What’s your favorite study species and why?
Ask a Biologist Monday 10/4/21
When I first started out, I imagined myself studying wolves or other large, charismatic predators, as many people do. But the further I got into my career, I realized how incredible other species are and the true challenges of studying predators (lack of funding, politics, pushback from the public, few study individuals, etc.). Studying mule deer in Colorado as a technician showed me how fascinating other species can be and the incredible breadth of things that can be studied about them.
Answers from Biologists:
Bats. There is still so much unknown about them.
Bats. There is so much we don’t know and the sense of community in the scientific crowd.
Parasites. They are everywhere and it’s fascinating how they interact with their host.
Coyotes. Charismatic but absolutely thriving in the Antropocene.
Bats. They’re incredibly fascinating and need lots of help and research.
The nightjar family. They’re beautiful an interesting and there is so much that we still don’t know about them.
American kestrel. They are simply tiny dinosaurs.
In general, reptiles and amphibians.
Cottonwoods and willows. Really important riparian forest restoration in the west.
Sandhill cranes. Their management story is and inspirational conservation success that isn’t well known.
Torrey pines. I did my capstone on them on Santa Rosa Island.
Northern spotted owls. I love the night schedule and how interactive they can be.
Seaweeds and seagrasses because they support entire marine communities.
Raccoons. I am surprised by how much I love them.
Social and group animals. Love those dynamics.
Pikas. They’re found in the most beautiful places and the sound they make is so funny and unique.
Owls. They’re so neat and hard to find. Especially the flagship species.
Canada geese. So indignant about being handled and really fun social interactions to watch.
Shorebirds. Challenging to identify and fun to watch.
Songbird nests. The chicks look like grumpy old men.
Gila trout. Super unique and native only to AZ and NM.
Elf owls. Not much is known about them and they are charming.
Lobsters. An important keystone species.
Black bears. Smart, curious, resilient, and truly unique individual personalities.
Seaweeds and seagrasses. They support entire marine communities.
The nighjar family. Beautiful, interesting, and so much we still don’t know about them.
