Amy Yackel Adams, PhD
Amy Yackel Adams is a Research Ecologist focusing on improving management decisions of invasive reptiles worldwide.
Amy leads a diverse research program with other USGS scientists and various collaborators (NPS, USDA-NWRC, USFWS, DoD, universities, and state agencies) pertaining to early detection and rapid response, biology, ecology, genetics, control tool evaluation, eradication, and quantitative model development to improve adaptive management of invasive reptile species. Yackel Adams’ research areas in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem and Pacific Islands include: 1) Population and vital rate estimation of invasive Burmese Pythons, Veiled Chameleons, and Brown Treesnakes; 2) Estimating the impact of Brown Treesnakes on prey populations; 3) Enhancing early detection of invasive reptiles using new tools; and 4) Development and evaluation of removal and abundance models to inform and optimize eradication efforts.
Education and Certifications
PhD, Ecology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, 2005
MS, Ecology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, 1999
BS, Resource Conservation and Environmental Studies, University of Montana, 1986
Science and Products
Fort Collins Science Center Labs and Facilities
A citizen science program for brown treesnake removal and native species recovery at a National Historical Park in Guam
Multi-year Burmese Python Vital Rate Research Collaborative in the Greater Everglades
State Partnerships in South Florida
Biology, Impacts and Control of Invasive Reptiles in the Everglades
Ecology and Control of Invasive Reptiles in Florida
Mercury Concentrations in Burmese Pythons Across the Greater Everglades Region in Florida from 2001 to 2022 Mercury Concentrations in Burmese Pythons Across the Greater Everglades Region in Florida from 2001 to 2022
Model outputs of habitat suitability for three invasive tegu lizards across the contiguous United States under current and future climate scenarios Model outputs of habitat suitability for three invasive tegu lizards across the contiguous United States under current and future climate scenarios
Data and analytical code to model the growth rate of brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis), Guam 2004-2013 Data and analytical code to model the growth rate of brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis), Guam 2004-2013
Morphometric data of Burmese python and White-tailed deer in South Florida associated with a feeding event, 2025 Morphometric data of Burmese python and White-tailed deer in South Florida associated with a feeding event, 2025
Photographic sequence of brooding Burmese python (Python bivittatus) and associated temperature of record-sized nest in Big Cypress National Preserve, FL, June to August 2022 Photographic sequence of brooding Burmese python (Python bivittatus) and associated temperature of record-sized nest in Big Cypress National Preserve, FL, June to August 2022
Guam, Morphometric and height data for brown treesnakes were detected at four sites on Guam, 2006 - 2023 Guam, Morphometric and height data for brown treesnakes were detected at four sites on Guam, 2006 - 2023
Growth rate variation in Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis): An invasive species of conservation concern Growth rate variation in Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis): An invasive species of conservation concern
Coelomic foreign bodies in wild-caught Python spp. in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA Coelomic foreign bodies in wild-caught Python spp. in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA
An Eastern Ribbonsnake, Thamnophis sauritus (Linnaeus, 1766), scavenging on a roadkilled Cuban Treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA An Eastern Ribbonsnake, Thamnophis sauritus (Linnaeus, 1766), scavenging on a roadkilled Cuban Treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
Wild Burmese python nest site selection, thermogenesis, and brooding behaviors in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Wild Burmese python nest site selection, thermogenesis, and brooding behaviors in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem
Development and evaluation of the remote passive integrated transponder tag reader for customizable monitoring of wildlife Development and evaluation of the remote passive integrated transponder tag reader for customizable monitoring of wildlife
An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Fort Collins Science Center Labs and Facilities
A citizen science program for brown treesnake removal and native species recovery at a National Historical Park in Guam
Multi-year Burmese Python Vital Rate Research Collaborative in the Greater Everglades
State Partnerships in South Florida
Biology, Impacts and Control of Invasive Reptiles in the Everglades
Ecology and Control of Invasive Reptiles in Florida
Mercury Concentrations in Burmese Pythons Across the Greater Everglades Region in Florida from 2001 to 2022 Mercury Concentrations in Burmese Pythons Across the Greater Everglades Region in Florida from 2001 to 2022
Model outputs of habitat suitability for three invasive tegu lizards across the contiguous United States under current and future climate scenarios Model outputs of habitat suitability for three invasive tegu lizards across the contiguous United States under current and future climate scenarios
Data and analytical code to model the growth rate of brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis), Guam 2004-2013 Data and analytical code to model the growth rate of brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis), Guam 2004-2013
Morphometric data of Burmese python and White-tailed deer in South Florida associated with a feeding event, 2025 Morphometric data of Burmese python and White-tailed deer in South Florida associated with a feeding event, 2025
Photographic sequence of brooding Burmese python (Python bivittatus) and associated temperature of record-sized nest in Big Cypress National Preserve, FL, June to August 2022 Photographic sequence of brooding Burmese python (Python bivittatus) and associated temperature of record-sized nest in Big Cypress National Preserve, FL, June to August 2022
Guam, Morphometric and height data for brown treesnakes were detected at four sites on Guam, 2006 - 2023 Guam, Morphometric and height data for brown treesnakes were detected at four sites on Guam, 2006 - 2023
Growth rate variation in Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis): An invasive species of conservation concern Growth rate variation in Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis): An invasive species of conservation concern
Coelomic foreign bodies in wild-caught Python spp. in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA Coelomic foreign bodies in wild-caught Python spp. in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA
An Eastern Ribbonsnake, Thamnophis sauritus (Linnaeus, 1766), scavenging on a roadkilled Cuban Treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA An Eastern Ribbonsnake, Thamnophis sauritus (Linnaeus, 1766), scavenging on a roadkilled Cuban Treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
Wild Burmese python nest site selection, thermogenesis, and brooding behaviors in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Wild Burmese python nest site selection, thermogenesis, and brooding behaviors in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem
Development and evaluation of the remote passive integrated transponder tag reader for customizable monitoring of wildlife Development and evaluation of the remote passive integrated transponder tag reader for customizable monitoring of wildlife
An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.