REPTILES. etc.

All of these photo`s were taken at The Tropical Butterfly, Wildlife and Falconry centre in North Anston, near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.

BEARDED DRAGON.

( Pogona Vitticeps ) They are medium sized lizards which are generally 12 - 24 inches in length from their head to the tip of their tail.The bearded dragons head  is triangular shaped and contains rows of spikes that resemble thorns. Beneath their head, the dragon will have rows of spiked scales which when puffed up resemble a beard, these scales can also change colours, turning darker when breeding. The bearded dragon is supported by four stout legs and they  have well muscled flat bodies with a row of spikes that run down each side of the abdomen. Their tail is generally half the length of their body. They are naturally found in Australia`s desert regions. Their habitats include woodlands, Savannah's and deserts.

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DUMERIL`S BOA.

( Boa Dumerili ) are medium sized snakes, very stocky in build and calm in temperament. Dumeril`s Boas are clad in a variety of colours - peaches, tans, browns, greys, greens and red. They come from the drier south western regions of Madagascar where rainfall is minimal. They rarely attempt to bite. They range in size from 3 to 6 feet long. They are slow growing snakes that take 3 to 5 years to fully mature. They will eat just about anything they can --- mammals, birds even lizards.

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AFRICAN BULLFROG.

( Pyxicephalus Adspersus ) it is found in Angola and Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It`s natural habitats are dry savanna, moist savanna, tropical shrubland, freshwater lakes, marshes, canals and ditches. This is a large frog, males weigh 3.1 pounds though they can exceed 4.4 pounds, females are half the size. This frog is carnivorous and a voracious eater, eating insects, small rodents, reptiles, small birds and other amphibians. African Bullfrogs also bite when provoked, it is one of three frog species that have teeth. Humans have been bitten when picking up these frogs.

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GREY-BANDED KINGSNAKE.

( Lampropeltis alterna ) is found in the desert region of Western Texas, Southern New Mexico and Northern Chihuahua. They are moderately sized snakes and can grow up to 4 feet in length. They have a relatively wide head and large eyes with round pupils. They are a common species but nocturnal and quite secretive. They generally have a calm disposition and are not prone to defencive reactions, like biting. They feed on snakes, lizards, rodents and frogs.

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IGUANA.

is a herbivorous lizard native to tropical areas of Mexico, central America and several islands in Polynesia such as Fiji, Tonga and the Caribbean. Iguanas can reach from 5 to 6 feet long including their tail. They have great vision and can see movement at long distances.

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JUNGLE NYMPH.

( Heteropteryx Dilatata ) is the heaviest of all Stick Insects. It is very large, brightly green in colour, females can live up to 2 years. It occurs naturally in Malaysia. Males are brown with beige in colour. Both sexes have small spikes on their head and body. This species is quite during the day but active during the night.

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MADAGASCAR COCKROACH.

( Gromphadorhina Portentosa ) also known as the hissing cockroach. It is one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching 2 to 3 inches at maturity. They come from the island of Madagascar off the African mainland, where they can be found in rotting logs. They are wingless, excellent climbers and can scale smooth glass. The hands you see in this photograph are the hands of the keeper, although i did hold one for a few minutes until it decided to run up my arm.

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PINK TONGUED SKINK.

It is a relatively large lizard of up to 45cm and has a slender body with a long slender and slightly prehensile tail. They occur in Australia. Their range is from Springwood, NSW, along the eastern coastal country and eastern ranges to the Cairns region. They inhabit wet forests and rainforest's as well as moist areas in woodlands. They shelter beneath leaf litter, hollow logs and crevices of rocks and trees. The lizards main diet consists of snails and slugs.

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RED - EARED TURTLES.

( Trachemys Scripta Elegans ) is a semi aquatic turtle. It is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico. The red - eared turtle originated from the area around the Mississippi river and the gulf of Mexico. They live in areas of calm water where they are able to leave the water easily by climbing onto rocks or tree trunks. They are excellent swimmers. Many individuals are often found sunbathing together in a group or even on top of each other. Aquatic plants are the adults main food.

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SPECTACLED CAIMEN.

( Caiman Crocodilus ) is found in much of central and south America. It lives in a range of lowland, wetland and Riverine habitat types and can tolerate salt water as well as fresh. It is a small to mid - sized Crocodilian. They eat a variety of invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans and mollusks. Larger Caimens eat fish and water snails.

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STANDING`S DAY GECKO.

( Phelsuma Standing ) this Gecko is endemic to the Zombitse - Vohibasia National Park in the southwest of Madagascar. It is among the largest living species of Day Gecko`s. It feeds on insects and nectar.

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TARANTULA.

they comprise a group of hairy and very large Arachnids. Most species of Tarantulas are not dangerous to humans. Tarantulas range in size from as small as a fingernail to as large as a dinner plate when their legs are fully extended. Most species of North American Tarantulas are brown. Their natural habitats are savanna, grasslands such as pampas, rainforests, deserts, scrubland, mountains and forests. I photographed this Tarantula while my daughter was holding it.

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VEILED CHAMELEON.

It is found in the mountain regions of Yeman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Like most Chameleons it is a specialized tree dweller. It has a flattened body meant to mimic a leaf and feet specially designed for grasping limbs and branches. Its prehensile tail acts as a fifth appendage and aids in climbing. Its eyes work independently of one another, allowing it to look in front of and behind itself at the same time. Their main diet consists of insects and will occasionally consume the leaves, blossoms and fruit of various plants.

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