Reptiles and Amphibians of the Superstition Area

On Nov. 9th (2nd Wednesday), Dr. Daniel J. Leavitt, herpetologist with the Arizona Game & Fish Department, will discuss, “Reptiles and Amphibians of the Superstition Area”. Dr. Leavitt manages over 20 projects on reptiles and amphibians statewide, including nearby. Desert habitats in southern Arizona are increasingly impacted by development near urban areas. Understanding how reptiles respond is critical to efforts designed to conserve intact ecosystems. In one study, an impacted site near the northern edge of the Phoenix metro area had lower richness and evenness of snake species compared to one at the desert/rural interface near Florence. Notably, two species accounted for 75% of the snakes encountered near Phoenix, perhaps due to shifts in prey availability. Research has shown a great diversity of reptiles and amphibians near the Superstitions, and Dr. Leavitt will discuss how land owners can further their conservation. The 2016-2017 SALT Speakers Series, “The Superstitions: Part of the Whole”, cosponsored by the Superstition Area Land Trust (SALT) and the Apache Junction Parks & Recreation Department, is a no-cost program supporting SALT’s mission to conserve the natural Sonoran Desert open spaces surrounding the Superstition Wilderness Area for this and future generations. Talks will be held on most 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from October-April, starting at 6:30 PM in Rm. B-117 of the AJ Multigenerational Center, 1035 N. Idaho Rd. They are open to the public and are geared to a general audience. No registration is required; however space will be limited to the number of seats available.