Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

05/29/2026

As summer temperatures rise across the CSRA, SREL Outreach Coordinator, Amanda Hurst, spoke with WFXG FOX54 about snake safety, identification, and the ecological importance of both venomous and nonvenomous species.

Snakes are valuable members of our ecosystems, helping regulate rodent populations and supporting overall environmental health. We encourage residents to stay alert in areas with tall grass, brush piles, and other natural habitats while respecting wildlife from a safe distance.

🔗 You can watch the interview and read the full story here: https://www.wfxg.com/community/aiken-county/savannah-river-ecology-lab-warns-csra-residents-to-be-on-the-lookout-for-snakes/article_69f97b17-a0a1-48eb-8c48-2a400475c72d.html

Thank you to WFXG FOX54 for helping us share this important information with our community!

As the heat continues to increase the Savannah River Ecology Lab warns residents to keep their eyes on their feet during snake season.

05/27/2026

Have you found a baby bird on the ground? It may not need rescuing!

Many young birds leave the nest before they can fully fly. These “fledglings” spend a few days on the ground or hopping through shrubs while their parents continue to feed and protect them nearby. This particular bird is a fledgling mockingbird.

The best thing you can do is leave them alone and give them space. If the bird is alert, active, and has feathers, its parents are likely still caring for it. Keep pets indoors, watch from a distance, and let nature do its thing.

05/22/2026

No frogs were harmed in the making of this.

05/13/2026

🦟 “What if we killed all mosquitoes?” That question was recently explored in an international science feature examining the complex relationship between mosquito-borne disease, ecology, and emerging mosquito management strategies.

The story includes insight from Dr. Dan Peach of the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory and Department of Infectious Diseases, whose work focuses on mosquito ecology and vector biology. The article discusses how researchers are working to better understand the ecological role mosquitoes play while exploring approaches that could help reduce the spread of disease. 🌎🔬

Check out the article here 🔗 : https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/5/12/what-if-we-killed-all-mosquitoes-1402

05/08/2026

Greater Sirens (Siren lacertina) are mostly nocturnal and spend much of their time hidden in muddy wetlands, ponds, and swamps across the Southeast. They may look a little strange, but they play an important role in wetland ecosystems.

Basically… a swamp noodle with gills 😄

05/06/2026

We’re excited to welcome Scott Carver to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory today from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the SREL Cypress Room.

Dr. Carver is a Professor of Disease Ecology and Associate Dean for Research and Operations in the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia, as well as Associate Director of the Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases. His research focuses on the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases, particularly animal pathogens and wildlife health, with an emphasis on conservation and solutions-oriented research.

04/22/2026

🌎 Happy Earth Day from SREL! We like to think of every day as Earth Day, but we’ll take any excuse to highlight the amazing world that we all get to live in.
 
For today’s special holiday, we wanted to highlight something one of our technicians, .leprell (Emily LePrell), spotted while out conducting fieldwork, this blue crayfish. 💙🦞
 
The blue color of the crayfish comes from a rare genetic mutation affecting pigment, and individuals like this are extremely uncommon in the wild, estimated at about 1 in 10,000.
 
Thank you Emily for sharing such an amazing shot with us!
 

04/22/2026

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Gino D’Angelo to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Speaker Series today from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the SREL Cypress Room. 
 
Dr. D’Angelo is an Associate Professor of Deer Ecology and Management at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. His research focuses on the ecology and management of deer species, primarily white-tailed deer. He and his students work to improve deer population management, support science-based decision making for state and federal agencies, reduce deer human conflicts, and expand our understanding of deer anatomy and physiology. Through the UGA Deer Lab, he is also dedicated to training future wildlife professionals through applied research.
 

04/17/2026

I spy with my little eyes, something hiding in plain sight 👀

This is an eastern copperhead, a venomous pit viper that has a tan body and is patterned with darker hourglass-shaped bands (often compared to Hershey’s kisses).

Copperheads rely on this camouflage to ambush prey, and because they’re so well hidden, people often don’t notice them until they’re right nearby, which is why most bites happen from accidental encounters.

Wildlife

04/16/2026

Today we’re introducing you to a snake that is often mistaken for something more dangerous, the scarlet kingsnake. 🐍

This nonvenomous species has red, black, and yellow bands that resemble the venomous coral snake. This is an example of Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species gains protection by looking like a harmful one. That similarity is also where the familiar rhyme comes from: “red on black, friend of Jack; red on yellow, kill a fellow.”