Reptiles are a diverse group of animals, and some of them have truly bizarre and fascinating characteristics – here are a few of the weirdest reptiles on the planet. Weirdest reptiles in the world Green basilisk A lizard that can run on water? Meet the Green basilisk – also known as the ‘Jesus Christ lizard’ […]
Tag: Komodo Dragon
“They can deliver an agonising bite and its venom attacks the nervous system, causing severe pain and a drop in blood pressure…”
Named after the Arizona Gila River basin, where they were first discovered, Gila (pronounced hee-lah) monsters are one of only a small number of venomous reptiles and the largest lizards in the USA. The largest lizard in the world is the komodo dragon Gila monsters have a frightening reputation, says Jo Price, especially in local folklore, […]
“Swarms attack and dismember anything in their path, piece by piece…” 10 brutal and savage animals that can kill and devour prey twice their size
When it comes to survival in the animal kingdom, size isn’t always the determining factor. Some creatures possess such incredible strength, cunning or venom that they can take down prey twice their size. Here are 10 formidable animals that can overcome much larger adversaries, from the majestic tiger and remarkable Komodo dragon, to the bat-hunting giant centipede and even a beetle larva that […]
7 weirdest lizards on the planet: These reptiles are so strange they could be from a sci-fi movie – except every one of them is 100% real
Think lizards are boring sunbathers with scales? Think again. From colour-changing chameleons with swivelling eyes to a real-life ‘flying dragon‘ that glides through the air, these bizarre reptiles rewrite the rulebook on weird. One can even squirt toxic blood from its eyeballs with sniper-like precision. Dive into the world of lizards so strange they could […]
It squirts toxic blood from its eyes, has armoured spiky skin and can self-inflate to twice its size. Is this one of the weirdest animals on the planet?
You might think the world’s most powerful lizard is the Komodo dragon – the largest and heaviest lizard in the world, with a venomous bite to boot. But power isn’t always about size – and the world’s weirdest lizard has special powers that allows it to wield superiority over potential predators. Meet the North American […]
I’ve caught the baby wombat”: 10 unbelievably idiotic and reckless acts committed by wildlife tourists that will have your blood boiling
Tourists, eh? What are they like? There’s clearly something about going on holiday that turns off the part of the brain that deals with common sense. Mix that with a devil may care ‘we’re on holiday, let’s do it’ attitude and a wild animal or two, and you’ve got a potent recipe for disaster, says […]
Endangered shark trophies dominate the online wildlife trade, study finds
The wildlife trade, both legal and illegal, depletes biodiversity, with research indicating it results in a staggering two-thirds decline in the populations of some traded species. Which is why, when a filmmaker friend asked environmental science professor Jennifer Jacquet if she could “do something” about the widespread wildlife trade, especially the online sale of wildlife […]
Komodo dragons have iron-tipped teeth, new study finds
A team of scientists have discovered that the teeth of Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) are coated with iron. This protective layer keeps the serrated edges of their teeth sharp, meaning the 80kg lizards can tear quickly and efficiently through the flesh of their prey. The discovery, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, may also provide […]