Sam Noble Museum Tests Oklahoma's Amphibians
Two infectious diseases that affect the skin of amphibians have been detected in Oklahoma. The Wildlife Department recently partnered with the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History to sample frogs and salamanders from 36 conservation areas and track the presence and emergence of chytrid fungus and ranavirus in our amphibians. No dead amphibians were found during the course of this project.
See where the diseases were detected
Species Spotlight: Eastern Red Bat
One of two bat species that can be found in every county of our state, the eastern red bat is often seen flying below streetlights and along edges of tree-covered areas. Red bats have a furred tail and can have up to five young. Occasionally, these bats become grounded with their dependent
pups after spring storms. Because they are not able to take flight from the ground, they may be more susceptible to predation. Using gloved hands, gently
move the bat and attached pups to a nearby tree branch, close to the trunk.
Learn more about red bats in this short video
Wildlife Department Partners with Conservation Groups for Bird Survey
Survey teams with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies spent many early morning hours in 2017 counting western Oklahoma's breeding bird community. These counts later helped the Playa Lakes Joint Venture map where birds like the grasshopper sparrow are most abundant.
Learn more about the survey
Woodpeckers of the Wilderness Area
The treetops of McCurtain County's Wilderness Area's shortleaf pines are busy this spring as red-cockaded woodpeckers are searching for insects to bring back to their growing chicks.
Biologists are monitoring at least seven woodpecker pairs
Tulsa and Cleveland County Wildscapes Certified
- Life Lab - Eisenhower International School, Tulsa County: Wildlife Habitat #476
Students at the Eisenhower International School created a garden to bring in pollinators. The garden provides nectar-producing plants for adults as well as plants for caterpillars
- WildCare Foundation, Cleveland County: Wildlife Garden #44
Birds, frogs and toads enjoy this water feature. The branch positioned over the stream provides a place for birds to perch and check out the surrounding area before going down to drink or bathe.
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