Field Biology class trips

Dr. Wetterer’s BSC 4930 Field biology class gives students hands on experience by visiting local working biologists out in the field to learn about their research. Students are allowed to participate for a great hands on learning environment.

Yesterday (1/18/18) the class went to two locations. The first one was Manatee Lagoon. The students learned about the history and research being done locally with the Florida Manatee. Below are some of the pictures. When the outside temperatures fall, this FPL site is a warm water refuge.  The animals come in to regulate their body temperatures. Manatees need the temperature to stay above 68 degrees or they can begin to show signs of cold stress.

Here are some pictures from that trip.

Trip two was to the local Abacoa Greenway across from the FAU Jupiter Campus. Many of our faculty and staff are able to do field research in this spot. This day, Grad student Amanda Hipps (@biophiliamanda) took the class around to show us what she is doing with the Gopher Tortoise. Amanda is studying the ecology of the gopher tortoise symbionts [species sharing burrows of the tortoise]. Students got to participant in using burrow cameras to investigate the interior of the burrows, as well as the installation of a motion activated trail camera.

Here are some pictures of the class adventure.