After catching up a bit, we went through an original powerpoint presentation that I created with my own photos and those of international colleagues who have contributed rare photo IP to iFrogs for educational purposes.
IN addition to playing the 'find the hidden animal game,' Jonathan initiated excellent idea to go onto his iPad and then we worked on Google Earth to orientate ourselves and see the places where the photos came from, including looking at views taken by Google Earth users. I really think that Jonathan could be guided to become an integral part of the Google Earth team, or at least should keep his eye on National Geographic opportunities and Geographic Bee contests (one day at NGS HQ in DC I co-hosted a cohort of young explorers who won such a contest, aged ~8-17 at a temporary frogs exhibit, and I have published in the Nat Geo Kids magazine about frogs). I still have Google Earth Pro features I am keen to teach him (although he might already have that on your MacBook at home?).
So we explored animals mainly from Madagascar, Borneo and the ocean. Camouflaged taxa included insects, spiders, frogs, lizards, snakes, mammals, and fish such as seahorses. He already knew about seahorse reproductive biology. I was amazed at the speed at which Jonathan found all of the hidden animals, and even more impressed at his will to dig deeper and look into maps.
Finally, he shared a life goal: to photograph every snake that exists on Earth!
Perfect... so I left him eagerly exploring my friend and colleague Joel Satore's Photo Ark (embedded within National Geographic my parent company)- Joel has so far documented in HD some 11,000 different animal species with an emphasis on those threatened with extinction and one of his photos is in a NGS article about my research that we have not read yet. I left Jonathan with the Photo Ark links so that he could explore in more detail and this could hopefully keep him self-engaged for many hours of high quality education guided by his own curiosity. It was an honor to be able to share these resources with such a curious and capable student. He could make a huge difference in the field of wildlife conservation with his skills and passion for animals.

We spent the hour fervently searching for a panther chameleon who had escaped and ran up a tree earlier in the day when Ben was in another classroom. Ben and I were both concerned to return the chameleon to safety (from predators, low temperatures, enough food, etc). We found the chameleon several times, and were amazed at how such a brightly colored lizard (turquoise, neon green, and red) could hide and blend in the shadows and light of a bushy tree. The chameleon was located and still/basking at the end of our session at 1:30pm. We resumed searches at 2:30 and imagined he must still be on the same set of branches. Finally around 4:30pm a guy with ladder came and saw but sadly the chameleon was not in the last place seen hours later. We discussed normal movements of this species in the wild, where temperatures range from 70-95 degrees F: panther chameleons are normally lower towards ground in morning to drink dew, then go up higher in canopy towards evening after a day of searching for food, they will typically climb up to a spot from one (1) to 30 meters high above ground to end of a branch to roost and turn a lighter shade that reflects well in a strong LED spotlight beam. We did not see the chameleon from the ground using lights, leading us to believe he is in upper canopy. Further searches should be in early morning for lower branches, and in evening from 6 to 7pm from the ROOF with lights. It is likely the chameleon remains in the original tree or could have moved to the tree closer to the school as some warmth would come off the school and thus should attract this tropical gem of a lizard. Ben showed great empathy for animals, his fellow students, and for me as a teacher struggling with the possible loss of a treasured pet. He related the situation to that of Red the gecko, who was once 'lost' in his little cage at home only to be found a month later in an unknown hollow hiding spot in that cage, and is now doing well. Surely we will soon find our little buddy too. We imagined that many different insects may be in the area and provide Lokobe the Chameleon with a 5* experience of sorts. We used binoculars and lights to search and were grateful that temperatures are forecast to remain high in the coming week as we continue the search.

Today we looked in detail at a special presentation I prepared showcasing ~50 photographs of animals from around the world ranging from sea horses to insects to frogs to reptiles (including chameleons) and large mammals. After finding hidden frogs and reptiles, we discussed where they are from geographically and other aspects of ecology one might examine in the field.
Also discussed cyanotype, or blueprint photography, and doing this activity with local plants. Plants and insects are so important for healthy herptiles!

We fed crickets to the chameleon, observing his long, sticky tongue shoot out several inches. Mentioned studies of speed of tongue... Discussed reptile husbandry methods for increasing humidity. Discussed short and long term goals in learning about and applying herpetology to conservation and other fields.

Discussed habitat in the wild forests of Nosy Be, NW Madagascar (where I volunteer), including looking at ~30 large professional photos from my National Geographic expeditions. Explained how we are replicating those conditions (vegetation, temperature, humidity) in a terrarium at the School. Added spagnum moss to keep humidity above 70% in the terrarium. Introduced the Panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis), proper handling techniques, and why he changes colors (mood, temperature more so than to look like surroundings). We were lucky to see the chameleon eat a cricket. Next week will overview camouflage in the animal kingdom. Chameleons hide by movements like leaves, not just colors.

IN the spirit of getting ready for the chameleon to start visiting the school, after helping bring supplies for the terrarium into the Science room, Sebastian suggested that we catch insects and spiders with his new net on the playground. The net is a professional level sweeping net, often used in grassy fields to catch a variety of arthropods, by enthusiasts and entomologists alike. We spoke at some length about bees and wasps, and spiders but saw none. Sebastian climbed trees, and we talked about how in my fieldwork in Madagascar we climb over 100 feet high to collect voucher plants, and I pointed out on his climbing tree a small branch that would make a good herbarium voucher, pointing out it was good because it had some flowers in adddition to leaves, to help botanists identify the tree. Many trees in my work are unknown to science. saw some butterflies, including a Zebra longwing (yellow and black stripes), but did not catch it. The hour flew by, Sebastian was more interested to talk about animals than play his video or ball games-- AWESOME!!!

Colored a page of a panther chameleon, a species of lizard from Madagascar. Discussed captive husbandry of reptiles-- goal is to recreate natural habitat indoors in the science lab. Visited the science lab to check out materials for setting up a terrarium with tropical plants suitable for small rainforest animals to live in. Made list of remaining materials needed for next week.

I found a live Peninsula Cooter, a water turtle, crossing the road on Wednesday. He (long front nails in males vs short nails in females) stayed home today but I'll bring photos next session. Plan to release him in the direction he was going, towards a wetland, that was blocked by a house. Discuss resources for how to identify turtles in Florida using reputable web resources. Discuss turtles crossing roads and what to do if you find one.

Today I will go pick up a Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) and he will come into the Batt School on my next day here, Friday January 8th. This species lives in Nosy Be Madagascar where I (Dr. Clark) has had a field biology program with local Malagasy people since 2003. I will have the chameleon in a temporary transport container, and then we will proceed to set up a terrarium in the Science room taking into consideration the climate where this species thrives in the wild. They really love vines and bushes, so if Ben could bring his bendable vines and maybe a potted bush (e.g., fire bush) to put in his room, the chameleon will be most comfortable during our sessions.
Hope to meet Ben's parent today to talk a bit about field trips, possible to have one/month?

Discussed chameleons using book 'Mountain Dragons' and how different species or variations of species occur on mountains separated by valley (temp) barriers. This prompted a discussion of false 'chameleons', the ANOLES, that occur locally. Reviewed native Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) vs invasive Brown or Bahama Anole (Anolis sagrei) vs Cuban Anoles, another non-native. Green anoles are being outcompeted by non-native brown anoles, but are hanging on in Florida thanks to their preference for shade whereas brown anoles prefer sunnier habitat.

Discussed possibility of setting up a true Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) on campus, Judie is considering request for Ben and I to set up a habitat at Batt with real plants and a waterfall, similar to how I set up tanks at the AMNH in NYC, Baltimore Zoo, and on my own... the chameleon would come and go with me, since individual students aren't allowed to keep pets on site.

Would parent like to schedule a day in January or February to visit Palm Beach Zoo with Ben and Dr. Val? We could meet Emily who breeds crested geckos, and with advance planning via Ms. Emily, we should be invited to see reptiles behind the scenes, maybe some feedings, photo opps etc.
In February, I (Dr. Clark) would also like to schedule a field day to explore scrub forests.

Ben is a highly engaged learner who I think would do well (with a parent) in Madagascar, so it would be good to have a few field trips together before I head to Madagascar in early July.

We overviewed common interests especially in gecko keeping (I, Dr. Clark used to breed geckos). Reviewed Uroplatus (leaf tailed geckos) that live in Nosy Be, NW Madagascar, and how to conserve geckos not only with captive breeding, but via field studies, e.g. opportunity for Ben in Madagascar to assist the need to identify Uroplatus sleeping tree sites as part of reforestation program. Discussed local Crested Gecko breeder who works at PB Zoo- possible fieldtrip?

Discussed local habitat type of SCRUB forest, how gopher tortoise burrows support >50 other species, the endemic swift lizard Sceloporus woodii native only to Florida- plan field trip to see them in person? Many live along scrub of JDSP and males have turquoise side stripe, females are dull brown, concept of dimorphism mentioned briefly.

Discussed life list and 'catch by hand' challenge. When Ben asked, I suggested he might want to join local herp club and attend their meetings, I can keep you in the loop of next opportunity. Sometimes the group goes on herping trips, too.