Reptiles
More than 1,000 rattlesnakes caught in Michigan wetlands. What scientists find in their DNA is concerning
Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes are struggling to survive as habitat fragmentation forces them to breed with close relatives, new research shows.
61 black mambas captured in African city. Here's what experts found in their scales – and why it matters
New research shows the highly venomous snakes absorb heavy metals into their scales, helping scientists track urban pollution.
It has iron-coated razor-sharp teeth, weighs the same as a beer keg and delivers its deadly venom by raking its teeth through its prey’s flesh
Komodo dragons have inspired myths and legends for centuries. We take a look at the fearsome predator
There's a peculiar animal in the Amazon that has a triangular head and looks like a log
As if that wasn't odd enough, the mata mata also has webbed claws and a snorkel-like snout – surely a contender for one of the planet's weirdest creatures.
10 most beautiful snakes in the world – from sunshine-coloured vipers with beguiling eyelashes to monochrome marvels of the sea
Snakes get a bad rep, but these top 10 species prove they are some of the most enchanting animals in the world
This weird Australian lizard is immune to deadly snake venom – now scientists have found the “ingenious” mutation responsible
Scientists have found that Australian skinks now have the same genetic mutation found in the famously fearless honey badger
Drones spend 12 days flying over mega nest of huge animals in Amazon. Scientists say it's the largest ever found
A new drone study reveals over 41,000 giant South American river turtles nesting on the banks of the Guaporé River between Brazil and Bolivia.
Stunning new gecko discovered in Madagascar’s sacred forests
A new gecko species found in a remote corner of Madagascar highlights the need to protect its threatened forest habitat - new study.
When helicopters poisoned a tiny island in the Galápagos, a 'once-extinct' animal appeared
Thought to be extinct on Rábida Island, the leaf-toed gecko has reappeared after conservationists worked to rid the island of invasive, non-native rats.
This reptile has a special skill of striking when its prey becomes “as soft as a boiled egg”
The queen snake has a unique way of catching its prey at just the right moment – when the crayfish sheds its shell
It's the length of a bathtub, can play dead and has a defensive spray that smells of rotten fish – meet Britain's largest snake
Discover fantastic facts about Britain's largest native terrestrial reptile in our expert guide by PhD student Steve Allain.
It's over 2 metres long and has enough venom in one bite to kill 100 adults. Meet one of the deadliest animals on the planet
All you ever wanted to know about the venomous inland taipan, from diet and size to where they live and how they hunt
It's as long as shipping container, contains enough neurotoxins to kill 20 humans and can swallow prey whole
All you need to know about one of the world's most venomous snakes, the king cobra
11 gruesome cannibal animals: Discover the surprising creatures that feast on their own kind
It may seem gruesome, but many animals have been recorded feeding on their own species. Here are 11 cannibalistic animals, including some that might surprise you.
"That’s the length of a double decker bus!" 33ft monster tops biggest snakes in the world list
Discover the biggest snakes in the world including the reticulated python and green anaconda
How Burmese pythons are able to to swallow and digest prey as large as cattle, bones as well, has long mystified scientists – until now...
Unique bone-digesting ability discovered in python bellies
Researchers studied hundreds of turtle necropsies for signs of cancer – and helped overturn a decades-long theory
The study's insights could offer clues into preventing or even fighting cancer in humans.
9 weirdest reptiles in the world, from lizards that run on water to a devil with two heads
Discover the world's weirdest and wackiest reptiles
These ‘miniature Komodo dragons’ faced extinction on a remote Caribbean island – until a difficult ‘regreening’ project started
A tiny Caribbean island has made a remarkable ecological recovery, helping to save a rare lizard in the process
Camera strapped to jaws of Nile crocodile – here's what it filmed
Despite their fearsome reputation, this amazing footage from inside a crocodile's mouth shows how gentle the large reptiles can be.
What's the smallest snake in the world? Clue - it's as thin as a strand of spaghetti
Stuart Blackman goes in search of the smallest snake in the world.
When cavers went into a hill in Cambodia, they found a 'night wanderer' lurking in the darkness
The small animal was one of several new species discovered during the expedition, suggesting the region could be a haven for other rare and endangered wildlife, say researchers.
“Chicken is her favourite dish. If one clucks, she comes”: can anacondas, chickens and humans coexist in the Amazon?
A Q&A with researcher Dr Beatriz Cosendey on her recently published study exploring human-snake relationships in the várzea regions of the Lower Amazon River.
These 9 beautiful photos of sea turtles prove just how majestic (and fearless) these marine creatures can be
Flip out with these adorable photos to celebrate World Sea Turtle Day, a day that draws attention to the importance and beauty of these endangered animals