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Wildlife Generalists and Specialists Often ecologists loosely refer to wildlife species as either generalists or specialists. These terms are used to describe species' needs for space, food and shelter within an ecosystem. Both plants and animals can be described using these terms, but this newsletter will focus on animals. A generalist species is one that can thrive in a wide range of habitats, and in the case of animal generalists, eat a variety of food resources also. In contrast, a specialist species has a narrowly defined niche and requires unique food or habitat. Many of the species that thrive in urban settings are generalists. They have managed to adapt their needs to what is available in a setting that is very different from wild habitat. |
Texas Native Cats Carnivores can be generalists too! Texas Native Cats is dedicated to educating the public about Texas cats, including one of the most visible in the DFW area, the bobcat. A recent study on North Texas bobcats through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department learned about the wide variety of food and habitat that bobcats have adapted to throughout the metroplex. Some of the animals were fitted with tracking collars for up to 10 months. In addition when deceased bobcats were found, autopsies were performed to learn about what the animals had recently eaten. Bobcats were found to eat rats and other rodents, rabbits, and birds.
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Specialists or Generalists? Practice for Citizen Scientists Find examples of generalists and specialists in North Texas! Take pictures of urban wildlife and upload them to iNaturalist, or browse species found in the area. To simplify iNaturalist results, filter for specific animal groups, such as Mammals, and set the search area to Dallas County. Read about habitat and food needs and determine if they are generalists or specialists. Does Dallas have more of one type or the other? Why could that be? Are there any reasons why this may not be an accurate reflection of animals present?
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Observing Nature Improve wildlife and nature observational skills by incorporating Wildlife Lesson Plans into daily at-home activities. Projects can be tailored for students from K -12, but the majority are for elementary and middle school levels. Interested in becoming certified to teach about wildlife? The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends Project WILD courses for educators. Learn about hands-on training with Texas Parks and Wildlife on the Texas Project WILD Suite.
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Animal architecture by Ingo ArndtCollects photographs of structures created by animals, from the six-foot-high hills of tiny red ants to the colorfully decorated courtship arenas of the bowerbird, showcasing the connections between human and animal architecture.
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Birds in Trouble by Lynn E. BarberDiscusses the importance of bird habitat, what can be done to help birds, and species accounts of birds in trouble.
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Backyard bears : conservation, habitat changes, and the rise of urban wildlife
by Amy E. Cherrix
"North Carolina's black bears were once a threatened species, but now their numbers are rising in and around Asheville. But what happens when conservation efforts for a species are so successful that there's a boom in the population? Can humans and bearslive compatibly? What are the long-term effects for the bears? Author Amy Cherrix follows the scientists who, in cooperation with local citizen scientists, are trying to answer to these questions and more. Part field science, part conservation science, Backyard Bears looks at black bears--and other animals around the globe--who are rapidly becoming our neighbors in urban and suburban areas."
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Business, Science & Technology Dallas Public Library1515 Young St. Dallas, Texas 75201 214-670-1400www.dallaslibrary.org |
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