<no abstract>...

The study of animal personality is a growing field that has applications for welfare of animals living in captive settings. We measured personality traits (activity, exploration, and neophobia) in Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) living in human care before they were released to their natal habitat as part of a headstart program. We found evidence of consistent inter-individual differences in activity and...

After a handful of weather-related delays, the Texas Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) that have been raised at the Oklahoma City Zoo “Lizard Lab” for the last 1–2 years have just been released in small “soft release” pens (where they will remain for ~1 month). The juveniles were collected from Tinker Air Force Base as either eggs or brand-new hatchlings and raised in...

It has been an exciting week in the Siler Lab, especially with today’s announcement that we have received a Conservation Action Now (CAN) grant from the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens.  This project involves working actively with the Oklahoma City Zoo to sample in central Oklahoma, including adjacent to zoo property.  A wonderful opportunity to develop new biodiversity conservation initiatives with such...

Lasting thoughts Overall, my summer expedition to the eastern Philippines reinforced my strong believe that it is imperative for the research and conservation communities to emphasize the importance of the Philippine rainforest to such an amazing diversity of life. As reported by Conservation International, “this country is one of the few nations that is, in its entirety, both a biodiversity hotspot and...

They all come out at night… In a tropical region, the lush jungle, hot and humid climate, and high volume of rain usually make for the most productive herpetological field surveys, or the best “herping” (searching for reptiles and amphibians). Some people go fishing in their free time, but us “crazy” amphibian and reptile people go herpin’. And some times, as in...

Let’s talk insects So I found myself in an incredible forest at the foot of Mt. Huraw in northern Samar Island (eastern Philippines). The price of beauty for this rarely seen primary and secondary growth forest in the country was definitely the climate and insects. It was either about 100 degrees with 99% humidity, or about 90 degrees with torrential, down-pouring rain...

Biodiversity Survey in the Philippines This summer, I was fortunate enough to join a team of international biologists and participate in a four-week biodiversity study on the island of Samar in the southeastern Philippines. This expedition was funded by an NSF RAPID grant and lead by the University of Kansas (KU; my alma mater), and the University of Oklahoma (OU), both of...