Collaring Bighorn Sheep

“You can come and help out, but I hope you don’t get bored. There might be a lot of down time.” After inviting us to a bighorn sheep capture and collaring, Desert National Wildlife Refuge biologist Lindsay Smythe warned us in advance that we could be disappointed. “Sometimes the sheep don’t come down,” she said. …

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For the Love of Spike

For someone who is afraid of snakes, Kim O’Neill fell in love several years ago with our kingsnake, Spike. “When he puts his nose in the crook of my elbow,” she coos, “he’s so cuddly.” [twocol_one][/twocol_one] [twocol_one_last][/twocol_one_last] A receptionist in my brother’s dental practice, Kim took to Spike right away, despite her long-time fear of …

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How Important are Field Trips?

[box type=”info” style=”rounded”] In an era of “If it’s not on the standardized test, it’s not worth learning” attitude and tight budgets, the benefits of field trips and classroom presentations by experts in their fields have been forgotten or ignored. All too often, the value of a class returning from a great destination and tour …

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Disposing of a Pet

Perhaps we’ve all at one time or another wondered how to dispose of an unwanted pet. Whether it’s a dog, a cat, a rabbit, or a reptile, responsible pet owners investigate responsible disposal methods before acting on their intentions. Reasons Regardless of the reasons for wanting to end a relationship with an animal – illness, …

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Serpent Spinal Injuries

In the evening, snakes often bask on roadways that have warmed by absorbing ultraviolet rays during the day. Because of this, snakes can be run over by passing traffic. “Yeah. We ran over a snake the other day,” several people have told us, “and it just slithered off the road. It wasn’t hurt.” Slithered Off …

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