About the 4-H Agamapalooza Citizen Science Project
Congratulations 4-H Agamapalooza Citizen Science Project winners. Peters’s rock agama (Agama pictidauda) are nonnative reptiles introduced to the Treasure Coast via the pet trade in 1976. Since then, their population has expanded. Basic information about this species is needed for their management. We sought participation of local youths interested in developing an effective trapping system while collecting agama biometric data for the UF Croc Docs. The winner of the competitive event won the coveted Golden Lizard first prize (it’s a spray-painted agama model) and certificates were awarded in winning youth categories.In total, youth participants captured 340 Peters’s rock agama for research purposes. Participants collected agama biometric data for each specimen that included length, sex, tail (broken or not broken), etc. The agama specimens and data sheets were given to UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County Agents Ken Gioeli and John Ferguson. The UF Croc Docs in Davie will be conducting research on the specimens collected during this competitive event.
How and where were they captured?
Six were trapped at the Oxbow Eco-center in Port St. Lucie while 64 were trapped at George LeStrange Preserve in Fort Pierce. Participants could trap agama anywhere they had permission to be. Our overall 4-H Agamapalooza Citizen Science winner used a modified bait fish trap (See below) and baited it using live crickets. Glue traps, fishing lines, nets and other live traps could be used.
Award Winners
Overall first place and Junior 8-10 first place category awards go to Timothy Russell who captured 93 Peters’s rock agama.
Overall 2nd place and 1st place Intermediate Age 11-13 category awards go to Austin Mosher who captured 82 Peters’s rock agama
Overall 3rd place award goes to Gavin Morley who captured 37 Peters’s rock agama.
Tristan Morley captured 33 Peters’s rock agama and will receive a certificate.
References
Gioeli, K. and Johnson, S. WEC431/UW476: Peters’s Rock Agama in Florida
Related Blogs
Gioeli, K. (2024, September 4). 4-H Agamapalooza FAQ. [UF Blog] https://bit.ly/3TcpITy
Gioeli, K. (2024, August 19). Process for the 4-H Agamapalooza Citizen Science Project. [UF Blog] https://bit.ly/4gdE2EX
An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Andra Johnson, Dean and Director. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.
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