With the help of the Southern Plains Land Trust, this project will survey Aphonapelma hentzi ("Texas Brown Tarantulas") burrows in Southeastern Colorado to discovery their preferred nesting grounds and how grazing by domestic and wild animals effects the home of these iconic American tarantulas.
Feeding Frequency and Inbreeding
How do feeding frequency and inbreeding effect the number and fitness of tarantula offspring?
This project will explore whether or not we can establish an assurance population of the critically endangered Poeclitheria metallica (Poecock, 1899) sourced from individuals currently kept by private collectors in the United States for use in a formal conservation breeding program.
Exploring Effective Outreach and Conservation Methods
I am exploring which methods are most effective at gaining public support and interest in conservation of fauna often considered uncharismatic, specifically tarantulas. For tarantulas, public support begins with a positive public image. Unfortunately, many people are not initially sympathetic to tarantulas, and many actively try to avoid or harm them. A better understanding of the hierarchical model of cognition, provides a way to understand the publics’ views and how to best educate the public.
