Category: Uncategorized

A recently discovered / scientifically described skink's very existence currently hangs in the balance. Australia's recent bushfires have nearly wiped out the habitat of the extremely rare (and nearly legendary) Kaputar rock skink. It is feared that one more fire in its habitat--at the summit of an extinct volcano in New South Wales--may send this very handsome creature into extinction. A very detailed article discussing the skink's unique habitat and history may be found here.

Season 10 (2019-2020) of wacky-family-centric cartoon series Bob's Burgers (Fox) has offered viewers two delightful reptile-positive episodes. Besides one show featuring Pizzilla, the "fearsome-kaiju-that-looks-like-an-oversized-gecko-with-an-overbite" that anchors the story Gene invents to inspire discouraged handyman Teddy (episode 19, "The Handyman Can"), there is a truly heartening episode featuring real (if animated) reptiles. Episode 17, "Just The Trip," sees the entire Belcher family help take an escape-artist snake to an animal sanctuary, to help out a cab driver they've befriended. We all know what happens....But the gentle, friendly creature, which terrifies everyone, is treated with respect and concern, and ultimately finds its way to a happy home. If you don't follow this show regularly, it's worth a look!

The fossil of the largest soft-shell egg on earth has been discovered in Antarctica, and it looks like it might have belonged to a distant ancestor of some of our reptile friends. Discovered in 2011 by scientists from Chile, and then shelved to research (as in Raiders of the Lost Ark) until recently, the fossil egg is the second largest egg of any known animal on the planet. Theories have been posited about how the reptilian parent (presumed to be something like a mosasaur) laid and maintained the egg(s). It's clear we have much to learn about the ancient development of our favorite scaly creatures! The full article may be found here.

A recent discovery of fossilized reptilian footprints from the Early Cretaceous in what is now South Korea has led to scientific speculation that crocodile ancestors may have been speedy bipedal creatures, not unlike the infamous T. Rex. The concept of a crocodile ancestor that traveled leaving complete footmarks (i.e. both toes and heel) may prompt a reevaluation of crocodilians in general. As they say, if the footprint fits...! The full article may be found here.

An almost unknown species of agamid lizard—seen only three times in over one hundred years—has reemerged onto the world stage. The Modigliani lizard, with its bright coloring and prominent nose horn, looks like something that leaped out of the latest Godzilla movie! (Alas, the lizard's namesake was an Italian natural historian / explorer, not the modernist painter.) To say that the creature is endangered is an understatement, but because it has been rediscovered, there is at least a ray of hope for its conservation. The full article may be found here.