FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Monthly Highlights

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

MarineQuest 2017 Voyage into science at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at MarineQuest 2017! Making nerdy cool since 1995, this free, family-friendly event features more than 60 exhibits from FWC and other conservation organizations. Visitors can explore and play throughout the indoor and outdoor activities, including touch tanks, face-painting, archery, and more. Held in conjunction with the St. Petersburg Science Festival, MarineQuest visitors get an exclusive look into Florida’s latest fish and wildlife research. This year’s event will feature a speaker series where guests can learn about manatee rescues, sharks, coyotes, and other interesting talks by FWC’s experts. New on MyFWC.com/Research MarineQuest 2017 Internship Opportunities Wildlife Health Externship and Volunteer Opportunities Marine Mammal Publications Social Media Corner  New on YouTube: Each year, FWC biologists survey and monitor alligator populations. By looking at trends statewide, the FWC can better manage and conserve the alligator population and identify critical alligator wetland habitat, long-term population changes or habitat losses.   New on Flickr:Specimens Lab goes on a 3-day research cruise in the  Gulf of Mexico From Facebook: The rainbow snake (Farancia erytrogramma) is seldom seen in Florida, but photographer John Starrett got a rare look at one in Cypress Springs in  northwest Florida.

Instagram Favorite FWRI coral biologist Katy Cummings spotted this fish during a research dive in the Florida Keys. The southern stargazer (Astroscopus y-graecum) is a bottom-dwelling species that lives most of its life on or under sandy, silty and rubble bottoms. It's a fish adapted for a life buried in sediment. Its eyes, gill slits, nostrils and most of the mouth are on the top of its body, allowing it to ambush prey from below the sand. The stargazer is also able to create electrical currents from a specialized organ located in a pouch behind the eyes. It is used primarily to fend off aggressive, threatening fish rather than for capturing prey. Our Mission Through effective research and technical knowledge, we provide timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage Florida's fish and wildlife resources.

http://live.oysterradio.com/