Multiple clutching, with two or three successful clutches raised in a single breeding season, is reported from two females of Leptodactylus fallax in two European zoos. Previously, only single clutches were known to be raised by this species. Multiple clutching is perhaps unexpected in this species due to its resource-heavy parental care behaviour. Potential drivers of multiple clutching, including food resourcing and timing and size of initial clutches, are discussed.

Coiling into a spiral as a way of concealing and protecting the head is described in species of two African snake genera – Amblyodipsas and Atractaspis, the latter otherwise known for a very different and distinctive ‘snout to ground’ avoidance behaviour. Spiralling and balling are considered in other snakes worldwide and the individualism of animal behaviour warned against. It is to be hoped that recognition of ‘spiralling’ as a distinctive form of ‘coiling’ or ‘balling’ behaviour will lead to more critical analysis of snake defensive behaviour

Amphibians are facing extinction on a global scale and maintaining small populations of threatened or endangered species in captivity is essential. In connection with potential captive breeding of Panha’s crocodile newt, Tylototriton panhai, we report a detailed husbandry protocol and describe breeding and mating behaviour. After six years in captivity, a group of two adult females and six males, tentatively identified as T. panhai, successfully reproduced for the first time on 24th June 2020 after a heavy rainstorm and two subsequent days of precipitation when water temperatures in a large aquaterrarium placed outdoors were 18-21 °C. The complete courtship behaviour consisted of five main stages: i/ approach; ii/ nuptial dance; iii/ amplexus; iv/ spermatophore deposition; v/ fertilisation. The two females laid a total of 84 eggs (41 and 43 eggs each) that were deposited on land in clutches of 4-22 eggs or even singly. Egg size averaged 12.6 ± 0.4 mm and the mean size of the embryo capsule 5.1 ± 0.1 (n=84). The egg hatch success rate was ~80% and on hatching the larvae moved to the water at the bottom of the aquaterrarium. By 7-9 days after hatching the total larval length was 11.89-13.78 mm (n=67). Diagnostic morphological characters are provided for stages 30-46. Metamorphosis occurred at 99-102 days and efts started to move to land at an average total length of 56.2 mm and weight of 0.6-0.9 g