Baby rattlesnakes!

Last week, one of our gravid ("pregnant") female rattlesnakes gave birth! Rattlesnakes are unusual in that they retain the embryos inside the female's body, incubate the internalized eggs throughout the warm summer months, and give live birth toward the end of summer. The picture is of one of 6 observed offspring from the female we call Colt-45 (the radio frequency that her implanted transmitter emits is 045), with a Bic added by a student for scale. They are small versions of the adults at about 6-8 inches in length, with only a tiny button for a rattle. Their mother will stay with them for up to two weeks in the birthing shelter, or rookery, protecting them from predators and other danger. They will soon shed their skin for the first time and then follow their mother's scent to the den to overwinter. The healthy birth of at least 6 babies is incredibly exciting for our conservation project, as it ensures that this new addition to the population will utilize the den at our relocation site and that they will establish themselves there as permanent residents.

Hurricane Ike

As of yesterday, I now have 4 Texans and a small poodle staying with me as a result of Hurricane Ike. My family is from southeast Texas (precisely where Ike is heading in this picture), an area that underwent a mandatory evacuation in the middle of the night on Thursday. The entire region is currently being pummeled by this devastating storm, and I think the hearts of the people in KC are with the people in Texas and Louisiana. That Midwest hospitality has been evident in the last two days, as everyone here has been incredibly receptive and sympathetic toward them. So I think we should extend that spirit to the other victims and evacuees and let them know that our thoughts are with them.

More art info

In keeping with the theme of last week's blog entry, I wanted to point out a few exhibits that are currently open or will be opening soon. First, here at Rockhurst in the Greenlease Gallery, Friday marked the opening of "Ocular Hedonism," which will be on display through September 20th. Following this exhibit, "All or Nothing or Otherwise" will open here on September 26th and run through October 18th. Then on October 20th, we will have the chance to see "Menage a trois: painting, abstraction and the image" until December 5th. Just as exciting, our own Anne Austin Pearce's work will be on display beginning this weekend at Unit 5 Gallery at 1920 Wyandotte in KC, MO. The drawing to the left is one of Anne's. You should DEFINITELY go see her work!