Tag Archives: alligator

Alligatoren kommunizieren Artgenossen ihre Größe – zum Abschrecken und Verführen

By Science, , , ,

Mississippi-Alligatoren produzieren laute, tief klingende Rufe, sogenannte “Bellows”. KognitionsbiologInnen der Universität Wien um Stephan Reber und Tecumseh Fitch haben deren Frequenzen analysiert und herausgefunden, dass die Tiere ihren Artgenossen akustische Indikatoren zur Körpergröße übermitteln. Damit können die Reptilien aussichtslose Kämpfe um PartnerInnen und Territorien vermeiden. Die Ergebnisse der Studie erscheinen aktuell in “Scientific Reports”. (more…)

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Land Animals Proliferate Faster Than Aquatic Counterparts

By Nature, , , , , , , , , , , ,

New analyses of vertebrate groups performed by UA evolutionary biologist John Wiens suggest that habitat is a more important variable than climate or metabolic rate.

Of the nearly 1.5 million known animal species on Earth, those with backbones come in a stunning array of shapes and sizes. Vertebrates include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and the number of species within these groups can vary wildly. For example, there are only six species of lungfish and only 25 crocodilians — but roughly 10,000 birds and 9,700 lizards and snakes. (more…)

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UF Scientists Find State Record 87 Eggs In Largest Python From Everglades

By Environment, Nature, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida researchers curating a 17-foot-7-inch Burmese python, the largest found in Florida, discovered 87 eggs in the snake, also a state record.

Scientists at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the UF campus examined the internal anatomy of the 164.5-pound snake Friday. The animal was brought to the Florida Museum from Everglades National Park as part of a long-term project with the U.S. Department of the Interior to research methods for managing the state’s invasive Burmese python problem. Following scientific investigation, the snake will be mounted for exhibition at the museum for about five years, and then returned for exhibition at Everglades National Park. (more…)

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