Reptiles of the Texas Hill Country

On Monday May 20, 2024 Texas Master Naturalist, Hill Country Chapter hosted Dr. Chris Distel, Professor of Biology and Field Station Director at Schreiner University, who presented information about the Reptiles of the Hill Country. Dr. Distel and his team provided a refresher on basic reptile biology and then explored the diversity of those that exist in the Hill Country. The talk also covered environmental threats and some steps that are needed to protect them from future harm.
Dr. Distel’s work covers ecotoxicology, invasive species, water issues, science education, and other areas. Dr. Distel’s science and community services includes serving on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Herpetology, the Board of the South-Central Chapter of the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, and the Board of Directors of Riverside Nature Center. Dr. Distel received his BA in Biology from Hiram College, MS in Biological Sciences from Eastern Kentucky University, and his PhD in Zoology from Miami University.
About the Hill Country Chapter: The Texas Master Naturalist mission is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide EDUCATION, OUTREACH, and SERVICE dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas. The Hill Country Chapter serves Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Mason, Menard, Real, and San Saba Counties. For more information, please refer to the website at txmn.org/hillcountry/

[@SlowerBurrito]

Banger after banger🔥

[@SlowerBurrito]

35:23 Isnt the Cuban anole invasive? They are all over Cypress, hard to find green anoles in the area now.

[@hillcountrychaptertexasmas7309]

Thanks for the question. Dactyloidae are a family of lizards commonly known as anoles, and they are native to the more southerly parts of North America from the US to Paraguay. According to a Wikipedia article, The Green or Carolina anole is the only species native to the contiguous United States.
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dactyloidae)
According to the same article, there are more than 60 species native to Cuba. The Brown anole (Anolis sagri), also known as the Cuban brown anole or De la Sagra's anole has been introduced to the United States via the pet trade. It is invasive and is causing great harm because it can expand its range very quickly and outcompetes and consumes native lizards like the green anole. They are large, typically 5.0 to 8.5 inches and they have a ridge on their tail that goes all the way up to their head. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_anole
Thanks. I learned something. I didn't even know they were related to Iguanas. Their suborder is Iguania.