Dr. Sara Ruane, Associate Curator of Herpetology, Director of Core Laboratories on their reptile exhibit at the Field Museum called Reptiles Alive! And many are indeed alive! You can enjoy seeing everything from a rare iguana to a crocodile. And there is tackling of the forever question, “Are birds reptiles?”. Dr. Ruane also offers advice on what reptiles might make for the best pets. Photo credit: Steve Dale

Urban Wildlife Institute tracks populations with help from Natural Habitat Evanston volunteers.

A world-renowned museum curator gets bitten by a snake he's trying to identify. He does not seek medical treatment. He goes home and documents his symptoms hour by hour in a journal, including all the explicit details. Sara Ruane said Schmidt deserves to be remembered for more than just the salacious story of his death and the graphic diary he kept of his last several hours.

Something remarkable is happening with the little brown lizards that have taken over the urban landscape of New Orleans. They’re living – and even thriving – with levels of lead in their blood that scientists say should be lethal to creatures that are far bigger, both two- and four-legged. 

Walder Foundation has opened the 2026 Biota Awards, a program to fund early-career researchers based in Illinois who seek to restore, protect, and conserve biodiversity locally and around the world.

Block Club Chicago features Sara Ruane, Ph.D., in an article about Field Museum’s new exhibit, “Reptiles Alive!”.

Trinity Conn’s project to focus on leveraging genomics to restore climate-resilient reefs.

Reptiles Alive! — a captivating exhibition offering an insightful look at the rich evolution and adaptability of reptiles.

Explore the fascinating world of live reptiles at The Field Museum’s The “Reptiles Alive” exhibit with Sara Ruane, covered by WGN-TV.

Six postdoctoral scientists will advance research to protect and increase biodiversity in Chicago and beyond.

The EPA estimates that lawn irrigation accounts for one third of all residential water use in the U.S. Learn more about alternative lawn care options from 2022 Biota Awardee Rebecca (Becky) Barak.

The author was delighted when the wood-chomping rodents surfaced at the harbor. Then one turned up dead.

Fox pup season on Prince Edward Island can be an exciting time to observe the young animals, but it's important not to get too close while doing so, a wildlife expert says.

Discover how learning more about how bats harbor viruses and infections without becoming ill could help keep humans healthy, too.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thousands of birds are making a crucial migration through the Chicago area. We are right in the middle of a peak migration season, and homeowners are being urged to take steps to protect those birds

The latest tactic in Chicago’s ongoing war against rats is to attack the problem at the source — with birth control instead of poison.

The Great Lakes region plays a vital role in bird migration, lying at the intersection of two migratory flyways, with around 350 species passing through each spring like songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, marsh birds and shorebirds.

2024 Biota Awardee Benjamin Van Doren’s research on migratory birds has been featured in the Chicago Park District’s annual report.

Communication is key to survival in the animal kingdom. From alarm calls to mating signals, animals rely on vocalizations and body language to interact with one another. But can they learn and interpret the communication of entirely different species?

While Groundhog Day remains a fun tradition, meteorologists rely on data and computer models for more accurate forecasts. This year, the National Weather Service said it’s a toss-up whether Illinois will see an early spring.