Fledging

May 06, 2025

When I let the kids out into the side yard yesterday afternoon for a constitutional Loki immediately ran to the fence. That was not a real surprise as he usually runs to the fence to see if the next-door dogs were outside. This time he instead started scrambling after something he found on the ground. Although I did not know what he had found, I was certain it was not something he needed to have in his mouth. I shooed him away and saw a fledgling bird lying on the ground. The frightened bird started scittering around as I tried to trap it in my hands. I finally grabbed the small bird. The bird was obviously frightened and distressed, but other than being wet from being in Loki’s mouth it appeared to be unharmed. I placed the bird on the top of the 6-foot (1.8 m) fence to keep it out of harms way and to give it a chance to gain some air before it hit the ground again trying to fly away. This was a fledgling blue jay that must have fallen from its nest trying to learn to fly.

When I went online, I found the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), or the jaybird, is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae that is native to eastern North America. The blue jay lives in most of the eastern and central states of the US. Some US populations are migratory. Resident populations are also found in Newfoundland, Canada, while breeding populations are found across southern Canada. The blue jay measures 9 to 12 inches (22 to 30 cm) from bill to tail and weighs 2.5 to 3.5 ounces (70 to 100 g), with a wingspan of 13 to 17 inches (34 to 43 cm). The color is predominantly blue, with a white chest and underparts, a blue crest, and a black, U-shaped collar around its neck and a black border behind the crest. Males and females are similar in size and plumage. The blue jay feeds mainly on seeds and nuts, soft fruits, arthropods, and an occasional small vertebrate. It typically gleans food from trees, shrubs, and the ground, and will “hawk” insects from the air. Blue jays can be very aggressive to other birds and have been seen to raid nests and have even to kill other birds. The nest is an open cup in the branches of a tree built by both sexes. The clutch has from two to seven eggs, which are blueish or light brown with darker brown spots. Young are underdeveloped at birth (altricial) and are brooded by the female for 8 to 12 days after hatching. The fledgling will leave the nest between 17 to 21 days old

Blue jays are monogamous during nesting and do not typically abandon their young. Even after the fledgling leaves the nest the parents will care for and feed them for at least a month, and sometimes for up to two months. If a young jay wanders far from the nest, parents may still feed it if it can be restored to or near the nest. The rare cases where the young are abandoned are due to some disturbance or other unforeseen circumstances. If you find a young blue jay, it is best to leave it alone unless it is in immediate danger. It is likely the parents are likely to be nearby and will continue to care for the fledgling bird.

THOUGHTS: The fledgling blue jay I found appeared to be in imminent danger when I put it on the fence. Fledgling is a dangerous time of life, with an average mortality rate of 42% over a week or two, with most mortality just after they leave the nest. Humans are born altricial and take even longer to learn to be self-sufficient, typically around 30 years to become fully self-sufficient. This lengthy process is due to factors like the large human brain taking time to develop, premature birth, and the need to learn complex skills from caregivers. Self-sufficiency is a gradual progression and not an event and involves developing practical skills and emotional independence. Being labeled an adult at 18 has little to do with being self-sufficient. Care networks need to be extended rather than cut off when a child comes of age or decides to become a fledgling. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Indigo

May 05, 2025

My MSN browser carried an article about the annual reintroduction of a snake into Florida’s forests. The 41 snakes were released on April 30 at Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve (ABRP). The 21 males and 20 females are part of a long-term effort to restore a once-common species. This is the eighth year that The Nature Conservancy and its partners have conducted the release. “The snakes are native, non-venomous, and critical to this ecosystem,” said Catherine Ricketts, preserve manager at ABRP. This latest release brings the total number of snakes returned to the site to 167. In 2023, conservationists spotted two hatchlings born in the wild, the first natural offspring of previously released snakes. Each snake hatches at the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation (OCIC) and at one year are moved to the Welaka National Fish Hatchery. The Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve is the only site in Florida where Eastern Indigo snake reintroduction is happening.

When I went online, I found the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), also called the indigo snake, blue indigo snake, black snake, blue gopher snake, and blue bull snake, is a species of large, non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southeastern US. The Eastern Indigo was first described by John Edwards Holbrook in 1842. Until the early 1990’s the genus Drymarchon was considered monotypic with one species (Drymarchon corais) and 12 subspecies. Drymarchon corais couperi was then elevated to full species status according to the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. The generic name (Drymarchon) is from the Greek words drymos (“forest”) and archon (“lord” or “ruler”), roughly translating to “lord of the forest”. The eastern indigo has uniform blue-black dorsal scales, with some specimens having a reddish orange to tan color on the throat, cheeks, and chin. This smooth-scaled snake is considered e the longest native snake species in the US. The longest recorded specimen measured 9.2 feet (2.8 m) long and the mature male are slightly larger than females. A typical mature male measures 3.0 to 7.7 feet (1.2 to 2.36 m) and weighs 1.6 to 9.9 pounds (0.72 to 4.5 kg). Specimens over 8,5 feet (2.6 m) can weigh up to 11pounds (5 kg).

The eastern indigo snake is listed as a federally threatened species in Georgia and Florida due to habitat loss. In 2012 the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources had listed the species as possibly extirpated within the state, but a reintroduction program has shown signs of success. The eastern indigo was largely eliminated from northern Florida due to habitat loss and fragmentation. A restoration program is currently underway at Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve (ABRP) in northern Florida. The eastern indigo snake was last observed at ABRP in 1982, until 2017 when 12 snakes were released as part of the program. Twenty more snakes were released in 2018, and another 15 (10 female and 5 male) in 2019. The 10-year program is a collaborative effort between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and private partners. The snakes are also dealing with infections due to the snake fungal disease (Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola) which infects the dermal layer of skin, causing a variety of lesions that commonly manifest on the head and near the vent. NatureServe considers the species to be Vulnerable.

THOUGHTS: The docile nature and appearance can make the eastern indigo snake to be a desirable pet but owning one may be illegal without a permit. While only a few states require permits, a federal permit is required to buy one from out of state anywhere in the US. Most states allow unrestricted in-state sales. The snake requires a larger enclosure than most species and preferably with something to climb on. As a vulnerable species, it is perhaps best to leave them to the Nature Conservancy. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Beavers 3

April 22, 2025

© Pavel Mikoska/Shutterstock

My MSN browser provided an update to the ongoing saga of a family of beavers in Northern California. On a 2,325-acre valley in Northern California named Tásmam Koyóm, conservation efforts are underway to reintroduce beavers (Castor canadensis) after a nearly 75-year absence. The result has been an explosion in population. The beaver family in Tásmam Koyóm is one part of the continued efforts in California. The state released a family of seven on June 12, 2024, at nearby South Fork Tule River, marking the first time the beaver had homed in the region in over a century. The Tásmam Koyóm family has had a year and a half to get used to the new environment and are thriving, with two litters of kits and one of the beavers finding a mate in the wild. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says population growth offers a chance for beavers to thrive again. The species is endemic to Northern California, but its population was decimated by the fur trade in the 1800’s with numbers dwindling to fewer than a thousand by 1912. The beaver is not only beginning to make a comeback, but it can also protect the landscape from wildfire threats.

When I went online, I found California has been affected by thousands of wildfires between 1987 and 2023. The Palisades Fire began burning in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County on January 7, 2025, and grew to destroy large areas of Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu before it was fully contained on January 31, 24 days later. The fire was driven by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds and burned 23,448 acres (9,489 ha), killed 12 people, and destroyed 6,837 structures. The fire was the tenth deadliest and third-most destructive California wildfire on record and the most destructive to occur in the history of the city of Los Angeles. While the wildfire-prone area requires a multifaceted approach to future prevention, the recent reintroduction of beavers across the state could help.

The beavers come into play as they naturally create and maintain wetland environments. Beaver dams have been mimicked in conservation efforts with volunteers creating Beaver Dam Analogues (BDA) to help bring water to drought-prone areas. The state’s largest (real) beaver dam was over 320 feet (97.5 m) long before it was consumed in a wildfire in 2021. One of the groups of the Tule River beavers began building off a BDA, strengthening the man-made dam already there. Conservation efforts for the beaver help prevent wildfires and benefit the region’s wildlife, from the long-lived Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) to the state bird, the California quail (Callipepla californica). The beavers’ explosive growth has given rise to the title of “Swiss army knife” of the animal kingdom for its utility. The Tásmam Koyóm beaver family should be a rallying cry for more conservation as well as a case study of how important it is to protect ecosystems to the benefit of every living creature.

THOUGHTS: The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists over 47,000 species as threatened with extinction. Success stories like the Tule River beavers provide a cause for celebration. Another family of beavers have taken up living in Alhambra Creek in downtown Martinez, California. A male and female beaver arrived in Alhambra Creek in 2006 and proceeding to produce 4 kits over the course of the summer. After the city decided to exterminate the beavers, local conservationists formed an organization called Worth a Dam which got the decision overturned. Subsequently, wildlife populations have increased in diversity along the Alhambra Creek watershed. Living in proximity to wildlife can be beneficial, if humans take time to figure out how to create a symbiotic relationship. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Coexistence

April 20, 2025

Earlier this week the NY Times carried an article by Jack Nicas about an invasion occurring in Argentina. Since the pandemic, “carpinchos,” as they are known, have proliferated in Nordelta, a ritzy gated community of 45,000 people north of Buenos Aires. Over the past two years, biologists estimate the capybara population has tripled to nearly 1,000 in this gated community, posing a test case for the urban coexistence of humans and wildlife. While most residents find them cute, they also cause traffic accidents, chomp their way through gardens, and have occasionally attacked some of the community’s smallest dogs. These actions have led to an effort to place controls on the animals. Veronica Esposito is one of a small group of neighbors leading a rebellion against the controls. They have protested in the streets, taken legal action against developers, and gathered 25,000 signatures for an online petition to protect the animals. “I believe their adorableness is a strategy of the species itself to survive.” said Silvia Soto, the most vocal neighbor. In February, the Nordelta organization told residents in an email that it was moving ahead with a “contraceptive vaccination program,” to sterilize 250 adult capybaras. It seems some do not want coexistence.

When I looked online, I found the future of wildlife depends on the willingness and capacity of human coexistence. To coexist means to live in a dynamic state where the needs and interests of both humans and wildlife living in proximity to each other are generally met. This coexistence may not be entirely free of negative interactions and may still contain some level of impact on both people and wildlife. Living together is especially dependent on a level of tolerance on the human side. Humans have lived alongside wildlife for thousands of years, but conflict arises when the presence or behavior of wildlife poses a direct or perceived threat to people’s needs, interests, and safety. As our planet becomes increasingly crowded, livable space is decreased by accelerated climate change, habitat loss, and competition for resources. What it means to share space with wildlife differs drastically from place to place and from species to species, which often makes moving toward coexistence a complex and ever-evolving target.

Thirty years ago, Nordelta was an untouched wetland where capybaras roamed free, hunted by pumas, jaguars, caiman, and sport hunters. Eduardo Constantini, the real estate developer who controls the Nordelta organization, began transforming the area in the late 1990’s, building housing, infrastructure, a shopping center, and a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Construction has been nearly nonstop. Ms. Soto argued that the capybara population is only increasing because developers destroyed the animals’ wild habitat, forcing them out of the forest and into the suburbs. As capybara grazed on a playground, a married couple walking by held different views of the plight of the animals. Felipo Contigiani said he used to hunt capybara as a child and had little sympathy, “It’s a wild animal that came to live in the city.” His wife Lidia Schmidt corrected him, “No, the city came to settle where the wild animal was.” Coexistence seems a long way off.

THOUGHTS: To achieve some level of coexistence between people and wildlife, various stakeholders must partner together to address the challenges and devise solutions that focus on the benefits of living alongside wildlife. This is especially true for the local communities who are often directly negatively impacted by living with wildlife. The town of Churchill in northern Manitoba, Canada is most famous for the many polar bears that move toward the shore from inland in the autumn, leading to the nickname “Polar Bear Capital of the World”. Coexistence often means a willingness to think outside the box. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Barrier

April 19, 2025

My MSN browser reported on a recent discovery in Australia on the region’s marine life. The research was published in Science Advances and shows how marine dynamics could have far-reaching implications for understanding the resilience of oceanic ecosystems. Research found that the Marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef outperformed expectations, with fish densities two to three times higher than in zones where fishing is allowed. This is especially true for the leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), or coral trout, which is a key species for both biodiversity and commercial fisheries. The sanctuaries serve as critical breeding grounds where the fish grow larger and produce more offspring. The baby fish then migrate to fishing zones, maintaining catch levels without depleting stocks. Researchers found that even though the reserves make up less than a third of the Great Barrier Reef, about 55% of all coral trout reproduction and 47% of the total catch across the reef originates from these protected areas.

When I looked online, I found the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. The system is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 1,400 miles (2,300 km) over an area of approximately 133,000 miles² (344,400 km²). The reef is in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, separated from the coast by a channel up to 100 miles (160 km) wide and over 200 feet (61 m) deep. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world’s largest single structure made by living organisms. The reef is composed of and built by billions of tiny coral polyps (phylum Cnidaria, subphylum Anthozoa) and supports a wide diversity of life. The reef was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981, and CNN labelled it one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in 1997. Australian World Heritage places included it in its list in 2007 and the Queensland National Trust named it a state icon of Queensland in 2006.

The study used an innovative mix of fish surveys, genetic testing, ocean current modeling, and reef mapping to pull together decades of data. Researchers found the benefits of marine reserves extend far beyond their boundaries. Nearly 95% of reefs receive at least 30% of their baby fish from reserves, and 93% of fished reefs get at least 30% of their catch from protected areas, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of conservation strategies. As fish from protected areas travel and repopulate nearby reefs, the entire ecosystem becomes more resilient. Michael Bode, of the QUT School of Mathematical Sciences, said, “By protecting fish populations within these no-take zones, we not only safeguard biodiversity but also guarantee that there will be a new generation of fish on the reefs that are open to fishing.” Environmental pressures on the Barrier Reef come from runoff of human made pollutants, climate change (mass coral bleaching), dumping of dredging sludge, and cyclic population outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish. The reef has lost more than half its coral cover since 1985.

THOUGHTS: This recent study of the protected areas in the Great Barrier Reef shows the synergy between conservation and economic security. By ensuring that fish populations remain healthy and abundant, marine reserves support sustainable fishing practices, helping local fishers and coastal communities maintain their livelihoods without compromising long-term ocean health. The Australian government is investing millions into reef protection and this study offers evidence that marine conservation is not at odds with economic growth. While some consider such government-funded studies to be frivolous, they can guide better practices to benefit the economy and natural ecosystems. Sticking your head in the sand or ignoring problems has never proven to be viable for long-term growth. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Colossal

April 18, 2025

My MSN browser reported that the world’s largest squid species was filmed and photographed in its natural habitat for the first time since scientists discovered it about a century ago. The video was recorded in the South Atlantic on March 9th by the crew of a vessel owned by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The crew’s remotely operated vehicle sighted the animal 2,000 feet (609.6 m) below the surface around the South Sandwich Islands, a volcanic archipelago located between the tip of South America and Antarctica. The squid caught on video was a juvenile and much smaller than a full-grown adult. The research team estimated its size at around 11 inches (28 cm) long. According to the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the expedition occurred during a 35-day voyage where researchers sought to find new marine life. Although this was a juvenile, the squid can become enormous and have been named colossal squid.

When I looked online, I found the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) is a species of large squid belonging to the family Cranchiidae, known as cockatoo squids or glass squids. Glass squid are a group of about 60 squid species that have transparent bodies. As the squid grow their bodies become opaque over time. The colossal is sometimes called the Antarctic cranch squid or giant squid (not to be confused with the genus Architeuthis) and is believed to be the largest squid species in terms of mass. Individuals have been confirmed to reach at least 1,091 pounds (495 kg). Beaks found in sperm whale stomachs suggest some may weigh as much as 1,300 to 1,500 pounds (600 to 700 kilograms). That would make it the largest extant invertebrate. The maximum total length has been estimated between 33 to 46 feet (10 to 14 m). The colossal squid has the largest eyes of any known creature to ever exist, with an estimated diameter of 11 to 12 inches (27 to 30 cm), with a whopping 15 inches (40 cm) for the largest collected specimen. The colossal is presumed to be an ambush predator, with a diet including various fish, and is likely a key prey item of the sperm whale.

Chief scientist Dr. Michelle Taylor said the team was initially unsure what the squid was but filmed the animal because it was “beautiful and unusual”. The footage was later verified by Dr. Kat Bolstad, who said previous squid encounters had mostly been as remains in whale and seabird stomachs. A distinguishing feature of the species is the presence of hooks on the middle of their eight arms. Dying adults have previously been filmed by people fishing but they have never been seen alive at depth. The Natural History Museum has suggested it is hard to estimate the global population of colossal squids. In 2022, the institution said the lack of observations meant that, “even to this day, the enormous invertebrates still straddle the line between legend and reality”. The Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research trips have led to the first sightings of four species of squid, including the colossal squid sighting. The institute’s executive director Jyotika Virmani described the encounters moments which “continue to remind us that the Ocean is brimming with mysteries yet to be solved.”

THOUGHTS: The recording of the colossal and other three species of squid is another reminder of the amazing diversity yet to be discovered in the oceans of the earth. Yet even as we seek and find new life, the actions of humans are threatening to destroy the species and ecosystems that are known. It is unclear whether the Ocean depths are so far immune from human intervention, or just so far out of our radar that we do not see the changes we are making. It is known that microplastics have been found in the bodies of deep-water fish. We need to take steps to preserve these fragile ecosystems while there is still time. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Partula

March 28, 2025

This morning’s MSN browser caught my eye with an article on a creature that has managed to return from extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species has reclassified a peanut sized snail as critically endangered after being previously declared extinct in the wild, according to a release from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The snail’s comeback is credited to a decades-long conservation program led by ZSL and its global partners. Paul Pearce-Kelly, leader of the conservation program, said in a news release, “This is a landmark moment for Partula tohiveana and for decades of international conservation work. Seeing a species return from the brink after years of collaborative effort is exactly why we do what we do.” The press release states that the reclassification follows the discovery of adult Partula snails born in the wild.

When I looked online, I found Partula tohiveana is one of several species with the common name Moorean viviparous tree snail. The species is an air-breathing tropical land snail in the family Partulidae endemic to highlands on Moorea, French Polynesia. The species was reintroduced into the wild in 2024 and by September “born in the wild” snails were observed for the first time in 40 years, meaning the species is officially considered re-established. While the snail is still critically endangered, it had been extinct in the wild since the 1980’s. The snail is the first invertebrate species to be successfully re-established following an Extinct in the Wild IUCN status. ZSL started breeding these snails in the 1980’s after the invasive carnivorous rosy wolf snail (Euglandina rosea) began to threaten the Partula tohiveana’s wild population. The snails were bred and cared for under carefully controlled conditions and were then marked with UV reflective paint prior to their release back into their forest habitats. The 2024 reintroduction saw the release of about 6,000 snails from 10 species and sub-species of Partula snails raised at zoos worldwide.

Ali Reynolds, Senior Keeper, Lower Vertebrates & Invertebrates at the Marwell Wildlife Zoo, said: “It was so heartening when I heard the news of tohiveana being downlisted, it makes all our efforts worthwhile, and shows what a difference zoos can make.” Reynolds has a tattoo on her arm with a picture of a snail along with words, “never give up”. She went on to say the more you learn about Partula, the more fascinating they become. The snails show a high level of speciation, and a single species can evolve in very small specific areas, at times even living in only one valley. They are unusual amongst snails, as they do not lay eggs, but give birth to a single live young. Their name comes from Partula, the Roman goddess of birth. “Given the cause of their decline is entirely manmade, we have a responsibly to try to make things right, and this shows that is possible!”

THOUGHTS: One of the global partners that aided the reintroduction of Partula was the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. My parents lived there and always had a season pass to the zoo, so when we held reunions, we would all go. This was usually in August and turned out to be the hottest day of the year (100+F/37.7+C). Zoos have always been a subject of interest and debate. Some say they play a crucial role in conserving endangered species and educating the public. Others say they represent captivity for profit and do more harm than good. Zoos do support conservation through breeding and donations that are critical for groups working in areas trying to preserve wildlife. A critical argument for zoos is that people need to see animals to care about their protection and most urban populations will likely never get the opportunity to experience these animals in the wild. Direct encounters with animals encourage people to adopt more eco-friendly behaviors and feel more invested in conservation efforts. Longer life (with ethical treatment) is a tradeoff for freedom. As with humans, not all feel the cost is worth it. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Python

March 21, 2025

This morning’s local newspaper carried a USA Today article on the adaptability of the Burmese python in Florida. The snakes have been established in the Everglades since the 1990’s but recent studies and sightings indicate the cold-blooded reptiles have adapted to cooler temperatures and different habitats. One reason for the adaptation is crossbreeding with the Indian rock python (Python molurus) which has also been introduced into the habitat. Genetic evidence by the USGS shows at least 13 out of 400 pythons studied were crossbred. Climate change could expand their range by 2100 to include New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, and parts of Washington State. Southern states with climates like the native range of the Burmese python include all of Florida, most of California, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma.

When I looked online, I found the Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is one of the largest species of snakes in the world. The species is a dark-colored non-venomous snake with many brown blotches bordered by black down the back. Burmese pythons typically grow to 16 feet (5 m) but unconfirmed specimens of over 23 feet (7 m) have been reported. The species is sexually dimorphic with females slightly longer but considerably heavier and bulkier than males. Length-weight comparisons in captive Burmese pythons for females have shown at 11 feet 5 inches (3.47 m) length, a specimen weighed 64 pounds (29 kg) and a specimen of 16 feet (5 m) weighed 165 pounds (75 kg). Length-weight comparisons for males found a specimen of 9 feet 2 inches (2.8 m) weighed 26 pounds (12 kg) and a specimen of 10 feet (3.05 m) weighed 41 pounds (18.5 kg). Individuals over 16 feet (5 m) are rare for either sex. The Burmese is native to a large area of Southeast Asia where it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is an invasive species in Florida because of the pet trade.

Importing Burmese pythons was banned in the US in January 2012 by the US Department of the Interior. A 2012 report stated, “in areas where the snakes are well established, foxes and rabbits have disappeared. Sightings of raccoons are down by 99.3%, opossums by 98.9%, and white-tailed deer by 94.1%.” Road surveys between 2003 and 2011 indicated an 87.3% decrease in bobcat (Lynx rufus) populations, and in some areas, rabbits (Sylvilagus palustris) have disappeared. Bird and coyote (Canis latrans) populations may be threatened, as well as the rare Florida panther (Puma concolor couguar). Burmese pythons compete with the native American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), and numerous instances of alligators and pythons attacking, and even preying on, each other. By 2011, researchers identified up to 25 species of birds from nine avian orders in the digestive tract remains of 85 Burmese pythons found in Everglades National Park. Native bird populations are suffering a negative impact from the introduction of the Burmese python in Florida and the wood stork (Mycteria americana) is now listed as federally endangered.

THOUGHTS: A Burmese python named “Baby” was the heaviest snake recorded in the world in 1999 at 403 pounds (182.8 kg), much heavier than any wild snake ever measured. Her length was measured at 18 feet (5.74 m). Efforts in Florida have removed over 23,000 pythons since 2000, but trappers have caught less than 1% of the estimated population of tens of thousands. Lisa Thompson of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission said, “Every python removed from the Florida landscape is one less invasive snake impacting our native wildlife and ecosystems.” While importing exotic wildlife may be chic, bringing them (and allowing them to escape) into compatible ecosystems is never a good idea. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Parthenogenesis

February 21, 2025

Inside the front section of Monday’s newspaper was a USA Today article on the birth of a baby swell shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum). The swell shark pup hatched on January 3rd after an egg was spotted by the Shreveport aquarium’s animal husbandry team eight months ago. The birth could be from rare form of asexual reproduction (parthenogenesis), or from delayed fertilization. The two female sharks present in the tank had not been in contact with a male for more than three years. A DNA analysis once the pup is big enough for a blood sample to be taken will determine how the birth occurred, but it will take months before the test can be performed. “This situation is incredible and shows the resilience of this species,” said Greg Barrick, the curator of live animals at Shreveport aquarium. “We are very excited in the coming months to confirm whether this was indeed a case of parthenogenesis or if it was delayed fertilization.”

When I looked online, I found parthenogenesis (Greek parthénos, “virgin” and “génesis, “creation”) is a natural form of asexual reproduction in which the embryo develops directly from an egg without need for fertilization. In animals, parthenogenesis means the development of an embryo from an unfertilized egg cell. Parthenogenesis occurs naturally in some plants, algae, invertebrate animal species, and a few vertebrates (some fish, amphibians, and reptiles) and has been induced artificially in animal species that naturally reproduce through sex (fish, amphibians, and mice). Normal egg cells form in the process of meiosis (division) and have half as many chromosomes as their mother’s body cells (haploid). Such individuals are usually non-viable, and parthenogenetic offspring usually have a complete number of chromosomes (diploid). In parthenogenesis, the offspring having all of the mother’s genetic material are called full clones and those having only half are called half clones.

The baby shark has been named Yoko, after the Native American Chumash people’s word for shark (onyoko) and is said to be thriving, although sharks born by such reproduction face significant challenges. The aquarium staff said she will leave an “unforgettable legacy” to the study of shark reproduction and conservation. If Yoko was born via parthenogenesis, she would join a small number of invertebrate animals capable of “virgin births”. Laying eggs without mating is much rarer in vertebrates, but it has been seen in zebra sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum), sawfish (Pristis zijsron) and a handful of reptiles. This type of birth was first documented in Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) in 2006 in two separate British zoos. Charlotte, a stingray (Hypanus americanus) in an aquarium in North Carolina, was found to be pregnant in 2024 despite not having been in contact with a male for eight years. While scientists assume vertebrates turn to parthenogenesis when no mates are present, it is unknown why they occur and what triggers birth.

THOUGHTS: Whether Yoko was born from delayed reproduction or parthenogenesis, she is an extraordinary birth. The aquarium staff said she will leave an “unforgettable legacy” to the study of shark reproduction and conservation. While the behavior of domesticated animals has long been studied (ethology) attention has only focused on animals in the wild during the last century. What we have found is they are far more complex and diversified than we previously believed. The study has even forced us to reconsider what “makes us human”. It seems we are not so different after all. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Waves

February 05, 2025

Last night’s sleep was hard as our ship headed into the Aegean Sea. Melissa had worried about being on open water and prepared with a motion sickness remedy. The problem was, she did not take it in advance. I reserved an elegant Italian dinner in the ship-board restaurant, and we were seated next to a window to allow us to overlook the water. The meal started as we watched the rolling waves along with our first three courses. By the time we reached the main course melissa’s stomach was rolling along with the ocean. She excused herself and went back to our stateroom for the medicine. I finished the meal (it was amazing) and watched as the waves continued to roll. I thought nothing of the waves as I crawled into bed and lay down for what I thought was going to be a good night’s sleep. I was wrong. When I lay down all I could feel was the rolling of the ocean. Neither of us had been on a ship in the open ocean and we figured we were just being susceptible to the rolling waves.

When I looked online, I found most ocean waves are wind generated. Wind blowing across the water’s surface creates little disturbances or ripples (capillary waves) that start from gentle breezes. Capillary waves have a rounded crest with a V-shaped trough, and wavelengths around 1 inch (less than 1.7 cm). These small ripples give the wind something to “grip” to create larger waves as the wind increases. Once the wavelength exceeds 1 inch (1.7 cm) the wave transitions from a capillary wave to a wind wave. All waves are opposed by a restoring force that attempts to return the water to calm. The restoring force of capillary waves is the surface tension of the water, but for wind-generated waves the restoring force is gravity. As the energy of the wind increases, so does the size, length, and speed of the waves. There are three important factors determining how much energy is transferred from wind to waves, and how large the waves get. These are wind speed, wind duration, and distance the wind blows across the water in the same direction (fetch). Increasing any of these factors increases the energy of wind waves along with their size and speed. There is an upper limit to how large wind waves can get. As wind increases, the waves get larger, but when the wave height exceeds 1/7 of the wavelength, the wave becomes unstable and collapses, forming whitecaps.

The waves kept Melissa and I up for much of the night and we were tired the new day. While Melissa chose to stay on the ship, I set out on the day’s excursion to Dion, an archaeological site from the Classical Greek and Roman eras. Melissa asked several of the crew about the waves and none of them had noticed anything unusual (i.e., it was us). I traveled with other “landlubbers” who had experienced excessive waves. Over lunch, it was mentioned the rough seas had been created by the hundreds of earthquakes that rattled the Greek islands on the Aegean Sea. This “seismic swarm” could continue for weeks before diminishing. Santorini’s Mayor Nikos Zorzos told The AP Tuesday, “This phenomenon may play out with small quakes or a single, slightly stronger one, followed by gradual subsidence.” The quakes are credited with the rough sea and waves we experienced. There are thousands of residents and seasonal workers who have left the Cycladic Islands as quakes up to magnitude 5 have been recorded in the volcanic region since Friday.

Thoughts: The waves we encountered the night before left melissa and I both seeking solace. Melissa found it lying on a beach chair on the ship overlooking the city of Volos. As I struggled to walk the site of Dion, I found it with a large dog. I stopped listening to the lecture and felt something on my hand. Looking down I saw a scraggly dog nudging me for attention. I stopped to pet him, and I did feel better. Animals have an uncanny ability to sense unease and try to make us feel better. I would be nice if humans could find the same compassion. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.