Modern Day Dinosaurs: Explore the Biology of Birds and Reptiles [F-17-44]

This two-part course will explore some of the unique physiology of “modern day dinosaurs,” i.e. birds and their closest living relatives, the reptiles. Birds possess the rare and coveted ability to fly: but there’s more to flying than just having wings. The course will also discuss the local bird and reptile species one may encounter in the North Country and how to properly identify and interact with those animals.

Sarah KG Sirsat graduated with a B.S in biology from Harding University in 2009. She completed her PhD in vertebrate physiology at the University of North Texas. She has studied the development of endothermy in newly hatched birds and reptiles, with special attention paid to the role of cellular mitochondria energetics. She is now teaching in the Biology Department at SUNY Potsdam and also continuing her research in avian physiology. Sarah has kept and bred reptiles and birds for almost a decade. She arrived here with 20-“something” reptiles!

Cap: 60