Herpetological Highlights

Herpetological Highlights
  • 4.9 (66)
  • NATURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Bringing you the recent scientific advancements in the field of Herpetology.

  1. 239 Side Effects of Albinism

    12/23/2025

    239 Side Effects of Albinism

    Common knowledge suggests that albino animals are rare in the wild because they stick out like a sore thumb and get eaten by predators, but studies supporting this are relatively scarce. Now, researchers from Australia have discovered that the drawbacks of albinism are not limited to their obvious appearance. Even better, they used our old friends cane toads to prove it. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Funk AT, Martin J, Clark M, Païta A, Jolly CJ, Shine R. 2025. Knocking out genes to reveal drivers of natural selection on phenotypic traits: a study of the fitness consequences of albinism. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 292:20251458. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.1458. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Clark MB, Funk AT, Paporakis A, Brown GP, Beach SJ, Tay A, Deering S, Cooper C, Tizard M, Jolly CJ, Ward-Fear G, Waddle AW, Shine R, Maselko M. 2025. Efficient CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing of the Cane Toad ( Rhinella marina ). The CRISPR Journal 8:321–332. DOI: 10.1177/25731599251382427. Stephenson BP, Velani Z, Ihász N. 2022. The effect of albinism on avian predator attack rates in eastern garter snakes. Zoology 150:125987. DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2021.125987. Other Links/Mentions: Motorbike frog call from: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/517096-Ranoidea-moorei  Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

    32 min
  2. 238 Antivenom Breakthrough

    12/17/2025

    238 Antivenom Breakthrough

    New methods in antivenom technology may yield a treatment that works on most of the cobras in Africa, thanks to the blood of alpacas and some very clever scientists. Then we follow up with two new species of sleepyhead snake from Venezuala. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Ahmadi S, Burlet NJ, Benard-Valle M, Guadarrama-Martínez A, Kerwin S, Cardoso IA, Marriott AE, Edge RJ, Crittenden E, Neri-Castro E, Fernandez-Quintero ML, Nguyen GTT, O’Brien C, Wouters Y, Kalogeropoulos K, Thumtecho S, Ebersole TW, Dahl CH, Glegg-Sørensen EU, Jansen T, Boddum K, Manousaki E, Rivera-de-Torre E, Ward AB, Morth JP, Alagón A, Mackessy SP, Ainsworth S, Menzies SK, Casewell NR, Jenkins TP, Ljungars A, Laustsen AH. 2025. Nanobody-based recombinant antivenom for cobra, mamba and rinkhals bites. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09661-0. Species of the Bi-Week: Esqueda LF, Rojas-Runjaic FJM, Prudente A, Bazó S, Navarrete LF, Carmargo-Sillet E, Ortiz JC, Correa C, Guerrero P, Urra F. 2025. A first phylogenetic and taxonomic approach to sleepyhead snakes from Venezuela (Dipsadidae: Atractus), with the description of two new Andean species. Organisms Diversity & Evolution. DOI: 10.1007/s13127-025-00682-1. Other Links/Mentions: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop  Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

    30 min
  3. 237 City Slickin' Wall Lizards

    11/25/2025

    237 City Slickin' Wall Lizards

    Urban areas represent both opportunities and risks for animals, and they adapt their behaviour in many ways to cope with this fast-paced lifestyle. Now, a new study has detailed how urban wall lizards in Croatia have richer social lives than their rural counterparts. Then we chat about a listener-submitted story detailing wild lizards eating pizza. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Maune AL, Wittenbreder T, Lisičić D, Caspers BA, Camerlenghi E, Damas-Moreira I. 2025. City lizards are more social. Biology Letters 21:20250326. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0326. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Dendi, D., Segniagbeto, G. H., Meek, R., & Luiselli, L. (2023). Opportunistic foraging strategy of rainbow lizards at a seaside resort in Togo. African Journal of Ecology, 61(1), 226-227. Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

    34 min
  4. 236 Grippy Australian Geckos

    11/17/2025

    236 Grippy Australian Geckos

    Research from Asian geckos generally suggests that sticky pads are used for smooth surfaces, while claws help grip onto rougher surfaces like wood and rocks. But a new study using Australian geckos is has turned that paradigm upside-down. Then we talk about a brand new species of frog described from the mountains of central China. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Pillai RR, Riedel J, Wirth W, Allen-Ankins S, Nordberg E, Edwards W, Schwarzkopf L. 2025. What’s the point? The functional role of claws in pad-bearing taxa (Gekkota: Diplodactylidae). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 292:20251362. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.1362. Species of the Bi-Week: Li S, Shi S, Liu J, Zhao J, Gao S, Wang B. 2025. A new species of the Boulenophrys (Anura, Megophryidae) from Hubei, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101:1213–1226. DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155859. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: GEORGALIS, G. L., & JONES, M. E. (2025). A new peculiar early diverging caenophidian snake (Serpentes) from the late Eocene of Hordle Cliff, England. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 24(25), 505-530. Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

    29 min
  5. 235 Magnetoad Goes Home

    09/09/2025

    235 Magnetoad Goes Home

    Toads continue to amaze us - this time they are using their sense of the Earth's magnetic field to find their way home. But how important this sense is for cane toads as they travel home from long journeys, and how much are they relying on their sense of smell, was a mystery, until a clever new study tested the toads. Then we briefly touch on how pythons digest bones so successfully. Main Paper References: Fernandez RC, Sotelo MI. 2025. A toad’s journey home: towards elucidating the neural and sensory basis of amphibian navigation. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 292. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.0525. Shaykevich DA, Pareja-Mejía D, Golde C, Pašukonis A, O’Connell LA. 2025. Neural and sensory basis of homing behaviour in the invasive cane toad, Rhinella marina. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 292:20250045. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.0045. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Lignot J-H, Pope RK, Secor SM. 2025. Diet-dependent production of calcium- and phosphorus-rich ‘spheroids’ along the intestine of Burmese pythons: identification of a new cell type? Journal of Experimental Biology 228:jeb249620. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.249620. Other Links/Mentions: Starr M. 2025.New Cell Discovered in Pythons Allows Them to Completely Digest Bones. Available at https://www.sciencealert.com/new-cell-discovered-in-pythons-allows-them-to-completely-digest-bones (accessed August 25, 2025). Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

    34 min
  6. 234 Hot Dragons, Cold Dragons

    09/05/2025

    234 Hot Dragons, Cold Dragons

    We recap some of our recent travels, and then chat about bearded dragons. A new study shows that these lizards are making decisions about how they maintain their body temperature, and this has a knock-on effect on how well they perform during their daily lives. Being cold-blooded is complicated. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Wild KH, Roe JH, Curran J, Pearson PR, Schwanz L, Georges A, Sarre SD. 2025. Thermal performance curves, activity and survival in a free‐ranging ectotherm. Journal of Animal Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.70091. Species of the Bi-Week: Petzold A, Glaw F, Mullin KE, Rakotoarison A, Raselimanana AP, Cottini A, Orozco-terWengel P, Kohler J, Protzel D, Vences M, Hofreiter M, Scherz MD. 2025. A preliminary assessment of the diversity in the frog genus Anilany (Microhylidae: Cophylinae) with description of a new species from western Madagascar. Salamandra. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Marshall BM, Strine CT, Gore ML, Eskew EA, Stringham OC, Cardoso P, Chekunov S, Watters F, Fukushima C, García-Díaz P, Sinclair JS, Tlusty MF, Almeida RJ, Valdez JW, Hughes AC. 2025. Mapping the global dimensions of US wildlife imports. Current Biology:S0960982225008784. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.07.012. Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

    47 min
  7. 233 Colour-matching chameleons

    08/06/2025

    233 Colour-matching chameleons

    In this episode we are talking chameleons, one of nature's most famous colour changers. But despite their famous status, very few studies have actually demonstrated that they can change colour under controlled conditions. Research led by our very own Tom Major has shown that flap-necked chameleons from Tanzania are capable of changing their colour, and brightness, to match their surroundings and escape predation.  Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Major T, Hesten ACM, Stipala J, Cant MA, Stevens M, Troscianko J. 2025 Flap-necked chameleons change colour to match their background. Biology Letters 21: 20250134 Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Drown, R. M., Liebl, A. L., & Anderson, C. V. (2022). The functional basis for variable antipredatory behavioral strategies in the chameleon Chamaeleo calyptratus. Journal of Experimental Biology, 225(10), jeb242955. Stuart-Fox, D., Whiting, M. J., & Moussalli, A. (2006). Camouflage and colour change: antipredator responses to bird and snake predators across multiple populations in a dwarf chameleon. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 88(3), 437-446. Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

    36 min
  8. 232 The Glass is Half-full for Tortoises

    07/31/2025

    232 The Glass is Half-full for Tortoises

    The minds of reptiles remain largely mysterious to us, and we often wonder what kind of emotions they are capable of feeling. In this episode we dig into a new study which tries to uncover some of the mysteries of tortoise cognition, particularly whether they can experience different moods. We follow that up with a newly described species of lizard from the rocky deserts of Arabia. Main Paper References: Hoehfurtner T, Wilkinson A, Moszuti SA, Burman OHP. 2025. Evidence of mood states in reptiles. Animal Cognition 28. DOI: 10.1007/s10071-025-01973-y. Species of the Bi-Week: Šmíd J, Velenská D, Pola L, Tamar K, Busais S, Shobrak M, Almutairi M, Salim AFA, Alsubaie SD, AlGethami RHM, AlGethami AR, Alanazi ASK, Alshammari AM, Egan DM, Ramalho RO, Olson D, Smithson J, Chirio L, Burger M, Van Huyssteen R, Petford MA, Carranza S. 2025. Phylogeny and systematics of Arabian lacertids from the Mesalina guttulata species complex (Squamata, Lacertidae), with the description of a new species. BMC Zoology 10. DOI: 10.1186/s40850-025-00233-3. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Harding EJ, Paul ES, Mendl M. 2004. Cognitive bias and affective state. Nature 427:312–312. DOI: 10.1038/427312a. Moszuti SA, Wilkinson A, Burman OHP. 2017. Response to novelty as an indicator of reptile welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 193:98–103. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.03.018. Other Links/Mentions: Alamshah AL, Marshall BM. 2025. Big bills, small changes: with few exceptions, Jungle crows show minor variation in bill morphology across their distribution. EcoEvoRxiv. DOI: 10.32942/X2NW74. https://ecoevorxiv.org/repository/view/9694/  Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

    38 min
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Bringing you the recent scientific advancements in the field of Herpetology.

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  • Creator
    Herpetological Highlights
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    242
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Herpetological Highlights

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