These handsome little lizards proved to be quite tricksome to find, owing to their fairly specific habitat requirements. Once we'd actually found a couple of the elusive areas that ticked all of the microhabitat boxes, they were pretty abundant. The species is notoriously skittish (apparently even more so when you have a camera), so the … Continue reading Dalmatian Algyroides (Algyroides nigropunctatus)
For hardcore biologists this species will need little introduction, but I'm sure many will probably think I have just taken some pictures of sentient candle wax. The olm is, in fact, an aquatic, blind, neotenic cave salamander. It is endemic to the karstic limestone cave systems of the Dinaric Alps which run from the tip … Continue reading Olm (Proteus anguinus)
The Galápagos Islands, a place I have regularly found myself drifting away to in between bouts of lying on the floor in existential dread. Social distancing is old news over there - there's been a 2m limit between you and the animals ever since sailors became overly fond of the taste of tortoise soup. It's … Continue reading Santa Cruz lava lizard (Microlophus indefatigabilis)
It's about time I got round to doing another tale about some native UK herps. Especially considering that's all I'm likely to encounter for the forseeable future. The UK is unsurprisngly low on most herpetologists' herping trip bucket list (I imagine slotting in somewhere between Antarctica and the Moon) as we have few species of … Continue reading European Adder (Vipera berus)
During my short trip to Canada in the summer of 2017, I went off canoe camping for a few days in Algonquin provincial park. Canoe camping is supposedly one of the most Canadian activities you can do, I imagine slotting in somewhere between drinking maple syrup and playing ice hockey... I'd been paddling a lot … Continue reading American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
Ah the basilisks, while certainly on the must-see list for any self respecting herpetologist, this is not some giant, fictional snake from Harry Potter. Perhaps more commonly known as the Jesus Christ lizards, basilisks are best known for their holy abilities. Abilities that most can only wish they were able to do. No! not turning … Continue reading Western Basilisk (Basiliscus galeritus)
Despite supposedly being one of the more common species in the Amazon, this anole somehow eluded me until this year. The most likely reason for this is that they were all hanging out in the canopy instead of down in the forest where they are supposed to be! After Giselle (the ornithologist) told me for … Continue reading Amazon bark anole (Anolis ortonii)
The day I came across my first and only Persian horned viper was quite special, mainly since it nestled comfortably in the intersection of my Venn diagram of happiness; climbing, reptiles and science. I’d set out for the day to climb a crumbly multi-pitch VS, inappropriately named Fossil Face (I didn’t see a single fossil), … Continue reading Persian horned viper (Pseudocerastes persicus)
Ah, the common lizard. They may not be as big, cool or colourful as some other herps, but it’s the very species that allows me to persist in the UK without breaking down into a quivering mess from a lack of reptile interaction (just…). Once you know where to look this hardy little lacertid can … Continue reading Common lizard (Zootoca vivipara)
Mindo is a brilliant little town nestled in the cloud forest of northwest Ecuador. It’s a popular tourist location due to the incredible diversity of wildlife, impressive waterfalls and other activities on offer, all within a short bus ride of Quito. The ride feels that bit longer, though, when you’re poisoned by a dodgy almuerzo … Continue reading Emerald glass frog (Espadarana prosoblepon)
Tales of Scales 