Herpetology Derpetology

Hello all! I have entered a contest to win a large sum of money, in which I would use to finally be able to afford my top surgery. I am a low income and chronically ill individual, so this would truly mean the world to me. Please take a moment to vote, donate or share this post. Thank you!

Hello all! I have entered a contest to win a large sum of money, in which I would use to finally be able to afford my top surgery. I am a low income and chronically ill individual, so this would truly mean the world to me. Please take a moment to vote, donate or share this post. Thank you!

The great plains toad, Anaxyrus cognatus, is absolutely the most rotund species of toad I have. As an adaptation to survive their natural arid climate they readily store significant amounts of fluids in their bodies, and after a soak they look and feel like water balloons.

You might find something like this on your property or along public forest trails. It’s about the same size and shape as a ketchup packet and smells like rotten fish. Believe it or not, this little packet protects you, your pets, and your family. The USDA drops these in areas (including Hamilton County) where raccoon-variant rabies has been known to occur. Raccoons find the packet and eat the contents, and it provides them with immunity to rabies. If you find one, simply leave it where it is, or, if it’s in an area accessible to a pet or child, just put on a pair of gloves and move it. Don’t worry, though— even if it was handled by a human or pet, it doesn’t pose any danger besides an unpleasant odor.

Giant green pill millipede, Zoosphaerium neptunus, Sphaerotheriida

Found only in Madagascar, this species is the largest pill millipede in the world, sometimes reaching almost 4 inches in length.

These friends are millipedes. They just happen to be the kind that can roll into a nice lil ball. 

They are NOT roly polies. Roly polies are terrestrial isopods, usually called pill bugs or woodlice, and they’re a kind of crustacean. There are also freshwater and marine isopods, including the giant isopods of the deep ocean that can reach 30″ in length or more.

Here’s a typical millipede most people are more familiar with:

They roll into spirals for protection instead of orbs:

Photos by sable and paul_norwood

Here’s a roly poly, or common pill woodlouse:

Photos by agapakisnikos

Do not ever buy Madagascar Pill Millipedes.

yes people sell them online. yes i want one too.

they should not be removed from their island and absolutely will not survive more than a month or two.

today's funky frog of the day: the mallorcan midwife toad (Alytes muletensis)!!!!!!!!!!! small and dainty, these frogs are from spain! they only live on the island of mallorca. they were actually believed to be extinct until recently.

Hey guys! This is a zine supporting the Trans Masculine Alliance of Houston, of which I am a board member and had the pleasure of creating this zine with my fellow members. Every purchase goes towards supporting our organization and features incredible artistry from our members. I am so happy to be on the board of TMAH and to have helped create this wonderful piece of work. Expect our next edition, BONES, in Feburary!