Latest news with #AustralianGeographic
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
Meet the Jesus Christ lizard that walks on water (and other fascinating reptiles around the world)
Reptiles are often misunderstood, relegated to the eerie. But, delve deeper and you'll find creatures so bizarre, so unexpectedly brilliant, they feel pulled straight from a fantasy novel. From lizards that run across water to turtles that impersonate leaves, nature's creativity knows no bounds. Let's meet some of the most captivating reptiles in the world. It sounds like folklore, but this lizard really does run on water. Found in Central America, the Basiliscus basiliscus, commonly known as the Jesus Christ lizard, uses sheer speed and body mechanics to dart across river surfaces. As National Geographic explains, they accomplish the seemingly miraculous act of moving on top of water by generating forces with their feet that keep their bodies both above the surface and upright. The trick lies in their hind feet, which slap the water hard enough to create pockets of air that prevent sinking—long enough, at least, to escape predators like birds and snakes. Two-headed snakes have long inspired mythologies, but in real life, they're the result of a rare developmental anomaly called bicephaly. Just like conjoined twins in humans, these snakes are born when a single embryo tries—but fails—to fully split into identical twins. The result is two brains often working against each other. While fascinating to observe, these animals rarely survive long in the wild. Their instincts don't always align; one head might sense prey, the other might retreat, making survival complicated in nature's harsh logic. High in the canopy of Southeast Asian forests lives a lizard that glides between trees like a miniature dragon. The Draco lizard has wing-like flaps that unfurl from elongated ribs, allowing it to soar across jungle gaps. According to BBC Earth, Draco lizards have the amazing ability to fly from tree to tree in search of food, a mate or to avoid predators. They don't fly like birds but rather glide with elegance, steering mid-air with their tails. Their graceful aerial moves have even earned them a place in folklore across Asia, where they're thought to bring luck—or fear. Looking like something straight out of Mad Max, the thorny devil (Moloch horridus) is covered in spikes, right down to a false head on the back of its neck to mislead predators. But perhaps its most fascinating trait is invisible to the eye. As Australian Geographic shares, 'tiny grooves that suck up dew… passing it to the devil's mouth without the lizard having to lift a finger.' That's right, this desert dweller drinks through its skin. Morning dew collects on its body, gets absorbed into the grooves, and travels by capillary action right into the mouth. Who needs a water bottle when your skin does the job? The Mata Mata turtle (Chelus fimbriata) from the Amazon basin doesn't bother chasing prey. It doesn't have to. With a face like a pile of leaves and a shell like mossy bark, this turtle lies motionless in the murky waters of the rainforest, blending perfectly into its surroundings. With a barklike shell and a head shaped like a leaf, the mata mata turtle is a master of camouflage. When an unsuspecting fish wanders too close, the turtle simply opens its cavernous mouth and sucks it in, no chase, no fight, just stealth and vacuum power. The Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) isn't your average wall-crawler. Found across Southeast Asia, this gecko is brilliantly blue-grey with fiery orange spots—and it doesn't hesitate to voice its opinions. Known for its vocalizations that sound like 'To‑kay! To‑kay!', the gecko has reputation for being aggressive and territorial, especially males. These geckos are fiercely territorial, and while they may be beautiful, they're not afraid to use their powerful jaws. Still, their call and striking appearance make them one of the most charismatic reptiles in the pet trade (for experienced handlers only).
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Think crocodiles are scary? Meet Kronosaurus: The prehistoric giant with a jaw to match
If you think today's saltwater crocodiles are frightening, imagine something even bigger, faster, and stronger swimming beneath you in a sea that once covered most of inland Australia. Meet Kronosaurus queenslandicus, a marine reptile that ruled the Eromanga Sea over 100 million years ago. With a skull stretching up to 2.3 metres and a jaw measuring 1.6 metres, this apex predator had a bite twice as powerful as today's strongest crocodiles. Kronosaurus: A jaw-dropping discovery In 2015, a 1.6 m-long lower jawbone of Kronosaurus was unearthed by a farmer in Queensland, the most complete jaw of the species ever found. Palaeontologists studying it confirmed that this massive marine reptile packed a bite strong enough to crush shells, snap through thick bones, and tear into other marine reptiles. And with teeth up to 30 cm long, it didn't just bite, it shredded. According to Guinness World Records, this gives Kronosaurus the strongest known bite force of any marine reptile in history. Kronosaurus and its pliosaur cousins didn't just look scary, they were among the most powerful predators in history. With jaws that could crush bone with up to 48,000 Newtons of force, they out-bit even today's saltwater crocodiles by more than double. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Bigger than a crocodile, built for speed According to Australian Geographic, while saltwater crocodiles grow to about 6–7 metres and weigh up to a tonne, Kronosaurus could reach up to 10–11 metres in length and weigh an estimated 11 tonnes. But it wasn't just about size , Kronosaurus had four powerful 2-metre-long flippers, helping it rocket through prehistoric seas like a torpedo. It likely ambushed prey from below, feasting on giant squid, ammonites, turtles, and even other massive marine reptiles like plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs. In fact, fossilised bite marks found on an elasmosaur skull (another marine reptile) suggest Kronosaurus wasn't picky about its prey, if it moved, it was lunch. Australia's ancient sea monster—Kronosaurus During the Cretaceous period, much of what we now know as Queensland was submerged beneath the Eromanga Sea—a vast inland ocean that split Australia in two. While dinosaurs roamed the land, creatures like Kronosaurus dominated the water. This terrifying titan was first named in 1924 by Heber Longman of the Queensland Museum, after a fragment of jaw was discovered near Hughenden. Later, a full skeleton collected by Harvard researchers in 1932 helped build our modern image of this marine beast, though that specimen was initially reconstructed a bit too generously at 12 metres long (thanks to a few extra vertebrae). How scientists see Kronosaurus today The species Kronosaurus queenslandicus was first formally described in 1924 by Australian museum director Albert Heber Longman, who named it after the Greek Titan Cronus (Kronos) and the state of Queensland, where its fossils were discovered. The original find—a large fragment of lower jaw—was impressive in size but limited in scope. Even so, by comparing it to related marine predators, scientists estimated the creature reached up to 12 metres in length. Today, thanks to continued fossil discoveries and advances in palaeontology, scientists are certain that Kronosaurus was no prehistoric myth. With its torpedo-shaped body, enormous skull, and a bite force nearly double that of a saltwater crocodile, it ranks among the deadliest marine predators to have ever lived. 'In terms of size, they are some of the biggest,' says Leslie Noe, palaeontologist at the University of the Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, describing Kronosaurus' fearsome proportions. Part shark, part crocodile, and pure sea monster—Kronosaurus was an apex predator you definitely wouldn't want to swim with. Also Read | Why a muslim devotee is remembered in Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra
New York Post
03-06-2025
- General
- New York Post
Smuggler with bag full of venomous viper snakes stopped by India customs
A checked bag filled with creatures from your nightmares was stopped by international customs in Mumbai over the weekend, leading to an arrest. Mumbai Customs officers said they seized a checked bag on Sunday from a passenger arriving from Thailand. Advertisement A closer inspection of the bag revealed three spider-tailed horned viper snakes, five Asian leaf turtles, and 44 Indonesian pit viper snakes. Photos show the smuggled reptiles after the discovery, including a tray full of turtles and a bucket of venomous blue and green snakes. According to Australian Geographic, pit vipers can be found in blue and green on the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. Blue pit vipers are some of the rarest of their species, according to the outlet. Advertisement This isn't the first – or last – walk on the wild side for customs officers in India. 4 Mumbai Customs officers said they seized a checked bag on Sunday from a passenger arriving from Thailand. Mumbai Customs-III 4 A spider-tailed horned viper was seized. Mumbai Customs-III 4 Photos show the smuggled reptiles after the discovery, including a tray full of turtles and a bucket of venomous blue and green snakes. Mumbai Customs-III Advertisement 4 Blue pit vipers are some of the rarest of their species, according to the outlet. Mumbai Customs-III Photos of most seizures by Mumbai customs show mostly drugs and gold, but in February, officers also stopped the smuggling of five Siamang Gibbons. The monkeys are an endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Smuggler with bag full of venomous viper snakes stopped by India customs
A checked bag filled with creatures from your nightmares was stopped by international customs in Mumbai over the weekend, leading to an arrest. Mumbai Customs officers said they seized a checked bag on Sunday from a passenger arriving from Thailand. A closer inspection of the bag revealed three spider-tailed horned viper snakes, five Asian leaf turtles and 44 Indonesian pit viper snakes. Man Caught In Airport With Hundreds Of Tarantulas Strapped To His Body "An Indian national arriving from Thailand was arrested," Mumbai Customs wrote. Photos show the smuggled reptiles after the discovery, including a tray full of turtles and a bucket of venomous blue and green snakes. According to Australian Geographic, pit vipers can be found in blue and green on the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. Blue pit vipers are some of the rarest of their species, according to the outlet. This isn't the first – or last – walk on the wild side for customs officers in India. Passenger Smuggles Sea Turtle Skull On Plane, Found With Other Illegal Taxidermy Including Wolverine Photos of most seizures by Mumbai customs show mostly drugs and gold, but in February, officers also stopped the smuggling of five Siamang Gibbons. The monkeys are an endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of article source: Smuggler with bag full of venomous viper snakes stopped by India customs
NZ Herald
26-05-2025
- NZ Herald
The Sapphire Coast, Australia's wilder, less-known coastline
While you can technically fly to Merimbula, between Eden and Bermagui, this southernmost coast of NSW is best seen as part of a slow road trip from big cities like Sydney, Melbourne or Canberra. Beaches all to yourself The smorgasbord of beaches and nature along our way means there's plenty of chance to unplug and unwind. Along the coast-hugging road, we've driven through a series of national parks, marine and nature reserves (there are more than 30 such protected reserves on the South Coast), quaint seaside villages and towns, encountered friendly bush kangaroos and marine life at Jervis Bay (the Commonwealth-owned marine park has the best snorkelling in the state), picnicked on the placid shores of Lake Conjola, and more. The centrepiece is a never-ending string of blue beaches, bays, inlets and lakes, mostly to ourselves. Surprise seals At Narooma's popular, shark-netted, South Bar Beach, I'm alarmed by a screaming public. There's a seal swimming along the beach! Chasing a getaway fish, the seal weaves through thrilled and startled bathers just metres from the shore. Narooma is known and loved for its resident seal colony. Several tour operators also run tours to Barunguba Montague Island (a 30-minute boat ride off the coast of Narooma) where you can swim with the seals, see Little Penguins, and more. Such opportunities to encounter wild animals in their own habitat are one of the greatest features of the area. Seaside cycleways Yet another way to explore the coastline is taking the coastal Narooma to Dalmeny Cycleway, which is ranked top three of Australian Geographic's great bike rides of NSW but remains barely known. We opt to cruise the easy-grade 21km trail on E-bikes hired from Southbound Escapes (a coffee spot, eatery, gift shop, tourist hub, and local visitors centre), crossing the Narooma Mill Bay Boardwalk, where we glimpse stingrays, seals, and the dazzlingly blue Wagonga Inlet, and passing eye-catching beaches, lookouts, forests, reedy mangrove swamps and lakes. Enchanting ocean rock pools At Bermagui, we clamber down a rock staircase carved out of the cliff, to the Blue Pool. It's hard to keep one's eyes off the sight below: rugged, amber-orange cliffs where the Pacific Ocean swirls and foams. Cut into the cliff like an opal, looking out to the blinding blue of the Pacific, the Blue Pool is an Instagrammer's dream and one of the most famous rock pools in the world. Courtesy of the Pacific, the pool has plenty of southern bite. While my husband relaxes like Neptune against a rock, I take photos, and my daughter braves the freezing pool to snorkel, discovering small fish schools, clusters of nudibranch, and a starfish. While in Bermagui, we toss on snorkels and explore the beautiful Bruce Steer Pool, a 150m-long saltwater pool fed by the serene harbour at Bermagui Point. After watching octopus, striped fish, and more dart through the water, we pick up some tasty pastries from Honourbread and park up on the beach alongside watchful pelicans and cormorants. Other enchanting ocean rock pools are found at Eden, Mystery Bay and elsewhere in and around the Sapphire Coast. Magical rock formations Hardy bushes screen us from the wind, and shelter coastal fungi and tiny chirping birds, as we traverse the cliff top trail to see Bermagui's iconic Horse Head Rock. The bushes also offer protection against the sheer drop to the sea floor below. The gigantic rock, estimated to be over 500 million years old (one of the state's oldest rock edifices), looks magically like a giant horse taking a drink from the sea. Descending the trail, back at Camel Rock Surf Beach, we take a closer look at Camel Rock. A photographer's dream, the rocks are just two of the South Coast's unique, ancient coastal formations. Other key geological formations in and around the Sapphire Coast include the Pinnacles and Glasshouse Rocks. Heart of the Sapphire Coast At Merimbula, an hour from Bermagui, and the centre of the Sapphire Coast, there's lots more to do, including walking the 500m-long trail out to Long Point, kayaking and canoeing tours on the Pambula River and the Merimbula to Pambula Cycleway. Short on time, we take the timber boardwalk along the Tahitian-blue inlet, snorkel at the historic Merimbula wharf alongside stingrays, and enjoy coffee at one of the many cafes staring down at the water. Seaside chillaxing Chillier than northern Australia, the southern morning is brisk, but there's sun, views and good nosh at Tathra Wharf; a key attraction in the far south village of Tathra. The last remaining wharf and building combination on the NSW coast from the coastal shipping trade of the 1800s, the heritage-listed building brims with crafts and treats. It's now a cafe, shop, gallery, museum, and popular coffee spot for locals. Seated on a wooden bench by a sunny window, we enjoy a leisurely breakfast, drinking in the sea view. The wharf is just one of scores of south coast eateries where you can sit by the water. Cliffside jaunt, the Tathra Headland Walk, starts outside the wharf, another opportunity to enjoy the startlingly azure water. Edge of the world Once a whaling and fishing town, and now home to a killer whale museum, Eden is the last key town of the Sapphire Coast. Two lighthouses also attest to its history and feature in the Light To Light coastal walk. Using directions from the award-winning Eden Visitors Centre, we take the lonely walk to the remnants of Ben Boyd Tower on a stony outcrop, gazing upon the desolate vastness of Twofold Bay. At the lookout, there's that eerie feeling of standing at the edge of the world with whatever ghosts of the past linger. In six days, we've barely scratched the surface of the treasures, the mystery and history that exist in this beautiful region. Checklist Sapphire Coast, South Coast, Australia. GETTING THERE Fly from Sydney, Melbourne or Canberra airports direct to Merimbula with Rex Airlines or Qantas. Drive. The beginning of the Sapphire Coast is about a 5-hour drive from Sydney or 3.5 hours from Canberra. Countrylink train from Sydney via Canberra. STAY MORE DETAILS
