Images

A Burmese python (Python molurus) peeks over the head of an alligator that holds the python's body in its mouth in Everglades National Park. Photo courtesy of Lori Oberhofer, National Park Service.

Southern African Python (Python natalensis). The snake pictured is a representative of a species discussed in the USGS snake risk assessment. This snake was photographed in its native range.

Green anaconda in Brazil. The snake pictured is a representative of a species discussed in the USGS snake risk assessment. This snake was photographed in its native range.

Deschauensee's Anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei). The snake pictured is a representative of a species discussed in the USGS snake risk assessment. This snake was photographed in its native range.

Reticulated python (Broghammerus/Python reticulatus) in Indonesia. Photo ©Bjorn Lardner, Colorado State University. Used with permission.

A hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) found dead beneath a wind turbine, an apparent victim of a blade strike or near-contact barotrauma (lung failure from severe and abrupt pressure change; here, caused by the spinning blades). Prior to the problem of bat fatalities at wind turbines, biologists rarely encountered hoary bats.

USGS biologist Paul Cryan examines the carcass of a hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) found beneath a wind turbine. By examining the casualties, biologists hope to learn more about why migratory bats are so susceptible to wind turbines.

A couple of hours after being immobilized for collaring, Brutus, a wolf being studied by USGS scientists, appears to have fully recovered. He returns to his pack mates and demonstrates dominance behavior over a younger male wolf. Note that Brutus has a stiff, aggressive stance and upright tail, while the younger male cowers.

Brutus, a wolf being studied by USGS scientists, separates from his pack mates and appears to be heading back to the den. He stops at the head of the fiord and howls for 2-3 minutes. The scientists track his progress with binoculars past the river where they cannot go. They suspect that his mate has returned to the den, and that Brutus will join her there.

Scientists examine the teeth of Brutus, a wolf being studied by USGS scientists, for patterns of wear that indicate age. The front incisors are worn without their lateral cusps present. The canines show some wear and are becoming rounded and stained but still maintain most of their length. One canine tip has been broken.

Brutus, a radio-tagged wolf being studied by USGS scientists, is a member of a pack of at least 12 adults and an unknown number of pups.

A mother wolf carries an errant pup back to their den.

Muskoxen are the main prey of wolves on Ellesmere Island.

A closeup of the Fosheim Peninsula on central Ellesmere Island where the wolf, Brutus, was radio-tagged.

Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.

Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.

Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.

The invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans) waits to be hauled to the surface, where it will eventually be used by NOAA to conduct lab studies on lionfish reproductive biology, age, and growth.

A scientist from the North Carolina Aquarium removes an invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans) found in coastal North Carolina's hard bottom habitat, to prevent ecological impacts due to its predation and competition with native fishes.

Many species of birds rely on wetlands such as this baldcypress swamp, one of the ecosystems currently being studied by scientists at the USGS NWRC.

Fireweed after fire in Alaska