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Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) is a shy, well-camouflaged species that often inhabits turbid water. These factors, as well as the success of baited hoop traps in attracting the species at night, have created the perception that the species is predominantly nocturnal and does not bask. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that the species is also diurnally active and does bask. The use of binoculars and high-range cameras combined with extensive time in the field allowed us to document 25 instances of diurnal activity including behaviors such as basking, protrusion of the head above water, swimming, and foraging (i.e., entering baited traps). Our observations contribute to increasing evidence that both adults and juveniles exhibit basking and other diurnal behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports the first documentation of the terrestrial Sonora semiannulata swimming across the San Saba River in Texas, observed in June 2009 under hot and dry conditions, despite typically being found under rocks and retreating underground during summer.

The article discusses research on the specie, "Dendrobates Leucomelas (Yellow-banded Poison Frog)" and explores about its geographical distribution and collection of specimen, along with explores communal aestivation of the species.

The article reports on Pseudemys concinna has been documented nesting from late spring until early summer, but the period of courtship in nature is poorly known for this species including the courtship has been observed in October and typically takes place in the portions of the river with a slower.

In 2005, the Supreme Court of the United States amended more than two centuries of eminent domain law to allow the government to take private property for the purpose of economic development. For business, the legal change impacts the way managers plan for property ownership, including acquisition and long-term use. Quantitative methods were used to measure the degree of association between the specific characteristics of the municipal public administrator and the willingness of the administrator to use eminent domain for the purpose of economic development. Since the Kelo case, and the new legal standard it establishes, is so new, there is little empirical research which examines the relationship between the administrator's characteristics and the willingness to use eminent domain. The significance of this research is that it establishes a baseline for measuring the potential impact an administrator's understanding of eminent domain may have on the willingness to use eminent domain. For this study, the postulate is that an administrator has an increased likelihood in using eminent domain when they have a high level of knowledge about eminent domain. The research was conducted using survey methods to measure the characteristics of public administrators in a threestate region of the United States. The study revealed a strong association (r(130) = -.757, p < .05) between the administrator's level of knowledge about eminent domain and the willingness to use eminent domain; however, rather than the expected positive correlation the data revealed that the more education an administrator had the less likely they would be to use eminent domain. The significance of the research is that as a first line of empirical data in this area, the first steps have been taken in understanding the potential relationship between understanding and use when it comes to eminent domain under the Kelo decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes an account of an adult Macrochelys temminckii (alligator snapping turtle) demonstrating prehensile ability with its tail.

The article reports that most common type of lenticular opacities of reptiles are lenticular scleroses (LS) and senile cataracts and LS is characterized by variable degrees of central-fiber compaction in the substance of the lens, but does not significantly interfere with transmission of light.

The article offers information on kyphosis among Graptemys has been reported for G. flavimaculata, G. geographica, G. gibbonsi, G. oculifera, and G. sabinensis and the first documented Graptemys versa with a kyphotic shell condition.

The article offers information on Pallid Spiny Softshell Turtle, who are known to respond to handling with pugnacious bites and scratches.

The article offers information of APALONE SPINIFERA GUADALUPENSIS (Guadalupe Spiny Softshell) is a Spiny Softshell are primarily benthic feeders and scavengers, which apparently the first known documented observation of a Spiny Softshell eating a deer.

The article focuses on Sternotherus odoratus (Eastern Musk Turtle), examining its diet and documenting the consumption of fruit and seed from a Chinaberry Tree (Melia azedarach) in Texas.

The article focuses on Graptemys sabinensis (Sabine Map Turtle), highlighting the previously unknown occurrence of predation on this species, which is unusual given the lack of documented predation cases in the literature.

Information on pseudemys texana from Texas including information related to topics like its carapace length, and ideal growing conditions for aquatic turtles is presented.

Information on deirochelys reticularia miaria from Texas including information related to topics like declining range of western chicken turtles, and incubation of deirochelys reticularia miaria in a mixture of vermiculite and perlite is presented.

The article reports on predation of Sternotherus odoratus (Eastern Musk Turtle) by Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus).