News – Minnesota Herpetological Society

Cannibal Snakes

Dan Snorek — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:29:43 +0000

207 Snake Species Are Cannibalistic, Study Says

Cannibalism is a widely distributed behavior both in terms of species and geography and has been recorded on all continents where snakes occur

The researchers split the cannibalism events into wild or natural events, when the observation occurred in a natural, wild setting; in captivity, when the event took place in captivity; and unknown, when an animal is dissected and the circumstance in which the cannibalistic event occurred was unknown. They determined that most of the cannibalistic events were opportunistic with the majority of the events occurring in captivity. Read More at reptilesmagazine

Newsletter Archives!

Dan Snorek — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:27:27 +0000

The archives of all past newsletters are now available to view on the webpage starting with: Volume 1 June 1981!

The archives can be found under the Members menu Newsletter Archive

Tortoises have human-like feelings

Dan Snorek — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:19:14 +0000

Tortoises can feel human emotions, like optimism and positivity, a University of Lincoln study has found.

Tests have shown red-footed tortoises experience long-term moods, similar to those of mammals and birds.

The new findings could help shape how animals are cared for in captivity, according to a university spokesperson.

Prof Oliver Burnman, who studies animal behaviour and welfare, said the results “represent a significant shift in our understanding of what reptiles experience”. Read more at BBC

Rare Rattlesnake Den Discovered By Minnesota DNR

Dan Snorek — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:40:10 +0000

Nongame biologists in southeast Minnesota discovered a den of Timber rattlesnakes while conducting surveys in the field for this state-threatened species. They were working out in the field in Southeastern Minnesota, conducting surveys on this threatened Species of snake recently, when they came across a whole den of them, which they posted a video of on FB

Read More: Rare Rattlesnake Den Discovered By Minnesota DNR Team

These lizards have their own built in chainmail

Dan Snorek — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:10:17 +0000

A number of Australian lizards have large thick scales as a form of protective armour, but it was not until recently that scientists discovered something remarkable. Using advanced and very detailed CT scanning technology they discovered that some of Australia’s native lizards have dermal armour. It is a kind of intricate chainmail, but what is this used for? WATCH NOW

Scientists in Barbados overturn hundreds of rocks to rediscover world’s smallest-known snake

Dan Snorek — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:06:19 +0000

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — For nearly two decades, no one had spotted the world’s smallest-known snake.

Some scientists worried that maybe the Barbados threadsnake had become extinct, but one sunny morning, Connor Blades lifted a rock in a tiny forest in the eastern Caribbean island and held his breath.

A man let venomous snakes bite him. His blood helped create a new antivenom.

Dan Snorek — Wed, 07 May 2025 16:21:17 +0000

Tim Friede let cobras bite him on purpose — now, he’s logged 202 snakebites, in total. “It always burns and it’s always, always painful,” he says. After the back-to-back cobra bites, Friede had to be airlifted to the hospital and spent four days in a coma. “Was it a mistake? Yes. Was it stupid? Yes,” he says. But he’s in it for the science. Read more at ScienceNews.org

How alligators are breathing life into Florida’s Everglades

Dan Snorek — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 21:18:11 +0000

members of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and this powerful reptile, which locals refer to as Mama Gator, have lived side by side for much of the 60-year-old animal’s life, he explains. This intimate coexistence provides a chance to observe how alligators meticulously shape their surroundings. Read more at BBC.com

Venomous Snake Found in Box of Bananas

Dan Snorek — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:35:49 +0000

A southern New Hampshire grocery store worker found more than produce in a recently delivered shipment, and instead opened a package containing a venomous stowaway.

“The hitchhiker turned out to be an Ornate Cat-eyed Snake, a mildly venomous snake species native to Ecuador,” the division said. Read more at usatoday.com

Endangered frogs rescued!

Christopher Rueber — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 01:55:25 +0000

33 precious froglets have been born at London Zoo, following an urgent mission to rescue their species from the brink of extinction.