Reptile Scouts

Warm-blooded but scaly of heart.

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turtles return to the mother ship

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(Bothriopsis bilineata) Parrot viper

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Sulawesi lined gliding lizard (Draco spilonotus) - male extending gular flap and patagium, Sulawesi, Indonesia

photograph by A.S. Kono CC

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Camaleón by Marcu Ovidiu

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Time to celebrate the wonderful world of reptiles & amphibians! (and not just today, but everyday!) These animals control populations of insects and rodents that spread disease and threaten human food crops. They deserve respect and attention! 

I’ve been working in the rainforest to save frogs from extinction, and these frogs are the primary food source of an endangered Palm Viper snake. Check out our National Geographic video if you want to see this in action! Watch it here: http://www.frogrescue.com/film/

Image source: Peppermint Narwhal Creative

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Our first T. Rex level Scout!

11-year-old Cae is the first Reptile Scout to reach T. Rex level (and is a completely amazing human being). Below are some of my favorite photos that he’s sent, as well a few questions that he answered over email for me. His independent T. Rex project is at the bottom of this post. Cae has completed some great projects over the past year or so to earn his merit badges, and has been a very engaging and enthusiastic Scout. Great work Cae! 

--Sophie

Holding a Burmese Python at the Iowa State Fair.

Sophie: When did you first become interested in reptiles?

Cae: Around 4th grade.

With a snapping turtle.

Sophie: What’s an interesting experience or interaction that you’ve had with a reptile?

Cae: When a ball python bit me in the head.

[Sophie: !!!]

Working on his Painted Turtle badge.

Sophie: What’s your favorite reptile and why?

Cae: The bullsnake because it can imitate a rattlesnake.

[Sophie: Cae was the first person to tell me about the bullsnake--although non-venomous, its coloration is similar to the dimondback rattler, and when threatened the bullsnake can force air through its windpipe in a way that imitates the rattle of a rattlesnake.]

The Reptile Scouts hat that he made!

Here’s Cae’s independent project that he completed for his T. Rex badge. His idea was to create his own imaginary reptile. This is what he came up with:

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Northern Rubber Boa (Charina bottae)- San Mateo County, California

A beautiful adult female Rubber Boa without any scarring. Typically, wild Rubber Boas have numerous scars that are sustained during predation of rodents.

Instagram: @zacharge 

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(Bitis caudalis) Horned puff adder

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Invasive species, the Reticulated Python.

graybealillustration.wix.com/portfolio 

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Crocodiles. Photo by Anthony John Coletti

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This turtle’s shell looks like a fireworks display. (Source)

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Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)  Road cruising in Colorado.

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IT’S SMILING OMG

baby animals blog

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Serrate Casque-headed Lizard (Laemanctus serratus) in a tree in Chiapas, Mexico

photograph by Dick Bartlett

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Bufo Bufo by Grouchywolfpup on DA

The common toad, whose scientific name is Bufo Bufo. They’ve been a big part of my childhood. And they’re adorable! Photo Reference: [link] by ~turtledove-stock Media: watercolors, gouache, and prismacolor colored pencils on bristol.