Thanks Kerry.............and get ready for this.......

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Posted by Kevin Earley on January 10, 2002 at 18:24:21:

In Reply to: Yes, I too have a photo to share...... posted by kerry on January 10, 2002 at 17:29:43:

I can't imagine how depressing that must have been to know that there was a "stable" population in this area and then watch developement just wipe it out.

Some questions..

1. The marker in the photo is that part of the construction site or where you had observed him the previous year.

2. What is your "guesstimation" (I don't think its really a word but your best guess) as to the rate of increase in body mass over the time period that you observed him.

3. Do you believe that there is only 3-4 remaining residents because they were destroyed by the construction (crushed in the building etc.) or because now that the habitat has changed will it only support this many. In other words less habitat means less shelter, food, etc. It is my opinion that a "habitat" can only sustain a balanced population no more no less unless artificially stimulated. Do you feel the others died off gradually and only the strongest (or luckiest) survived.

4. Have you been able to observe any other gilas in the field over this long of a period (8-9 years). What is your guesstimation (again) of the average life span in the wild. I know what it is in captivity but most animals (if properly cared for) will live longer in captivity than in the wild (more food on a "regular" basis, less predators, etc)

I think that is enough questions for now (at least until I can think of more).

I really appreciate the photo and the information.

Kevin

Follow Ups:

Answers...... kerry 01/10/02 (2)
- Thanks Kerry Kevin Earley 01/10/02 (1)
  - We need more data from California....... (hint-hint) n/p kerry 01/10/02 (0)

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: I can't imagine how depressing that must have been to know that there was a "stable" population in this area and then watch developement just wipe it out. : Some questions.. : 1. The marker in the photo is that part of the construction site or where you had observed him the previous year. : 2. What is your "guesstimation" (I don't think its really a word but your best guess) as to the rate of increase in body mass over the time period that you observed him. : 3. Do you believe that there is only 3-4 remaining residents because they were destroyed by the construction (crushed in the building etc.) or because now that the habitat has changed will it only support this many. In other words less habitat means less shelter, food, etc. It is my opinion that a "habitat" can only sustain a balanced population no more no less unless artificially stimulated. Do you feel the others died off gradually and only the strongest (or luckiest) survived. : 4. Have you been able to observe any other gilas in the field over this long of a period (8-9 years). What is your guesstimation (again) of the average life span in the wild. I know what it is in captivity but most animals (if properly cared for) will live longer in captivity than in the wild (more food on a "regular" basis, less predators, etc) : I think that is enough questions for now (at least until I can think of more). : I really appreciate the photo and the information. : Kevin

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