Anuran Spotlight: MEULLER'S TERMITE FROG (Dermatonotus meulleri)

Meuller's Termite Frog is found in a variety of habitats where water is readily available for at least part of the year in areas of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia.


Like most of the other species in the family Microhylidae (the Narrowmouths), Termite frogs have small mouths on pointy snouts that serve them well in their diet of Termites and Ants.


Another distinctive characteristic of this family is the nuchal fold (neck fold) behind the head. For other members of this family, see Tomato Frogs and Malayan Painted Toads in earlier frog posts.


This is a common frog throughout its range, but is usually seen during rains when they come out in great numbers to breed in temporary and permanent bodies of water.


A frog in the hand beats 2 in the... never mind. This shows us the relative size of a large female. (Do we remember that usually female frogs are larger than males?)


This is a fossorial (burrowing) species, that would rather stay in an listen to some jazz and drink Chiraz than go out and carry on at the club with you.


"I'm not being judgmental. I just don't like Lady Gaga, that's all... what look on my face?"


An under view of the Meuller's. It's okay, they ain't shy.


A close up view of the hind foot of the Termite Frog shows the strong toes for digging. The extended digit of many Microhylids often wiggle when they hunt; possibly to distract or attract their insect prey.


As with many frogs and toads that spend the majority of time buried, Meuller's is an explosive breeder. This means that the entire population in a given area will breed en masse all at the same time, flooding the area with their offspring. This strategy for breeding ensures some safety in numbers for the tadpoles and toadlets.


One of my favorite frogs (the species not this individual) hides among the leaves of a forest floor with an unknown species of the family Ranidae (the True Frogs) after a rain.

Ophidian Spotlight: WAGLER'S VIPER (Tropidolaemus wagleri)

For EMMA WOLF...


This gorgeous nocturnal and arboreal (tree dwelling) pit viper (the family of venomous snakes with heat sensing pits on the face) is found in the forests of SE Asia, in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.


A captive Wagler's Viper uses its tongue to smell its surroundings, as all snakes do, using the Jacobson's Organ (a scent organ) in the roof of the mouth. Therefore, remember to wear deodorant around them, you dirty Euro-Trash!


They are also referred to as Temple Vipers, because of their abundance near some Buddhist temples in Malaysia, where they are allowed to pass in the temples and are even sometimes handled.


The belief amongst many zookeepers and snake enthusiasts for a long time was that they were mildly venomous and never bit, because of the practice of handling amongst some Buddhist monks. It turns out that the monks in Malaysia would often sew their mouths shut or defang them... although it is true that this species can often be lethargic and docile.


The Wagler's does in fact have a strong Hemotoxic (acting on the blood and blood vessels) venom, that it uses to prey upon small arboreal animals, like birds, frogs, lizards, and rodents. It is an ambush predator, staying very still for hours to days waiting for prey to come by, when it suddenly and quickly strikes.


Although venom is used for defense as well with Vipers and Pit Vipers, bites inflicted for defense usually inject less venom than those intended to subdue prey. Notice the slit/cat-like pupil that is indicative of the Pit Vipers.


There is some geographic variation in the color and pattern of this species (you will notice the variation by looking back on previous pics), but much of the variation is random and not at all geographic. There is also a sexual dimorphism, difference in body form between the sexes, as with most snakes, the females get larger than the males.


The original Latin name for this species, Lachesis wagleri. Today the genus name Lachesis is used only for The Bushmasters, a group of large neotropical (found in the tropical regions of the Americas) pit vipers.


What do you mean, "why aren't you smilin?"? This IS my smile!

Random Herp Photo - MAN WITH TUATARA AND EGGS

A biologist in NZ holds an adult TUATARA (Sphenodon punctatus) along with its eggs, both part of a captive breeding program in place to save these highly endangered animals.

Tuatara facts:

1. Although they resemble lizards, the 3 species of Tuatara are part of an ancient ORDER of Reptiles known as the Rhynchocephalia. The other orders of CLASS Reptilia are Crocodylia (Crocs and Alligaors), Testudinata (Turtles), and Squamata (Lizards and Snakes).

2. Tuataras are endemic (found only there) to New Zealand.

3. Tuataras are critically endangered animals, having been wiped off the 2 main islands of NZ by introduced animals and destruction of habitat.


MORE INFO ABOUT TUATARAS ON MY PREVIOUS BLOG POST.

Another installment in our ENDLESS PARADE OF TURTLES! (for Luka)

SPOTTED POND TURTLE (Geoclemys hamiltonii)


These rather handsome devils are found in northern India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.


Also referred to as the Black Pond or Asian Spotted Pond Turtle


The adults reach a length of 14 inches.


The PLASTRON (under shell) of an adult Spotted


This older male ponders the implications of crayfish, snail, or small frog for dinner. Hmmmm, what goes best with a 1956 Chateau Le Quaquaqua?


They inhabit slow or still bodies of fresh water with ample aquatic vegetation.


Turtle on a desk shows us the distinctive 3 keels on the CARAPACE (upper shell).


This baby Spotted was hatched as part of a breeding program in northern India. The distribution of these turtles is very spotty across their range, and it is suspected that they may be endangered.


BABY TURTLE PARTY!!! I'll bring the chopped up beef heart and live earth worms, you bring the buckets... baby turtles and water will be provided by the hall.

Salamander Spotlight: RINGED SALAMANDER (Ambystoma annulatum)

Ringed Salamanders reach a length of up to 7 slimy inches.


The range of the Ringed, occurring in forested areas in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountain ranges of MO, AK, and eastern OK.


If you can't figure out where this species gets its common name, I'll just sit here and sigh while you try to think... what seriously? JUST LOOK AT THE #@%*! THING! Oh wait, you're messing with me, aren't you?


A. annulatum often takes cover in subterranean burrows and under heavy leaf litter to keep from drying out. They are seldom seen, but when they are encountered it's usually after heavy rains, when they emerge to breed.


Annulatum has the distinctive short round nose and large eyes of the family Ambystomatidae, the Mole Salamanders (including Tiger, Spotted, and Marbled Salamanders); so called because of the burrowing habits of many of its members.


The larva (or tadpole) of the Ringed Salamander. This species breeds in the fall, in temporary pools formed from heavy rains. The breeding congregations can include 10's to 100's of individuals.


A bucket of Ringed Salamanders gathered for my friend Mark. Don't eat them all at once!

THE MOST BIGGEST AMPHIBIANS IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!

This post is in memoriam of my late friend Mark Doten, who died the way he lived his life... for the salamanders.


JAPANESE GIANT SALAMANDERS (Andrias japonicus)


The Japanese Giant is endemic (found only there) to Japan, where is inhabits clear slow moving mountain streams, and feeds on a variety of small aquatic animals.


At a length of up to 1.5 m (~5 ft.), Japonicus is the 2nd largest salamander (or amphibian for that matter) in the world.


The paddle like tail belies the strictly aquatic life of the Giant Salamander. The folds on skin on the side of the body increase the skin surface available to absorb more oxygen from already oxygen poor waters.


Japanese Giants are nocturnal animals who remain in hiding during the day. They have small eyes and poor sight, and use other senses to find their way.


A series of nodules or raised bumps on the head help them detect the most minute movements in the water, which aid in both prey capture and the avoidance of potential predators.


Despite their sensory capabilities, they are slow and sluggish animals with slow metabolic rates... which enabled this frightening mountain beast to capture one.


They are a concern for scientists, as they have become Threatened in the wild from habitat degradation and overcollection for food locally.


No, I can definitely tell you had work done. I look great , really!


CHINESE GIANT SALAMANDER (Andrias davidianus)


At up to 1.8 m (~6 ft.), the Chinese Giant Salamander is the largest amphibian species in the world.


Though they can achieve lengths up to 6 feet, they rarely do.


The Chinese Giant is very closely related to the Japanese Giant Salamander; having similar diet, habitat type, metabolic rates and sensory traits. Similarly, the female lays eggs in an underwater den, and the male protects the eggs until the young hatch.


The Chinese Giant is even more threatened than the Japanese Giant, and is actually considered Critically Endangered, due to habitat degradation and destruction, as well as over collection for food and traditional Chinese medicine.


Although there is an international effort to breed them in captivity, there has been difficulty in getting them to do so in significant numbers to aid in the recovery of their populations... and these guys aren't helping with their awful taste in music. Dude, she's not gonna get in the mood with Ace of Base playing!
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The genus name Andrius, which means "image of man", was coined by European scientists because the man who originally named a fossil of a close relative of this salamander (A. schleuchzeri) believed that he had found an ancient human fossil. It was later recognized as being not only human, but quite salamander. Later, European scientists learned of the Chinese and Japanese Giant Salamanders and realized they were closely related, enough to be int he same genus.