You have to see this!!! *pics*

[Removed_2815]

Greetings,
As some of you may recall, I did some field research in 14 States from May until July, 2003. The field research, of course, involved non-invasive sampling techniques on populations of Eumeces fasciatus for mitochondrial DNA analysis for conservation genetics studies.
Here is a picture that shows just how little our non-invasive sampling techniques affect the populations. This picture was taken after we released the male under some tree bark on a fallen log where he proceeded to locate a female and copulate her in full view (very strange behaviour considering how skittishly secretive these animals are).
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3666Skink_Mate.JPG
How amazing is that?? I doubt there are too many, if any, photographs of five-lined skinks copulating in the wild. These animals were from a population in Pennsylvania.

Also, I thought I would include a photo of this girl that I found in Virginia. She gave quite the chase and it was only until I had her in hand that I noticed her "disadvantage" - didn't slow her down one bit!
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3666Skink_Amputee.JPG

I hope you enjoyed these awesome shots!
Cheers,
RMB

[ohh_kristina]

great shots!

[burmer]

Great pics!!!

[snakehunter]

awsome, they only fiveline i ever caught was a female, and she was about an inch and a half long, GOD they are gorgeous.

[Neo]

in the 2nd pic is he blind too? or is his eye just closed

[Reptiles4ever]

They are very good pics. a rare site u might say

[Removed_2815]

Neo,
Her eye is just closed. We only got one pic of her and we didn't realize she had "blinked" until after she was released.
Cheers,
R

[Vanan]

Mother Nature in all her beauty!

[Matt]

great shots ryan!
the first photo is pretty unbelieveable!!!

[TheRedDragon]

Great photos Ryan! I especially love the first one, nature at work. :) The lizard in the second photo is remarkable too, especially since it's disadvantage didn't slow it down! :)

[lanceinhispance]

thats beast!

[nguyen_inc]

thats soo cool!

[Beejay]

That's really interesting. Curious, was the male relocated? How long was held before being released?

Bj

[~Suntiger~]

Fab shots, the first is especially amazing!

[Removed_2815]

Originally posted by Beejay
Curious, was the male relocated? How long was held before being released?

Bj

BJ,
All skinks are released exactly where they are found. The process of our morphometric measurements and tissue-sampling rarely takes more than 5 minutes when the animal is in hand. However, some sites are so skink-rich that there is a waiting list in which the skink may wait a few minutes in a holding container before he/she can be analysed.
After the male was finished copulation, the female was also sampled and released in the exact location.
Our research involves an extremely precise methodology that is keeping with the best interests of the animals.
Cheers,
R

[snkmn]

nice shots