#reptile conservation

[is-the-snake-video-cute]

When endangered reptiles are raised for release, what steps are taken to make sure they can survive in the wild? I know it's a huge issue for mammals and birds.

The cool thing is, unlike with mammals and some birds, it takes active effort to habituate reptiles to human contact. Limiting contact is pretty much all you need to do to ensure the baby reptiles will completely retain their instincts to be fearful of humans. They'll be fed their wild hatchling diet - usually lizards or insects for a lot of species - so they're not taken off-guard by their food options in the wild.

The other thing that makes it really different is how soon the babies can be released. Most breed-and-release programs will release the reptiles when they're about a month old provided they're healthy - a huge time difference from mammals and birds, who need to get to an age where they're capable of being independent. Snakes are capable of that from the get-go, so keeping them for about a month is just to give them a few meals and make sure they're healthy so they have the best chance in the wild.

With reptiles bred for release, the hardest part is picking a good time of year and a good area for release. It's genuinely so easy when compared to how tricky it is with mammals and birds!

[pocketcrowleyadventures]

tiney pocket crowley is exploring a hibernaculum! This is a much more established version of what we have been building before; this one is made of bricks with the holes used to provide very effective little entrances, and we even found a slow worm in one!

[frnwhcom]

Mark O'Shea: Pioneering Conservation and Enlightenment in the World of Reptiles

Mark O’Shea, a British herpetologist, author, lecturer, and television personality, has significantly impacted animal science, particularly in the study of reptiles. His work has spanned several decades, encompassing research, conservation efforts, and public education, making him a prominent figure in the field. This article delves into how O’Shea has influenced animal science through his…

[shamanicganja]

[nohiketoosmall]

Do you live in Illinois? Please read <3

The Kirtland's Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii) is a Midwestern snake that lives in wetlands and grasslands. It is threatened, endangered, or extirpated (locally extinct) throughout its range. The species was rejected from "endangered species" status but will be reconsidered in the next two years.

Photo credit x

The Kirtland's Snake has been found in a preserve in Will County, Illinois (just south of Chicago), but a permit filed by the County indicates they plan to pave a trail straight through its critical wetland habitat.

Figure 2 from here showing untouched habitat they will be paving through. This is from the Incidental Take permit.

The "Incidental Take" refers to the individuals that will die as a result of this plan. The "Incidental take" in this case is estimated to be 3 snakes because they found 3 in the planned construction zone, but this does not consider 1. the small gene pool/population size 2. the loss of prey from damage to the wetlands (from wetland pollution and soil compression) and 3. overall habitat decreasing and 4. direct injury from human persons ie being run over by bikes or stepped on.

Photo from IDNR fact sheet, source

If you are a nature lover please consider emailing DNR.ITACoordinator@Illinois.gov , the Department of Natural Resources Incidental Take Authorization coordinator, and ask them to reconsider and strengthen protections for threatened species like this!

[todaysbird]

another call for a weird interview!

I’m doing a piece for Modern Farmer on python farming as a proposed solution for more carbon-friendly farming than traditional livestock, and why some people are advocating for pythons as a food source despite the ‘ick’ factor. i’m looking for a range of viewpoints, so I’d love to talk to people who:

have any knowledge about python farming

have worked extensively with pythons in a research setting

have hunted pythons where they are invasive (like the Everglades)

have eaten python/have cooked with it

have pet pythons (I’d love to hear what pros and cons you find in python farming!)

if your experiences are different but you think you could be a good interviewee, please still reach out!

DM me directly with your experience if you’d like to be interviewed. Please contact me by 8/2/2024 to be considered!

[reasonsforhope]

"In Cambodia, 60 eggs were found in the nest of one of the world’s most endangered large reptiles, which after hatching set a new record for an international conservation effort to save them.

It was believed the Siamese crocodile, with the distinctive bony crest running down its skull, was extinct in the wild until it was rediscovered in 2000. Almost all of the 400 animals remaining live in Cambodia.

A network of private-public partnerships have been organizing conservation measures to protect the species, including captive breeding and reintroduction programs, and village patrols to ensure their nests and habitat are not tampered with.

In May [2024], locals in the Cardamom Mountains found a nesting site in an area that crocodiles hadn’t been released, suggesting they are expanding and breeding under their own powers: a tremendous sign for the species’ recovery.

“The hatching of 60 new crocodiles is a tremendous boost,” said Pablo Sinovas, who leads the Cambodia programme of conservation group Fauna & Flora International, which has been running a captive breeding program since 2012.

They’ve successfully reintroduced 196 crocs back into the wild, and it was they who deployed a team of conservationists to the nest site found in May for round-the-clock care and observation until every last one of the 60 eggs hatched, bringing their precious cargo into the world.

Generally speaking for crocodile species, the mothers are very attentive beasts, and even the fathers will help raise young if the mother isn’t around. When hatching, the little crocs emerge from the creche of eggs chirping, calling the mother in who then excavates the nest and takes any unhatched eggs in her mouth, rolling them around to speed up the hatching process.

The young are carried to the water in the mother’s mouth, where she will watch over, feed, and care for them until the next mating season."

-via Good News Network, July 19, 2024

[mindblowingscience]

A group of 60 rare Siamese crocodiles have hatched in Cambodia, boosting hopes for one of the world's most endangered reptiles, conservationists said Thursday. Five Siamese crocodile nests were discovered in Cambodia's Cardamom National Park in mid-May, the country's environment and agriculture ministry said in a joint statement with conservation group Fauna and Flora. The nests contained 106 eggs, of which 66 were fertilized, and a total of 60 Siamese crocodile eggs successfully hatched between June 27 and 30, the ministry said.

Continue Reading.

[typhlonectes]

Deforestation, climate change mean that legless lizard only recognised for two years before endangerment

The Hunter Valley Delma, a legless lizard, has been declared endangered just two years after it was named a species in 2022.  Ms Carruthers said that more than 90 per cent of the lizard's known range in the NSW Hunter Valley has been damaged by open cut mining and agriculture. "There are at least 20 coal mines within the species' known habitat range," she said.  She said that, as is the case for so many plants and animals, climate change is exacerbating other threats...

Read more: Over a dozen animals and plants join Australia's growing list of threatened species, prompting calls for stronger environmental laws - ABC News

[kaijutegu]

When I take Nakajima places as an educational animal, one of the big talking points is about how tegus are invasive, and what invasive species do to the environment. But not all invasive species are animals! This is common buckthorn, and it is one of the most invasive species in Illinois. Buckthorn grows almost anywhere and creates forest areas where nothing else can grow. It's so invasive that it's illegal for nurseries here to sell it.

A lot of times, we ignore the role of invasive plants. But they can wreak untold damage on delicate ecosystems, just like invasive animals. It's always a good idea to find out what is native in your area and support responsible land stewardship! Check with your local botanical gardens, parks, forest preserves, and other nature-focused organisations to find out what shouldn't be growing in your area and what you can do to help.

[ronthafrog]

pancake?

this spiny softshell turtle was an exciting find at work the other day :)

[is-the-snake-video-cute]

Are snakes (or reptiles in general) ever bred in captivity for wild release for endangered species?

I know some zoos do this for mammals so now I'm wondering if it applies to reptiles too, I imagine it'd be easier to release them into the wild too, since they don't need to be taught to hunt or socialize like mammals tend to, but I don't know if this is a thing that happens

Great question! That's absolutely a thing, and you're right that reptiles are generally easier to release into the wild than mammals are. Right now, a lot of captive breeding efforts with endangered reptiles are still in the "increase captive population" stage, but wild release does happen, especially for species that have breeding programs that have been going on long enough for the captive population to be stable and genetically diverse.

The organization I'm most familiar with that does a lot of endangered breeding programs is the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary - I went to grad school in Arizona, and actually got to volunteer with them while I was in school. When I was there, they only bred endangered species native to Arizona for release (like twin-spotted and ridgenose rattlers), but they've since expanded to endangered non-native vipers like Milos vipers and even non-snake reptiles, like Chinese alligators. This is increasingly happening at other zoos and research institutions, too - right now, Ohio Northern University is running a great program to breed and release plains garters.

Breed-and-release programs for reptiles aren't as common as those for mammals, but they definitely happen, and are becoming more common!

[considernature]

*Teleports behind you*

Time to learn about gharials, kid.

[rebeccathenaturalist]

This is pretty cool! While there are thousands of this species in captivity in crocodile farms, wild populations number in the hundreds at best. Moreover captive animals are often hybridized, not pure, and so many genetic lines have been lost for conservation purposes. And captive and wild populations have diverged enough that the loss of wild lines entirely would be a devastating blow to the species as a whole.

The success of this nest is a hopeful sign for the Siamese crocodile; here's to better news in the future.

[cypherdecypher]

Animal of the Day!

Cuban Crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer)

(Photo from Louisville Zoo)

Conservation Status- Critically Endangered

Habitat- Western Cuba

Size (Weight/Length)- 75 kg; 2.2 m

Diet- Small mammals; Fish; Turtles

Cool Facts- Do yourself a favor and watch a video of a Cuban crocodile galloping. These highly territorial reptiles have small dog energy and are willing to chase off the much larger American alligator that they share their home with. Cuban crocodiles may be the only crocodile to hunt in coordinated packs to take down much larger prey, showing off extraordinary levels of intelligence. Sadly, Cuban crocodiles are almost extinct in the wild due to mass hunting for their skin and meat, along with general fear for territorial predators. Luckily, zoos across the world are captive breeding Cuban crocodiles with hope for reintroduction to the wild.

Rating- 13/10 (Can run 35 kilometers per hour.)

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - October 22-28

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles on Patreon!

1. Industrial wastelands to wildlife oases: Five nature wins that have actually worked

“[An archipelago in the Indian ocean] experienced a major whale comeback after signing up to a debt for nature swap[….] In Sri Lanka's capital of Colombo, local efforts have transformed what was once a rubbish dump to a wetland teeming with [wildlife….]”

2. Louisville launches America’s first 100% electric garbage truck fleet

““These innovative EV collection trucks will fulfill our trash, compost and recycling needs, reduce noise pollution, and include larger windshields to increase each driver’s field of vision and lower greenhouse gas emissions[….]” [The trucks are equipped with] audible devices that alert nearby drivers and pedestrians to compensate for their quieter operations.”

3. How a nearly extinct crocodile species returned from the brink in Cambodia

“By the late nineties, [Siamese crocodiles] were thought to be extinct. […] Today there are about 1,000 Siamese crocodiles in the wild[….] The first crocodiles were reintroduced into the wild in 2012 and they have begun breeding in the wild: over a hundred eggs were discovered in the forests in July, the most so far.”

4. Before his death, this conservative combat veteran filmed a PSA advocating for his transgender son

““Eric [“a conservative South Carolina U.S. Army combat veteran and father of a transgender child”] believed in the importance of freedom for trans kids — the right to live authentically and without fear,” [his widow] said. “He saw this not as a political issue but as a human one, recognizing that every child deserves the chance to thrive and feel whole.”” [Curator’s note: obviously, utmost condolences to Eric’s family; I’m including this as good news because it’s impactful to see a respectable member of the political party more often known for transmisia instead publicly advocating for his son’s human - not just political - rights]

5. Azores to create largest Marine Protected Area in North Atlantic – and a 'blueprint' for the rest of the world

““The Azores’ waters are a hotspot for marine life, hosting a third of the world's whale and dolphin species,[…” and harbouring] “cold-water corals and sponge fields that act as nurseries and feeding grounds for countless species, from deep-sea sharks to commercially valuable fish stocks.””

6. ‘It’s a big lever for change’: the radical contract protecting Hamburg’s green space

“Citizen power forced Germany’s greenest city-state into a binding agreement balancing housing and nature[….] The authorities signed an agreement with the citizen’s initiative to protect 30% of Hamburg’s land area – 10% as untouchable nature reserves and 20% with a looser conservation status – and ensure the share of public green space in the city rises over time.”

7. Behind the Scenes at the Federal Bee Lab Powered by Native Plants

“Once native plants reappeared at the lab, he says, the impact was dramatic. In the first year, many of the region’s 200 native bee species arrived in droves. [… B]irds Droege had never before seen on the premises began to turn up to feed on the native plant seeds[….]”

8. Atlanta neighborhood hired case manager to address rising homelessness. It's improving health and safety for everyone

“Michael Nolan, an Intown Cares social worker, is trained in an approach that emphasizes individual autonomy and dignity, recognizes that being homeless is a traumatic experience, and prioritizes access to housing. [… H]iring a social worker has enabled East Atlanta Village to resolve conflicts gently, through conversation and negotiation.”

9. Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nests Make a Remarkable Comeback in Greece

“As long-lived and migratory species, [loggerheads] contribute to the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs, which are vital habitats for many marine organisms. Their nesting activities also contribute to beach ecosystems and help promote biodiversity.”

10. Rapid genome analysis of a Whippet sighthound sets new standard for biodiversity research

“[Scientists] have sequenced and analyzed the complete genome of a Whippet sighthound in less than a week. […] Rapid analysis is increasingly important for the conservation of endangered species, [… giving] insights into their biological relationships, evolution and adaptations to environmental conditions.”

October 15-21 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)