Diario del proyecto Wildlife Management @ PLE - BIOSC 1420

Unfortunately, I found this on my dog, but luckily, it was before it had attached. Dog ticks are a species of tick related to deer ticks, but they do not carry Lyme disease. Dog ticks instead carry bacteria that can cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Rocky Mountain spotted fever starts with headaches and fever and grows into a bleeding rash, it can lead to permanent hearing loss or amputation of a limb, however, contraction of this disease is very rare and can be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Dogs can also be treated with doxycycline.

Ticks live in four life stages: egg, six-legged larva, eight-legged nymph, and adult. They must feed on blood at each stage to survive. They also are not able to live in low-humidity or a humidity controlled environment. Adults are active April-early August and prefer to live in tall grass. They are brown and have hard shells that have distinctive spots on them.

I saw this mother deer with her two fawns on Monday, July 27 browsing in tall grass near a back road. Getting out of my car to take a picture, the fawns were more wary of me than the mother probably because the mother is more conditioned to nearby human activity.

The white-tailed deer is an abundant mammal ranging from Canada to the Northern countries of South America. Their diet is plant-based as they are herbivores and they typically inhabit fields and meadows and use forests for shade and protection. White-tailed deer eat leaves, berries, grass, corn, nuts, and even fungi. Deer inhabit less than a square mile as their home and family groups of a mother her fawns are very common. Does are usually found alone if they have no offspring. Male bucks stay in groups of about 3-4 anytime outside of mating season, during this time they are found alone. On average, they live for 6 to 14 years and male weigh between 150-300 while female can weigh from 90 pounds to 200. Although deer are commonly seen in the daylight hours, they are mainly nocturnal and use early sunrises and sunsets to forage for their food. Does have a gestation period of seven months and produce 1-3 offspring usually in May or June.

White-tailed deer are the smallest individuals in the North American deer family which includes the mule deer and black-tailed deer, as well. White-tailed deer can be easily identified by their white underside of their tail but they also have tan coats in the summer, gray-brown coats in the winter, white down their underside of neck to their stomach as well as around their nose and eyes.

The Gray ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides) is a subspecies of snake that performs crucial ecosystem services for the habitat in which it resides. Most notably, this snake effectively reduces the population of mammalian vermin, such as: mice, rats, chipmunks, and other rodents, that are associated with the spread of zoonotic diseases (Dunn). Although gray ratsnakes are listed as of least conservation concern, they are protected by conservationist legislation in many states due to their pivotal role in regulation of populations of vermin.
It can be difficult to conclusively identify members of the ratsnake species due to the broad phenotypic variation within the population. The phenotypic variation is most often influenced by natural selection, which correlates with patterning and coloration that increases the likelihood for survival within a specific geographical region, (Dunn). For example, the specimen photographed above exhibits a beige-and-brown patterning similar to that of a leopard. This specimen was spotted in southwestern Pennsylvania in an area with contiguous forest. Therefore, the patterning of this particular gray ratsnake specimen is conducive with camouflaging among the deciduous material on the forest floor to avoid predation. In other areas, ratsnakes residing at higher elevations may exhibit no patterning and instead have solid, dark coloration, (Dunn). Conversely, ratsnakes residing near streams may exhibit very colorful patterning, which includes longitudinal stripes and a pale yellow underside, (Dunn.). Ratsnakes can also vary greatly in size with an average length of 99 to 183 centimeters, (Gray Ratsnake).
Gray ratsnakes can be classified as a generalist, because the species is able to thrive in a variety of habitats, including mountainous, low-lying and arid landscapes among more, (Dunn). This species poses a very nominal risk to humans, but human-to-snake conflicts have become more of a regular occurrence due to urban sprawl. Gray ratsnakes have a fairly aggressive disposition and will strike when threatened, (Gray Ratsnake). Gray ratsnakes are a non-venomous species and utilize constriction as their methodology of incapacitating prey, (Gray Ratsnake). Therefore, a bite from a gray ratsnake is harmless to humans, but does pose a moderate risk for a secondary infection if the wound is not properly cleaned. The specimen photographed above was discovered in a storm drain being disassembled for repair and was left undisturbed.

Works Cited:
Gray Ratsnake. (2018). Retrieved from http://animalia.bio/gray-ratsnake
Dunn, T. (n.d.). Rat Snake. Retrieved from https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/elaobs.htm

The cabbage white is a small species of butterfly often seen flying through tall grasses or even in your own backyard; they are very common in our area and do very well in urban areas. Originally believed to have been native to the Mediterranean region, this species has spread worldwide. It is believed this species reached North America and spread outward from Quebec. The larval or caterpillar stage of their life cycle is considered a pest species for many crops such as cabbage and broccoli (hence: cabbage white or cabbage butterfly). In a matter of days these yellow/green caterpillars can eat through an entire cabbage. The coloration of the caterpillars also helps reduce predation; they are almost the same color as the leaves they feed on! As adults however, they mostly feed on flower nectar from clovers and dandelions; this might explain why you see them fluttering around your yard so often. This species is sexually dimorphic as well. Males have one black spot on their forewings, where females have two spots. Females tend to have a more yellowish tint to their wings while males are very bright white color. As previously mentioned, this species is rather small in comparison to some other well-known butterflies. The cabbage white has a total wingspan of less than two inches. These butterflies also have some interesting flight patterns in the sense that it is very erratic and all over the place. Given these flight patterns and rather dull coloration, many people mistake this species for a moth instead of a butterfly.

Source: https://www.butterflyidentification.com/cabbage-white.htm

For my WMP I was collecting data about Spotted Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) and their abundance. In doing so I noticed an increase in spider webs. On my last day of data collection, I found this massive spider (see below). As the massive arachnophobe I was, I wanted to run in the other direction, but as the budding ecologist I HAD to get a photo.

When it came time to analyze the data and photos, I had collected over my field study on spotted lanternflies, I took a closer look at the images I had taken of this massive spider near my front door and noticed there was a spotted lanternfly in this spider’s web. In the second photo I took it appears to be eating that spotted lanternfly (SLF).

As a result of this discovery, knowing that SLF are thought to have no natural predators in southeastern PA, I knew that I had to identify this species. Despite my hatred of spiders, I ended up on PSU’s website about commonly encountered spiders in Pennsylvania (link below). I was then able to identify this spider as a grass spider (Agelenopsis sp.).
According to PSU these spiders are identified by “the dorsal markings on the carapace and abdomen, and the greatly elongated hind spinnerets”. I will admit I know next to nothing about arachnids, but I the elongated hind spinnerets (which I am assuming are legs) and dorsal markings assured me that this was my spider.
I learned that this genus is called grass spiders because they are often found making webs in grasses, weeds, and other ground covering plants. This seemed a little odd considering I had found this individual near my front door, but I had noticed an abundance of spider webs in my lawn, and have not seen this spider since this photo was taken on July 25, so I am assuming that it was just “visiting”. I also learned that this genus of spiders is known to be shy and very rarely bites humans, which makes me feel a little less afraid having to walk past a web where I know one may be daily.

Source: https://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/pdf/commonly-encountered-pa-spiders

For my WMP I was collecting data about Spotted Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) and their abundance. In doing so I noticed an increase in spider webs. On my last day of data collection, I found this massive spider (see below). As the massive arachnophobe I was, I wanted to run in the other direction, but as the budding ecologist I HAD to get a photo.

When it came time to analyze the data and photos, I had collected over my field study on spotted lanternflies, I took a closer look at the images I had taken of this massive spider near my front door and noticed there was a spotted lanternfly in this spider’s web. In the second photo I took it appears to be eating that spotted lanternfly (SLF).

As a result of this discovery, knowing that SLF are thought to have no natural predators in southeastern PA, I knew that I had to identify this species. Despite my hatred of spiders, I ended up on PSU’s website about commonly encountered spiders in Pennsylvania (link). I was then able to identify this spider as a grass spider (Agelenopsis sp.).
According to PSU these spiders are identified by “the dorsal markings on the carapace and abdomen, and the greatly elongated hind spinnerets”. I will admit I know next to nothing about arachnids, but I the elongated hind spinnerets (which I am assuming are legs) and dorsal markings assured me that this was my spider.
I learned that this genus is called grass spiders because they are often found making webs in grasses, weeds, and other ground covering plants. This seemed a little odd considering I had found this individual near my front door, but I had noticed an abundance of spider webs in my lawn, and have not seen this spider since this photo was taken on July 25, so I am assuming that it was just “visiting”. I also learned that this genus of spiders is known to be shy and very rarely bites humans, which makes me feel a little less afraid having to walk past a web where I know one may be daily.

For my WMP I was collecting data about Spotted Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) and their abundance. In doing so I noticed an increase in spider webs. On my last day of data collection, I found this massive spider (see below). As the massive arachnophobe I was, I wanted to run in the other direction, but as the budding ecologist I HAD to get a photo.

When it came time to analyze the data and photos, I had collected over my field study on spotted lanternflies, I took a closer look at the images I had taken of this massive spider near my front door and noticed there was a spotted lanternfly in this spider’s web. In the second photo I took it appears to be eating that spotted lanternfly (SLF).

As a result of this discovery, knowing that SLF are thought to have no natural predators in southeastern PA, I knew that I had to identify this species. Despite my hatred of spiders, I ended up on PSU’s website about commonly encountered spiders in Pennsylvania (link). I was then able to identify this spider as a grass spider (Agelenopsis sp.).
According to PSU these spiders are identified by “the dorsal markings on the carapace and abdomen, and the greatly elongated hind spinnerets”. I will admit I know next to nothing about arachnids, but I the elongated hind spinnerets (which I am assuming are legs) and dorsal markings assured me that this was my spider.
I learned that this genus is called grass spiders because they are often found making webs in grasses, weeds, and other ground covering plants. This seemed a little odd considering I had found this individual near my front door, but I had noticed an abundance of spider webs in my lawn, and have not seen this spider since this photo was taken on July 25, so I am assuming that it was just “visiting”. I also learned that this genus of spiders is known to be shy and very rarely bites humans, which makes me feel a little less afraid having to walk past a web where I know one may be daily.

I was in the Adirondack mountains and on the 13 mile hike up to Mountain Marcy, highest point in New York, when I came across this bright red orange mushroom sprouting from the ground. These mushrooms are edible. They are best cooked in style of sautéing, frying, boiling and because of their edible taste their international commercial value over a billion annually. Chanterelle contains a high amount of vitamin D2. A variety of chanterelle species fruit plentifully in Pacific Northwest forests, and their abundance has spawned a significant commercial harvest industry during the last two decades. Because chanterelles grow symbiotically with the roots of forest trees. Chanterelles are ectomycorrhizal. Mycorrhizal fungi grow in a mutually beneficial, or symbiotic, association with the root tips of green plants. Chanterelles grow in a wide variety of soils; however, little is known about how chanterelles colonize field soils because their mycelium is diffuse and individual hyphae do not combine to form easily visible structures other than the mushrooms.
https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr576.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6700795/

I found this turkey vulture on my way home from work one afternoon in my neighborhood. It was in my neighbor’s yard eating something. I didn’t get to fully see what it was, but I am assuming that it was a squirrel, mouse or rabbit that was killed by their dog and left there. The vulture also could have brought it to the yard itself it found the dead animal in a busier area and wanted a quieter place to eat it or to get away from other animals trying to eat it.

Turkey vultures are a dark brownish to black in color with a dark pink to red coloring on the head and face of the vulture. Their necks are covered with feathers but share the same bald head as other vultures. Their beaks are short and curved with an ivory to yellowish coloring to them. As far as size, they are larger than black vultures with a wingspan from five to six feet and a body length of two to three feet. Their weight is similar to a black vulture however, weighing in at 1 to 5.3 lbs. At the end of their large wingspan, their feathers are separated into finger like ends, similar to that of a black vulture.

Turkey Vultures can be found pretty much all throughout North America but are less prominent as you move further North. They are not as commonly found in Canada, and if they are its only for breeding and they migrate south for the winter months. Turkey vultures are monogamous so they only mate with one other vulture their whole life and both the male and female are involved with incubating and raising their young. These large raptors feed off of newer animal carcasses and occasionally feed on insects, fish in dryer areas and rotting or decaying vegetables. They soar through the air at higher elevations to look for their food. However, sometimes, turkey vultures are able to find their food using smell. Something I found quite interesting is that Unlike other bird species, turkey vultures have a relatively good sense of smell.

Turkey vultures are protected in the United States, Canada and Mexico by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, the Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds and the Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Game Mammals, respectively. In the US they are illegal to take, kill or harvest any parts of the body or eggs and can be a fine up to $100,000 with the possibility of jail time. They can be kept in captivity if they are injured or cannot return to the wild.

Sources: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/turkey-vulture
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_vulture

I found a small puddle of water near a creek with rocks in it. I started to move rocks to see if anything was inside the small puddle that had a tiny waterfall feeding into it. There was 3 crayfish ranging from tiny to small in size. I saw it well on a side by side ride that we stopped by a creek around 7pm. It was living in a puddle with other crayfish and some small fish as well. It was a dark brown with light tan on the tail. The species is called Astacus Bartonii and the Cambarus crayfish is is the second largest freshwater crayfish. It's cousin is the Procambarus with other species of the Cambarus living in different states that with a different genes compared to the one found in PA. I learned that crayfish, crawfish, and crawfish, and crawdads are all the same species. Crayfish are foragers with having a diet that is mostly plant based. They do consume small aquatic organisms such as amphibian eggs, larvae, etc. They prefer freshwater from lakes, streams, rivers, and burrows. They are able to adjust to any water and have an intolerance to pollution. Humans down south eat crayfish although they are called crawfish or crawdads down in Lousiana and surrounding areas, Chinese also eat them. They are at risk of habitat loss due to logging and mining and like practices. Crayfish identifying features are the dark brown to tan color they sport with their claws up front they use to catch prey or grab onto something. Crayfish also walk forward but to get away from a predator they are faster when they swim backwards.

Found by information from my knowledge and wikipedia.