Whit Gibbons, Herpetologist and Author
STATE NICKNAMES EMBRACE THE ENVIRONMENT Our dependence on the environment is so ingrained in human culture that we acknowledge connections with nature in a diversity of ways. One way we relate to the natural world of plants, animals and ecosystems … Continued
ECOLOGICAL MYSTERIES SWIRL AROUND NARWHALS As much as I applaud scientific research that reveals nature’s secrets, I feel a sense of satisfaction when some natural mysteries remain mysteries. The narwhal is my favorite example. Narwhals are a sort of marine … Continued
STUDENTS HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WILDLIFE I received the following questions from students in a conservation class at North Carolina State University. Q. What is the most significant change you’ve observed in the way people perceive alligators and other reptiles now … Continued
ARE RACCOONS SMARTER THAN CATS AND DOGS? Raccoons are an established part of suburban wildlife. They can live in a sewer drain, have no natural predators and get nightly handouts via outdoor pet food bowls and bird feeders. I get … Continued
PEOPLE ASK ABOUT BIRDS, SPIDERS AND EXTINCTION Q. My wife and I watch grackles each morning when they come to the mealworms in a small flock like a motorcycle gang of thugs. Redbirds, titmice and wrens take a backseat. When … Continued
DO BLACK PANTHERS EXIST? The internet is real. What you find on it may not be. Such as reports that a black panther roams the woods in North America. Over the years I have heard from hunters, bird watchers and … Continued
SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT LIGHT POLLUTION? Q. I have heard that light pollution causes migrating birds to become disoriented. Will the fairy lights (small solar lamps) that people put out alongside sidewalks affect any animals? A. The simple answer … Continued
EVERY WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE IS SPECIAL On any trip to a natural habitat you may experience something memorable, uplifting or mysterious. If you are fortunate, you may experience all three, as I did recently. Strolling through our longleaf pine stand in … Continued
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TALKS CAN OFFER SURPRISES Having live animals as props is an effective way to get an audience’s attention. When I was at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Lab, we used live specimens in our presentations whenever … Continued
HAVING LOTS OF SPIDERS AROUND IS A GOOD SIGN Last week during a walk through the woods I ended up with spiderwebs in my hair, on my face and on my shirt. I managed to avoid a few webs because … Continued