Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This picture is property of Chameleon Counters but they said I could use it if I gave them the credit.

I just think this is a cute picture.

I know a few people are going to ask why I picked a sidewinder over all the other amazing rattle snakes and other crotalidae members...but this snake just defines evolution. As a pit viper they have the most evolved venom delivery system, crazy scales above the eyes evolved for the sand (at least we think thats why), don't forget the pits, of course you need to mention the rattle, and best of all they evolved that crazy method of moving. So if you don't apreciate Chameleon Counter's cool picture, I will see if Rob Carmichael will let me get some pictures of his Lachesis and Bothrops soon. Thanks again Rob.

Plus you got to love this picture because the tiny baby is eating a mouse. Not a lizard, toad, etc. (but the snake kind of looks like a frog eating a mouse in this picture)

Cool pic-However I believe that it's more to do with intellegent design than "evolution". Most Scientist that study evolution, with all the evidence available now, point to a designer behind it all.

but I hardly think that the recent "theory" of intelligent design is held in high regard by "most scientists".

Contrary to your post, most biologists would agree that that cute little cerastes in the photo EVOLVED from other snakes, and was not "created".

I hate to drag even an itty bitty bit of religious debate into these forums, but you started it

I just wrote an entire paragraph which was intelligently designed ( ) to poke holes in that theory, but on second thought, this forum isn't the place for it. Please contact me privately if you'd like to debate it.

Maybe we could meet half way and say the "designer" created the cerastes by making an elaborate system of a planet moving around a big ball of burning gases. From there the conditions of the planet changed over time and the creatures living had to adjust to the changes or they would die. The ones equipt to handle the changes had babies equipt to handle the conditions and BAM...God has created Crotalus cerastes. Spent a long time doing it too...which is why I love them so much : )

This anaconda losing its spots I created using the paint program...

Years ago, these forums had some exhilirating and sometimes heated debates about this topic. Some forums handled it with class, respect and open mindedness. Others were just downright idiotic. Although I am one of those "minorities" amongst my colleagues (we still have the utmost of respect for one another), there is merit to both, from a purely scientific standpoint (and one that shouldn't involve religion versus science arguments; those have been debunked decades ago) and it really depends on how you take the available scientific evidence, as we know it, and interpret that evidence based on ones own philosophical beliefs (that is, you either believe that the earth was created by a divine being, or, you believe the earth was created by random chance acts; I haven't discovered any other theories). Its very complex and outside of the purpose of these forums but if anyone would care to discuss this off the forum, I'm game.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>Maybe we could meet half way and say the "designer" created the cerastes by making an elaborate system of a planet moving around a big ball of burning gases. From there the conditions of the planet changed over time and the creatures living had to adjust to the changes or they would die. The ones equipt to handle the changes had babies equipt to handle the conditions and BAM...God has created Crotalus cerastes. Spent a long time doing it too...which is why I love them so much : )
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>>This anaconda losing its spots I created using the paint program...
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Evolution is merely genetic change. Back when you parents concieved you and their genes got mixed together evolution occured. When a new strain of disease appear and makes you sick evolution is occuring. Genetically engineered crops are a product of human-driven evolution.

Speciation, the process of wich new species arise, should be the theory that people like you argue against.

But i guess it all depends on how you go about defining the various terms.