UA Herpetology

UA Herpetology The official page for the undergraduate herpetology research program at the University of Arizona.

Undergraduate Herpetology research at the University of Arizona

A beautiful photo of the moon rising behind the Santa Catalina Mountains captured from our study site in Oro Valley, Ari...
06/24/2020

A beautiful photo of the moon rising behind the Santa Catalina Mountains captured from our study site in Oro Valley, Arizona. If you look to the right, you can see some of the recent construction that is occurring at this upscale golf course community. ⛰ 🌝

A neonate Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox; Left) and a neonate Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus mol...
06/19/2020

A neonate Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox; Left) and a neonate Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus; Right) in snake restraining tubes for processing. Unlike adult rattlesnakes, neonates cannot rattle their tails because they only have a pear-shaped “button,” which is the first segment of their future rattle. As a rattlesnake grows and sheds its skin, it will acquire more rattle segments at the base of its tail. With each shed, a new loosely overlapping and interlocked segment is added to the rattle.

Two adult Regal Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma solare) basking on the golf course during golden hour. Can you spot both liza...
06/17/2020

Two adult Regal Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma solare) basking on the golf course during golden hour. Can you spot both lizards?? 🌥🦎

Former undergraduate researcher, Josephine Profy, carefully intubating a Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) that has be...
06/12/2020

Former undergraduate researcher, Josephine Profy, carefully intubating a Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) that has been anesthetized for processing. Processing includes taking several body measurements (e.g., snout-vent length and mass), determining s*x, and marking individuals (by PIT tagging and painting rattles).

A close up photo of an adult Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) captured last summer. Gila monsters and other beaded liz...
06/10/2020

A close up photo of an adult Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) captured last summer. Gila monsters and other beaded lizards in the family Helodermatidae have hard, rounded, bead-like dorsal (on upper side of body) scales called osteoderms. Osteoderms are bony structures embedded within the dermis that support the upper layer of skin and serve as a form of protection. Other reptiles, like some skinks and crocodiles, also have osteoderms.

Undergraduate researcher, Emily Runnion, catching a Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) on the golf cart path. We use to...
06/08/2020

Undergraduate researcher, Emily Runnion, catching a Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) on the golf cart path. We use tongs to pick up rattlesnakes and place them into bags using a hamper. This technique allows us to safely and quickly capture these venomous snakes.

A close up of an adult Sonoran Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer affinis). This is one of the most widespread snake speci...
06/05/2020

A close up of an adult Sonoran Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer affinis). This is one of the most widespread snake species and the longest snake in Arizona, with adults reaching total lengths up to 92 inches (~7.7 feet)! These large, nonvenomous snakes are powerful constrictors and prey on small rodents, rabbits, lizards, birds, snakes, eggs, and insects. They are diet and habitat generalists that are commonly encountered in urban areas!

A Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) found alongside the golf cart path at our study site. These large, brightly colored...
06/03/2020

A Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) found alongside the golf cart path at our study site. These large, brightly colored lizards are venomous and can be found across most of western and southern Arizona. Gila monsters are slow moving and feed on nestling birds and mammals, eggs of birds and reptiles, lizards, and carrion. They are diurnal (active in daytime) during the spring and fall, and nocturnal (active at night) during the hot summer months.

The snake and Gila monster season has officially begun! Last week, members of our lab started conducting nightly snake a...
06/01/2020

The snake and Gila monster season has officially begun! Last week, members of our lab started conducting nightly snake and Gila monster surveys at our golf course study site in Oro Valley, Arizona. Our field season is off to a great start and we are very excited to be out in the field catching snakes again! @ Oro Valley, Arizona

One of our undergraduate researchers scanning a Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) to check for the presence of a Passi...
06/01/2020

One of our undergraduate researchers scanning a Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) to check for the presence of a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag. To determine if an individual snake has been captured in the past, we use a PIT tag reader to scan the snake’s body for a PIT tag. If a snake has been captured before, then the PIT tag reader allows us to determine the snake’s identification number (e.g. Crotalus tigris #1230). If the reader does not pick up a PIT tag number, then the snake is most likely a new individual and will be given a new PIT tag with a corresponding snake identification number.

A neonate Black-necked Gartersnake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) found at our study site during the summer monsoon season. This...
05/29/2020

A neonate Black-necked Gartersnake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) found at our study site during the summer monsoon season. This species is a medium sized, colubrid snake that occurs throughout southeastern and central Arizona. Like other gartersnakes, it is often found in areas with water, such as canyons or alongside streams and drainages. At our study site, we usually encounter individuals of this species on the golf course path near water features (e.g. stream, ponds). @ University of Arizona

Members of our 2018 snake crew collecting a blood sample from the caudal (tail) vein of an adult Tiger Rattlesnake (Crot...
05/27/2020

Members of our 2018 snake crew collecting a blood sample from the caudal (tail) vein of an adult Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris). We anesthetize all snakes before processing them (e.g. measuring snout-vent length, determining s*x) and use clear plastic tubes for safely handling rattlesnakes.

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