Booth Id:
ANIM030T
Category:
Animal Sciences
Year:
2023
Finalist Names:
Ediger, Everett (School: La Junta High School)
Montoya, Zoey (School: La Junta High School)
Abstract:
The purpose of this project was to determine which soil parameters (pH, density, water content, and soil content) affect the location of Aphonopelma hentzi burrows in the Comanche National Grassland. The field of arachnology is very small, and tarantulas are especially an understudied animal. This research was conducted with the hope of laying a foundation upon which further studies can be based, to cultivate a local appreciation of Colorado Brown Tarantulas, and in turn, promote wildlife conservation in the Colorado Southeastern Grasslands. It was concluded that pH, density, and water content are not the driving factors when it comes to burrow location. Consistency of these qualities on a plot may be a factor as well as factors that affect water content such as vegetation and wildlife. There was a strong correlation between burrow counts and higher percentages of silt, as well as lower percentages of clay.