Reptiles and Amphibians
Remains of huge fossilized flying reptile displayed in Rio
Mar 20, 2013 20:06 EDT
The fossilized remains of a huge prehistoric flying reptile was unveiled Wednesday at the Rio de Janeiro National Museum where an international congress on the extinct species is to be held in May.
Seven rare Komodo dragons hatch in Indonesia
Mar 20, 2013 00:49 EDT
Seven Komodo dragons have hatched under a breeding programme at an Indonesian zoo, an official said, a success story that raises hope for the endangered lizard.
Hong Kong 'snake kings' stand the test of time
Mar 14, 2013 07:54 EDT
In a quiet corner of bustling Hong Kong, iron cages containing writhing serpents are stacked up at the entrance to an old shop that has been selling snake soup for more than a century.
Demand for exotic pets pushes species to the brink
Mar 13, 2013 12:13 EDT
Poisonous frogs, long-necked turtles, bears and chimpanzees may not be everyone's idea of an animal companion, but experts warn that demand for exotic pets is pushing some species closer to extinction.
'Lonesome George' tortoise goes to New York for embalming
Mar 12, 2013 15:57 EDT
The body of "Lonesome George," a giant Galapagos tortoise once believed to be the last of its kind, has been sent to New York to be embalmed and then returned home, the Galapagos National Park said Tuesday.
Frogs leap from Indonesian swamps to European tables
Mar 03, 2013 07:46 EST
The Indonesian frog vendor closes her eyes, asks Allah for his blessing, and with one swift strike of a cleaver, beheads the trembling creature.
Python hunt in Everglades nets just 68: organizers
Feb 16, 2013 20:33 EST
Hundreds of hunters spent a month combing Florida's Everglades for Burmese pythons, in the end capturing and killing 68 of the slithery, invasive reptiles, organizers said.
Reptiles are at risk, study finds
Feb 14, 2013 19:14 EST
Almost one in five of the world's reptile species are in danger of extinction as their habitats are cleared away for farming and logging, a report said Friday.
Artificial legs boost limbless loggerhead turtle
Feb 12, 2013 05:35 EST
A sea turtle that lost her front legs to a shark attack was bidding to match "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius on Tuesday, as she donned the latest in artificial flipper technology in Japan.
Autopsy carried out on giant Philippines crocodile
Feb 12, 2013 02:52 EST
Philippine veterinarians conducted an autopsy on the world's largest saltwater crocodile ever caught, amid concerns it died of mistreatment in a small pen where it was on show for tourists.
Australia's Cassius reclaims world's biggest croc crown
Feb 11, 2013 21:06 EST
"Cassius" has reclaimed his crown as the world's biggest crocodile in captivity after his rival for the title died, with the huge reptile's handler in Australia saying Tuesday it will boost business.
World's largest crocodile dies in Philippines
Feb 11, 2013 04:52 EST
The world's largest saltwater crocodile in captivity has died in the Philippines, 17 months after the suspected man-eater was hunted down and put on display for tourists, according to his caretakers.
China's 'Snake Village' seeks New Year riches
Feb 10, 2013 01:45 EST
For Zisiqiao in eastern China, the arrival of the Year of the Snake on Sunday carries a special meaning, as the scaly reptile has given the tiny village its main industry and prosperity.
Year of Snake sees serpent sales soar in Hong Kong
Feb 09, 2013 22:22 EST
As Hong Kong prepares to usher in the Year of the Snake, an increasing number of the reptiles are slithering their way into local households, with sales of the uncuddly pet rocketing.
Indonesian Komodo dragon attack leaves two hospitalised
Feb 06, 2013 05:39 EST
A Komodo dragon in Indonesia has attacked two employees in one of the giant lizards' protected island habitats, leaving its victims hospitalised with serious injuries, an official said Wednesday.
Crocodiles a risk as Australian floodwaters recede
Feb 03, 2013 02:32 EST
Residents of the flood-hit Australian town of Rockhampton were Sunday warned against the risk of saltwater crocodiles, as the flooded Fitzroy River slowly receded.
Mexico releases 100,000 endangered sea turtles
Jan 31, 2013 15:03 EST
A Mexican conservation group released more than 100,000 sea turtles into the ocean last year, in an effort to save a species threatened by egg poachers and fishing nets.
Cats in US kill billions of birds, mammals: study
Jan 29, 2013 11:08 EST
Domestic cats in the United States kill up to 3.7 billion birds and as many as 20.7 billion mice, voles and other small mammals each year, biologists estimated on Tuesday.
S. Africa tries to capture thousands of runaway crocs
Jan 25, 2013 11:37 EST
A massive operation to round up thousands of escaped crocodiles intensified in flood-soaked South Africa on Friday, as the authorities attempted to reassure the public everything was under control.
Pesticides killing amphibians, says study
Jan 24, 2013 14:54 EST
A plunge in the world's population of frogs and toads may be blamed, at least in part, on farm pesticides, researchers in Germany said on Thursday.
