McCormick Biological, Inc.

Have you wondered why we’re highlighting conifers on our Treesday Tuesday posts this December? Simply put, conifers tend to coincide with the winter season. Your holiday décor, whether it be Christmas trees, candle scents, or your mental representative image of the season, is likely to include conifers. So, why not talk about how cool these species are outside of their wonderful aesthetics?! Conifers produce leaves in the form of needles or flat scales. This adaptation al...lows them to keep their leaves year-round by reducing moisture loss in the winter when the ground is frozen. These evergreens provide important habitat and nutrients for wildlife during the winter months. We hope to see you back for our next Treesday it’s going to be big. : Megan McCormick, Randi McCormick #conifers #treesdaytuesday #treesday #december #winter #biology #botany #holidayseason #holidays #treeappreciation #trees #majoraesthetics #mccormickbiological See more

Did you know Wind Wolves Preserve is home to over 300 tule elk? This subspecies is found only in California and nearly went extinct in the 1800s. Reintroduction... efforts, including those by The Wildlands Conservancy at Wind Wolves Preserve, have allowed populations to increase across the state. Look for these majestic animals grazing up on the hillside or among the tall grass as you drive into the preserve! See more

Edwards: Beyond the Test - Episode #30 - Environmental Management and the Mission Located in the Mojave Desert, the land that Edwards calls home is filled with ...incredible life. Join us as we visit with Ms. Misty Hailstone from the Natural Resources section and learn how we conduct our mission while remaining good steward to this land. Visit our podcast webpage to find the listening locations. https://www.edwards.af.mil/News/Podcast/ Air Force Materiel Command United States Air Force Air Force Test Center

Tarantulas (Theraphosidea) are a more ancient and differentiated arachnid than non-tarantulas due to the lateral positioning of their fangs. North American tarantulas (genus Aphonopelma) are considered a new world species due to the urticating hair like structures on the dorsal side of their abdomen used for defense. The tarantula will use its rear legs to kick the the barb like hairs at potential threats. Currently, it’s mating season and the search is on for a partner. No...t sure how to tell the difference between a male and female? Easy. Males have tibial hooks on their pedipalps to prevent females from eating them during copulation. Not to worry, while females may take longer to mature, they have been known to live for more than 25 years in captivity, so there is plenty of time for them to grab a bite elsewhere. Tarantulas use their powerful jaws to seize their prey and if that wasn’t enough, will inject them with venom. While a bite may hurt, their venom is non-toxic to humans and they are not aggressive otherwise. Big thank you to biologist Matt for the rundown on tarantulas! Videos: Ashleigh Pryor Rainey Reedy, Kaylee Allensworth #tarantulas #matingseason #education #mccormickbiological #keepalookout #Theraphosidea #Aphonopelma

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It’s Week 2 of Treesday and we’re bringing you the largest tree in the world! Species: Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) Average Growth: 69m (225ft) - 84m (275ft) tall, 3m (410ft) - 6m (20ft) in diameter... Habitat: Western Sierra Nevada, ranging from southern Tulare County, California to Placer County, California with an elevation range of 800m (2700ft) 2700m (8800ft). Sequoiadendron giganteum is in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family and is the only living species of the genus Sequoiadendron. Thick bark protects mature trees from forest fires, and the occasional wildfire is beneficial for the species by clearing out competing vegetation and creating mineral rich soil. 90% of giant sequoia groves are protected in parks and it is the only species to surpass redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) in biomass. The largest tree recorded, General Grant, is more than 12m (40ft) in diameter and stands tall in Sequoia National Park. : Ashleigh Pryor, Megan McCormick #treesday #treesdaytuesday #itsthemostwonderfultimeoftheyear #conifers #december #winter #Sequoiadendrongiganteum #giantsequoia #generalgrant #worldslargesttree #biomass #biology #botany #mccormickbiological

The face kit fox make when they find out you don’t have a shirt yet. The Central Coast Chapter of The Wildlife Society is fundraising to assist with treatment costs and further research of sarcoptic mange. The epidemic, which is a mite infestation in San Joaquin kit fox, was originally identified in urban populations in Bakersfield, CA and has spread as far west as McKittrick, CA. Foxes with mange initially experience hair loss, but as the condition progresses, scratching... leads to open wounds, and the infection will result in death if untreated. Treatment for sarcoptic mange can often last months and the process is costly and time-consuming. To help, you can purchase a Wildlife Society, SJKF shirt at the second and the proceeds will go directly to the California Living Museum (CALM). CALM, an organization based in Bakersfield, CA. that takes in, treats and rehabilitates infected foxes for release back into the wild also has a donation button on their website: calmzoo.org/donate-to-calm/ https://www.bonfire.com/save-the-san-joaquin-kit-fox/ #sanjoaquinkitfox #kitfox #specialstatusspecies #sarcopticmange #mange #fundraiser #research #treatment #rehabilitation #bakersfield #mckittrick #donation #cuteshirts #conservation #savesanjoaquinkitfox #californialivingmuseum #calm #centralcoastchapter #thewildlifesociety

Oh, the weather outside is frightful. But my winter coat is so delightful. And since my tail covers my nose, it never froze, never froze, never froze. Wh...ile many of us might say we have it worse, winter Fahrenheit temperatures in San Joaquin kit fox habitat can fall to the low 30s, which is cold enough for a kit fox! A number of rhythmic body mechanisms (the "biological clock") and shorter daylight hours in the fall trigger the production of hormones that are responsible for hair growth and color in foxes, allowing kit foxes to grow a thick, grayer winter coat to keep warm and insulated. How many of you wish you had a fluffy tail to wrap around your nose while you slept? For more San Joaquin kit fox content, join: Friends of the San Joaquin kit fox

It’s Friday of Bat Week 2020! Before you head into your Halloweekend, let’s talk about white-nose syndrome (WNS). The first case of white-nose syndrome (WNS) was reported on the 16th of February 2006 in Albany, NY. WNS, a fungal infection in some bat species caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), presents itself visually as white fungal growth on the muzzles, ears and/or wing membranes of affected hibernating bats. It initiates adverse behavior in bats which cause th...em to burn their fat reserves in the middle of winter. Pd grows well in cold, dark and damp places and the spores can last for a long time on clothes, boots and various outdoor gear. The pathogen has been detected in big-eared bats, European bats and Asian bats, but has not resulted in mortality in these species. Sadly, species such as the little brown bat, the tricolored bat and the northern long-eared bat are not as fortunate in their reaction to pathogen. Pd and has killed millions of North American bats. Remember to remain updated and educated, to decontaminate your outdoor gear and leave the handling of bat species to trained, vaccinated biologists. To learn more or donate to bat conservation and the research of white-nose syndrome visit the embedded link. Photos from: www.whitenosesyndrome.org https://www.batcon.org//research-and-/white-nose-syndrome/ #whitenosesyndrome #wns #pd #pseudogymnoascusdestructans #fungalinfection #batweek2020 #batweek #bats #batconservation #conservation #education #biology #infectiousdisease #hibernatingbats #halloweekend #halloween #donate #savebats #mccormickbiological

Welcome to our first Treesday post of the month Every Tuesday of December we will be highlighting a different Conifer and first up we have the tallest trees in the world! Species: Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) Average Growth: 61m (200ft)-91m (300ft) tall, 1.8m (6ft)-4.5m (15ft) in diameter... Habitat: Pacific Coast of North America , ranging from central California (just south of Monterey) to southern Oregon with an elevation range of ~0m-900m (sea level-3000ft). The species can expand inland for upwards of 50 mi. Sequoia sempervirens is in the Cupressaceae (Cypress) family and is the only living species of the genus Sequoia. Old-growth redwoods are the world’s tallest living things and are home to endangered species such as the spotted owl and marbled murrelet. Located in Redwood National Park in Humboldt County, California, the tallest tree recorded stands at 115.7m (379.7ft) and was named Hyperion upon its discovery in 2006. : Megan McCormick #treesday #treesdaytuesday #coastalredwood #seqoiasempervirens #December #festive #mostwonderfultimeoftheyear #conifer #coniferappreciation #california #biology #botany #mccormickbiological

Today, I think we all can agree we also should be equipped with cheek pouches. From this San Joaquin antelope squirrel and all of us here at MBI, have a great Thanksgiving!! #thanksgiving #happythanksgiving #cheekpouches #goodeats #goodfood #sanjoaquinantelopesquirrel #trapping #onthegrid #biology #wildlife #biologicalconsulting #california #centralcalifornia #specialstatusspecies #wecouldlearnathingortwo #mccormickbiological

Happy Wednesday of Bat Week 2020! Introducing Eptesicus fuscus, commonly known as the big brown bat. This species averages 4.5in in length with a 12in wingspan. They live in a variety of habitats from meadows and mountains to cities, and can be identified by their dark brown coat above, light brown belly fur and broad nose. Big brown bats prefer hibernation to migration, but may travel slightly to find the perfect location for hibernating. While this species is common in both North and South America, and is of no conservation concern currently, it is good to stay vigilant on the status of the species as bats are sensitive to habitat destruction and disease. More information to come! #batweek #batconservation #bats #bigbrownbat #Eptesicusfuscus #education #conservation #stayinformed #mccormickbiological

It’s Bat Week everyone! MBI would like to take some time this week to share some fun facts and spread awareness about the need for bat conservation. Bats (Order: Chiroptera) are the only true flying mammal species and are always hard at work. They prey on insects like mosquitos and midges, pollinate flowers and are great mechanisms for seed dispersal. Most sense flying insects and avoid obstacles by using echolocation to emit dozens of high frequency calls/second that rebound... back to them. Today, bat populations are threatened by habitat destruction, accelerated climate change, invasive species and more. These guys are extremely diverse and provide so many services to us. Let’s give them the attention and protection they deserve! Stick with us this week for more. Pictured: Antrozous pallidus roosting in a structure and MBI biologists Erika and Dan installing a bat house during volunteer work for Kern National Wildlife Refuge! : Ryan Byrnes and KNWR staff #batconservation #pollinators #seeddispersal #flyingmammal #conservation #awareness #coolcritters #insectivores #mccormickbiological #Antrozouspallidus #pallidbats #protectbats #roosting #welovebats

USFS aquatic biologist Stephanie Barnes is helping educate Creek Fire firefighters about the threatened Yosemite toad along Kaiser Pass Road Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020.

Thank you @coastsnake, Dr. Taylor, and Buzz the rattlesnake for helping train our biologist on the safest way to handle and move rattlesnakes #rattlesnakes #centralcoastsnakeservices #mccormickbiological #safetyfirst

Our fourth and final Saving Species Together highlight is the San Joaquin kit fox (SJKF)! The SJKF is a federal- and state-protected canid species endemic to California. They feed on small mammals, lizards, and insects. Typically, SJKF den underground for shelter, to stay cool, evade predators, and raise young. As their native arid habitat transforms into agricultural land and metropolitan cities, SJKF lose prey availability and denning habitat. While they are able to adapt... to an urban lifestyle, fitting into these areas has its challenges. Common sources of SJKF mortality are vehicle strikes, disease, poisons, sports netting, and more. Thankfully, conservation efforts by a range of companies and groups, including yours truly, are helping SJKF conservation efforts and monitoring progress! https://youtu.be/-oUS_kD5SvI Click the for the full length video on San Joaquin kit fox conservation efforts, and live action from our President, Randi McCormick : MBI field camera, Ashleigh Pryor Info: MBI + https://wildlife.ca.gov/Saving-Species-Together #conservation #collaboration #savingspeciestogether #workingtogether #sanjoaquinkitfox #kitfox #education #california #specialstatusspecies #highlights

Our next Saving Species Together highlight is the California Tiger Salamander (CTS)! The CTS is a federal- and state-protected amphibian species. They spend 95% of their lives using burrows made by squirrels and other mammals in uplands grazed grasslands, oak savannah, woodland edges, etc., and then use nearby pools or ponds (including cattle stock ponds) to breed. Young CTS spend their aquatic phase in their birth pond until they transform (metamorphose). In the last few... decades, CTS have been losing habitat to residential developers, agriculture and infrastructure projects. Fortunately, there are great restoration and collaborative efforts happening between citizen groups, developers, ranchers and biologists to help ensure the survival of the species. https://youtu.be/YmXuKCBes7k Click the for a full length video on California tiger salamander conservation action and come back tomorrow for our LAST species highlight, with some surprises! : Ashleigh Pryor, Rainey Reedy Info: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Saving-Species-Together #conservation #collaboration #savingspeciestogether #specialstatusspecies #california #californiatigersalamander #education #workingtogether #highlights

Our second Saving Species Together highlight is the Western Snowy Plover (WSP)! The WSP is a federally threatened rare shorebird species that builds nests along beaches near the coast and salt pans or alkaline flats in the interior. It feeds on insects and mollusks and provides a great natural cleaning service. WSPs not only keep beaches and shorelines looking pristine, but also act as biological indicators for scientists monitoring the health of the ecosystems they inhabit.... The species has lost both nests and habitat due to predation, invasive grasses and human disturbance. Accidental trampling, off-leash pets, motor vehicles and trash are some of the leading human-related causes. Both native species and people can live harmoniously near WSP habitat. Be aware of and listen to local conservationists warning about any protected species in the area. Western Snowy Plovers can make a comeback with our help and awareness! https://youtu.be/O2iCl0gyZI4 Click the for a full length video on Western Snowy Plover conservation action and come back tomorrow for our next species highlight! : https://www.allaboutbirds.org/ Info: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Saving-Species-Together #conservation #collaboration #westernsnowyplover #savingspeciestogether #workingtogether #specialstatusspecies #highlights #checkthisout

The coho salmon is our first Saving Species Together highlight! The Southern Oregon Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon is a federal- and state-protected anadromous fish species, meaning they spend the majority of their lives at sea, but live in freshwater rivers as juveniles and spawning adults. The once abundant coho salmon was on the verge of extinction in the late 1990’s due to habitat degradation, leading to its listing as threatened under the federal Endanger...ed Species Act in 1997 and threatened under the California Endangered Species Act in 2002. Humboldt Redwood Co., NOAA Fisheries, and Trout Unlimited are currently collaborating to restore habitat for juvenile coho after years of decline attributed to freshwater diversion, overfishing, legacy logging, and mining practices. Click the for a full-length video on coho salmon conservation in action and come back tomorrow for our next species highlight! https://youtu.be/nhYcKI1Qe74 : https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/coho-salmon Info: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Saving-Species-Together