Rare Wildlife Behavior Observed in South Africa
Dr. Andy Jones, Director of Science and William A. and Nancy R. Klamm Endowed Chair of Ornithology and Manager of Wildlife Resources Michelle Leighty Jones witnessed an uncommon interaction while traveling in South Africa—helmeted turtles eating ticks and parasites off a warthog. In a short note published in the September issue of Herpetological Review, Dr. Jones notes that this behavior had never before been documented. Reptile expert Bill Branch, South Africa's Port Elizabeth Museum's honorary curator emeritus, confirmed that this behavior is rarely seen. National Geographic published a story about this phenomenon October 8, 2015. Photos by Michelle Leighty Jones.
