Charles Choi,
Lifescience

”Though often regarded as loners, rattlesnakes may be relatively social, cuddling up with their relatives, a finding that suggests serpents may have more complex social lives than currently appreciated, researchers say.

Timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) had long been thought to be solitary creatures, though recent studies have suggested their social lives might be more complex. For instance, rattlesnakes in captivity preferentially associate with relatives and use the scents of their kin to guide them on where to forage and dwell.”
Läs mer här: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46481500/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.T0YazHJMYsF

Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News

”A new family of caecilians, the most enigmatic branch of the amphibians, has been discovered in northeastern India.
The animals, which at first glance resemble worms, live in forest soil and are most closely related to an African group of caecilians.
The females incubate their young for several months without eating.
Writing in the Royal Society journalProceedings B, the scientists say the animals may be threatened by population growth and slash-and-burn agriculture.”
Läs mer här: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17100578

Tiny lizards found in Madagascar
By Ella Davies
Reporter, BBC Nature

One of the world’s tiniest lizards has been discovered by keen-eyed researchers in Madagascar.
The miniature chameleon, Brookesia micra, reaches a maximum length of just 29mm.
German scientists also found a further three new species in the north of the island.
The lizards were limited to very small ranges and scientists are concerned they could be at risk from habitat disturbance.

Läs mer här: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/17028940