First and rare species recorded in Natchitoches parish, La
I, Jason Puma, have discovered the first colony of Cuban brown anole (Anolis sagrei) in Natchitoches parish. I have found many adults and juveniles in the city of Natchitoches and found a male A. sagrei in kisatchie forest. And that 1 find in the forest leads me to believe that there is a colony of them there as well. Quite unfortunate circumstances, for they are highly invasive and are this far North and surviving.
On a better note, I also found the first southern painted turtle (Chrysemys scripta) recorded in Natchitoches parish. I spoke with turtle experts that have informed me that my study and research on this species is different from there's. My hypothesis on this is that they study them deeper south and my studies are further north so behavior could be different in the same species due to geographic location.
I have also had a rare encounter with a western chicken turtle (Dierochylas reticularia) in Louisiana. Biologists have questioned me on this observation as well.
Another rare find was the giant Texas red-headed centipede (Scolopendra heros) that I found in Natchitoches parish in Kisatchie forest as well. I'm going to continue this amazing journey of rare finds in Natchitoches parish and beyond!
