Tag: barrier islands

Weekly “What is it?” Tailgate Trivia Edition: The Rattler

by Carrie Stevenson
September 29, 2026

College football chants and cheers are always great fun. From University of Arkansas fans “calling the hogs” to Ole Miss’s throwback “Hotty Toddy” cheer, these decades-old crowd participation rituals serve to fire up the fans and ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Forests, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Barrier Islands, Coastal Wildlife, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, FAMU, Football, Habitat Conservation, Rattlesnake, Snakes, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife

Weekly “What is it?”: “Litter boxes”

by Carrie Stevenson
August 20, 2026

Aiming for a sunset stroll last week at Pensacola Beach, we stopped at the Park East lot and headed for the dune walkover. Just before entering the boardwalk, my daughter noticed a wooden box mounted adjacent to it. It was the size and shape ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Barrier Islands, Environmental Education, Marine Debris, Sea Turtles, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife

Weekly “What is it?”: Horseshoe Crabs

by Carrie Stevenson
June 2, 2026

I can still remember the first time I saw a horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) in the wild. I didn’t grow up on the coast, and owe much of my early and deep love of marine ecosystems to a brave and energetic elementary school science ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Barrier Islands, Coastal Wildlife, Gulf Of Mexico, Weekly What Is It, Wildlife

Weekly “What is it?”: Rescue Tubes

by Carrie Stevenson
March 4, 2026

It’s Spring Break season! The recent warm weather is ideal for the incoming crowds of visitors we expect along our Gulf beaches. But as we know, having tens of thousands of often inexperienced folks from out of town converging on the water ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Barrier Islands, Beach Safety, Beaches, Gulf Of Mexico, Recreation, Safety, Weekly What Is It

Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 9 – Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake

by Rick O'Connor
February 23, 2026

If you look at the more popular snake guides of Florida, they only list four species known to inhabit there; and the pygmy rattlesnake is not one of them. However, I continue to survey for snakes on the islands I am finding species not listed ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Barrier Islands, Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 8 – Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

by Rick O'Connor
February 18, 2026

This species is the one that causes the most concern for folks and enhances their fear of all snakes. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake (EDB) (Crotalus adamanteus) is the largest venomous snake in the U.S. Most today will only reach a length ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Barrier Islands, Rattlesnakes, Snakes

Weekly “What is it?”: Blowout Tides

by Carrie Stevenson
February 11, 2026

Every season living on the Gulf Coast reveals its surprises and interesting natural phenomena. Recently, my social media feed was ‘flooded” with photos of extreme low tides in local bays, bayous, and even the Gulf. The water was so low ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Tags: Barrier Islands, Estuaries, Gulf Of Mexico, Weekly What Is It

Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 7 – Habitats

by Rick O'Connor
February 5, 2026

Rattlesnakes are only found in the new world. Species exist in North, South, and Central America. In the U.S. and Canada there are 30 known species. Most prefer high dry habitats, but many can be found on high ridges near, or within wetlands, ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Barrier Islands, Florida Sea Grant, Rattlesnakes, Snakes

Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 6 – Predator/Prey

by Rick O'Connor
January 12, 2026

The purpose of consuming food is to acquire energy. It does not make sense to expend more energy to kill your prey than you will receive from consuming it; there would be a net loss. Therefore, as we mentioned in Part 2, predators select ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Barrier Islands, Rattlesnakes, Snakes

Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 5 – Reproduction

by Rick O'Connor
January 6, 2026

Breeding is a major part of all animal life cycles, and this is no different for rattlesnakes. Like other reptiles there are separate sexes, and internal fertilization is the rule. For this to happen, during breeding season males must find ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Barrier Islands, Rattlesnakes, Snakes

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