Urban Ecology

Okay, so I have a bit of a thing for snails.
A spontaneous getaway to the South Coast of NSW would not be complete without a day with my head in a rock pool.
Meet the elephant snail, Scutus antipodes.
This large marine snail is endemic to the coasts of Australia and can be found during the day in intertidal rock pools. They can be found hiding under rocks and in crevices. Keep a look out for their antennae poking out from underneath rocks.
During the night, they emerge from their daytime hiding place to feast on seaweed and algae.
Pretty happy to be able to tick this species off my list.

Does anyone else see the face in the rock?

Some moths have the coolest haircuts. I think this Light ermine moth (Ardices canescens) went to the same stylist as David Bowie playing the Goblin King in the 1986 movie, the Labyrinth.

Oh hey weekend!

Lucky I brought the Joseph’s coat caterpillar inside. I suspected it was trying to find a place to make a cocoon. That spot is now all underwater. Last night whilst watching the weather, I also watched it make it’s little cocoon out of sphagnum moss on a eucalyptus branch. Now we get to wait until metamorphosis.

Whilst outside trying to keep flood waters from entering my house again, I found this poor soggy Joseph’s coat moth (Agarista agricola). This caterpillar is a late stage instar ready for pupation. They will spend hours chewing bark into tiny pieces to cover their cocoon as it forms on a branch. I have brought it safely inside because if it stayed where it was, it would be under water within a few hours. When it is safe to do so, it can go back outside and prepare for its transition into a beautiful moth.

Today we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in science.

Over the past decades, there have been considerable changes within STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). However, a significant gender gap remains.

According to the United Nations:
🧪 Women receive less research grants than their male colleagues.
🧪 Female researches typically have shorter career spans and are paid less than men.
🧪In the natural sciences, only 17% of professors are women.
🧪Engineering has the greatest gender gap with only 28% of female graduates.

Systemic change is required within primary and secondary education and academic institutions, so that we can achieve equality for all.

Today is a day to celebrate the achievements of women and girls in science. Please show your appreciation to the amazing women in your life by tagging them in the comments.














org.au

Penrith reptile expo, Sunday 13th of February 2022.
See post for your chance to win free tickets.

🐍 🦎 🐸 That is all the free tickets drawn. We hope our winners have a great day!

If you weren’t lucky enough to win tickets remember you’ll still be a winner if you get on down to the show on Sunday.
That’s this Sunday between 9am and 4pm.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or at Eventbrite on
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/for-the-love-of-reptiles-penrith-reptile-expo-family-fun-day-tickets-206090601537

We will have reptile entertainment all day, breeders, Herpetological Societies, Frogs and reptile supplies. Don’t miss out!

⭐️ ⭐️ And the Friday and final winner is……. Kieran Nunn! See messenger for details on how to claim your ticket.
⭐️ ⭐️ And the Thursday winner is....... Mishy Braid! See messenger for details on how to claim your ticket.
⭐️ ⭐️ And the Wednesday winner is...... Leah Bennett! See messenger message for details on how to claim your ticket.
⭐️ ⭐️ And the Tuesday winner is ....... Renai Louise Peatman! See messenger message for details on how to claim your ticket!
⭐️ ⭐️ And the Monday winner is ...... Anne Galea! See messenger message for details on how to claim your ticket!
⭐️ ⭐️ And the Sunday Winner is........ Jay Sheed! See messenger message for details on how to claim your ticket!
⭐️ ⭐️ And the Saturday Winner is........ Luke Smart! Luke, check messenger for our details on how to claim your ticket!

Please note there is a fake page trying to scam people for their credit card details. Don’t give anyone your credit card details. You won’t be asked for them if you win a ticket from our page.

We are drawing the winners from Monday.

⭐️ WHO WANTS FREE TICKETS? ⭐️

With less than two weeks to go before the Penrith Reptile Expo - For the Love of Reptiles, we are giving away 7 FREE family passes.

To enter just Like, Share and Tag 3 friends in this post to go into the draw.

One winner will be announced every day from Saturday 5th of Feb until Friday 11th of Feb. So keep your eyes peeled... it could just be ⭐️YOU! ⭐️

Tickets are valid on the day of the expo only and can’t be exchanged for cash or prizes. One family pass allows two adults and two children aged 5-12 free entry to the expo.

Free entry for Kids 4 and under. Adult tickets are 13 years and over.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

Spot the mozzie… and record it.
You can help monitor mozzie populations for mozzie month 14th Feb- 29 March, and record your sightings on iNaturalist.

Mozzie Month 2022 *Join us on Mozzie Month 2022, from Feb 14th to Mar 29th and contribute to mosquito research in Australia.* With the warm, wet and humid weather impacted by La Nina, mosquito populations are increasing in different parts of Australia. Thus, monitoring mosquitoes is crucial to explore how the weather...

Happy International zebra day

zebra stripes are unique like fingerprints, and is a form of camouflage.

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