Reptiles
Scientists analysed the DNA of world’s oldest land animal. What they found was staggering
Jonathan the Aldabra giant tortoise is around 194 years old – making him a contemporary of Charles Darwin
New crocodile species discovered in rocks used to build Egypt’s Great Sphinx
Scientists have uncovered a new species of extinct crocodile in Egypt, after reanalysing fossils in rock used to build the ancient wonder
Crocodile vs alligator: what's the difference between these two fearsome apex predators?
What's the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? Stuart Blackman explains why gators are not crocs and crocs are not gators.
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It has a bite force of 9,452N with jaws built for crushing and holding prey – and can swallow its prey whole
The American alligator plays many roles in wildlife
This snake was just seen hunting and eating fish for the first time ever
Oman saw-scaled vipers are exploiting fishy food sources from the Arabian Peninsula's drying desert pools, according to a new study.
Stomach, liver and intestines of 245 million year old marine reptile unearthed in Chinese mountains
This exceptionally well-preserved fossil offered researchers a goldmine of information about the animal’s digestive system.
Blind snake that looks like a massive earthworm discovered on roadside in China
Researchers found the new species of snake in a forested area near the China-Nepal border.
Watch jaw-dropping footage of a creature miraculously sprinting on water to get away from predator
By running at great speeds across water, the basilisk lizard avoids becoming prey – this BBC footage shows exactly how it does it.
Researchers shined UV light on this 125-million-year-old crocodile. What they found is fascinating
New research provides key information about the early evolution of a group of reptiles known as crocodylomorphs.
"They have some of the deadliest venom in the world, which can cause paralysis, including of the diaphragm, potentially leading to respiratory failure."
All you ever needed to know about the much-feared sea snake
Burmese pythons are climbing trees in the swamps of Florida. These people tracked them to find out why
The pythons use trees to bask and rest, gather in groups, and even to brood eggs, say researchers.
"I was dragged into the murk. I clawed at the sand in hope of grabbing a rock to hit it with and pry my leg out from its jaws"
Marine biologist Melissa Cristina Márquez went searching for one predator – but had a scary encounter with another.
One of the world’s biggest predators can’t breathe underwater – yet it can stay submerged for hours
Laura Kojima explains how alligators are able to stay submerged underwater without breathing for hours at a time
This newly discovered snake species in Ethiopia feasts exclusively on birds'eggs
It took seven years for Dasypeltis albigularis to be formally described
This river contains around 500 deadly saltwater crocodiles. It’s just been approved for the rowing and canoeing events at the Brisbane Olympics
The International Olympic Committee has endorsed the Fitzroy River course for the 2032 Olympics.
Python vs viper: What's the difference between these two heavyweight snake families?
They might both command a great deal of attention (and fear), but pythons and vipers have entirely different bodies, hunting methods and ways of raising their young
"He was dragged down to the riverbed and was rapidly running out of air…" 8 animals that deliberately drown their prey underwater to drown them
Drowning as a method of killing prey isn't the most popular in the animal kingdom - but it does happen...
"Bites result in grotesque swellings - medical amputations of digits and limbs are not uncommon…" 10 deadliest snakes in Africa
The long-and-short and thick-and-thin of Africa’s deadliest snakes.
"She may eat parts of her own arms to essentially accelerate her own demise." 8 females with the worst, most horrible, lives ever
In the animal kingdom, it's often females that wield the power - but that doesn't mean they have it easy.
This snake's "outrageous" tail looks exactly like a spider. Scientists just looked inside it and found something odd
Researchers examined the bone structure of the spider-tailed horn viper that lures dinner with an extraordinary flick of its tail.
It contains some of the world’s deadliest animals, from snakes to crocodiles – so why does Australia have so much dangerous wildlife?
Is the wildlife really more deadly 'down under'? Helen Pilcher takes a look at why Australia has so many dangerous animals
"On the first occasion, it only failed to drag the female researcher into the water because her trousers tore at the knee"
Despite its fame and horror film notoriety, very little is known about the anaconda. One man who has got to grips – quite literally – with this giant serpent is Jésus A Rivas... Here he explains what you need to know about this fearsome predator
"They hide in the nooks and crannies of our beds, then come out at night to slurp up our blood like a smoothie…" 8 animals that could be in your bed
We like to think that we choose who we share our bedrooms with, yet sometimes, mother nature has other ideas.
"It is estimated that just one bite contains enough venom to kill at least 100 humans." 4 most dangerous, deadliest snakes in Australia
Learn about the potent venom of these dangerous reptiles, as well as habitats, and the risks they pose to humans.
