Entries Tagged 'reptiles and amphibians' ↓

Blue and blue-black tongues occur in several animals.

Blue-tongued skinks are named after them.

Via Bill Hughes’s Flickr photostream.

Some rattlesnakes have them.

Via The Horned Jack Lizard’s Flickr photostream.

The members of giraffidae, the okapi and the giraffe, have them.

Via djhinrich Flickr photostream.

Via zeandroid’s Flickr photostream.

And it’s one of the most notable features of the chow chow.

Via budak’s Flickr photostream.

I doubt there is a common explanation for all instance of blue tongues. The Wikipedia article on Northern Blue-Tongued Skinks says that they “have a bright blue tongue that is often used to warn off or startle predators.” While it’s clear they’re not closely related at all, it seems like a plausible explanation for the rattlesnake as well, as their “rattles” are also used to warn off predators.

It’s hard to imagine that’s true for the members of giraffidae and the chow chow though, giraffes being so tall it’s difficult to imagine any predators even seeing the tongue, and dogs usually being predators not prey. The page on giraffes on the San Diego Zoo’s website says “some people think the color is to keep the tongue from getting sunburned,” which I guess might be possible, but it doesn’t seem to explain its relative the okapi, which I imagine wouldn’t have too much risk of getting sunburns, as its short enough to get shade from tree cover, and lives in the rainforest, where there often isn’t too much sunlight that reaches the ground anyway. I wasn’t able to find an explanation for the okapi’s tongue color, most sources were more interested in the fact that they were able to lick their own ears.

I wasn’t able to find an explanation for the chow chow either, but I imagine that it’s due to human controlled breeding.

My favorite explanation for all of these tongues though is that they just eat blueberries.

Via Malingering’s Flickr photostream.

From the Flickr description:

A juvenile emerald tree boa serves as an unwitting perch to a recently awakened red eyed tree frog after a misting. The snake and several frogs cohabitated for quite some time without incident. Perhaps due to an unpalatable flavor brightly colored frogs often advertise.

It should be noted that the red-eyed tree frog is not actually venomous. The snake likely would not know that, so if the snake is able to detect the color of the frog, this explanation might be correct. Still, I wonder if there’s anything more to it?

Via Tom’s Flickr photostream.
Thanks Kimberly!

From the Flickr description:

After Farl’s gorgeous shot of the little Brookesia in Madagascar, I thought I’d share an old shot I have one of one of my little ones.

It’s not the same, taking pictures in the backyard… but I’ve had these little guys as pets for years… (Farl, it’s more a geeky thing to know what I do ;-)).

Anyways, this is a Rhampholeon brevicaudatus one of the dwarf chameleons from the main African continent. It’s about 3/4 full grown, and perched on my finger.

Via Ian’s Flickr photostream.

Via Mike Smail’s Flickr Photostream!

A quick update, I’m feeling a little bit sick and I should be going to sleep.

Via Jude’s Flickr Photostream

(Oh, I should say, I am thinking about putting a small watermark on hotlinked images (images that are being hosted on uglorable.com but are being displayed on other sites), something that says the image is being hosted on uglorable.com and that attribution details can be found by going to the site. I feel like a jerk doing that though, because almost none of these pictures are really ours. It would allow people to find the original photographer though, and promote our site a little bit. What do you think? Leave a comment. Aaand this made this not so quick of a post.)

I kind of feel strange posting animals showing their defense mechanisms, because I’m worried about what the animal is feeling when it’s performing them. Still, some are so distinctive and interesting! In this case the animal doesn’t look as intimidating as it does look cute though.

I always thought the Australians were great for getting rid of their one and two cent coins, but I didn’t realize these guys were on the reverse-side of the two cent coin. That must have been the coolest coin ever. Front side: THE QUEEN, back side: SOME FREAKY-COOL LIZARD.

Via wouter!’s Flickr Photostream

Yesterday I posted an armadillo, today I will post an armadillo lizard!

The Armadillo Lizard, like the Eastern Skink I posted a few days back, is viviparous- it gives live birth. In this picture, you can see it in its defensive posture, holding its tail in.

Via Malacochersus’s Flickr Photostream

I really like these pictures of this skink.

From Wikipedia:

The Eastern skink (Scincus mitranus) is a lizard from the skink family (Scincidae). These skinks grow to a length of 20 cm, and have an orange-brown or sand-coloured back, and a white underside. On the side they have a line or spots in a light colour, and the back and legs have vague dark bands. The snout is shaped like a bill, and the legs and tail are short. The eastern skink can run quickly, or slide over the sand and dig itself in quickly when it is in danger. Its food consists of several kinds of arthropods, especially centipedes and beetles.

This species lives in Saudi-Arabia and the UAE, in dry and warm open areas, particularly in sand deserts. Its habitat consists of dune-like areas, and hilly landscapes with occasional dense bushes and rocky patches to hide in. The eastern skink is viviparous, which gives it an advantage compared to other species in the area, as its eggs cannot desiccate.

(An animal described as being viviparous is an animal that gives live birth, and is nourished by the mother until birth, as opposed to laying eggs and having the yolk of the egg nourish them.)

Photos via Sophie and Matt Gunner’s Flickr photostream.

Perhaps the title is misleading, as it’s most likely not trying to hide, but considering the chameleon is popularly known as a lizard that changes its colors for camouflage, these colors seem rather wild.

Via Curnen’s Flickr photostream.