Read more...]
The Chameleon – Masters Of Adaption
Chameleons are truly one of the finer examples of the wonder of nature. All chameleons belong within the lineage of the family Chamaeleonidae, and they come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours.Within this family there is one subfamily Brookesiinae and between them both … [Read more...]
Gaboon Viper – The Snake with the Longest Fangs
The Gaboon Viper, known scientifically as Bitis gabonica, is a captivating inhabitant of the African rainforests and savannah. It belongs to the genus Bitis, which is home to a diverse range of 18 different viper species across most of Sub Saharan Africa and the southern coastal … [Read more...]
Leopard Tortoise
The leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) is a large tortoise found in the savannas of eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan to the southern Cape. This tortoise is named after its interesting and attractive shell markings, which often resemble the pattern of a … [Read more...]
Cottonmouth Snakes
Also Known As Water Moccasins - Fascinating Facts & Information About Water MoccasinsThe cottonmouth snake (Agkistrodon piscivorus), also known as Water Moccasins, is a species of pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. Native to the southeastern … [Read more...]
Sand Lizard
The sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) is a small, rare lizard that is found in Europe and Asia. The word “lacerta” derives from Latin meaning lizard, while “agilis” is also Latin, meaning mobile, swift or agile. Sand lizards are the only member of their family and are sometimes called … [Read more...]
Broad-Snouted Caimans
The Broad-Snouted Caiman (Caiman latirostris) has a distribution range including: Argentina (north), Bolivia, Brazil (southeast), Paraguay and Uruguay. The Broad-Snouted Caiman is a highly aquatic species which is found primarily in mangroves, marshes and swamps (freshwater and … [Read more...]