Longevity

October 20, 2026

Inside the front section of last week’s newspaper was a Reuters article about the world’s oldest-known terrestrial animal. Jonathan is an Aldabra giant tortoise estimated to be about 194 years old. The tortoise was likely from the Aldabra Atoll and brought to the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena as a fully grown animal in 1882. The tortoise now resides in a paddock at Plantation House, the governor’s residence. “Other Aldabra tortoises have been claimed to have lived as long as Jonathan, but he has the most documentary evidence supporting his age,” said Benjamin Vaisvil, a researcher affiliated with the organization Kallel and co-lead author of the study published on October 7tn in the journal Science Advances. Scientists have studied Jonathan for the animal’s longevity, sequencing his genome and analyzing his chemical markers that control which genes switch on and off (epigenome). “We found changes in Jonathan’s genome in pathways associated with longevity, like DNA repair, mitochondrial function, insulin ⁠regulation and telomere function.”

When I went online, I found the Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea), or Aldabra tortoise, is a species in the Family Testudinidae and genus Aldabrachelys. The tortoise is endemic to the Seychelles islands located in the western Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar and roughly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) east of mainland Africa. The first scientifically described (nominate) subspecies (A. g. gigantea) is native to Aldabra atoll. The tortoise’s upper shell (carapace) is brown or tan in color with a high, domed shape. Males’ carapace averages 48 inches (122 cm) in length and have an average weight of 550 pounds (250 kg). Females are generally smaller with and average carapace length of 36 inches (91 cm) and weighing 351 pounds (159 kg). [The species has stocky, heavily scaled legs to support its heavy body. The neck is long, which helps the animal to feed from tree branches 39 inches (1 m) from the ground. The species is one of the largest tortoises in the world.

Despite his age, Jonathan retains a voracious appetite, lifting his head and stretching out his long neck when the veterinarian calls his name. “I know he knows me, knows my voice and my handling, and ⁠I also know it isn’t love on his part but a recognition of the arrival of a feast,” said longtime veterinarian and study co-author Joe Hollins. Jonathan has lived through world wars and the rise and fall of empires. “He is symbolic of resilience, longevity, endurance, a persistent presence throughout huge historic events,” Hollins said. Giant tortoises were historically found on many of the western Indian Ocean islands, as well as Madagascar, and the fossil record indicates giant tortoises once occurred on every continent and many islands, except for Antarctica. Many of the Indian Ocean species were thought to be driven to extinction by over-exploitation by European sailors, and they were all seemingly extinct by 1840 except for the Aldabran giant tortoise on the island atoll of Aldabra, although some remnant individuals may remain in captivity.

Thoughts: I remember visiting a petting zoo as a small child that featured a giant tortoise that you could ride. I watched as little boys climbed on and then kicked the shell yelling, “Yah!”, trying to make the animal move faster. This was despite a sign requesting you refrain from kicking. I now wonder if the captive animal was happy with its longevity. Humanity’s quest for longevity has shifted from ancient myths of immortality and the elixir of life to a multi-billion-dollar scientific and biotech pursuit focused on extending healthspan (years free of chronic disease) rather than just lifespan. Life expectancy in the US reached 79 years in 2024. Scientists note human life expectancy maximizes around 85 years, with a hard maximum human lifespan around 122 years. We need to live the life we have to the best of our ability. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Cocklebur

October 02, 2026

The year 2026 in the River Valley ranks as the second hottest on record behind the infamous Dust Bowl summer of 1936. August ranked as one of the hottest and driest and September officially broke records as the warmest on record. This created havoc with my Fall garden planting as few of the seeds were able to germinate. It has finally gotten back around average temperatures (80.6F/27C) and my third planting of root vegetables are sprouting, and the tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are again beginning to flower. Yesterday it was threatening to rain (and even sprinkled) so I decided to take the kids to the park rather than the lake for their walk. The park has trees along part of the route, and I figured they could provide some shelter if it rained. While it sprinkled, the rain held off until we stopped our walk and began to drive home. It rained again last night and then was threatening rain as we climbed into the Jeep this morning. This time we did go to the Lake, and I was amazed by the wildflowers that had sprung up since our last outing on Saturday. As we walked along the first spit, I noticed something I had not seen since leaving Kansas, a cocklebur in full bloom.

When I went online, I found the rough or common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) is a species of annual plant in the flowering plant family Asteraceae. Some sources claim the species originated in southern Europe and Asia but has been extensively naturalized elsewhere. Other sources, such as the Flora of China and Flora of North America, state it originated in the Americas but was an early introduction to Eurasia. The species has flowers borne in separate unisexual heads (monoecious) with the staminate (male) heads situated above the pistillate (female) heads in the flower (inflorescence). The pistillate heads consist of two pistillate flowers surrounded by a spiny leaf or bract (involucre). These two flowers ripen into two brown to black simple dry fruits (achenes) that are completely enveloped by the bract. This is what becomes a bur. The bur is buoyant and easily disperses in the water if the plants grow along waterways. The bur also has hooked projections and is adapted to dispersal via mammals by becoming entangled in their hair. When the bur is dispersed and deposited on the ground one of the seeds germinates and a new plant grows out of the bur.

The cocklebur plant may have some medicinal properties and has been used in traditional medicine in South Asia and traditional Chinese medicine. In language of southeast India (Telugu) this plant is called Marula Matangi. While small quantities of parts of the mature plants may be consumed, the seeds and seedlings should not be eaten in large quantities because they contain large concentrations of the extremely toxic chemical carboxyatractyloside, along with at least four other toxins. Animals have been known to die after eating the plants. The cocklebur plant was responsible for at least 19 deaths and 76 illnesses in Sylhet District, Bangladesh, in 2007 after people ate large amounts of the plants (called ghagra shak) during a monsoon flood when no other plants were available. The symptoms included vomiting and altered mental states, followed by unconsciousness. I just always thought the bur was a problem as it tangled in my shoestrings and clothes walking in the tall grass.

Thoughts: When I stopped to admire the green cocklebur, I found Loki was also interested. By the time we got to the end of the spit he had stopped several times and chewed at his side and one paw. Both kids have encountered the lawn burweed (Soliva sessilis) with its tiny, sharp, spine-tipped burs that emerge in the spring on our lake walks. When I checked I found three green cocklebur pods stuck to his side and while his foot was a little bloody, a good rubbing fixed him. In the US, rough cocklebur is a major weed in cotton and soybean fields and can cause severe crop losses of up to 60 to 75% but can be controlled by commonly used herbicides. Organic control is by hand-pulling or burning. I do not always understand nature. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Barn Owl

October 01, 2026

The birds have enjoyed that variety of feeders I placed in the back yard, but they are not the only customers. We had a wood pile stacked in the corner used for an outdoor firepit. I have only used the fire pit once, and that was an unsuccessful attempt to burn documents I needed to shred. The wood sat until it began to deteriorate, and I threw it away. Removing the wood I discovered an Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus had taken up residence in the pile. The chipmunk has since moved under the step ramp and has been joined by the Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum) I spoke of in yesterday’s Blog. Both live off the seeds dropped out of the feeders by the birds. The line of trees and an open field that is only periodically cut has invited an occasional brown or Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and a few house mice (Mus musculus) to sample the dropped seed. These critters have succeeded in vexing Loki (and me). While I was thinking about how to at least decrease their population, I came across an article on-line that addressed the lack of barn owl nesting sites.

When I went online, I found the American barn owl (Tyto furcata) is usually considered a subspecies group and together with the western barn owl group, the eastern barn owl group, and sometimes the Andaman masked owl, make up the barn owl, cosmopolitan in range. The American barn owl is native to North and South America and has been introduced to Hawaii. The bird is a medium-sized pale-colored owl with long wings and a short, squarish tail. The shape of the tail lets you distinguish the barn owl from typical owls when seen in the air, as are the undulating flight pattern and the dangling, feathered legs. The pale face with its heart shape and black eyes give the flying bird a distinctive appearance, like a flat mask with oversized, oblique black eye-slits, the ridge of feathers above the beak somewhat resembling a nose. The bird’s head and upper body vary between pale brown to a shade of grey. The underparts, including the lower leg (tarsometatarsal) feathers, vary from white to reddish buff among the subspecies and are either mostly unpatterned or bear a varying number of tiny blackish-brown speckles. The beak varies from pale horn to dark buff, corresponding to the general plumage hue, and the iris is blackish brown. The talons also vary in color, ranging from pink to dark pinkish-grey and black.

Barn owls are common throughout most of their range and are not considered globally threatened. However, locally severe declines from organochlorine (DDT) poisoning in the mid-20th century and rodenticides in the late 20th century have affected some populations, particularly in North America. Barn owls are prolific breeders and can recover from short-term population decreases, but many areas in the US, and especially the Midwest, have experienced dramatic population decline. While multiple factors contribute to this population decline, habitat loss may be the most damaging as areas of suitable grasslands have been reduced by agricultural development. Collisions with vehicles, rodenticide use, and predation by great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) also present obstacles to population recovery. Another factor is the lack of suitable nesting sites. Providing nest boxes under the eaves of buildings and in trees can be very successful in increasing the local population. Nest boxes also assist in pest control as the barn owl’s predation of small mammals can reduce the need for rodenticide use. I purchased a nest box and placed it 10 feet (3 m) up in a southeast facing tree.

Thoughts: When I placed the barn owl nesting box I checked to see when a pair might appear. The males usually seek new sites prior to mating season, and they must already be in the area to locate my box. That means not until next March at the earliest. Providing habitat (food, water, shelter) is a long-term action that needs to be planned far in advance. That is true for humans as well as a barn owl. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Leopard Frog

September 30, 2026

I have mentioned how Loki is now on constant lookout when he first goes into the backyard. He jumps down and sniffs both sides of the exit ramp before moving on to grass beneath the bay window. Next, he moves on down the house to the storage box next to the vegetable bed. He has good reason to be frantic as several times he has almost caught the Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum) that lives under the ramp and feeds off the seeds dropped out of the feeders by the birds. This morning Loki was so intent on sniffing the ramp he failed to notice the house mouse (Mus musculus) that scurried across the cement deck and down a hole next to the pool. I went over to replace the window feeders I take down every night to discourage the raccoons (Procyon lotor) return and notice movement at my feet. When I looked down, I saw a different species of frog. This was not the gray tree frogs (Hyla versicolor) or the American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) that croak during breeding season. This was another common resident, the southern leopard frog.

When I went online, I found the southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) is a medium-sized amphibian (anuran) in the family Ranidae (true frogs). The species is one of 36 species currently or formerly classified in the Rana genus found in North America. It is native to eastern North America from Kansas to New Jersey to Florida and is an introduced species in some areas (California). Individuals are up to 5.1 inches (13 cm) long. Mature males average 2 inches (53 mm) snout to rear (vent) length and females average 2.5 inches (64 mm). The leopard is green or brown in color, has a yellowish ridge along each side of the back, rounded dark spots on the back and sides, and a light spot on each ear (tympanum). The male has larger fore limbs than the female. A breeding male’s vocal sacs are spherical when inflated with a “ratchet-like trill” or “chuckling croak” for a call.

I had just enough time to snap a photo of the leopard frog before Loki continued his search along the back of the house. As Loki approached the bay window, the frog took note and began to hop away. That alerted Loki to the frog’s presence and he rushed after it. The leopard frog was fast and hopped into the red canna lilies (Zantedeschia rehmannii) that dominate the center of the area. Now lost in the foliage, Loki could only snuffle back and forth with a soft whine. I did not mind the presence of the southern leopard frog as they feed primarily on insects, crawdads (Procambarus clarkii), and other invertebrates. Our pool has long shrunk in size during the summer heat and no longer supports the gray treefrog tadpoles that teemed there this spring. The leopard moves away from the water during the warmer months and is away from water most of the time as they forage in upland areas. This is a welcome addition to help clear pest from my garden and containers.

Thoughts: While the leopard frog is common to our area, this is the first one I recall seeing in our back yard. Our pool/pond is not conducive for breeding, and I have never seen the egg clusters that float among the low foliage where they like to breed. Since there was only one frog, I assume it was foraging away from its water source, probably the Crooked Creek about 400 yards (366 m) to the south. The eggs masses can hatch from 4 days to two weeks and hatch more quickly in the presence of predators like crayfish. That means crawdads eat leopard frog eggs that grow to feed on small crawdads. This is part of nature’s irony. Humans need to be more observant of our earth mates and learn about how diversity drives us all. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Burrow

September 24, 2026

Melissa’s parents owned a minivan with a wheelchair lift on the back. It was a 2006 model but had low mileage. They purchased the van used in 2015 from a lift dealer who said the previous owner used to for shopping and doctor’s appointments. They used it more extensively, but it never driven much. When we moved back to Arkansas the van was parked next to the workshop. The van sat for several years until we decided to donate it to a church program which connects people in need with low-cost cars. We called to have the van towed but the dealer never called back to get the vehicle. After several tries, I gave up and the van sat for another two years. The program is now associated with another repair shop and we connected again. A recovery group was looking for a van to transport clients back and forth from a residence house to appointments. Melissa called this time and within two days they came and towed the van. Since it had sat for so long, a pile of pine (Pinus echinata) needles collected under the van. Several days later I went to clean the area and notice an 8-inch (20 cm) hole in the middle of the debris. An animal decided this was perfect for their burrow.

When I went online, I found a burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to construct a space suitable for habitation or temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of the animal moving through the ground. Burrows provide a form of shelter against predation and exposure to the elements and can be found in nearly every biome and can represent both symbiosis (cooperation) and competition. Many animal species are known to form burrows and range from small amphipods (crustaceans) to very large vertebrate species such as the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Burrows can be constructed into a wide variety of substrates and can range in complexity from a simple tube a few inches/centimeters long to a complex network of interconnecting tunnels and chambers hundreds or thousands of yards/meters in total length, such as a rabbit (family, Leporidae) warren. Mammals are the most well-known species for constructing a burrow.

When I saw the burrow, I knew why the kids were barking at the fence facing the workshop. I had assumed it was the neighborhood cats (Felis catus), but I have not seen one in several months. They have also been barking at the raccoons (Procyon lotor) and opossum (Didelphis virginiana) in the trees and walking along the top of the fence, but neither species is known to make a burrow. When I searched for the owner online, it provided the top three species as a fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), a woodchuck/groundhog (Marmota monax), or a nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). These are all good-sized mammals, and I could not believe any would be living under our van for long without either of us seeing it. While I did not want to (necessarily) get rid of the creature, I called the town’s animal control officer to see if she could provide insight into what could be living in our yard. When I described the burrow, she immediately suggested it was probably an armadillo. Since this was one of the three animals suggested online, I am assuming that is what we have.

Thoughts: An armadillo living in the burrow is supported by the holes that have been popping up in our yard and garden containers. Armadillos like soft soil that is easy to dig, and our lawn and garden provide grubs, beetles, and spiders that can be found on the surface and first layer of soil. Since the burrow is no longer covered by the van, I am hoping the animal will find a new living location. Joe Ray is a hermit who spent years living in a system of caves in the Ozark Mountains and was documented by National Geographic TV in the series The Boonies. Other Ozark residents also lived in the Ozark caves during the Depression. Now modern conversions like the Beckham Creek Cave Lodge in Parthenon, Arkansas, have turned historic or custom-built caves into luxury rentals. We are not far from our ancestors. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Virile

September 07, 2026

Last month my local newspaper carried a USA Today article about the non-native crayfish (Family, Cambaridae) who are massing below Glen Canyon Dam for a potential invasion of Grand Canyon. National Park Service (NPS) biologists say the invasive species has caused ecological havoc in other streams and has now shown up by the thousands in agency nets below the dam. There have been more than 3,000 netted so far this year in a short stretch of the Colorado River where last year they found just over two dozen. NPS Colorado River Coordinator Nicki Gibney also reported a boom in non-native fish, including bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) and sunfish (Family, Centrarchidae). These invaders and the crayfish are thought to have slipped through the dam’s hydropower turbines and are benefiting from the warm water the dam releases as long-term drought and water demand pushes Lake Powell’s warm surface closer to the power plant’s intakes. This same phenomenon has favored smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), which the government has taken emergency measures to keep from reaching and eating rare native fish in the Grand Canyon. While several species of crayfish are present, the dominant species is the virile.

When I went online, I found the virile crayfish (Faxonius virilis) is a species of crayfish also known as the northern crayfish and eastern crayfish. The species was reclassified in August 2017, and the genus changed from Orconectes to Faxonius. The virile is native to the central US, east to tributaries of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River in New York and much of Canada. Individuals can be found hiding from predators under stones and logs in lakes, streams, and wetlands. They are identified by the brown or rust-red carapace (cephalothorax) and large pinchers (chelipeds), which are usually blue in color. Crayfish can grow to 6.9 inches (17.5 cm) in length, and their walking legs have a small claw at the end. The virile feeds on a wide range of invertebrates and plants, along with tadpoles and even small fish. Faxonius virilis is used as fishing bait, as food for humans, and as aquarium food for carnivorous fish. The virile has become an invasive species in parts of North America outside their native range and was discovered in the UK in 2008. It is listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

The virile crayfish is an especially vexing invader because it can march uphill around cascades that fish might not reach, Southwest Wildlands ecologist and work group member Larry Stevens said. Stevens called this, “an existential threat to the last remaining pristine streams — some of the last ones — in the West. Crayfish are dominant in many of the streams in Arizona and Utah.” The virile represents another developing threat to the Grand Canyon’s nature in a time when climate change is challenging the government’s ability to react. After two summers of releasing cold shocks of water to prevent bass spawning and protecting the park’s humpback chub (Gila cypha) population. The Interior Department’s Bureau of Reclamation announced they could not spare the water this summer as Lake Powell’s decline is threatening the dam’s ability to produce power. Without the aid of cold water, officials are electrofishing and netting in the river to remove invasives.

Thoughts: The influx of the virile crayfish and other warm water invasives illustrate another aspect of how climate change is impacting native populations. Warmer temperatures allow invasive species to move farther north and draught forces agencies to choose between the demands of humans and the needs of local ecosystems. Earth’s hottest year on record is 2024, with 2023 and 2025 tied at second. Models suggest 2026 is likely to break those records. Climate change about fluctuating extremes more than just warmer temperatures. In the US we have floods in the East and draughts in the West. The rest of the world faces similar patterns. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Nuisance

August 31, 2026

I blogged earlier about the two immature raccoon (Procyon lotor) invaders the dogs had surprised in our backyard and chased up under the eaves of the house. I put the kids inside and coaxed them down, but one fell in the pool and I had to fish it out with the skimmer. I hoped this would scare the pair so they would keep out of the yard, or at least out of the window feeders. A week ago, I let the kids out at night, and they trapped a raccoon on the fence above the squirrel feeder. I had given up trying to deter the red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and dedicated two feeders away from the others with cracked corn (Zea mays) and whole peanuts (Arachis hypogaea). Large birds like the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) and grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) seem to like these seeds more than the squirrels, and the squirrels traverse the entire fence to get to the smaller seed. Two nights ago, one of the raccoons was brave enough to again tackle the window feeders. The kids were going crazy at four am and when Melissa turned on the light it jumped off the ledge and crashed through a nearby table of potted succulents, knocking several to the ground and breaking three of the terra cotta pots. They had moved from invaders to a nuisance.

When I went online, I found several sites touting ways to get rid of a raccoon nuisance. I chose one that tested “5 ways to get rid of raccoon’s”. The first used scent-based raccoon repellents, like ammonia, mothballs, predator urine, or essential oils. These worked but washed away in rain and needed to be constantly reapplied. Motion-activated sprinklers blasts water when the animal gets too close but after a few nights the raccoon dodged the spray, waited for it to quit, and crept back in. A third was floodlights but after a few nights the raccoons adapted to the light and felt safe to again go for food. Humane traps and relocating the animals work but it is not always legal and new raccoons may come to take their place. The best solution was a combination of ultrasonic sound waves and flashing LED lights. The ultrasonic frequencies are silent to humans but irritating to raccoons, and the motion-activated lights are a visual deterrent. This gave me a link for the best solar powered stake that “Works automatically, requires no upkeep, and is completely humane.” I realized this was a veiled sales pitch, but other sites came to the same conclusion. It sounded like the best solution

While the ultrasonic deterrent may be the best way to discourage our nuisance, there were other considerations. The raccoon was encroaching on an area used by the kids, and they could hear the sound when they went out to play. None of our local stores carried this product and online it would take three days to two weeks to arrive. I needed something tonight. That led me to the scents. I found sprays that all contained a 4% solution of peppermint oil. That made me think about making my own spray using the known deterrents of vinegar, garlic, and peppermint. I purchased a spray and a bottle of peppermint extract thinking I could figure it out. One of the bottles had pictures of what nuisances it drove away, and one was a bird. The nuisance was the raccoons getting into the bird feeders and I could not spray around the feeders without driving off the birds. My solution was the simplest. I took the window feeders down last night because of the nuisance and put them up again in the morning for the birds.

Thoughts: The number one response I found for solving my nuisance problem was to remove the food that was bringing the raccoons. Feeding the raccoons is not good for their long-term survival nor for my garden and bird watching. While this involves more work on my part (not much), it solves the problem in an ecofriendly way. One reason behind many destructive human projects is to make our lives easier. When this happens at the expense of the environment, we need to find alternative solutions. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Prarie Lizard

August 26, 2026

I started late this morning and the “feels like” temperature was already 101F (38C), so even the shaded park path seemed too much for the kids (and me). I knew the brief rain we got last night was not enough to keep my seed damp in the sun. The sparrows (Passer domesticus) and finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) scattered as I walked onto the pool deck to fill the feeders and give my plants a shot of water. The birds had attacked several of the tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) I was letting ripen on the vine, so I picked the ripe fruits (about 20) along with 10 red jalapenos (Capsicum annuum). Next, I went out to give the seeds in the raised bed a good drink. As I walked back to turn off the hose, I caught rapid movement across the sidewalk and then the mulch near the faucet. I stopped and caught another quick movement up the wall. Hidden on the wall and covered by the phlox (Phlox paniculata) was an eastern prairie lizard.

When I went online, I found the eastern prairie lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus), also known as a fence lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. Distribution in the US extends from far western Nevada east to New York and from southern South Dakota in the north into Mexico to the south. Prairie lizards can be distinguished by the combination of highly keeled, pointed, and overlapping scales; no “horns” at the back of the head; and a tail longer than the body. Coloration and pattern can be highly variable, even within local populations. The top (dorsal) coloration can be gray, brown, or a mixture of gray, brown, and white, and chevron-shaped lines can be present or absent and may have a distinct gray stripe along the midline of the dorsal body surface. Lighter stripes may be well to poorly defined on lateral body surfaces extending from the neck to the first one-third of the tail. Adult males have distinct green-blue patches bordered by black on each side of the under (ventral) body surface. In larger males, the underside of the jaw may be black with green-blue patches on either side of the throat. Prairie lizards reach just over 3 inches (7.5 cm) in snout-vent length (plus tail) while hatchlings are about three-fourths of an inch (2 cm) in snout-vent length.

Prairie lizards can be active during any month of the year if temperatures are high enough but are most active during March to October and are found in almost every terrestrial habitat. The color and pattern variations (ectomorphs) are often associated with the microhabitats where they live. During the breeding season (late spring to early summer), males are territorial and aggressively interact with other males. Females deposit clutches of 6 to14 eggs from early May through July and may deposit more than one clutch per season. Eggs are deposited in shallow burrows in the ground, under surface objects, and possibly in the walls of mammal burrows. There is no parental care. Eggs hatch from late July through September. Lifespan under natural conditions is unknown but individuals (likely) can live up to four years. These lizards are “ambush foragers” and eat a variety of insects. They rely on relatively high body temperatures (about 95F/35C) for activity and are often observed basking in direct sunlight. Their primary defensive behavior includes a combination of camouflage (crypsis) and short, rapid retreats to crevices, shrubs, or other safe harbors once they have been detected.

Thoughts: The Prairie lizard can be observed by remaining still for 5 to10 minutes in their habitat and watching for movement. I watched for about 1 minute trying for a better photo and it never moved. Not moving is not always a good strategy. Warm-blooded predators (dogs and bears) see your body heat and the sound of breathing can be picked up by ears. Animals with a strong sense of smell (like dogs) find you by the air. Humans instead make loud noises and band together in packs. It helps that we are at the top of the food chain. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Waved Sphinx

August 24, 2026

Before Melissa retired, our breakfast nook table was her computer workstation in one half and the other served as a dedicated workstation for her succulents. The computer is now gone, and the succulents took over the whole. The table sits in front of a large bay window that allows Melissa to watch the birds come to feeders placed just outside. While we have always had numbers of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) these have recently been joined by a flock of young house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus). Over the last two weeks Melissa has noticed an increase in ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) coming to the hanging basket of button sage (Lantana involucrate) that sits among the feeders. I find this species interesting as the male is brown with a ruby throat and white belly, while the female is green with a white belly. With the increase in birds, Melissa cleared a spot for me to sit and read the morning paper and do my crossword. I have also noticed several bumble bees (genus Bombus) and large moths (order Lepidoptera) on the same flower. While I failed to document these fast birds, I did find a waved sphinx inside our porch.

When I went online, I found the waved sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa) is a common large moth in the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1856 and can be recognized by its mottled gray-brown wings and distinct wavy lines, with a small centered white spot on each forewing. The moth has a 3 to 4.25-inch (7.6 to 10.8 cm) wingspan. Despite its large size, its camouflage allows them to rest safely against tree bark. It is native in the US and southern Canada, east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are strictly nocturnal, hiding with the dawn. The Sphingidae family of moths are informally known as hawk moths because of their fast, strong, and hovering flight style, which resembles how a hawk flies. They have long, narrow wings and streamlined bodies built for rapid movement. The most common predator is the Guiana Striped Scorpion (Centruroides guianensis) which feasts on the moth’s egg clusters. As the two species seem to arrive at the same time, the scorpions show up as the moth lays eggs, there was a wrong conclusion the moths give birth to the scorpions (i.e., the name Scorpion Moth). Many Sphingidae caterpillars are known as hornworms from a distinct, horn-like spine located on their last abdominal segment.

I was concerned when I learned the waved sphinx was a horn worm. The five-spotted hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata) caterpillar is a major pest often referred to as the tomato hornworm and uses tomatoes as the host plants. The food of the waved sphinx larvae are trees, and include ash (Fraxinus), privet (Ligustrum), oak (Quercus), hawthorn (Crataegus) and fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus). The caterpillars (larvae) go through five distinct growth stages (instars) over 3 to 4 weeks, shedding their skin each time. When ready, the larvae crawl from the plant and burrow a few inches/centimeters into the soil to pupate. In colder regions, the pupae overwinter underground in this chrysalis stage until spring. In warm months, this stage lasts 1 to 3 weeks. The adult moths emerge from the soil in spring or summer and live for 1 to 3 weeks before they reproduce and start the cycle again. Adults feed on flower nectar using a long mouth tube (proboscis).

Thoughts: When I tried to get close for a photo of the waved sphinx moth, I realized it was dead. Even if it had been alive, it posed no threat to my garden. I remember seeing the large green tomato hornworms in our garden when I was a child. While I did not understand them as a pest, I was awed by their size. The same was true with the adult sphinx. It is common for humans to fear large creatures before we determine whether they are a threat. We can treat other humans the same way. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Metricus

August 22, 2026

We used to use a pest control company to spray our Arkansas house several times a year. We quit spraying inside when Melissa began growing succulents to protect her many plants. I would watch the technicians as they put granules in the yard, sprayed around the base of the house, and swept the eaves for wasp (Suborder: Apocrita) nests. I realized the task was straight forward and being retired I could spare the periodic 30 minutes, so I took over the role. We still get canvassers saying, “We happen to be in the neighborhood . . . “, but I tell them I do it myself. When they ask what steps I use, I tell them same as they do, and their response is they have better chemicals. Frankly, I am wary of commercial chemicals, and they leave. I occasionally find a mud dauber (Subfamily: Sceliphrinae) nest that I spray and then knock off the house. While I have not seen a paper nest in a while, I did see a metricus paper wasp on my tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants last week.

When I went online, I found metricus paper wasp (Polistes metricus) is a wasp native to North America. In the US it ranges throughout the southern Midwest, the South, and as far northeast as New York, but has recently been spotted in southwest Ontario. A single female has also been reported from Dryden, Maine. The metricus has a dark rusty (ferruginous) color with black markings on its thorax and a mostly black abdomen. The lower portion of the legs (tarsi) are yellow, and the upper leg (tibia) is black. A black spot (separate from the antennae) contains three simple eyes (ocelli). Females have six abdominal segments, while males bear seven. Swelled parts of the abdomen of this species are a key defining element. Like other Polistes (genus), metricus has a high level of socialization (eusociality), including cooperative brood care, overlapping generations of adults within a colony, and a division of labor into reproductive and non-reproductive groups. Like other hymenopterans (Order), sex is determined by if the egg is fertilized (haplodiploid genetics). The preferred prey to feed young is soft-bodied, and especially caterpillars. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has not evaluated this species’ conservation status.

Nests of the metricus paper wasp can be found attached to almost anything, the sides of buildings, trees, and shrubbery. Nests have been observed to be shared between two species of Polistes. The different species of wasp were seen to coexist without conflict. The evolutionary significance of joint nesting is unclear, but hypotheses include it might represent the beginning stages of interspecific sharing to the benefit of each (mutualism) or exploitation. Nest reuse has been observed in the species. It is common for a foundress to use the nest multiple times within a reproductive season, but it is unlikely for the foundresses to return to a nest in a subsequent season. Another distinction is metricus foragers take off from their nests in different directions depending on how long their trip will be. They exit the nest flying horizontally for short flights but exit the nest flying straight up to a high altitude before pursuing their direction for long flights.

Thoughts: One of my memories as a child was my brother and I trying to knock down the metricus paper wasp nests on our porch. The original front porch now faced a dirt street, and a side door faced a paved street, now making it the main entrance. That meant the large wraparound porch was rarely used. This seemed to be the perfect location for the paper nests. We were too afraid to approach the nests directly, so we would toss a broom at them until they fell to the ground. I can never remember being bothered by the wasps unless we were trying to knock down the nests. When I saw the metricus on my tomato it was not bothering me, so I left it alone as. That would have been a better reaction as a child as well. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.