Comanche County, OK – Researchers from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently conducted fieldwork at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, retrieving camera traps and snake replicas that had been deployed earlier this summer. The project is jointly led by Dr. Renan Bosque and Dr. Daniel Rocha, faculty members in SWOSU’s Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences. They were joined by undergraduate student Jonathan Almanza for the field recovery effort.

The visit marked a key milestone in a study examining predator interactions with venomous snakes. Since mid-June, 10 lifelike rattlesnake replicas were installed across the refuge and monitored using camera traps to collect data on predator behavior.

“Our goal is to understand how visual signaling and ecological context influence predator behavior,” said Dr. Bosque. “This research helps us explore how warning signals and background matching co-evolve as components of antipredator defense strategies in venomous snakes.”

The camera traps recorded predator activity over the study period, providing valuable footage for behavioral analysis. In addition to addressing the study’s core questions, the data will contribute to a growing inventory of mammal species present in the refuge—part of an ongoing research initiative led by Dr. Rocha focused on mammal communities in the Wichita Mountains.

This hands-on research experience also supports SWOSU’s commitment to integrating fieldwork into undergraduate education, offering students like Jonathan Almanza the opportunity to engage directly with ecological research and conservation efforts. The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences supports these opportunities through a curriculum and faculty-led projects that develop both scientific understanding and practical skills, preparing students for careers in biology, health sciences, environmental management, and other related fields.

To learn more about the SWOSU Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, visit www.swosu.edu/biological-sciences/index.php.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

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