Author Archives: Elizabeth Oaster
Welcome AgriLife’s Newest Researcher
As of October 1st, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Uvalde welcomed Dr. Tammi Johnson as the new assistant professor of wildlife disease ecology. Dr. Johnson was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Thermopolis, Wyoming, which is located east of Grand Teton National Park. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in biology and minor in chemistry from University of Mary, Dr. Johnson acquired a technician job with Kansas State. The position was to help a master’s student map prairie dog colonies and mark individual… Read More →
Scavengers of the Sky
Across the world there are 23 different vulture species, but only 2 reside within North America. The 2 species that reside in North America are the black vulture (Coragyps atratus) and turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). Turkey vultures can be found throughout most of the United States and all of Mexico with some distribution into southern Canada. Black vultures are found within Mexico and the southern United States with expansion into New York and the southern Midwestern states. If you are in an area with both black and turkey… Read More →
Wildlife Water Sources
When most people try to attract wildlife to their backyard or property, they think first of using food. But another valuable resource that can be used is water. Water can come in three different forms available to wildlife: free water, metabolic water, and preformed water. (For more information on these types of water, check out All About Water.) Of all three forms, landowners can easily use free water, such as lakes and rivers, to attract wildlife. If there is no standing water on your property, one of the… Read More →
Black Bears of Texas
If you ask most people whether black bears (Ursus americanus) reside in Texas, their answer will probably be no. However, the correct answer is, surprisingly, yes! Within Texas, black bears can be found in the southern part of the Trans-Pecos, the western Hill Country, the northern Panhandle, and far northeast Texas. Due to the small number of black bears within Texas, black bears are protected here, meaning it is illegal to hunt, trap, kill, or otherwise take them. If there is a problem black bear, you should contact… Read More →