Gordon H Rodda
Gordon Rodda is a Scientist Emeritus at USGS Fort Collins Science Center.
His area of professional expertise is the ecology and management of invasive reptiles, beginning with Brown Treesnakes on Guam in 1987. Upon retirement in 2012 he shifted focus to preventing new invasions by screening prospective invaders using natural history traits. He is compiling the natural history traits of all lizards, which resulted in publication of Lizards of the World.
Professional Studies/Experience
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2012-present: Natural history traits of actual and potential invasive lizards (library research)
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1987-2012: Brown Treesnakes (Guam), Giant constrictors (Florida, Puerto Rico), Wolf Snakes (Mauritius)
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1982-1987: Green Iguana social behavior (Venezuela)
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1978-1981: American Alligator navigation (Florida), American Crocodile (Panama)
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Behavioral Biology, Cornell Univ. 1982
B.A. Organismic Biology, Univ. of Colorado - Boulder, 1975
Science and Products
The impact of the introduction of the colubrid snake, Boiga irregularis, on Guam's lizards
The mating behavior of Iguana iguana
Trapping the arboreal snake Boiga irregularis
Sampling techniques for an arboreal snake, Boiga irregularis
Origin and population growth of the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis, following its introduction to Guam
The distributional patterns of reptiles and amphibians in the Mariana Islands
The nesting behavior of the Green Iguana, Iguana iguana, in the llanos of Venezuela
The brown tree snake, an introduced pest species in the central Pacific Islands
Prey preference and seasonal predation by oystercatchers on limpets at San Nicolas Island, California, USA
The orientation and navigation of juvenile alligators: evidence of magnetic sensitivity
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
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 60
The impact of the introduction of the colubrid snake, Boiga irregularis, on Guam's lizards
The extirpation of Guam's forest avifauna has been attributed to the accidental introduction and subsequent irruption of the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis. However, recent dietary studies of this nocturnal arboreal snake indicate that it now preys primarily on lizards, not birds. We evaluated the effect the snake has had on Guam's lizards by contrasting lizard communities on Guam with thoseAuthorsG.H. Rodda, T. H. FrittsThe mating behavior of Iguana iguana
Over a 19 month period I observed the social behaviors of individually recognized green iguanas, Iguana iguana, at three sites in the llanos of Venezuela. The behavior of iguanas outside the mating season differed from that seen during the mating season in three major ways: (1) during normal waking hours outside the breeding season, adult iguanas spent the majority of time immobile, apparently resAuthorsG.H. RoddaTrapping the arboreal snake Boiga irregularis
The snake Boiga irregularis, an exotic on Guam, has eliminated the majority of the native vertebrates there. We tested traps designed to control this arboreal snake during three periods of 20-41 days in 1988 and 1989. The relative trapping successes with different baits and trap configurations indicated that this snake will not readily push through a visually obstructed entrance. However, under soAuthorsGordon H. Rodda, O. Eugene Maughan, Thomas H. Fritts, Renee RondeauSampling techniques for an arboreal snake, Boiga irregularis
No abstract available.AuthorsG.H. Rodda, T. H. FrittsOrigin and population growth of the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis, following its introduction to Guam
No abstract available.AuthorsG.H. Rodda, T. H. Fritts, P.J. ConryThe distributional patterns of reptiles and amphibians in the Mariana Islands
No abstract available.AuthorsG.H. Rodda, T. H. Fritts, J. ReichelThe nesting behavior of the Green Iguana, Iguana iguana, in the llanos of Venezuela
No abstract available.AuthorsG.H. Rodda, A. GrajalThe brown tree snake, an introduced pest species in the central Pacific Islands
The reproduction of endangered Mariana crows (Corvus kubaryi) is intensively monitored, nests are protected, and (when necessary) eggs or young are moved to the safety of lab conditions until they are less vulnerable to the threats in natural habitats. Barriers on tree trunks and judicious pruning of adjacent trees are used in attempts to exclude snakes from nest trees. Two birds unique to Guam-AuthorsThomas H. Fritts, Gordon H. RoddaPrey preference and seasonal predation by oystercatchers on limpets at San Nicolas Island, California, USA
No abstract available.AuthorsD. R. Lindberg, K.I. Warheit, J. A. EstesThe orientation and navigation of juvenile alligators: evidence of magnetic sensitivity
Displaced juvenile alligators, Alligator mississipiensis, were released on land in a 9 m diameter dodecagonal arena to test their ability to orient in the absence of terrestrial landmarks. Navigational ability seemed to improve with age. When displaced along a fairly direct route yearlings (age 7–14 months) compensated for their displacement, moving in the direction from the arena to their home siAuthorsGordon H. RoddaNon-USGS Publications**
Rodda, G.H. 2003. Biology and reproduction of Iguana iguana in the wild. In: Biology, husbandry, and medicine of the green iguana. Malabar, Florida: Kreiger Publishing. 1-27.Rodda, G.H. 1984. The orientation and navigation of juvenile alligators: evidence of magnetic sensitivity. Journal of Comparative Physiology A. 154(5): 649-658.
**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.