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Russian researchers discover venomous tortoise species

Moscow, Russia (AP) - Russian researchers discovered a new species of tortoise that is able to inflict a venomous bite. Researchers Dr.Sergej Anpenb and Dr.Andrei Aypak of the Russian Center for Science & Technology (RCST) first discovered this tortoise in 2001, at a remote location south of Denow, Uzbekistan. “Initially, we were not sure what we had. These animals were remarkably different from anything that we had seen or that was known to science”, Dr.Anpenb told reporters at the press release on Tuesday. Their discovery is especially stunning, as the ability to inject venom is primarily associated with some snakes, and has never been reported or even been believed to exist in turtles or tortoises. “We have several papers that are currently in press and we will publish more information as it becomes available”, Dr.Aypak said. The discovery has already created some heated debates, as others initially rejected their claims as being outrageous. “Certainly, it’s a concept that is difficult to grasp. Tortoises are not usually carnivorous, but this fully functioning venom apparatus indicates that there is a need that created sufficient selective pressure for this unique trait to arise. Of course, many more studies are necessary to fully understand the purpose and function of this drastic adaptation. At this point, we believe that its primary function is of defensive nature”, Dr.Anpenb explained. According to the official press release, the new tortoise possesses two enlarged teeth that are situated at the front of the mouth, similar to the fangs in venomous snakes. A spokesperson for US Wildlife & Fisheries added that this appears to be one of the most bizarre discoveries in the last twenty years.

Do you have a source for that article, because I can't find it anywhere in the AP archives or on news websites.

glub blub

np
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

N/P

Thomas I'll leave the swimming with cobra's to you. Congrat's on the National Exposure....later Richard
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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Thanks, Richard.

Be careful with those tortoises

~TE

talk about a weird mental image, hehe! nice april fool's post!

Of course, there are no toxic tortoises, but there are other venemous reptiles of course. In fact, just about all orders of animals have at least one poisonous member. There are quite a few venemous fish, like the lion fish, scorpion fish and most types of rays. There are plenty of venemous insects like bees and wasps. Arachnids have an obvious poisonous member, the spiders. Snakes of course represent the venemous reptiles, as do the gila monster and beaded lizard. Amphibians can claim some toads and frogs among their venemous members. Some octopi represent poisonous mollusks. For the longest time, it was thought that birds were an exception to this rule. But then a few years ago, a bird in South America was discovered to have toxins in it's feathers that are very similar to the poisons found in certain tree frogs...the so-called "poison arrow" frogs. Now a few other birds have been found to have the same type of toxic feathers and no one knows how they acquire the poison. Of course, the forest-dwelling natives of the areas the birds are found in always knew about the "bitter birds" that could not be eaten.

That leaves the mammals and they are no exception to the rule. Can anyone name a venemous mammal? There IS one and only one. (Without looking it up!)

My spelling is going downhill.

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Yup. And only the male.

I don't think there is one and only one!

Aren't there at least 2 venomous mammals?

The Platypus has a poison spur, but the slow loris has a poisonous bite. (In it's saliva I believe). I suspect that there are probably other relatively rare slow moving nocturnal primate like animals that also posses this trait, but not enough is known about them.

(And just thought I would mention that many mollusks, like the predatory sea snails, have killed humans that were collecting shells--conch, etc.--not to mention the bivalves that get poisons from filtering dinoflagellates (red tide) from the water. If a poison arrow frog gets its venom from it's diet, clams and oysters should be considered the same.)

Rodney

Yes there are other mammals that have certain toxic defense mechanisms. The Sloth for example. I believe that is has a certain type of bacteria on it that if it scratches you with its claws can cause a very bad infection to the scratches that it gives really fast!! Not venom per se but still a toxic defense.