Tag

Herpetology

All articles tagged with #herpetology

science1 year ago•1 min saved

Frog Serves as Host for Surprising Mushroom Growth

A group of Indian herpetology hobbyists stumbled upon a surprising discovery when they found a mushroom growing out of the side of a Rao’s intermediate golden-backed frog in the Western Ghats. The peculiar sight led to further investigation and the identification of the fungal hitchhiker as a type of bonnet mushroom, typically found on decaying plant matter. This unusual occurrence has sparked interest and discussion among citizen scientists and mycologists.

via The New York Times|

#frogs #herpetology #india

science2 years ago•1 min saved

"Uncovering the Lethal Mechanics: Slow-Motion Footage Reveals Snake Attack Strategies"

Scientist Bill Ryerson spent years filming slow-motion footage of snakes attacking their prey to reveal how they kill. His research using high-speed cameras showed that snakes are either "strikers" or "lungers," and their teeth shape, position, and size can predict the speed and direction of their strike. "Strikers" attack at lightning speed from above, impaling their prey with needlelike teeth before injecting venom or squeezing the animal to death, while "lungers" strike more slowly and make contact with both jaws simultaneously. Ryerson's work sheds light on how snakes' teeth are significant to their killing behavior and was recently published in a book on snake morphology and ecology.

via PetaPixel|

#herpetology #science #slow-motion-footage

wildlife2 years ago•1 min saved

"Cobra Chronicles: From Devouring Pythons to Shirt Escapes - Unbelievable Wildlife Encounters"

Rare footage captured in Mysuru, Karnataka, shows an Indian cobra devouring a three-foot Burmese python, a giant constrictor native to Southeast Asia. The python quickly died from the cobra's venom and was swallowed whole in one bite. While this act of cannibalism may seem rare, cobras are known to snack on other snakes, with the King Cobra specializing in targeting its own kind. The Burmese python can grow up to 23 feet long and 200 pounds, making it one of the largest snakes on earth.

via New York Post |

#cannibalism #cobra #herpetology