snake

A high-quality genome sequence for this versatile insect will likely aid eco-evolutionary research.

The study estimates that one-fifth of reptile species worldwide are at risk of extinction.

The Scientist speaks with organismal biologist Xavier Glaudas about possible reasons for his recent finding that male Montpellier snakes cannibalize female conspecifics.

Across the tree of life, animals use sound and other vibrations to glean valuable sensory information about their environments even before they are born.

Recent findings buck the traditional idea that embryos are passive agents and instead suggest that by tuning into vibrations, organisms can better prepare to enter the outside world.

Watch and listen to reptiles, amphibians, insects, and birds respond to sound from inside their eggs.

Researchers discover that rattlesnakes change their rattling frequency when a perceived threat approaches—tricking humans into thinking the snake is closer than it really is.

Conservation biologist John Ewen discusses the recent reintroduction of Tasmanian devils to mainland Australia after a 3,000-year absence and issues that need to be considered when bringing long-departed animals back into an area.

Stem cells from nine snake species respond to tissue culturing techniques previously used only on mouse and human stem cells.

An image of a Malagasy tree boa wins first place in the British Ecological Society’s annual photography competition.

Slithering snakes mimic waves of light, “diffracting” as they pass by an obstacle.

Scientists have found the 99-million-year-old remains of a baby snake.

The brown tree snake has wreaked havoc on the island of Guam, but one solution to the problem could lie in the serpent’s own physiology.

Five newly identified species of snakes suck the mollusks right out of their shells.  

Selected Images of the Day from the-scientist.com

Painful snake bites may hold clues to developing analgesic drugs.

The Sakishima habu (pitviper; Protobothrops elegans) can compensate for inept traits in the chemical composition of its venom by overdosing its prey.

Researchers find that boas and pythons use an XY sex chromosome system, rather than the previously assumed ZW system found in some other snakes.

Locals helped researchers find the extremely rare boa.