Science of Scales Archives - Page 2 of 11

This indigo snake from southern Georgia, with a suspect scale behind the eye, was sampled for snake fungal disease.

4 minute read

Science of Scales

Snake Fungal Disease in Georgia

ByHouston Chandler
August 1, 2024

Snake fungal disease is caused by the fungal pathogen Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, which infects the skin of snakes and causes a wide range of symptoms. These symptoms can range from a few crusty or dry scales to serious lesions and eroding scales that can, in severe cases, be fatal for the infected snake.

A close up of a dwarf siren showing the external gills, small front legs, and characteristic striped pattern of this small salamander. – Pierson Hill

4 minute read

Science of Scales

Searching for Aquatic Salamanders

ByHouston Chandler
June 8, 2024

Views:419 views A close up of a dwarf siren showing the external gills, small front legs, and characteristic…

Spotted Turtle whose genetics were assessed as part of this study.

4 minute read

Science of Scales

New Published Research: Population Genetics of the Spotted Turtle

ByHouston Chandler
May 9, 2024

One component of our long-term work with Spotted Turtles in the southeastern U.S. has been to collect tissue samples from captured Spotted Turtles so we can examine the genetics of focal populations. The results from this research were recently published in the journal Chelonian Conservation and Biology.

Some recent Spotted Turtle captures from southeastern Georgia showing the distribution of sizes and appearances present in this population. Photo credit: Andrea Colton

4 minute read

Science of Scales

Searching for Southeastern Spotted Turtles

ByHouston Chandler
April 8, 2024

The Orianne Society began working with Spotted Turtles in Georgia all the way back in 2014. At that time, little was known about this species in the southeastern U.S. Most of the published research on Spotted Turtles came from the northeast…

4 minute read

Science of Scales

Indigo Snake Sampling and the Annual SEPARC Meeting

ByHouston Chandler
March 13, 2024

Views:343 views A large male indigo snake observed on an eDNA survey in southeast Georgia. – Houston Chandler…

5 minute read

Science of Scales

New Published Research: Examining Indigo Snake Growth

ByHouston Chandler
February 12, 2024

Understanding factors that impact indigo snake body size and growth is particularly relevant because of ongoing reintroduction efforts.

2023 Science Initiative Highlight, Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake from southern Georgia.

5 minute read

Science of Scales

2023 Science Initiative Highlights

ByHouston Chandler
January 9, 2024

Read about some of the research projects and accomplishments made by The Orianne Society’s Science Initiative during 2023.

4 minute read

Science of Scales

New Published Research: Duff Removal May Speed Restoration in Fire-Suppressed Wetlands

ByHouston Chandler
December 4, 2023

In the southeastern U.S., managing the small fragments of remaining longleaf pine forest requires extensive efforts to simulate natural disturbances that historically occurred through regular wildfires. Managers most frequently manage longleaf pine systems with the application of prescribed fire, but there are a variety of other management techniques that can also be applied in these systems.