Creature Comforts

Today on the show we welcome Dr. Jim Franks. He is a senior research scientist at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and studies some of the large fish of the gulf.The Bluefin Tuna and Tarpon are the subject of his latest research projects and he joins us to talk about their current situation.Also Dr. Majure and Libby Hartfield answer some of your summertime pet and wild animal questions.

Today on the show we welcome Dr. Will Selman, Assistant Professor of Biology at Millsaps College to talk about the various turtles of Mississippi, especially the box turtle.He has conducted several studies of turtles around the state and will share some of his findings, talk about the endangered turtles of the state, and answer your questions about these cold-blooded reptiles.

Naturalist Joe McGee joins Creature Comforts to let us know what the frogs of Mississippi are up to this time of year. Since his last visit in January many things have changed and the summer frogs are here calling into the nights sky. From cricket frogs to fowler's toads Joe has a sharp ear and keen eye to help set these leapers apart.

Armadillos are not listed among the six Mississippi nuisance animals but some home owners would say different.If unchecked Armadillos can cause serious damage to a yard or home, but most often these nocturnal creatures are seen as roadkill.Today on the show we talk with Dr. Cathy Shropshire about this unusual mammal and try to answer the question:Why did the armadillo cross the Mississippi River?

The weather is warmer and now those charming bio-luminescent creatures are lighting up the night’s sky.No matter if you call them lightning bugs or fireflies’ people are reporting seeing them around the state.Today we talk with Lynn Faust who literary wrote the book on Fireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs.We talk about what is happening with these bugs this time of year and an upcoming event where you can watch their wondrous light show up-close.

Herpetologist Terry Vandeventer is very passionate about Mississippi snakes and joins us to talk and answer your snake questions. No stranger to the program Terry always brings a great perspective about the proper way to interact with snakes. Education is the key, but there are a few tips to remember when you see a snake in nature.