October 2025

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the University of Florida are collaborating to investigate a mysterious virus that has killed hundreds of soft-shell turtles and peninsula cooters. Funding for this study comes from the sale of Florida’s ‘Conserve Wildlife’ license plates. Researchers aim to raise $30,000 from the license plate sales to develop […]

Populations of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in and around Hawaii and American Pacific island territories have increased, sometimes by an average of 8 percent each year since scuba diving researchers began counting them in 2002, according to a study published in the PLOS One journal. The researchers surveyed 53 islands, atolls, and coral reefs

The Asian box turtle (Cuora amboinensis), also known as the Malayan box turtle or Amboina box turtle, belongs to the genus Cuora. This genus includes 10 other species: C. aurocapitata, C. flavomarginata, C. galbinifrons, C. mccordi, C. pani, C. trifasciata, C. yunnanensis, C. zhoui, C. serrata, and C. (Pyxidea) mouhotii. These classifications are current as

Blanding’s turtles are known to be some of the very first turtles out of hibernation. Because they are so cold tolerant, they can be seen emerging and already basking in early March in many regions; however, they may not begin to feed until April. Photo by Chris Leone Blanding’s turtle. Upon spring emergence, adult male

Breeding pancake tortoises (Malacochersus tornieri) can be very rewarding in many ways. With their slow reproductive rate and long incubation period, more breeding projects will help provide animals for the pet trade while maintaining genetic diversity in captive populations. At Zoo Med Labs, we have successfully bred pancake tortoises since 2009. This species was a

A Texas woman attempted to remove a snake from her yard on March 20 by dousing it with gasoline and setting it on fire, which is not a recommended method. Unfortunately, the snake slithered under a brush pile, causing the pile to catch fire and spread to her house, resulting in a total loss. The

Want to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a new pair of kicks? Or do you need cool footwear for herping trips to the local reptile zoo? Puma introduces the Suede SNAKE COM.A sneakers, designed specifically to honor the Year of the Snake. These sneakers come in red or black, featuring a snakeskin-like print

Zoos across America and worldwide are marking Chinese New Year, with special significance for reptile enthusiasts as it ushers in the Year of the Snake on the Chinese Zodiac calendar. Check local zoos and aquariums for celebrations; below are event highlights from various zoos. The Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans hosts snake-themed programs on

The Mayo Clinic has received a $2.5 million grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, to study the effects of an engineered guanylyl cyclase (GC) activator called cenderitide on cardiac and renal injuries following a heart attack. Cenderitide was invented by Mayo Clinic researchers using venom