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PETA Exposes Horrible Practice of Reptile Skinning
Critter News
APRIL 12, 2010
Tags: reptiles indonesia lizards crocodile endangered species
Reptiles Related Topics 
Bird vs. Reptile in Key West
10,000 Birds
APRIL 25, 2014
Here’s something you don’t see all the time. “We We had a call one morning about a snake and a hawk,” says Tom Sweets, the executive director and chief rescuer of the Key West Wildlife Center , located at the very tip of Florida. Along with animal care director Peggy Coontz, Tom and a number of volunteers rescue and care for injured and orphaned wildlife within 15 miles of the Center, as well as those spotted on small islands around Key West.
Tourist Tries to Smuggle 44 Lizards in Underwear
Critter News
DECEMBER 9, 2009
Tags: wildlife smuggling wildlife trafficking reptiles Stupid new zealand lizards
Tortoise Smuggling on the Rise
Critter News
MAY 10, 2010
Tags: wildlife smuggling reptiles tortoises
South African Caught Smuggling Live Crocodiles
Critter News
SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
Tags: wildlife smuggling wildlife crime reptiles crocodile south africa endangered species
Yikes! Two TONS of Snakes & Tortoises Seized
Critter News
DECEMBER 7, 2009
Tags: wildlife smuggling cambodia wildlife trafficking reptiles tortoises snakes
Dead, Poisoned Mice to Rain Down on Guam
10,000 Birds
FEBRUARY 24, 2013
Conservation Guam ReptilesIn what must be one of the most unusual conservation strategies ever, dead mice laced with acetaminophen, trailing streamers meant to catch on tree branches, will be dropped one-by-one, by hand, from helicopters. To try to manage the invasive Brown Tree Snake on Guam, which has forced many of Guam’s bird species to extinction and as a way to try to keep the snakes from Hawaii. This article is fascinating.
The Loveliest Lizards
10,000 Birds
JUNE 29, 2012
The death of Lonesome George has robbed the world of not only a (sub)species (albeit one that has been functionally extinct for a long time since) but of one of the few celebrity reptiles. For this reason, I’d like to take a break from my bird recital and talk for a minute about the truly marvelous reptiles I saw in Spain. Reptiles Lizards
Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 22, 2014
Reptiles Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake Texas Positive reinforcement tells me that I should be finding snakes in Houston, TX. The first one was found simply by accident, but consistent herpetological luck at Houston’s Arboretum makes me look harder and longer until I find one. It took two visits during this trip, but I was rewarded with a very intimate look at a charming little snake. This is the Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake Thamnophis proximus orarius.
African Pythons Targeted for Removal
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 29, 2015
Reptiles The invasive Burmese Python ( Python molurus ) is well established in the Florida Everglade. Another species of Python, the African Python ( Python sebae ) has established a small population in the 2,877-acre Bird Drive Area (BDA) in South Florida. The BDA is adjacent to the Everglades National Park and it is bordered by highways and urban areas. The African Python has a reputation of being more aggressive than its Burmese counterpart.
Birding With Alligators
10,000 Birds
FEBRUARY 5, 2012
It took several days in Florida for the idea that I was pretty much surrounded by giant reptiles that could kill me to sink in to my brain. Alligator bites are serious injuries due to the reptile’s sheer bite force and risk of infection. Reptiles American Alligator Florida space coast
There’s More to Birding than Birds
10,000 Birds
MAY 27, 2013
Birding Lizards Mammals Reptiles Trips animals Much like Carrie’s recent experiences being hoodwinked by non-bird sources of birdy-sounding calls , I’ve had my share of animal encounters out in the field. In New York and Chicago, they’ve been pretty mundane—a White-tailed Deer here, an Eastern Cottontail rabbit there. And of course, way too many chipmunks and squirrels and raccoons and turtles to count.
Iguanas Love Roti!
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 5, 2013
Reptiles Lizards Trinidad and Tobago West of Port of Spain in Chaguaramus, off the Western Main Road, is a very large boatyard. Hidden away in that boatyard is an amazingly good spot to buy roti, which rivaled doubles as my favorite food that I sampled while in Trinidad and Tobago. What, exactly, is roti? It usually refers to an unleavened bread of the type made in south Asia.
Everglades Long-Legged Birds Feed Their Young To Alligators, Everything is Good.
10,000 Birds
APRIL 19, 2016
Birds Reptiles Alligators Brood reduction Co-evolution everglades Facilitation Watership DownYou know the famous novel about rabbits , wherein among other things the traveling bunnies find themselves in a warren where everyone is well fed and happy, and that’s a problem. There is bird version of this in the Everglades. Apropos the Presidential election season, we note that in life the critical choice is not always the best among near bests, but the least worse among bad choices.
Turtles of Brigantine
10,000 Birds
JUNE 7, 2011
According to the Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of New Jersey (link is a PDF) there are thirteen species of turtle that can be found in the state, so I have already spotted just under a third of the turtle species that there are to see in the Garden State. Reptiles Brigantine new jersey turtlesAs I may have mentioned before , I have been spending an occasional hour or so doing the auto loop at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, better known as Brigantine.
Lizards of New York City
10,000 Birds
MAY 30, 2011
… Sources used in writing this post: Lizards of New York State (link is a PDF) Natural History of New York City by John Kieran Amphibians and Reptiles of Long Island, Staten Island, and Manhattan Wikipedia: Italian Wall Lizard and Eastern Fence Lizard … a. Reptiles Lizards New York CityNew York City is well known as a city of immigrants so it makes sense that the only lizards living within the five boroughs are immigrants as well.
Wagler’s Pit-viper
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 27, 2012
If you liked this post and want to see more great images of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects, make sure to check out 10,000 Clicks , our big (and growing) page of galleries here at 10,000 Birds. Reptiles features snakesIt is possibly heretical to admit as much on such an ornithologically biased website, but one good snake can often be the highlight of my birding day.
Sea Snakes and other creatures of the beach
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 31, 2016
Reptiles Australia sea snakesAlthough I usually write about the birds that we observe we are always encountering other creatures along our coastline around Broome and it has been almost five years since I introduced you to some of our local Sea Snakes. The problem with Sea Snake identification is you are supposed to count scales and check other identifying features, which we often don’t do too thoroughly!
The Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
10,000 Birds
MARCH 7, 2012
Unfortunately for the Green Iguana , which are known to some who eat them as “bamboo chickens” they are, in addition to apparently being rather tasty, one of the most popular reptile pets in the United States though they are difficult to keep and most die in their first year in captivity. Reptiles Honduras LizardsIt is not every day that one gets to see a pair of Green Iguanas sunning themselves on a bush from close range.
Victoria's Secret Stops Selling Exotic Animal Skins
Critter News
MAY 16, 2010
Anyway, I'm wondering if the decision could have been influenced by PETA's investigation of how reptiles are being skinned alive for these sales. Victoria's Secret was selling what? I didn't know they were doing this in the first place! And I just bought something from them last month for the first time. This PETA post doesn't claim the credit though.
German Canines to Help Catch Smugglers
Critter News
AUGUST 19, 2008
They have been taught to focus on 16 specific smells including feathers, leathers, reptiles, caviar, coral, ivory and bone. Interesting. Amy, a German shepherd, and Uno, a Labrador retriever, have joined the team at {Frankfurt,} one of Europe's busiest airports — the first two dogs in Germany trained to sniff out live animals, plants or derivatives or remains of them.
SPECIESISM, by Joan Dunayer, Part Deux
Animal Person
APRIL 1, 2010
No living group of nonhuman animals--no existing species of invertebrate, fish, amphibian, reptile, bird or nonhuman mammal--is ancestral to humans. Although we have reptilian ancestors, we didn't descend from reptiles or any species alive today (105). I realize that in writing about "old speciesism" I failed to define this term that Dunayer uses. I think of "old speciesism" as analogous to racism and sexism in that it is exploitation based on species.
27,000 Animals Rescued in Texas
Critter News
FEBRUARY 6, 2010
A lot of these animals are reptiles, spiders and amphibians, which explains the large number. Holy cow! That's HUGE. It was an exotic animal importing firm (why the eff do those even exist?) that was allegedly mistreating its animals. This rescue is the result of a PETA undercover investigation. See, husband, this is why I like PETA!) From the Detroit Free Press. The raid followed an undercover investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Pet Safety During Home Improvements
4 The Love Of Animals
SEPTEMBER 1, 2012
If you have a bird, small mammal, or reptile in a terrarium, don’t leave them in their normal place while you paint or sand paint fumes and dust that are only a mild annoyance to you can make small pets (particularly birds) very sick, or even kill them. Simple tips to keep pets happy and safe while you work. Infants and pets can present an interesting challenge when you want to get some repairs or remodeling done around the house and the dangers aren’t always obvious.
Where I Went Birding that Third Weekend of September 2020
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
Sometimes it is a flower (of which there were oodles), a reptile (lizards, and a small snake), or an insect. Faithful fans of 10,000 Bird will know that each Friday Mike invites us to comment where we plan to go birding that weekend.
Great News! Feral Cats to be Removed from Plumb Beach, Brooklyn!
10,000 Birds
JUNE 11, 2014
Seeing as Plumb Beach is a known stopover area for large numbers of shorebirds, a known breeding area for a variety of saltmarsh species, including Clapper Rails , and habitat for a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, insects, and other bird species, this is a long overdue move. Nature lovers, rejoice! The National Park Service is finally going to remove the feral cat colony from Plumb Beach, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Signs like the one above went up late last week.
Animals of Kruger National Park: A Book Review
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 1, 2016
Even better is a guide to mammals and reptiles, because snakes and lizards are pretty much up there with mammals when you’re exploring new territory. The guide covers 57 mammals, 17 reptiles, and 8 amphibians—“most of the mammals and the more common reptiles and frogs that you are likely to encounter on a 1-2 week visit to Kruger or the adjacent reserves.” I’ll never forget my introduction to the mammals of Kruger National Park, South Africa.
The Mysterious Case of Fighter the Fighting Fish
4 The Love Of Animals
AUGUST 25, 2011
Dogs aside, I’ve tended to plenty of small mammals and reptiles in my years, and have seen some pretty interesting things. We are pleased to welcome Garth Stein for today’s guest post. Garth is the author of Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog. Enjoy! The Mysterious Case of Fighter the Fighting Fish. by Garth Stein. As a boy myself, and again as a father of three boys, I can tell you, I’ve had some pets in my life.
Bringing Your Pet to Disneyland
4 The Love Of Animals
SEPTEMBER 19, 2011
Dogs, cats, birds (given there is no avian bird flu alert), rabbits and non-venomous reptiles are allowed. You’re planning to take the whole family to Disneyland. You’ve got all the details down: budget, accommodation, a list of rides for the kids, restaurants to try, and even your outfits are planned out. Everything is all set. Then you hear a bark and realized, who’s taking care of the dogs when you’re away? Suddenly you don’t feel so excited anymore.
Mike And Corey Are Going To Uganda!
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 18, 2019
Uganda boasts a checklist of well over one thousand species of birds and host of mammals, reptiles, and interesting insects. This coming Thursday both Mike and I will be jetting our way to a continent neither of us have ever visited. Yes, we’ll be heading to Africa, more specifically the “Pearl of Africa,” Uganda. We’ll be attending the 3rd African Birding Expo and the pre-Expo familiarity tour.
Adopt-a-Pet.com Guest Post
4 The Love Of Animals
AUGUST 11, 2009
In addition to dogs and cats, we now feature all kinds of pets for adoption, including rabbits, farm animals, ferrets, hamsters and other small animals, horses, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and even fish. The following is a guest post from the amazing animal lovers of Adopt-a-Pet.com. Adopt-a-Pet.com is the world’s largest non-profit pet adoption website. We are like an ad agency for shelters and shelter pets.
Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 25, 2016
The relevant numbers involving cats, the people that cherish them, and the birds (and small mammals and reptiles) that they kill are all too large to mean much; you might as well use the funny word “gazillions.” Mark Gamin, a Cleveland lawyer, likes cats and birds both. He likes books too, which made him the ideal reviewer for Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer. This is Mark’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds.
From Today's New York Times
Animal Ethics
JANUARY 9, 2007
I confess that I felt a certain animosity toward the reptile, and have yet to decide whether I will help his or her cousins in the future. To the Editor: It’s good to know that Verlyn Klinkenborg is among those of us who stop to help tortoises on their way on a busy road (“ Edges and Order ,” The Rural Life, Jan. I have done that, and afterward felt at least virtuous if not godlike.
Red-backed Kingfishers
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 18, 2013
The Red-backed Kingfisher hunts large insects and small reptiles and can often be seen perched on open dead trees. Around Broome we have several members of the Kingfisher family, with the most common being the Sacred Kingfisher and the Red-backed Kingfisher. They are similar in size, but the Red-backed Kingfisher is more often seen inland and not necessarily near water.
A Gray Tree Frog in the Garden
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 2, 2013
One of Desi’s favorite things to do when we are visiting his grandparents is wander around the yard looking for bugs, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals – basically, anything living thing. I spent this weekend at my parents’ house in my hometown of Saugerties, New York, which is nestled nicely between the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River.
Can I keep it?
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 12, 2019
A world without bird and/or mammal, fish and reptile rehabilitators would be a very sad one. This week, I have been pondering the value of bird rehabilitators. Let me assure you that I have no doubts about how much they contribute to individual birds and to the ravaged conscience of modern man. My pause for thought came when I found a Stygian Owl in a city park in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Birds of Kruger National Park and Wildlife of Ecuador: Two WILDGuides Reviewed
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 1, 2017
Birds of Kruger National Park by Keith Barnes and Ken Behrens and Wildlife of Ecuador by Andrés Vásquez Noboa, photography by Pablo Cervantes Daza are the latest titles in Princeton University Press’s WildGuides Wildlife Explorer Series, a series focused on the “general reader,” the layperson, the traveler who is not a “birder” but who wants to know what bird or animal or amphibian or reptile she’s observing.
So You Think You Can Digiscope?
10,000 Birds
JUNE 12, 2014
More good-to-know stuff: Birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, and reptiles—all in their natural habitats—are fair game. Sadly, that is not the name of new reality show. The fraction of the TV-watching public that would want to gaze at birders birding is probably pretty small. Though perhaps if the contestants wore clingy, revealing outfits and character shoes, ratings would be decent.). Rather, it’s that time again for Swarovski Optik North America’s annual digiscoping contest.
Red-winged Starlings
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 7, 2015
The species is omnivorous, eating fruit as well as insects and small reptiles, as well as happily entering buildings to scavenge on, for example, food waste left by messy students. Starlings have a bad rap. This is perhaps almost entirely due to the Common Starling , a species that is, over much of its range, an introduced pest.
Everyday Sunshine: Great Blue Herons
10,000 Birds
MAY 11, 2012
They do like to supplement their diet with small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects. Continuing the celebration of commonplace birds we now hail the ubiquitous Great Blue Heron. There are too many images to share so I’ll keep the captions brief and let the pictures do the squawking, er, I mean talking. Their beautiful blue-gray can really pop in the right light. They share our world without too much complaint, adapting to our cities and towns when they can.
Blue-winged Kookaburras at Ellendale Dam
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 7, 2018
Blue-winged Kookaburras eat insects, reptiles and frogs and this bird would often collect quite a large mass of wet and muddy leaves with its food. When we have camped at Ellendale Dam in the past we have invariable been woken by Blue-winged Kookaburras and they are often the last bird to call out as the sun drops below the horizon. The call of the Blue-winged Kookaburra is not the laugh of the Laughing Kookaburra , but a more manic sound.
12 countries with the greatest bird species density
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 5, 2019
The mongabay.com portal has compared data on a unit of area basis of the percentage of the total global number of species of birds, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, fish and vascular plants. The Species per Square Mile Approach. While Colombia may have almost 2000 bird species, it is a huge country with, still, complicated long-distance travel logistics. On the other hand, small countries with relatively long bird lists offer higher species densities per square mile.
Photographing Laughing Kookaburras with an iPhone
10,000 Birds
APRIL 26, 2017
My what a large bill for killing reptiles you have. I’m on a family trip to Australia at the moment. It’s not a dedicated birding trip, but I’m picking up a few good ones. One surprising bird encounter was with one of Australia’s most iconic birds, the Laughing Kookaburra. This large member of the kingfisher family is a familiar sight… and sound, in Australia’s countryside and city.
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