UWSP Wildlife Society

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UWSP Wildlife Society page for the UW-Stevens Point Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society🦉
2024 National TWS Student Chapter of the Year!

We are the student chapter at the University of Stevens Point Wisconsin for The Wildlife Society. We are about all things nature which include but are not limited to: research, meetings, guest speakers, education, conferences and more. We like to explore nature and question the behaviors we observe. This is a public student organization and welcome all UWSP students to join or check us out! You may find more information within our Facebook photos, posts, and updates, website, as well as the UWSP SPIN page to learn more about what we do!

Happy ! Today is all about the painted lady (Vanessa cardui), the world’s most widespread butterfly species. Painted la...
10/09/2026

Happy ! Today is all about the painted lady (Vanessa cardui), the world’s most widespread butterfly species. Painted ladies belong to Nymphalidae, the brush-footed butterflies.  
 
They live on every continent except Antarctica, and only rarely in South America. They use many kinds of open habitats. Temperate-zone painted ladies migrate to warmer regions in cooler months and return for the breeding season. In North America, many overwinter in northern Mexico and return to the U.S. and Canada. They travel great distances every year. 
 
They mate continuously, even while overwintering, and have numerous broods annually. Female painted ladies lay eggs on various host plants. They prefer to deposit eggs near nectar-heavy flowers. This lets them increase sugar intake which improves egg production and overall lifespan. Painted ladies follow a typical butterfly life cycle. The caterpillars create silk nests on host plants to protect them while they grow.  
 
Like most butterflies, adult painted ladies eat nectar from many flower species. Caterpillars prefer to eat thistle leaves but also consume many asters and other nonwoody plants. One of the reasons that painted ladies are so widespread is because their diet is so variable. 
 
While these butterflies are of least-concern conservation status, it is important that we protect and support all native pollinators. They are vital members of their food webs, and we rely on them for pollination.  
 
Information: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/painted-lady 

Ellie Peters took this picture in a neighbor’s pollinator garden.

Happy ! Today we’re highlighting the white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura), also known as the snow quail. The white-...
10/02/2026

Happy ! Today we’re highlighting the white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura), also known as the snow quail.

The white-tailed ptarmigan is a member of Phasianidae, which includes grouse, pheasants, turkeys, and peafowl. They are the smallest species of grouse in North America, just about the size of a crow. These birds live year-round in northwest regions of North America including British Columbia, Alaska, and Washington (see range map on slide 3).
They live at high elevations, primarily in alpine habitats with rocky landscapes. They are the only North American bird to live in the high mountains year-round, for their entire lives. In the coldest parts of winter, these alpine birds will conserve energy by roosting in snowbanks and limiting their movement. Their bodies are very cold adapted, with thick, fluffy feathers. They even have feathered feet to safely walk in the snow.

White-tailed ptarmigan are known for incredible camouflage that changes with the seasons. They are completely white against the snow in their non-breeding season. When the snow melts and exposes the rocks, they molt into inconspicuous brown-and-white mottled birds (slide 1: female breeding plumage, slide 2: male breeding plumage). The name “white-tailed” comes from the fact that their tail feathers remain white all year, unlike other ptarmigan species.

Plant matter composes most of the white-tailed ptarmigan diet. They travel to windswept areas where vegetation is exposed. They forage short tundra plants, scratching at bare ground for seeds and nipping buds, flowers, and fruits with their sharp beaks. They also catch insects when available in the warmer months.

Information and range map: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Ptarmigan/overview

Molly Murr took these pictures at Mount Ranier National Park in Washington!

Happy ! This week we’re celebrating the spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus). The spring salamander is found ...
09/25/2026

Happy ! This week we’re celebrating the spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus). 
The spring salamander is found throughout the eastern U.S. and into Quebec. There are four subspecies: northern (G.p. porphyriticus), Kentucky (G.p. duryi), Carolina (G.p. dunni), and Blue Ridge (G.p. danielsi). They belong to Plethodontidae, the lungless salamanders. 
 
These salamanders live near creeks and streams, primarily in the Appalachian Mountains. In the daytime, they shelter under logs and rocks. At night, they hunt a wide variety of small invertebrates. They may also eat smaller salamander species, or even their own kind!  
 
Spring salamanders hatch from aquatic eggs, often deposited on the undersides of rocks in running streams.  Hatchlings emerge in late summer/early fall, right about now! They remain in their larval stage for ~4 years. Larvae grow to 3.9-5.5 inches before they metamorphose. As they transition to living on land, adults lose their gills and develop cutaneous respiration (breathing through the skin). Fully grown adults are relatively large, reaching 4.3-8.3 inches in length. 
 
Information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/spring-salamander
 
Avery Ambrogio took this picture in Sylva, North Carolina!

Happy ! Today we’re talking about the red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Its scientific name roughly translates to “fire-colo...
09/18/2026

Happy ! Today we’re talking about the red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Its scientific name roughly translates to “fire-colored cat” in Greek.
Red pandas are not classified as bears. They are genetically closer to raccoons. Interestingly, the red panda is the only living species in its family, Ailuridae.

Red pandas live in remote territories across the Himalayan mountain range (parts of Bhutan, Burma, China, India, and Nepal). They prefer forests with lush understories, which provide abundant food. Red pandas share one stark similarity with true pandas: they primarily eat bamboo. They will also forage for acorns, fruits, flowers, and the occasional rodent or bird.

These animals are well-adapted to life in the forest. Strong jaws and teeth help them chew through tough bamboo stalks. Long tails and claws give red pandas balance and stability when they travel through the treetops. A crimson coat blends into the mosses and lichens of their habitat.

Though mostly solitary, red pandas communicate plenty through urinary and glandular signals. They breed from January to April and raise cubs together in small groups.

Habitat loss, hunting, and the illegal pet trade threaten red pandas, but many conservation efforts exist. These include an AZA Species Survival Plan and habitat protection.

Information: https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/red-panda

Jasper Tichelaar took these pictures at the Omaha Zoo in Nebraska!

It’s our first (super late) ! Today, let’s learn about the Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum).Double-creste...
09/12/2026

It’s our first (super late) ! Today, let’s learn about the Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum).

Double-crested Cormorants are large waterbirds related to bo***es, shags, and frigatebirds. They get their name from the two feathered crests that adults grow during the breeding season. These birds are found across North America and are a migratory species. Wisconsin hosts them in the spring and summer. They live in large breeding colonies near bodies of water.

Cormorants mainly eat fish, alongside some amphibians and aquatic invertebrates. They dive and kick their webbed feet to chase prey underwater. Their bills have a hooked tip, which helps them catch slippery fish and crack hard exoskeletons. After a hunting excursion, these birds find a high perch on which to rest, digest, and dry their wings.

Male cormorants select nest sites in treetops, on rock formations, or even on the ground. They spread their wings, lift their heads and tails, and grunt to attract females. The females then assess the quality of males’ vibrant orange faces, bright turquoise eyes, and gaping blue throats. A mated pair will work together to build a nest (the male collects the materials while the female arranges them).

Funnily enough, double-crested cormorants often steal nesting materials from one another. Because they breed in colonies, they have easy access to neighboring nests.

Information: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Double-crested_Cormorant/overview

Photo submission: Jules Vnuk

As the kids say, we are so back! Come learn all about TWS tonight at 5:00. If you’re interested in participating in futu...
09/08/2026

As the kids say, we are so back! Come learn all about TWS tonight at 5:00.

If you’re interested in participating in future club activities, please bring dues ($6/semester, $10/year) to give Libby or Dakota. They will be accepting dues at their office hours and at all general member meetings.

We can’t wait to meet you all!

Last but not least is little old me🤭Hi, I’m Nat! I’m a senior Wildlife Ecology major with a minor in Environmental Educa...
09/08/2026

Last but not least is little old me🤭

Hi, I’m Nat! I’m a senior Wildlife Ecology major with a minor in Environmental Education and Interpretation. I’m in the Flying Squirrel, Otter, and Woodpecker projects. I’m also in Waste Management Society, EENA, and the Society of Ethnobotany.

My favorite WI wildlife species right now is the red squirrel. This year I’m most looking forward to presenting at Nationals and making more project WildLive videos.

I’m so excited to be your web designer this year, feel free to DM the account if you have any ideas for content you’d like to see.

Don’t forget, our first TWS meeting is TOMORROW! Can’t wait to see you all there.

Introducing Julia, our TIDE (Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity) officer.Julia is a junior Wildlife Ecology major on the...
09/06/2026

Introducing Julia, our TIDE (Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity) officer.

Julia is a junior Wildlife Ecology major on the Flying Squirrel project. They also work in Knutzen Hall as a CDA.

Julia’s favorite animal in Wisconsin is the coyote and she’s most excited to get more involved and help make TWS a great experience for all.

You’re gonna be a great TIDE officer!

Tegan is our risk management officer!They are a junior Wildlife Ecology major with a minor in Captive Wildlife. Tegan is...
09/05/2026

Tegan is our risk management officer!

They are a junior Wildlife Ecology major with a minor in Captive Wildlife. Tegan is a coleader on the Waterfowl project. She likes birding and embroidery.

His favorite WI wildlife species is the black-throated green warbler. Tegan is most looking forward to meeting new people who are passionate about wildlife.

We’re so happy to have you as our risk management officer!

Chloe Rogers is our new social coordinator this year!She is a junior Wildlife Ecology major with a minor in Captive Wild...
09/04/2026

Chloe Rogers is our new social coordinator this year!

She is a junior Wildlife Ecology major with a minor in Captive Wildlife. She’s also getting a Type 2 Firefighter certificate. Chloe is a co-leader on the Black Bear and Fisher projects.

Her favorite WI wildlife species are eastern wood-pewees, American kestrels, and American black bears. She is excited to planning fun social events for us and meeting new people.

Thanks for all you do, Chloe!

For those wondering, Fauna Friday posts will resume next week. If you have any cool animal pictures you want featured, DM us!

Address

800 Reserve Street, Room 359a
Stevens Point, WI
54481

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