Herpetological Highlights
Science & Ideas
About
In Herpetological Highlights we will explore the recent scientific discoveries in the field of Herpetology. We'll cover everything from lizards to frogs, snakes, and toads. Every episode we'll be digging into the biology and ecology of these reptiles and amphibians in an attempt to disentangle the science. Hosted by Tom Major and Ben Marshall. Like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/herphighlights
Episodes
- 247 Big Brains Ain't Free
This episode of Herpetological Highlights discusses a study on the energetic and resource costs associated with intelligence in reptiles and amphibians, exploring what determines cognitive ability in these species. It also addresses the to…
- 246 Salamanders vs Volcanoes
Episode 246 of Herpetological Highlights covers the cascade torrent salamander, detailing its evolutionary history influenced by volcanoes and flooding over 15 million years. The episode also features a discussion on newly discovered frog…
- 245 A Vegetation Investigation
Episode 245 of Herpetological Highlights examines two scientific papers. The first details how desert lizards strategically manage their nutrition throughout the year to support mating and prepare for hibernation. The second paper investig…
- 244 Frogs Bringing the Pain
This episode explores how various animals have evolved defensive toxins that mimic the hormone bradykinin, which is naturally released in response to pain. It discusses the evolutionary history and defensive applications of these toxins. A…
- 243 Pythons are Seed Pipelines
Invasive pythons and tegus in the Everglades may be acting as seed dispersers, potentially contributing to the disruption and destruction of rare habitats, according to a new study.
- 242 Spot the Viper to Survive
Episode 242 of Herpetological Highlights covers the predatory behaviors and camouflage of Bothrops pitvipers, noting new research on their effectiveness against prey. The episode also introduces a newly described newt species found in cent…
- 241 Poison Frog Parents
This episode discusses research on the parental care behaviors of mimic poison frogs, specifically examining how male and female frogs share responsibilities, including conditions under which females take over tadpole movement.
- 240 Small Homes for Small Gators
This episode discusses the conservation of the Chinese alligator, including new habitat creation and insights from GPS tracking on their wetland usage. It also covers two new species of sand swimming skinks discovered in Madagascar and the…
- 239 Side Effects of Albinism
Episode 239 of Herpetological Highlights discusses the side effects of albinism, moving beyond the common understanding of increased predation risk. Researchers utilized cane toads to investigate the fitness consequences of albinism, notin…
- 238 Antivenom Breakthrough
Episode 238 of Herpetological Highlights covers advancements in antivenom technology, detailing a new method using alpaca-derived nanobodies that may treat bites from most African cobras. The episode also highlights the discovery of two ne…
- 237 City Slickin' Wall Lizards
Episode 237 of Herpetological Highlights discusses a study showing urban wall lizards in Croatia have richer social lives than their rural counterparts. The show also includes a listener-submitted story about wild lizards eating pizza.
- 236 Grippy Australian Geckos
This episode of Herpetological Highlights discusses a new study on Australian geckos that re-evaluates the function of their footpads and claws, contrasting with previous research on Asian geckos. Additionally, it introduces a recently dis…
- 235 Magnetoad Goes Home
Episode 235 of Herpetological Highlights discusses how toads utilize the Earth's magnetic field to navigate home. A recent study investigated the importance of this sense versus smell for cane toads. The episode also touches upon the diges…
- 234 Hot Dragons, Cold Dragons
This episode of Herpetological Highlights recaps recent travels and discusses bearded dragons, referencing a new study on their thermoregulation and its effect on daily performance in cold-blooded lizards.
- 233 Colour-matching chameleons
This episode of Herpetological Highlights discusses chameleon colour change, focusing on research led by Tom Major. The study demonstrated that flap-necked chameleons from Tanzania can alter their colour and brightness to camouflage with t…
- 232 The Glass is Half-full for Tortoises
This episode of Herpetological Highlights explores a recent study investigating potential mood states in tortoises and introduces a newly described lizard species found in the deserts of Arabia.
- 231 Hotter Times for Desert Lizards
This episode discusses a study on the impact of climate change on desert lizards in Africa and Australia, noting that rising temperatures may reduce their activity periods. It also covers reports of anacondas attacking dogs.
- 230 Bats Listen to Hear Which Frog is Tastiest
New research indicates that fringe-lipped bats acquire the skill to discern edible frogs through vocalizations, a process that takes longer for younger bats to master. The episode also discusses the recent discovery of a skink species in u…
- 229 Tokay Geckos Will Remember You
This episode examines new research on the ability of tokay geckos to distinguish between individual humans. It also covers the rediscovery of the Chilean frog species Alsodes vittatus, which had been missing for over a century.
- 228 Why do pythons have heat pits?
Episode 228 of Herpetological Highlights discusses the heat pits found on pythons and some boas. A recent study investigated the evolutionary history of these facial features, which enable the snakes to detect the heat signatures of prey,…
- 227 The Colourful Diet of Day Geckos
This episode discusses the evolutionary relationship between day geckos and plants, focusing on how geckos consume nectar and pollinate in return, referencing a study from the mid-2000s. It also covers a news item about a snake eating unde…
- 226 Iguanas on Tour
This episode of Herpetological Highlights covers a study detailing how ancient iguanas traveled 8,000 km by rafting from North America to Fiji. It also explores a newly identified species of wolf snake discovered in Myanmar.
- 225 Smooth Snakes vs Vipers
Episode 225 of Herpetological Highlights addresses the potential threat of smooth snakes to meadow vipers and explores the phenomenon of color variation in asp vipers, referencing relevant scientific studies.
- 224 Raptors Cannot Resist Rattlesnakes
A new study investigates whether predatory birds in America possess resistance to rattlesnake venom. The episode also covers how rattlesnakes obtain water in arid environments and introduces a newly described pitviper species from Thailand.
- 223 Sky-diving Salamanders
This episode discusses tree-dwelling salamanders with gliding abilities, detailing new research that tested the aerial maneuvering skills of different species. It also covers the description of a new frog species found on Kangaroo Island,…
- 222 Aesculapian Snake Special
Episode 222 of Herpetological Highlights focuses on recent research concerning the Aesculapian snake. The discussion covers radio-tracking techniques, the study's media reception, and positive conservation news from the Zoological Society…
- 221 Salamander Salvation
Episode 221 discusses how the removal of natural breeding pools impacts salamanders and frogs. New research indicates that artificial pools may influence the genetics and survival rates of spotted salamanders and wood frogs, with implicati…
- 220 Toxic Toads A Tale of Two Species
This episode of Herpetological Highlights discusses research into the Asian common toad, which may represent multiple species, and introduces a newly discovered, tiny chameleon species from Madagascar.
- 219 Ball Pythons Care About Friendship
Herpetological Highlights episode 219 discusses a new study indicating ball pythons exhibit social behavior and friendship. The episode also touches on sociality in rattlesnakes and potential revisions to the number of milk snake species.
- 218 Sleepy Skinks Love Tomatoes
Episode 218 of Herpetological Highlights examines a study testing how skink personalities affect their food-finding success in the wild and introduces a newly discovered frog species from China.
- 217 Blindsnake Takeover
Episode 217 of Herpetological Highlights covers the proliferation of blindsnakes in Australia, examining their various physical forms and including audience-submitted accounts of uncommon reptile actions.
- 216 Bearded Dragons Master Imitators
In episode 216 of Herpetological Highlights, research indicates bearded dragons are capable of learning through imitation. The episode also features a newly identified species of orange and black newt discovered in Thailand, and reviews re…
- 215 How Snakes Tackle Scorpions
Episode 215 of Herpetological Highlights examines the feeding behaviors of ground snakes, detailing how they subdue invertebrate prey like scorpions. The discussion references a 2024 study published in the Journal of Zoology concerning the…
- 214 Stinky Worm Lizards
Episode 214 discusses worm lizards, noting their legless, subterranean lifestyle. The episode highlights their use of scent for communication, conveying complex messages, and mentions the discovery of a new species.
- 213 Can you sex a blue-tongued skink?
Herpetological Highlights episode 213 discusses methods for determining the sex of blue-tongued skinks and investigates the biology and evolutionary history of olms, referencing two scientific studies.
- 212 King Cobra Species Split
Herpetological Highlights episode 212 covers new research describing multiple new species of king cobra. The episode also touches on hissing sounds made by vipers.
- 211 Babies Crying Attracts Crocodiles
Herpetological Highlights episode 211 explores the historical interactions between crocodiles and apes, referencing a study on how crocodiles perceive distress in baby hominid cries. The episode also briefly touches on unrelated herpetolog…
- 210 Box Turtle Personality
This episode discusses how turtle personalities can be influenced by their environment, noting that urban settings appear to alter turtle behavior. It also introduces a recently identified species of toad.
- 209 Eggs, Tails, and Leucistic Snakes
This episode of Herpetological Highlights covers recent research including frog nesting behavior, the tail regeneration and locomotion of two-tailed geckos, and the first reported instance of leucism in a Rhabdophis tigrinus snake in South…
- 208 Smoked Out Lizards
Episode 208 of Herpetological Highlights explores new research suggesting lizards from fire-prone environments exhibit increased awareness of smoke. The discussion also covers the discovery of a new green frog species notable for its flute…
- 207 Monitor Lizards Munching Manky Marsupials
Episode 207 of Herpetological Highlights covers monitor lizards competing with dingoes and foxes for carrion in Australia. It also discusses new research identifying a key ingredient that makes some lizard and crocodilian teeth exceptional…
- 206 Lizards on Red Alert
In episode 206, "Lizards on Red Alert," the discussion covers how tourism impacts lizard escape behaviors, instances of pythons preying on each other, and the introduction of a new species of skink resembling a dragon.
- 205 SquaMates Podcast Crossover
Herpetological Highlights presents a crossover episode with the SquaMates Podcast, recorded during the World Congress of Herpetology in Borneo, featuring guests Mark and Hiral.
- 204 World Congress of Herpetology
The Herpetological Highlights podcast covers the World Congress of Herpetology in Borneo, discussing the experience and featuring a live audience mini-podcast. It also highlights presentations on various herpetological topics, including fo…
- 203 Impulsive Skinks
Herpetological Highlights episode 203 examines the behavior of Australian lizards, specifically skinks, to determine their capability for inhibitory control. The research applied a semi-transparent cylinder task across five different skink…
- 202 Homeward Hopping Frogs
This episode of Herpetological Highlights discusses the homing abilities of egg-feeding poison frogs, specifically focusing on the species *Oophaga histrionica*. It also introduces a newly identified species of mud snake, *Myrrophis*, from…
- 201 Toxic Toe-tapping Frogs
This episode of Herpetological Highlights explores the reasons behind toe-tapping behavior in dart frogs, a phenomenon previously not understood by scientists. It references specific research papers, including work on Dendrobates tinctoriu…
- 200 Episode 200
Herpetological Highlights marks its 200th episode with a retrospective quiz and an examination of a study on abundant dice snake populations in urban lakeside environments.
- 199 Frog Saunas Save Lives
Herpetological Highlights episode 199 examines a study suggesting that heat shelters can help frogs resist the Bd fungus, a condition known as chytridiomycosis. The research indicates that this "hotspot" shelter may act as a protective buf…
- 198 Ultra-violet Snakes
This episode of Herpetological Highlights examines the ecological factors driving the evolution of ultraviolet coloration in snakes. It also features the blue-headed lizard (Enyalioides) as the Species of the Bi-week, referencing recent re…