Reptiles Definition

(BIVN) – Wild pigs are part of life in Hawaiʻi, but a new study finds that the animals bring "devastating impacts" to the places they inhabit. From the University of Hawaiʻi: Wild pigs ( Sus scrofa ), one of the most widely distributed mammals on the planet, have gained notoriety in recent decades due to their devastating impacts to agricultural crops and threats to species of conservation concern. Recent findings of a team of researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University highlight concerns about their impacts to global biodiversity, particularly on islands and to species that often receive less global conservation attention, such as plants, reptiles and amphibians. The findings were published in Scientific Reports.  "Wild pigs are unique among other species since they are herbivores, top predators, and ecosystem engineers, modifying ecosy...

The Dendroaspis polylepis (black mamba) is a shiny and slim poisonous snake that's widespread in sub-Saharan regions in Africa. Its name was coined from the Zulu word imbamba. The black mamba belongs to the same family as cobras and shares its title with three other species: Jameson's mamba, western mamba, green mamba. They are cold blooded creatures, so they linger for the light and heat of the day before preparing their way into the open wild. Here are some little-known facts about this ruthless snake. (Photo : Pixabay) 1. Black mambas are not black but brown Contrary to the common notion, the black in the name black mamba doesn't pertain to its body color. Rather, it implies the inside color of the snake's mouth. Because the mamba doesn't possess much in terms of vibrant design or coloring on its body, this is a decent way for animals and humans alike to recognize what type of snake they've faced.  2. They crawl fast Black mambas are the fast...

The Tanintharyi region of Myanmar is home to unique and endangered species, but its forests are being cleared. Tanintharyi's Kawthoung district lost 14% of its primary forest between 2002 and 2020. New satellite data show deforestation activity spiking in many parts of Kawthoung, including in some of the last known habitat of critically endangered Gurney's pittas. Tanintharyi, Myanmar's portion of the spit of land that splits the Gulf of Thailand from the Andaman Sea, is still swathed in old growth rainforest home to a unique medley of animals and plants – some of which are endangered and found nowhere else on the planet. But this forest is disappearing, and satellite data show deforestation appears to be accelerating in several parts of region. One of these areas is Kawthoung, the district that comprises Tanintharyi's southern extremity. Here live Malay tapirs ( Tapirus indicus ) and lar gibbons ( Hylobates lar ), geckos only recently discovered by scientists...

Happy Father's Day, gents. In honor of you, I'm going to root around in my mailbag for missives only from men. I'm sure someone will remind me of this injustice in advance of May 8, 2022. But don't worry, everyone. Men have more things on their minds than befouled sports stories and whether there is a "q" in "barbecue." Old Lefty While watching the PGA Championship broadcast in May, reader David Fiedler noted, commentators said that if Phil Mickelson were to win the tournament he would become the oldest player to win a major and it would be "HISTORICAL." "Not so," David told me. "It was 'historic!' Only British commentator Nick Faldo got it right." Fiedler is correct. I don't know whether Faldo's being British had anything to do with his proper word choice, but I do know traveling the world with an unabridged Oxford English Dictionary and a set of golf clubs would be onerous. S...

Poison Dart Frogs Part of Rust Belt Charm Poison Dart Frogs Part of Rust Belt Charm (Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 29, 2018) Ferndale, MI – Big box stores have greeters that say hello as shoppers enter. But Rust Belt Market in Downtown Ferndale does things differently. Here guests are welcomed by a pack of poison dart frogs and their beautiful chirping song. The Rust Belt Market is home to over 40 independent artisan vendors, selling everything from clothing and jewelry, art, and décor, to soaps and other personal product, to vintage items and other unusual finds. But not only is it just a space for artists, it is a work of art itself. Owners Tiffany and Chris Best took what used to be an Old Navy Store at the corner of 9 Mile and Woodward and came up with the Rust Belt theme. From the ceiling there are decorative lamps forged in steel.  A wall cordoning off the event space in the center is a 3d design made of re-purposed wood, and a cozy little nook with a red velvet bench. Out ...

Dogs such as Rottweilers and Pitbulls with large, muscular bodies, especially dogs trained to intimidate, may look like the scariest dogs of this species.But the evidence shows that it is smaller dog In reality, it can be more aggressive than their oversized opponents. So why are small dogs so ferocious? First, it's important to define what's small for your dog. "Small dogs under 20 pounds [9 kilograms] "The range tends to be more responsive," said James Serpel, director of the Center for Animal-Social Interactions, University of Pennsylvania, Veterinary Medicine. For example, Daxfund, Chiwawa, and Jack Russell Terrier. Chew, according to a 2008 study in the journal Applied Animal Behavioral Science We surveyed the owners of more than 30 breeds. Other aggressive behaviors found in small dogs include growls, growls, and rushes. There are several theories as to why this is the case. Relation: Why do dogs and cats run around at random speeds? Small...

Many scammers use stock photos of dogs they don't actually own. FINDLAY, Ohio — A Findlay man has a warning for anyone looking to buy a puppy through Facebook after he fell victim to a scam and lost hundreds of dollars. Last week, Devin Lucius, of Findlay, came across a post for boxer puppies for sale in the Cleveland area on a garage sale page on Facebook. He contacted a woman named Stecy Menyana whose profile looked legitimate. Menyana sent him pictures of a female puppy and Lucius agreed to a deal. "I sent them the initial $200 and they're like, 'Well this isn't my account and it's my boyfriend's or husband's friends account. They're in charge of this. We need the other $300,'" Lucius said. RELATED: FBI, BBB: Don't share senior high school photos on social media Lucius sent $500 total, which included delivery of the puppy, via Cash App and Zelle to a man named Mohamad Njie. Lucius said red fl...

The 12 dogs were removed from a house in 'deplorable conditions' under a month ago, covered in filth and bugs. The now-healthy pups are ready for forever homes. MAUMEE, Ohio — The Toledo Humane Society rescues thousands of dogs every year, but not all of those come from good places. At the Toledo Humane Society, a dozen sweet, little rat terriers are happy and playful, waiting for someone to come scoop them up to their new home. But that wasn't case for the bunch just a few weeks ago. "These were found in a house in deplorable conditions," cruelty officer Courtney Schroyer said. "Just covered in feces, urine, bugs. Just absolutely terrible conditions." Schroyer said she couldn't believe what she saw when she walked into that house on Nov. 5. It took her partner and herself almost two hours to catch all 12 dogs. Another did not survive. "I was absolutely shocked," she said. "I've never seen anything li...

Hawaii's garden recently became home to a new anole. The one we have seen for years is called the American chameleon because of its ability to change colors. The new guy is the Bahamian anole that is dark brown with diamond markings on the back and a bright red dewlap of the male. There are others as well, like the Cuban anole on Oahu. We also have iguanas, at least eight species of gecko, skinks and at least two species of true chameleon. We have one species of snake called the island blind snake. However, none are native to Hawaii. ADVERTISING In fact, there are no native land lizards, snakes, frogs, toads or turtles. Some came as hitchhikers, stowaways and in the days when there were few laws, in the pet trade. Now it is illegal to bring in any of these types of animals and is even penalized by fines and in some cases jail time. With special permits from the Department of Agriculture, some reptiles are allowed for scientific purposes. Most aforementione...

Want to add a furry friend to your family and do something good for the New London community at the same time? Then you should consider adopting a dog, cat or other animal from a local shelter or organization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many pets are still looking for their forever homes and facilities still working to fulfill adoptions. Across Connecticut, there are thousands of dogs, cats and other animals of all ages and sizes without a home — and many are located within driving distance. For those looking to adopt, a great place to begin your search for a lovable new fur child is at a local animal shelter. If you aren't sure if you have time to take care of a pet year round, many shelters also offer opportunities to foster pets until they are placed in appropriate homes. Here at Patch, with a little help from our friends at Petfinder, we put together a list each week of all the pets recently put up for adoption in your area. If you're a cat person, meet Carly, a ...