All posts tagged: lizards

US FDA Slams Hetero Labs After Inspectors Find Birds, Lizards & Filthy Conditions In Warehouse | India News

US FDA Slams Hetero Labs After Inspectors Find Birds, Lizards & Filthy Conditions In Warehouse | India News

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Last Updated:November 01, 2025, 12:13 IST The 8-page report listed six major observations, concluding that the warehouse was operating outside fundamental Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements The FDA also found that the warehouse had no designated quality unit, no standard operating procedures, and no environmental controls. (AFP) Flying birds, skittering lizards and roaming cats—these were among a host of serious violations flagged by the American health watchdog at Hetero Labs’ drug-making unit in India, which exports medicines to the US market. In a scathing Form 483 report, seen by News18, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) slammed the Indian generic drugmaker after inspectors uncovered filthy and poorly controlled conditions at the facility. According to a Form 483 issued on September 26, FDA investigators said access to the warehouse storing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), intermediates, and key starting materials (KSMs) intended for the US market and its associated records was “not made readily available for inspection”. Hyderabad-based Hetero Labs is one of India’s largest API and generic drug producers. During the inspection, according to the …

First Perentie Lizards Hatched at Los Angeles Zoo: A Major Breeding Milestone

First Perentie Lizards Hatched at Los Angeles Zoo: A Major Breeding Milestone

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Two perentie lizards, among the largest species of lizards globally, have hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo, marking the first time this species has been bred there. Native to Australia, these carnivorous reptiles are known for their impressive size, often exceeding 8 feet in length and weighing over 40 pounds. The zoo, which is one of the few facilities outside Australia to successfully breed them, is now home to the newly hatched pair, who are being carefully monitored in a controlled environment. First Breeding Success Highlighted by Experts According to reports from usnews.com, the perentie lizards were bred and hatched for the first time in the facility’s history. Byron Wusstig, curator at the Los Angeles Zoo, shared with the Associated Press that achieving this milestone is a significant accomplishment for the team. These lizards, classified as Varanus giganteus, are rarely seen in zoos outside their native Australia, despite not being endangered. Special Care for Hatchlings in Early Stages Reports confirm that the hatchlings are thriving under close observation by the zoo’s staff. They are being …

Scuba Diving Lizards Use Air Bubbles to Breathe Underwater and Stay Hidden from Predators

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Semi-aquatic lizards, such as the water anole (Anolis aquaticus), have a unique ability to stay submerged for extended periods by creating an air bubble around their snout. This behaviour, first observed in 2018, has now been confirmed in 18 other anole species. The air bubble helps the lizards breathe while underwater, enabling them to remain hidden from predators for longer durations. Researchers have recently discovered that this bubble is not just a side effect of their water-repellent skin but plays an essential role in their survival. Air Bubbles Extend Dive Times In a study led by Lindsey Swierk, assistant research professor in biological sciences at Binghamton University, 28 water anoles were observed to determine how long they could stay underwater with and without their air bubble. The results revealed that anoles with the air bubble could remain submerged 32% longer than those without. This extra time underwater helps them avoid predators in their natural habitats near riverbanks in Costa Rica and Panama. How the Air Bubble Works Water anoles produce the bubble by exhaling, which …