Saurologist Earyn McGee chats with host about everything from chameleons to dragons, geckos' grip, gila monster sightings, and lion encounters. They discuss #FindThatLizard game, social anxiety advice, and field success tips. Fun and educational lizard hunt!
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Quick takeaways
Erin McGee shares insights on her passion for lizard research and fieldwork, highlighting unanswered ecological questions.
Some lizard and snake species reproduce through Virgin Birth or Parthenogenesis, resulting in clones of the mother.
Geckos' remarkable climbing abilities are attributed to Vanderwaal forces created by hairs on their feet, supporting impressive weight limits.
Deep dives
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Introduction to 'Science Verses' Podcast
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Erin McGee's Passion for Lizards and Fieldwork
Erin McGee, a passionate lizard scientist, discusses her journey from wanting to be a veterinarian to focusing on wildlife conservation. She emphasizes the excitement of conducting fieldwork and discovering unanswered ecological questions. Erin shares her experiences catching lizards, explaining the process of marking and releasing them for monitoring purposes. As a lizard researcher, she studies lizard behavior, diet patterns, and the impact of environmental changes on their habitats.
Parthenogenesis in Lizards
Some snake and lizard species undergo obligate Parthenogenesis, reproducing asexually. This process, termed Virgin Birth or Parthenogenesis, results in clones of the mother, with variations like full or half cloning.
Lizard Adaptations
Geckos' ability to climb vertical surfaces is due to Vanderwaal forces created by fine hairs on their feet, allowing them to grip walls. Their feet can support weight up to 90 pounds, showcasing their remarkable climbing abilities.
Saurologist and professional lizard scientist Earyn McGee visits Alie to go on a little lizard hunt, then they hunker down to chat about everything from tiny chameleons to drooling dragons, venomous thiccbois, legless lizards, geckos’ antigravity grip, festering dragon mouths, gila monster sightings, close encounters with lions, tangles of snoozy lizards, virgin births, and blood shooting from eyeballs. We also discuss Earyn’s wildly popular #FindThatLizard Twitter game and she gives us all some sound advice on social anxiety and how to succeed in literally any field or ambition. You’ll be squinting at bushes looking for lizards and when you see one, you’ll salute it.
Follow Earyn at Twitter.com/afro_herper and Instagram.com/afro_herper
Support #FindThatLizard via Patreon.com/findthatlizard