Whit Gibbons, Herpetologist and Author
BEE-EATERS ARE UNUSUAL BIRDS My friend Trip Lamb’s recent photographs from Africa reinforced for me the value of vicarious ecology, which I define as enjoying someone else’s outdoor experiences. Vicarious ecology offers ways to learn about the natural world that … Continued
THE WOODS ARE FULL OF WALLS A habitat in my yard is also in your neighborhood, as well as in downtown Honolulu, Iceland and all national parks. The habitat exists worldwide, and anyone has the option of checking it out … Continued
SOMETIMES A TAIL CAN BE A WEAPON Seeing photos of cold-stunned iguanas in Miami during a winter cold spell brought back an early memory. I was a 7th-grade intern in the reptile house at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, when … Continued
THE LIGHTNER MUSUEM IS FULL OF ECOLOGY When my sister casually said, “Look at the snake,” I glanced at the woman we were standing beside. Sure enough, a small snake was wrapped around her wrist. We knew the snake was … Continued
WHY DO HAWKS PUT UP WITH MOBBING? Q. Why don’t hawks fight back when crows mob them? They seem almost indifferent to the attacks, like one I saw yesterday. He just sat at the top of the tree as the … Continued
VICARIOUS ECOLOGY HAS MUCH TO OFFER The message I received from my grandson Parker read, “Wonder how many people can say they’ve been bitten by a blue jay and an octopus in the same day?” I thought I knew the … Continued
TO WATCH ANIMALS INTERACT, VISIT A ZOO What better place to observe animal behavior than a zoo? I was recently reminded of a bizarre incident at a zoo that involved two primates. You can decide for yourself which one should … Continued
ANDREW HAS A BRIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE Children are the future, and what they believe in and care for will determine where our nation and world go environmentally. When I used to give talks at grammar schools, I was optimistic about … Continued
TURTLES AND DOGS HAVE UNUSUAL TRAITS Turtles and dogs are fascinating creatures, so I am pleased to answer the following question about the two. Q. I recently read about a dog in Florida trained to find some kind of … Continued
MAKE YOUR 2026 RESOLUTIONS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT It’s never too late to make New Year’s resolutions and once again mine pertain directly to our personal health and well-being. I don’t mean more trips to the gym and fewer to … Continued