#native reptiles

[faguscarolinensis]

Anolis carolinensis on Rudbeckia laciniata / Green Anole on Cutleaf Coneflower

[whatnext10]

The Colorful Green Anole is Beautiful in its Green Phase

Profile of a Green Anole Anoles are one of my favorite creatures, and I’m especially fond of the green anoles (Anolis carolinensis). First of all, they are true Florida natives, unlike the invasive brown anoles. They are also more colorful since they can change from bright lime green to dark green to brown depending on what they are running around on and their mood. This means that they are…

[omg-snakes]

I was so, so lucky to meet a very special trio of snakes for a class I'm taking on methods in field ecology. One of my two professors is a specialist in garter snakes and was kind enough to bring three different species in for us to compare in person and observe up close. The first was the gorgeous common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, pictures above. She was so calm and well-mannered!

Next was this tiny (by comparison) T. elegans dude, a western garter snake, who was wary of the camera but very patient about being passed around by a group of excited college students. He matched my classmate's sweater perfectly!

Finally, an endangered and incredibly precious T. gigas, the giant garter snake. She's about half of her maximum adult size, so a giant indeed! She musked and peed a bit but for the most part this gojira-faced beauty was pretty chill. We got to observe a full work-up for her including documenting records and microchipping.

She's one of the last of her species. Despite Herculean efforts by her protectors and conservation experts (mostly just one man and his dedicated team), this is a very difficult species to observe in the wild and their habitats are disappearing faster than their need for prioritization of protection in a given area can be assessed. These snakes rely on riparian habitat near rivers, which is also unfortunately a favorite for human development. At this time we don't know how exactly many giant garter snakes are left or whether their current populations are stable.

Today we got to visit their marshland habitat and watch these three go back to the place where they were caught. It was a huge honor and something I'll carry with me forever.

[sunfish-exotics]

One of my favorite native plants blooming in the yard... rosemallows are so special! I didn't plant this one but it does pop up year after year.

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - October 22-28

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles on Patreon!

1. Industrial wastelands to wildlife oases: Five nature wins that have actually worked

“[An archipelago in the Indian ocean] experienced a major whale comeback after signing up to a debt for nature swap[….] In Sri Lanka's capital of Colombo, local efforts have transformed what was once a rubbish dump to a wetland teeming with [wildlife….]”

2. Louisville launches America’s first 100% electric garbage truck fleet

““These innovative EV collection trucks will fulfill our trash, compost and recycling needs, reduce noise pollution, and include larger windshields to increase each driver’s field of vision and lower greenhouse gas emissions[….]” [The trucks are equipped with] audible devices that alert nearby drivers and pedestrians to compensate for their quieter operations.”

3. How a nearly extinct crocodile species returned from the brink in Cambodia

“By the late nineties, [Siamese crocodiles] were thought to be extinct. […] Today there are about 1,000 Siamese crocodiles in the wild[….] The first crocodiles were reintroduced into the wild in 2012 and they have begun breeding in the wild: over a hundred eggs were discovered in the forests in July, the most so far.”

4. Before his death, this conservative combat veteran filmed a PSA advocating for his transgender son

““Eric [“a conservative South Carolina U.S. Army combat veteran and father of a transgender child”] believed in the importance of freedom for trans kids — the right to live authentically and without fear,” [his widow] said. “He saw this not as a political issue but as a human one, recognizing that every child deserves the chance to thrive and feel whole.”” [Curator’s note: obviously, utmost condolences to Eric’s family; I’m including this as good news because it’s impactful to see a respectable member of the political party more often known for transmisia instead publicly advocating for his son’s human - not just political - rights]

5. Azores to create largest Marine Protected Area in North Atlantic – and a 'blueprint' for the rest of the world

““The Azores’ waters are a hotspot for marine life, hosting a third of the world's whale and dolphin species,[…” and harbouring] “cold-water corals and sponge fields that act as nurseries and feeding grounds for countless species, from deep-sea sharks to commercially valuable fish stocks.””

6. ‘It’s a big lever for change’: the radical contract protecting Hamburg’s green space

“Citizen power forced Germany’s greenest city-state into a binding agreement balancing housing and nature[….] The authorities signed an agreement with the citizen’s initiative to protect 30% of Hamburg’s land area – 10% as untouchable nature reserves and 20% with a looser conservation status – and ensure the share of public green space in the city rises over time.”

7. Behind the Scenes at the Federal Bee Lab Powered by Native Plants

“Once native plants reappeared at the lab, he says, the impact was dramatic. In the first year, many of the region’s 200 native bee species arrived in droves. [… B]irds Droege had never before seen on the premises began to turn up to feed on the native plant seeds[….]”

8. Atlanta neighborhood hired case manager to address rising homelessness. It's improving health and safety for everyone

“Michael Nolan, an Intown Cares social worker, is trained in an approach that emphasizes individual autonomy and dignity, recognizes that being homeless is a traumatic experience, and prioritizes access to housing. [… H]iring a social worker has enabled East Atlanta Village to resolve conflicts gently, through conversation and negotiation.”

9. Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nests Make a Remarkable Comeback in Greece

“As long-lived and migratory species, [loggerheads] contribute to the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs, which are vital habitats for many marine organisms. Their nesting activities also contribute to beach ecosystems and help promote biodiversity.”

10. Rapid genome analysis of a Whippet sighthound sets new standard for biodiversity research

“[Scientists] have sequenced and analyzed the complete genome of a Whippet sighthound in less than a week. […] Rapid analysis is increasingly important for the conservation of endangered species, [… giving] insights into their biological relationships, evolution and adaptations to environmental conditions.”

October 15-21 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[rebeccathenaturalist]

I was out for a walk in my parents' neighborhood the other day when I happened across this lovely three-toed box turtle (Terrapene triunguis). Box turtles are one of the things I've missed since moving to the PNW almost two decades ago, so it was lovely to get to see one of my favorite reptiles in the flesh after so long. This one looks like they've been in some scrapes over the years given the condition of the shell, but they looked to be in good health otherwise. Good luck, little buddy!

[thelethalsilence]

Fiddlenecks and coachwhip

California Poppy Reserve, 2022

[red-wolf-ink]

[sunny-possum-pal]

Snakes of Oregon guide

Available as prints and shirts !

The individual snakes are all up on Redbubble if there’s one that is your favorite

[faguscarolinensis]

Anolis carolinensis / Green Anole

[voidbirds]

One wyrmie for enjoy

[canonkiller]

Favorite real life lizard?

Draco volans, the common flying dragon! I did a project on them in grade school, I'd love to see one in person someday.

Runners up are the common basilisk and the marine iguana; of the common domestics, I have personal experience with and fondness for leopard geckos (and briefly blue tongued skinks), but bearded dragons are charmingly pancake shaped. aesthetic shoutouts also to gila monsters, thorny devils and jackson's chameleon

[teddytoroa]

my dream beast sighting list, if u even care

-boars (optional boarlets)

-a mole (any variety)

-badgers

-shrews

-porcupines

-blue whale

-hares

-bats (any variety, ideally Aotearoa natives)

-skunk

-chipmunk

-coyote

-sea otter

-elephant seal

-big ram with curly horns

-walrus

[chlorophyll-and-chitin]

Christinus marmoratus

09-OCT-2022

Melbourne, Vic

[versicolour]

it's genuinely depressing my local wildlife rehab has to have a whole exhibit (its fairly large) on domestic animals. all that real estate and money wasted that could be going to actual wildlife.

[red-wolf-ink]