Which came first: The reptile or the egg?
The earliest reptiles, birds and mammals may have borne live young, researchers from Nanjing University and University of Bristol have revealed......»»
A new 225-million-year-old reptile from Brazil
Maehary bonapartei represents a small reptile that is considered to be the most basal of the evolutionary lineage that gave rise to pterosaurs. A study in PeerJ focuses on this latest find while also demonstrating that Faxinalipterus minimus is not a.....»»
Researchers May Have Just Identified The Largest Ancient Marine Reptile
Researchers have published a study detailing a massive ancient tooth fragment that may have belonged to the largest prehistoric marine reptile. Researchers have publ.....»»
Later, gator? One-fifth of all reptile species could go extinct, new study says
Reptiles are in trouble: In fact, over 21% of reptile species are threatened with extinction worldwide, according to a first-of-its-kind global assessment of more than 10,000 species......»»
Giant tooth of ancient marine reptile discovered in Alps
The fossils of three ichthyosaurs—giant marine reptiles that patrolled primordial oceans—have been discovered high up in the Swiss Alps, and include the largest ever tooth found for the species, a study said Thursday......»»
Over 21% of reptile species at risk of extinction
At least one in five reptile species are threatened with extinction, including more than half of turtles and crocodiles, according to the first major global assessment of the world's so-called cold-blooded creatures......»»
Fish-like marine reptile buried in its own blubber in southern Germany 150 million years ago
A new study published in PeerJ uses modern methods to understand the preservation of unique ichthyosaur fossils. Two new ichthyosaur specimens—one complete animal and one tail—are the first to preserve outer body shape in the last, large group of.....»»
"Superbly preserved" pterosaur fossil unearthed in Scotland
The fossil of a 170-million-year-old pterosaur, described as the world's best-preserved skeleton of the prehistoric winged reptile, has been found on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, scientists said Tuesday......»»
Extinct reptile discovery reveals earliest origins of human teeth
A newly discovered extinct reptile species has shed light on how our earliest ancestors became top predators by modifying their teeth in response to environmental instability around 300 million years ago......»»
Extinct swordfish-shaped marine reptile discovered
A team of international researchers from Canada, Colombia, and Germany has discovered a new marine reptile. The specimen, a stunningly preserved meter-long skull, is one of the last surviving ichthyosaurs—ancient animals that look eerily like livin.....»»
Two new species of skinks identified
To coincide with National Reptile Awareness Day today Thursday 21 October, a new paper published in the Journal of Herpetology, led by South Australian Museum Honorary Researcher Dr. Mark Hutchinson in collaboration with Queensland Museum researchers.....»»
Researchers find a "fearsome dragon" that soared over outback Queensland
Australia's largest flying reptile has been uncovered, a pterosaur with an estimated seven-meter wingspan that soared like a dragon above the ancient, vast inland sea once covering much of outback Queensland......»»
Researchers create reptile-derived "super glue" that stops bleeding in seconds using visible light
Western University bioengineer Kibret Mequanint and his international collaborators have found a novel use for snake venom: a body tissue 'super glue' that can stop life-threatening bleeding in seconds......»»
Are zoos inadvertently complicit in wildlife trade? The case of a rare Borneo lizard
Should zoos display legally protected species that have been smuggled out of their range countries? A new study suggests that a pause and rethink may be needed, as it reports that accredited zoos have acquired a rare and legally protected reptile, th.....»»
A 95-million-year-old reptile"s solution to the problem of tooth wear
Eating plants is a challenging diet for many animals. To help extract the rich plant nutrients, modern mammals have specialized teeth for crushing up the hard plant parts to give the digestive system a head start. But modern plant-eating reptiles usu.....»»
New Jurassic flying reptile reveals the oldest opposed thumb
A new 160-million-year-old arboreal pterosaur species, dubbed 'Monkeydactyl', has the oldest true opposed thumb—a novel structure previously not known in pterosaurs......»»
Australians warned of deadly spider "plague" after floods
A "plague" of the world's most venomous spiders could swarm Sydney after torrential rain and flooding, the Australian Reptile Park said Wednesday, warning that the deadly arachnids could seek refuge in homes as they escape the deluge......»»
Christmas Island reptile-killer identified
Native reptile populations on Christmas Island have been in severe decline with two species, Lister's gecko and the blue-tailed skink, entirely disappearing from the wild. While previously the main driver for this decline is likely predation by invas.....»»
Meet the nano-chameleon, a new contender for the title of world"s smallest reptile
An international team, led by the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology (ZSM-SNSB), has discovered a minuscule new species of chameleon. The sole known, apparently adult male of the new species has a body size of just 13.5 mm, making it the smallest k.....»»