Famous Reptiles

As spring progresses, many will have their hands in the dirt of their back yards, pulling out weeds and breaking up soil to prepare for the ultimate tomato patch. Coming across a snake in the grass or in the dirt may startle even the bravest person and could result in a failed garden for the fainthearted gardener. There's no reason to fear the snakes in your garden, says Joy O'Keefe,  University of Illinois Extension  wildlife specialist. "Most are harmless, and many are providing valuable ecosystem services, eating the pests you loathe even more than the snakes." Brownsnakes primarily eat earthworms, slugs, and snails, using their tiny, slender teeth to extract snails from their shells. Extension photo by J.G. Palis Three snakes commonly found in gardens across most of Illinois are, from smallest to largest, the DeKay's Brownsnake, Eastern Gartersnake, and Gray Ratsnake. The DeKay's Brownsnake is only 9 to 13 inches long, wi...

Show Caption Hide Caption Wild Bird Rescue New Director Wild Bird Rescue's new Director of Rehabilitation is Adlai Olson. Torin Halsey, Times Record News Adlai Olson is the new Director of Rehabilitation for Wild Bird Rescue. She comes from Louisiana where she earned a degree in biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and is a certified Veterinary Technician. She worked with a wide variety of wildlife during her time at Tails of Nature Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lafayette.  The local nonprofit had stopped taking in new cases for a short time after the previous director left and the facility needed to re-establish its permits. Rehabilitation of wild birds is regulated by state law and overseen by state and  government agencies, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Department of Fish a...

There's nothing quite like filters and fun features to take your social media game to the next level — in fact these days social platforms are almost unimaginable without them, they're part of the pleasure of interacting online.  A few years ago Snapchat introduced new software called the Lens Studio, a way for users to dive into augmented reality (AR) experiences through the use of what the app calls "Lenses". What if, with this interactive technology, you could do more than virtually change the colors of buildings or interact with caricatures? What if it could transport you back in time, to see some of the world's most rare and remarkable animals?  Enter "The Zoo of Extinct Animals"; an AR experience launched in early 2021 that brings extinct animal species back to life.  Created by graphic designer and creative director, Sebastian Koseda, the Snapchat lens allows users to view and interact with 3D representations of extinct ...

A baby dik-dik has been introduced to the public at a wildlife park in Yorkshire. The newborn dik-dik, which is a kind of tiny antelope, has been dubbed Mr. Pistachio. He was welcomed at the park on Aug. 26 after a family of dik-diks was brought to the park earlier this year. Mr. Pistachio's parents, Davos and Crissy, also have another baby dik-dik who was born seven months ago named Mr. Cashew. The family came to the park as part of a global conservation project. The animals usually only grow to about 16 inches and hail from eastern Africa. A spokesperson with the park described Mr. Pistachio as "so cute" and that people and animals "stop in their tracks" to look at him. "He is the latest addition to the family, and everyone is very proud that they are thriving so well here,"  Ayshea Seaton said. RELATED STORIES 

Show Caption Hide Caption Ferret first endangered animal to be cloned in U.S. Elizabeth Ann was cloned from a black-footed ferret that died in 1988. Staff video, Wochit PUEBLO, Colo. — Colorado homeowner Reese Nettles got a shock on Nov. 8 when he went out to his garage to lift weights and noticed a ferret peeking out from under his table saw.  It had been a day and a half since the garage door was mistakenly left open overnight.  "He looked like if you put your hand down, he would run right over to you," Nettles said.  Perhaps another homeowner's reaction would have been to shoo the critter out, but Nettles shut his garage door to ensure the ferret didn't escape. He thought it had to be a neighbor...

NYSDEC  |  The Chronicle Express FINGER LAKES —The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has adopted amendments to the regulations governing Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) following a public comment period earlier this year. The regulations become effective Jan. 1, 2022, and will protect natural resources, promote public safety, and help ensure the multiple uses of New York's WMAs remain compatible as public demand for outdoor recreation increases. These changes update and clarify existing regulations — defining the allowable activities and uses of WMAs. Some changes help bring consistency with existing rules for state forests, campgrounds, and other DEC lands, while others continue the prioritization of hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing opportunities that WMAs prioritize. New regulations include provisions to: Restrict the use of motor vehicles and some motorized equipment , such as chainsaws, in WMAs. Snowmobil...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Slithers, scales and sales abound at Lexington Reptile Expo    Kykernel.com