Herpetological Highlights

Big brains are very useful, but they cost ENERGY and RESOURCES, at least for mammals and birds. Now a new study has shed light on what determines whether reptiles and amphibian species have evolved to be clever, or nice but dim. We also discuss cannibalism by snakes, which is actually pretty common albeit difficult to document due to their secretive lifestyles. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreo...

This week we delve into the evolutionary history of a fascinating little salamander from North America: the cascade torrent salamander. Volcanoes and flooding have shaped this species' history over the last 15 million years, but they remain steadfast. Then we chat about some newly described frogs from Ecuador. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.co...

This week we're diving into two reptile papers: the first is about desert lizards being secret nutritional strategists, timing what they eat across the year to nail mating season and prep for hibernation. Then we stumble into the chaotic world of rattlesnake seed dispersal, where a snake eats a rodent that ate a seed, and thanks to the snake, a tree grows. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com...

Bradykinin is a hormone that is released naturally in response to tissue damage, so if you hurt yourself, it makes it hurt. Quite a few animals from wildly different evolutionary histories have defensive toxins which are fake copies of this hormone. We discover which animals have them, when these defences evolved, and ultimately, how they are used for defence.  For our Species of the Bi-Week there...

Invasive species are well known to damage ecosystems by directly eating other animals and disrupting the food chain. But their impacts can go much deeper, as a new study about seed dispersal by pythons and tegus in the Everglades has shown - they may be contributing to the destruction of rare and unusual habitats. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubbl...

Pitvipers of the genus Bothrops are famed for their camouflage and for being deadly ambush predators. New insights from snake CCTV have revealed that these snakes can only really catch and eat animals who can't spot them hiding in the leaf litter, and it's bad news for our furry friends. Then we chat about a jazzy new species of newt described from central China.  Become a Patreon: https://www.pat...

Mimic poison frogs are utterly amazing, famous for mimicking multiple different frog species, and like other dart frogs they demonstrate bi-parental care where both male and female frogs team up to look after the young. What we didn't know was how flexible these parental roles are - can females step in to move tadpoles when males start slacking, and what triggers them to do so? It turns out they c...

Chinese conservationists have worked hard to protect the critically endangered Chinese alligator, creating new habitats for them after significant alterations made most of their Yangtze River home unsuitable. Thanks to the power of GPS technology, we now have some fascinating insights into how they are using the wetlands they are being reintroduced to, and it's mixed news. We follow that chat up w...

Common knowledge suggests that albino animals are rare in the wild because they stick out like a sore thumb and get eaten by predators, but studies supporting this are relatively scarce. Now, researchers from Australia have discovered that the drawbacks of albinism are not limited to their obvious appearance. Even better, they used our old friends cane toads to prove it. Become a Patreon: https://...

New methods in antivenom technology may yield a treatment that works on most of the cobras in Africa, thanks to the blood of alpacas and some very clever scientists. Then we follow up with two new species of sleepyhead snake from Venezuala. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http:/...

Urban areas represent both opportunities and risks for animals, and they adapt their behaviour in many ways to cope with this fast-paced lifestyle. Now, a new study has detailed how urban wall lizards in Croatia have richer social lives than their rural counterparts. Then we chat about a listener-submitted story detailing wild lizards eating pizza. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphig...

Research from Asian geckos generally suggests that sticky pads are used for smooth surfaces, while claws help grip onto rougher surfaces like wood and rocks. But a new study using Australian geckos is has turned that paradigm upside-down. Then we talk about a brand new species of frog described from the mountains of central China. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: htt...

Toads continue to amaze us - this time they are using their sense of the Earth's magnetic field to find their way home. But how important this sense is for cane toads as they travel home from long journeys, and how much are they relying on their sense of smell, was a mystery, until a clever new study tested the toads. Then we briefly touch on how pythons digest bones so successfully. Main Paper Re...

We recap some of our recent travels, and then chat about bearded dragons. A new study shows that these lizards are making decisions about how they maintain their body temperature, and this has a knock-on effect on how well they perform during their daily lives. Being cold-blooded is complicated. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphi...

In this episode we are talking chameleons, one of nature's most famous colour changers. But despite their famous status, very few studies have actually demonstrated that they can change colour under controlled conditions. Research led by our very own Tom Major has shown that flap-necked chameleons from Tanzania are capable of changing their colour, and brightness, to match their surroundings and e...

The minds of reptiles remain largely mysterious to us, and we often wonder what kind of emotions they are capable of feeling. In this episode we dig into a new study which tries to uncover some of the mysteries of tortoise cognition, particularly whether they can experience different moods. We follow that up with a newly described species of lizard from the rocky deserts of Arabia. Main Paper Refe...

A monumental new study has addressed the likely impacts of climate change on the activity of desert lizards in Africa and Australia. Hotter temperatures will likely ‘squeeze’ the activity window of some lizards, especially those active during the day. We chat about the ramifications of this paper, before turning to news of dogs being attacked by anacondas. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com...

Bats have famously good hearing, and fringe-lipped bats in Panama have tuned theirs to listen out for frogs calling out for mates. But these bats are quite particular about which amphibians they eat. New research has revealed that bats have to learn these skills, as the youngsters have way less idea which frogs they can safely tackle. We finish off talking about a newly described skink from urban...

New research suggests that tokay geckos can distinguish between different people, shedding further light on the intelligence of lizards. We delve into this study and voice warranted concerns about the intelligence of these little maniacs. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://w...

Almost all pythons and some boas have heat pits on their faces. This extraordinary adaptation lets these snakes 'see' the heat signature of their unsuspecting prey. A new study has determined the evolutionary history of these amazing attributes, and worked out whether they are more prevalent in snakes with certain lifestyles. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://...

Day geckos and certain plants share a long evolutionary history, with day geckos feasting on nectar and in return pollinating plants. A study from back in the mid 2000s proved this neatly, and we delve into it this episode. After that, we have a snake eating somebody's underwear, and a very novel new method for controlling invasive cane toads in Australia. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com...

A new study has proven that ancient iguanas rafted over sea all the way from North America to Fiji, a staggering 8,000 km away. We discuss this epic voyage, and then turn our attention to a colourful new species of wolf snake from Myanmar.  Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http:/...

Are rare meadow vipers under threat from the world’s smoothest snake? We find out, then we chat about why asp vipers come in different colours.  Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Wenner B, Móré A, Radovics D, Bancsik B,...

This episode is all about the problems rattlesnakes face in the wild. A brilliant new study uncovers whether predatory birds in America are resistant to the toxins of the rattlesnakes they eat, and then we talk about how rattlesnakes deal with the problem of getting water in dry environments. Finally, a beautiful new species of pitviper has been described from Thailand. Become a Patreon: https://w...

Some tree-dwelling salamanders have a remarkable ability to ‘sky-dive’, controlling their descent after leaping away from predators. New research tests the gliding ability of a number of different species, and finds that some are more adept than others. We follow up with a brand new frog species described from Kangaroo Island, Australia.  Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Me...