🐝Paper wasps construct their nests by gathering fibers from plant stems and dead wood, which they mix with their saliva to create paper-like structures. Paper wasps build open “umbrella” nests without a covering, consisting of a single layer (comb) of egg cells.

Yellow-bellied slider fun facts!

They are wary baskers and slide into the water whenever disturbed.

Females are most frequently encountered in Spring while they are searching for a nesting site.

Juveniles mostly prey on aquatic insects, while adults are mostly herbivorous.

🐍Snakes have an opening behind their tongue known as the glottis, which opens into the windpipe or trachea. The glottis remains shut in a vertical slit form unless the snake inhales. When a snake exhales air from its lungs, a tiny piece of cartilage within the glottis vibrates

#MeetTheGradStudents 💥Ethan Shealy💥

I grew up in the small beach town of Pawleys Island, South Carolina. I got my B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of South Carolina Honors College in Columbia, SC. I’m currently pursuing my PhD under Ben Parrott here at SREL.

During Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) copulation, they form a heart-shaped arrangement known as a mating wheel. The male has a secondary reproductive organ on his abdomen, which accepts sperm from his primary reproductive organ and transfers it to the female’s spermatheca

It’s #WorldTurtleDay ! May and June are the popular months for turtle road-crossings. Why do they cross the road? They often have a specific destination in mind, needing to locate a water source or nesting area. It's crucial to help them cross in the direction they are headed

This handsome man is enjoying the weather today. Everyone say hello to Stumpy!🐊😎

#uga srel #uga #srel #stumpy #alligator #gators #education #outreach #research

🦎☀️Happy fence lizard Friday!!

Fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) typically spend the majority of their daylight hours sunning themselves on fence posts, trees, stumps, and rocks. During the night, they seek shelter in the cracks of rocks or burrow underground.

#UGASREL

The Nessus Sphinx belongs to the Sphingidae family, known for their swift flying abilities. They are typically seen drinking flower nectar. This particular species displays two yellow stripes on its abdomen, which mimics the appearance of a wasp while it hovers around flowers.

Amphiumids (Amphiuma means) are commonly known as 'congo eels,' which isnt really a proper nickname for this amphibian. Even though the Amphiumids look similar to an eel, the obvious difference is their two pairs of legs.

#AmphibianWeek #AmphibianWeek #Amphiumids #Amphibians

This week is Amphibian Week! Today we are highlighting the Eastern narrow-mouthed toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis)🐸This toad is a small burrowing amphibian that can be characterized by a distinct fold of skin behind it's narrow pointed head.

#AmphibianWeek #AmphibianWeek 2024

🦉🦋🔬SREL's Outreach team had the opportunity to attend and participate in the annual DIG STEM festival this past weekend in Williston, SC. Despite the cloudy weather and sprinkling rain, SREL joined many organizations to provide a hands-on experience for attendees. #SREL

Be sure to attend the DIG STEM festival this weekend📣 SREL’s Outreach team will be there. Come visit us!

#UGASREL #ecology #conservation #research #education #outreach #digstem #digstem festival

Check out the recent study by UGA's SREL researchers on how epigenetic drift affects aging in animals. The findings hint at new ways to potentially predict and slow down the aging process.

Link➡️ buff.ly/4bDChOz
Researchers: Benjamin Parrot and Emily Bertucci-Richter

Multiple broods of periodical cicadas have surfaced in the U.S. in 2024. This rare spectacle, last observed in 1803, will not repeat until the projected year of 2245!😮 These cicadas are expected to stick around through late June and July in the CSRA. It’s going to get loud!

🐢Researchers from UGA's SREL and UC Davis recently conducted a study in the Mojave National Preserve, CA to further investigate the effectiveness of head-starting as a conservation tool for the Mojave desert tortoise.

Check out the full article here ➡️ buff.ly/3JG6bpb

🐸🍃When Southern toads (Anaxyrus terrestris) emerge from hibernation in the spring you will hear their long trilling calls. Toads are among the last amphibians to hibernate each fall, often staying active until the middle of November.

#UGASREL #ecology #toads #southerntoads

Come visit us at Earth Day Augusta tomorrow! #EarthDay2024 #earthdayaugusta

🕷️Wolf spiders (Lycosidae spp) are the sprinters of the spider world. Most species in this family do not spin webs. Instead, they stalk and pounce on their prey just like the wolves that inspired their name.

#UGASREL #conservation #research #education #outreach #wolfspiders

We are leaping for joy because it’s EARTH DAY!🌎 🌿

Getting to share the beauty of this planet while inspiring change through research, outreach, and education is such a privilege!

#earthday #happyearthday #ugasrel #research #education #outreach #loveourplanet #earthday 2024