Sure, dogs bark, growl and howl. But did you know they can scream, chatter and whistle, too? The dhole or ‘whistling dog’ is a formidable and co-operative hunter that relies on these strange vocalisations to communicate with pack members across dense vegetation and bring down prey far larger than itself. With a russet coat and […]
Tag: lizards
Two US men charged for allegedly using snakes, a lemur and a monkey for exotic photoshoots
Two Baltimore, Maryland, men are facing charges for allegedly using exotic animals – including snakes, a lemur and a spider monkey – in photoshoots featuring three semi-clothed models and a ring of fire in a garage beneath a luxury shopping complex. Photographer Vernon Crowfey III, the 32-year-old owner of the company Photogeniks, was arrested in Towson, Maryland, […]
California solar project threatens Mojave wildlife corridor, scientists say
The Mojave Desert may look like a flat, brown stretch of nothing between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. But threading through its rocky mountain ranges is an intricate network of wildlife movement that has sustained desert species for thousands of years. Now, scientists and advocates say a solar project approved by the state of California […]
These venomous lizards can grow as long as a car. In the breeding season, things get brutal
Were we to play the game ‘Word Association’, most of you would surely follow ‘sun’ with ‘moon’ and ‘cat’ with ‘dog’. If ‘Komodo’ was the first word chosen, it’s highly likely most of you would say ‘dragon’. This enormous reptile, which takes its name from the island that Westerners first documented it to be on, […]
“It can run across water at speeds of 5 feet per second. That’s pretty nippy…” 9 weirdest reptiles in the world, including a devil with two heads
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’ […]
“It has incredibly potent venom, causing catastrophic internal bleeding and horrifying consequences – with the body coming apart from within.”
Long, arboreal and often dazzlingly green, the boomslang looks more like a vine with eyes than a killer. Yet this member of the Colubrid snake family carries an incredibly potent venom, capable of causing catastrophic internal bleeding. It is shy and much less likely to bite than some other more aggressive venomous snakes, such as the saw-scaled […]
“An attack can be fatal, due to their venom and bacteria…” The 3 deadliest, most lethal lizards the planet
When we think of dangerous animals, lizards might not seem as though they’d be top of the list – but a few scaly species prove that reptiles can be just as lethal as big cats or venomous snakes. From venom that has been transformed into trailblazing diabetes treatment to toxins that inhibit blood clotting, lizards have some of the most […]
“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, […]