Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) hanging out
The Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) is what RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser calls the “unofficial national mascot” of Costa Rica. These photos of an individual that spent a bit of time hanging out before returning to its breeding pool shows you why they have attained such legendary underground status. Stunning. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreTropical research and conservation season coming soon!
The tropical research and conservation season is coming up soon for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History and its staff, affiliates, students and interns. RTPI staff carries out several active research and education initiatives in Central America. We coordinate student research programs in Panama and Costa Rica, run active banding stations in those countries to study migratory birds on their wintering grounds and carry out important conservation research on some of the most endangered amphibian species in the region. You can find more information about some of our programs...
Read MorePeepers say spring is here
I heard some signs of spring today, November 11, coming from the forest! That was a rather quick winter season, wasn’t it? There were Spring Peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) calling from the woodlands optimistically thinking we may be on the way to warmth. This photo shows a Spring Peeper tadpole starting to metamorph into a miniature froglet that Twan photographed for the Meet Your Neighbours global diversity project. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreWild Turkey: vicious predator
‘Tis now the season for the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). I have been regularly spotting a couple of groups lately, one with around 18 individuals and another with around 8. Here is one bird passing through on a showery and cloudy afternoon. It is hard to believe how rapidly the species has expanded in many areas in the last couple of decades. Is their population increase partially responsible for a decrease in some woodlands herpetofauna? I posted a great deal about Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) this summer, and would you believe this very turkey is a potential...
Read MoreApex predator or small meal?
When looking at a “teenage” Timber Rattlesnake from above like this it seems rather insignificant and certainly unimposing. We know it is a venomous snake, which may add a bit of intimidation, but we should also know it is shy, passive and uninterested in harming a human unless it is being directly threatened. At this time of year there are much smaller Timber Rattlesnakes – some less than a foot long – in the form of neonates. These newly-born young have fangs and venom but a significant percentage will perish in their first year from a variety of threats. Twan...
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