Dr. Tom Major

Our study reveals a new species of hooding and venom-spitting snake from Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands. The Nyanga rinkhals, Hemachatus nyangensis. Sadly, it may already be extinct. 🧵 Open access paper: bitly.ws/VTRq

Legless worm lizards communicate underground via smell, and scientists have just discovered a brand new species. Listen now: buff.ly/3QJG2bV Spotify: buff.ly/3GNlSJl Apple Podcasts: buff.ly/3IV4epB Youtube: buff.ly/4bi5Chz

In this Patreon-selected double bill we investigate the tricky task of sexing blue-tongued skinks and the strange underworld of olms. Listen now: buff.ly/3QJG2bV Spotify: buff.ly/3GNlSJl Apple Podcasts: buff.ly/3IV4epB Youtube: buff.ly/4bi5Chz

Crocodiles can hear babies crying, and new research suggests they like it. Listen now: buff.ly/3QJG2bV Spotify: buff.ly/3GNlSJl Apple Podcasts: buff.ly/3IV4epB Youtube: buff.ly/4bi5Chz

@adriawildlife @MadeleineCuff @Albert_HEO @wolfgangwuster Yes it is a well-known behaviour of the species in their native range :)

@MadeleineCuff @Thomas_Major @Albert_HEO @wolfgangwuster They commonly use outbuildings & other structures in this part of Italy & you can often find shed skins in cavities such as the plastic motor housing for electric gates & plastic tubing set in walls for electric wiring, usually in country areas.

A couple of years ago @Albert_HEO & I went snake hunting in Wales, as @Thomas_Major @wolfgangwuster tagged wild snakes in Colwyn Bay Great to see their findings & learn how these friendly snakes are surviving in the U.K. newscientist.com/article/245150… m.youtube.com/watch?v=TtULDj…

@adriawildlife @Nicola_Bressi Nice find! The noise is the snake rapidly vibrating it's tail as a defence strategy. The ones in the UK seldom do this (I only saw it once despite seeing 50 adult snakes).

There was a big (ca. 1.2 metre) Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus) lying across my path this morning. As it slithers off you can hear the scales "fizzing" like an electric discharge (crank up the 🔊). I don't know how they make this noise. Maybe @Nicola_Bressi does?

In ep 210 we chat box turtle personality and Ben gets hyped about a new toad species. Listen now: buff.ly/3QJG2bV Spotify: buff.ly/3GNlSJl Apple Podcasts: buff.ly/3IV4epB Youtube: buff.ly/4bi5Chz

Big news! The King Cobra taxonomy has been revised: buff.ly/3A7DO26. We will of course be chatting about the changes in an upcoming Species of the Bi-week segment. To whet your appetite, here is a new King Cobra species map. Massive congrats to the authors.

Episode 207 now available to listen or WATCH. Monitor lizards battle dingoes for rotten meat and Komodo dragons have a secret ingredient in their teeth. Listen or find us on YouTube here: buff.ly/4gH0LJK

Episode 206 now available to listen or WATCH. We discuss python on python action and agamas avoiding tourists, as well as some happenings in the world of skink intelligence. Listen or find us on YouTube here: buff.ly/4gH0LJK

Such a pleasure for us to meet and hang out with the chaps behind @HerpHighlights! Get the cross-over on either of our feeds, wherever you get podcasts!

During the World Congress held in Borneo, we had a discussion with @MarkScherz and @HiralNaik25 from @SquaMatesPod. Tune in here: buff.ly/3QJG2bV Spotify: buff.ly/3GNlSJl Apple Podcasts: buff.ly/3IV4epB Also, WATCH on YouTube: buff.ly/4bi5Chz

Had a good chat with Ray today about changing our outlook on cat ownership. 🐈 rte.ie/radio/radio1/c…

@collieennis Bravo Collie 👏👏👏

@fg_wild @herphighlights @SquaMatesPod @MarkScherz Yes way 😋

@herphighlights @SquaMatesPod @MarkScherz @Thomas_Major No way 😍

Making final touches to the edits for our crossover episode with @SquaMatesPod that we recorded in Borneo during #WCH10 (although @MarkScherz already did most of the heavy lifting). Coming to your ears very soon...

Coming soon!!

We catch up after the World Congress of Herpetology in Borneo where we had an absolute blast and did a mini live podcast. Listen now: buff.ly/3QJG2bV Spotify: buff.ly/3GNlSJl Apple Podcasts: buff.ly/3IV4epB Youtube: buff.ly/4bi5Chz

@MarkScherz @ERC_Research Awesome Mark, congratulations! :)

I am thrilled to announce I have secured an @ERC_Research Starting Grant (1.5 MILLION euros!) to study the #genomics of miniaturisation in vertebrates! Press release: news.ku.dk/all_news/2024/…

Impulsive control can be important… but food is so tempting. Can lizards resist immediate gratification? Listen now: buff.ly/3QJG2bV Spotify: buff.ly/3GNlSJl Apple Podcasts: buff.ly/3IV4epB Youtube: buff.ly/4bi5Chz