Tagged With Reptiles

A brown and tan Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake swimming smoothly across a lake, its paddle-like tail propelling it forward

Do Snakes Swim? The Science of Their Aquatic Skills

10 April 2024

Snakes have a number of amazing adaptations that help them live and hunt in the water, including paddle-shaped tails and special ways of sensing their surroundings.

Close-up of the open mouth of a green iguana, revealing its sharp, serrated teeth

Lizard Teeth: A Look at Their Dental Anatomy and Functions

10 April 2024

The variation in lizard dentition, which includes the number, type, and arrangement of teeth, as well as how they are specialized for hunting and protection.

Detailed image of a frog sitting on a lily pad, inflating its vocal sacs as it lets out a loud croak

Why Do Frogs Croak? The Science Behind Their Distinctive Calls

10 April 2024

Male frogs croak for a variety of reasons, such as to find a mate, protect their territory, and communicate using species-specific calls.

A turtle swimming just below the water's surface, its long neck extended and exhaling bubbles as its webbed feet propel it forward

How Do Turtles Breathe Underwater? Evolutionary Adaptations

9 April 2024

How turtles have evolved some pretty amazing ways to breathe while they're underwater and stay submerged for long periods of time.

Bearded dragon standing on a branch, using its front legs to wave back and forth in a slow, undulating motion

Why Do Bearded Dragons Wave? The Science of Arm Waving

6 April 2024

The science of bearded dragon waving, including signs of submission, signs of dominance, friendly behavior, and what else to look for.

Close-up of a box turtle with a yellow and black shell examining a ripe purple grape on a mossy log

Can Turtles Have Grapes? A Nutritionist Weighs in on the Facts and Safety

6 April 2024

Turtles can have grapes, but it's important to make sure that you're not feeding them too many - different types of turtles have different grape needs.

Puff adder snake captured mid-jump, its thick body elevated off the ground with jaws open as if striking

Do Snakes Jump? The Fascinating World of Snake Locomotion

5 April 2024

How some snakes are able to jump and even fly by using special biomechanical modifications.

Striking coral snake with bright red, black, and yellow bands undulating through a grassy field, its unblinking eye visible

Can Snakes Blink? A Look at Snake Vision and Evolution

5 April 2024

Snakes don't have eyelids because of their specialized eye features, like a transparent spectacle scale instead of a traditional eyelid.

A desert-dwelling box turtle emerging from the ground, with a textured shell resembling fossilized rock formations

Did Turtles Evolve From Dinosaurs? A Look at the Evolutionary Clues

4 April 2024

Turtles are reptiles that are more closely related to crocodiles and birds than they are to dinosaurs, even though they all evolved from a common archosaur ancestor.

A black and yellow patterned ball python slithering up a smooth concrete wall

Why Do Snakes Climb Walls? The Science of a Reptilian Superpower

3 April 2024

How snakes' bodies and behavior help them move up walls and other steep inclines, and the obstacles they encounter.

Adult corn snake with a classic orange-red saddle pattern stretched out on a piece of driftwood in a captive habitat

How Long Do Corn Snakes Live? Exploring Their Longevity

2 April 2024

Corn snakes typically live between 6 and 23 years in captivity, depending on genetics, living conditions, diet, and care.

Photorealistic image of a turtle submerged in a shallow, reflective pool with a lush green environment

Turtle Respiration: How Long Can Turtles Hold Their Breath?

1 April 2024

Turtles' incredible capacity to stay underwater for as long as 7 hours at a time is the result of special respiratory structures and metabolic changes.