by Rich Leighton | Mar 28, 2020 | Florida Nature Photography, Herps, Interesting Nature Facts, Natural History, Nature & Wildlife, Reptiles
Most reptiles have 3-chambered hearts, but the heart of alligators, and all other crocodilians, has 4 chambers – a trait shared with mammals and birds. MORE PHOTOS OF ALLIGATORS MORE INTERESTING NATURE FACTS Interesting Nature Facts is a series about the flora, fauna...
by Rich Leighton | Jul 18, 2018 | Florida, Florida Nature Photography, Herps, Interesting Nature Facts, Natural History, Nature & Wildlife, Reptiles
Gopher tortoises build enormous burrows that can be up to 50 feet long and nearly 10 feet deep, and not only just one burrow. Over the area of several acres, it can build many burrows to suit its needs over a lifetime. These tunnels keep it safe from predators, cool...
by Rich Leighton | Jul 13, 2018 | Herps, Interesting Nature Facts, Natural History, Nature & Wildlife, Reptiles
California kingsnakes are non-venomous, but are powerful constrictors. The “king” refers to the fact that they hunt other snakes, including venomous rattlesnakes. California kingsnakes are resistant to rattlesnake venom. MORE PHOTOS OF REPTILES MORE...
by Rich Leighton | Apr 24, 2018 | Florida Nature Photography, Herps, Interesting Nature Facts, Natural History, Reptiles
The green anole is a common lizard in the American Southeast, slender in build, with a narrow head and a long, slender tail that can be twice as long as the rest of the animal. Color can vary from gray-brown, to brown, to bright green. Each animal can change its color...
by Rich Leighton | Mar 25, 2018 | Florida Nature Photography, Herps, Interesting Nature Facts, Natural History, Reptiles
The cottonmouth, also known as the water moccasin, is the only semiaquatic viper, usually found in or near water, particularly in slow-moving and shallow lakes, streams, and marshes. The snake is a strong swimmer and even enters the sea. It has successfully colonized...
by Rich Leighton | Jan 6, 2017 | Herps, NANP, Natural History, Nature & Wildlife, Nature Photography, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Reptiles, Travel
Unusual but not unheard of, this northwestern garter snake (Thamnophis ordinoides) was unexpectedly found actively hunting in the grass near the beach on a rare February sunny day on the Oregon Coast in Oswald West State Park. One of the smallest of garter snakes in...
Recent Comments