snake

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Snakes and Birds Mix with Mixed Results

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Please see this link to assist the DNR in conserving reptiles and amphibians. DNR biologists need our help in identifying road crossings that cause a lot of herp mortality. Their work with turtles at such crossings have shown that such identification and subsequent work on signage or other steps can reduce that mortality.

One such crossing, which doesn't need such protection because our members and guests tend to be careful and drive slowly, is at Goose Pond on Prairie Lane between the prairie and the observation area and Goose Pond itself. Many salamanders over-winter in the prairie and return to the pond in late spring or early summer.

Photo by Nick Walton // DNR Press release

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Red Touch Yellow

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If you grew up in the south, the range of the eastern coral snake, at some point you heard the thankfully easy to remember rhyme:

Red touch yellow
Kill a fellow
Red touch black
Friend of Jack

The poem refers to the color of two very similar looking but oh so different snakes. The eastern coral snake has bands of red, yellow, and black but the red bands are always next to the yellow. The kingsnake has the same color bands but red bands always touch black. Good to remember because the coral snake has the most potent venom of any American snake while the kingsnake is harmless (except to other snakes).

Photo by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Into the Nest: Badgers gotta eat too!

Into the Nest: Badgers gotta eat too!

While adult birds and eggs are vulnerable during incubation, they are at even greater risk after chicks hatch. Most of our grassland birds are altricial as chicks, and need to stay in the nest long enough to be reasonably mobile when they fledge. However, chicks are also very vulnerable in the nest: they stay in one place, and the noise and activity surrounding the nest can attract predators. These birds need to balance the benefits of staying in the nest until they are able to fly to forage and escape predators with the potential risks of being found by predators while still in the nest.

Photo by James Perdue