With approximately 7000 species, snakes and lizards, collectively known as squamates, are
by far the most species‐rich group of reptiles. It was from reptile‐like ancestors that …

Most reptiles are oviparous (egg-laying), but viviparity (live-bearing) has evolved about 100
times in lizards and snakes. Geographic biases in the distribution of viviparous species …

Maintaining a high and stable body temperature is often critical for female ectotherms during
reproduction. Yet this strategy may be energetically costly, and therefore challenging, during …

To cope with environmental challenges, organisms have to adjust their behaviours and their
physiology to the environmental conditions they face (ie allostasis). In vertebrates, such …

Viviparity in snakes has been a source of fascination since ancient times and is a particular
focus of biological interest today. Questions about how viviparity is accomplished and how …

The use of fat to support the energy needs of reproduction (ie capital breeding) has been
studied in a diversity of taxa. However, despite reproductive output (ie young or eggs) being …

Transient thermophily in ectothermic animals is a common response during substantial
physiological events. For example, ectotherms often elevate body temperature after …

Highlights•We studied thermoregulatory behaviour in pregnant and nonreproductive
vipers.•We determined preferred temperature and examined responses to predatory …

Recent discussion in the life-history literature has examined “adaptive maternal effects,”
defined as maternal effects that benefit offspring, and concluded that this definition is too …

Each year, as the warmth of summer turns into the cool of autumn and the cold of winter,
snakes disappear from the Canadian landscape. For several months of the year, winter …