These are the Zoology department's leopard geckos, Chips and Salsa. These cuties are nocturnal ground-dwellers whose spotted pattern make them look similar to a leopard. While they don't have sticky toes to climb vertical surfaces, they do have one thing most geckos don't: eyelids. This interesting distinction is actually in their latin name: eublepharis macularius, the first word of which literally means 'real eyelids'. Chips is a male leopard gecko and Salsa is a female, and they usually can be found hanging out in their hide during the daytime, waiting for some crickets! Leopard geckos have a cool life-saving ability to drop (or detach) their tails if frightened or threatened. However, unlike others of their kind, the leopard gecko has the ability to regenerate it completely, growing an entirely new tail.

Picture by Erica Anderson

Conservation Tip:

See https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/08/02/20-ways-to-make-your-summer-more-environmentally-friendly/39866829/ for more tips.

Use a reusable water bottle. As the temperatures rise, so does our need to stay hydrated, and in many cases so does our carbon footprint. It may be easier to just buy a bottle of water from the corner store, but all those disposable plastic bottles can take a toll on the wallet – and more importantly – the planet.

Announcements

April 26 - Last Day of Spring Semester

May 10 - First Day of Summer Semester

May 31 - University Closed for Memorial Day

Registration

Registration is open for Summer and Fall semesters

Registration Office

Finals Week April 27 - 29

Finals Survival

Leucistic birds have reduced amounts of melanin deposited in their feathers, but their eyes remain pigmented. Albino birds cannot produce any melanin, have red eyes, and rarely survive to adulthood, likely due to their poor vision. The ruddy duck pictured here is an example of a third condition--a pied pattern--in which some patches of feathers are pigmented and others are not. The underlying mechanism for pied coloration may be genetic--as in albinism--or developmental--as in leucism.
- Dr. John Mull

Photo by Dennis Collins

Take a Seat

Do you need to access a virtual or online class right before or after an on-campus class? Students can now reserve a space on campus for studying or taking classes using the SEATS reservation system. Spots are available at both Ogden and Davis campuses.

Reserve a Seat Here

We.B.Sci Blog

Check out this WE.B.SCI Blog. It provides information, stimulates discussion, and highlights science events that are happening in northern Utah.

Red the blog here

Student Clubs

The Zoology Club and Weber State University's Chapter of The Wildlife Society are actively seeking members! If you are interested in joining, please email the club and ask to be put on their mailing list for updated club information:

Zoology Club: wsuzoologyclub@gmail.com
The Wildlife Society: wsu.tws@gmail.com

Mask Up

Don't forget that all WSU locations are requiring face masks for all students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Learn More

Call for Photos

If you would like to share your photos of cool zoology-related stuff for consideration of inclusion in this newsletter, please email zoology@weber.edu and include the subject ID and location of the photo.

Share the Newsletter

Do you know someone who would like to subscribe to the Department of Zoology newsletter? You can share this link with them and they can subscribe: https://us16.forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=434ede8a14985858db5a10090&id=dcf2d85373&e=[UNIQID]

Have you missed an edition Here is a link to the newsletter archives so you can view all the previous editions. https://mailchi.mp/4bb485553d4f/zoology-newsletter-877759?e=[UNIQID]

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This newsletter lists important announcements about jobs, events, speakers, and items of zoological interest. If you want to see something included in the newsletter, please email zoology@weber.edu

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