Kiley Briggs, Author at The Orianne Society

5 minute read

Faces of the Forest

Northern Spring Salamanders, a Jewel of the Forest

ByKiley Briggs
June 12, 2024

It wasn’t until high school that I encountered Vermont’s largest stream salamander, the Northern Spring Salamander… I uncovered a 7-inch-long bright orange salamander that nearly knocked my socks off.

5 minute read

Faces of the Forest

Hybrid Salamanders Blurring the Lines Between Species

ByKiley Briggs
May 15, 2024

Blue-spotted and Jefferson Salamanders cannot breed with each other; they are distinct species. However, there is group of hybrids that can breed with either of the pure species.

5 minute read

Faces of the Forest

Northern Map Turtles

ByKiley Briggs
April 11, 2024

Northern Map Turtles have tan or grayish shells, yellow markings on their skin, and intricate markings on their shell resembling lines on a topographic map, giving the species its name.

3 minute read

Faces of the Forest

Animating Landscape-level Movements by Wood Turtles

ByKiley Briggs
March 13, 2024

We attached GPS transmitters to 15 Wood Turtles as part of a project aimed at identifying opportunities to prevent them from crossing a busy highway. The solar powered GPS units allowed us to collect a lot of data from each turtle. See where they ventured to.

Frog breeding frenzy - an American Toad amplexing a Green Frog

4 minute read

Faces of the Forest

Frog Breeding Frenzies and Misadventures in Mate Selection

ByKiley Briggs
February 12, 2024

Terrestrial frogs breeding in wetlands for brief periods each year often err in mate selection. With limited time to find a mate, they seize any opportunity, grabbing almost anything that moves.

5 minute read

Faces of the Forest

How the Loss of American Chestnuts Impacts Timber Rattlesnakes Today

ByKiley Briggs
January 15, 2024

Analysis on how the loss of American chestnuts impacts Timber Rattlesnakes today.

5 minute read

Faces of the Forest

When Reptiles and Amphibians Roam in Snowy Conditions

ByKiley Briggs
December 8, 2023

On occasion, reptiles and amphibians do roam in snowy conditions. That is often a very bad sign for the animal in question, but not always.

5 minute read

Faces of the Forest

In the Company of Reptilian Minds

ByKiley Briggs
November 12, 2023

Reptiles are far more complex, aware, and intelligent animals than they are traditionally given credit for. In my career working with these remarkable animals, several experiences stand out that strengthened my appreciation for their complexity as observant, thinking beings.