Michael Anguiano

Graduation Date: May, 2001

Degree: B.A. in Wildlife Biology

Faculty Mentor: Eva Horne, Ph.D.

Research: "Efficiency of Movement and Speed with Reduced Tail Length in the Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus)"

Post-Baccalaureate Degrees: M.S. in Ecology from San Diego State University (2008)

Currently: Working as a biologist for Technology Associates International Corporation

Michael says: Since arriving at SDSU in January 2004, I have worked diligently to develop a thesis project focused on habitat fragmentation, microhabitat use, and movement patterns of snakes. As a consequence of the urban development in San Diego the habitat is being divided up into isolated fragments. My thesis will study the effects fragmentation has on snake communities and on the foraging ecology of the California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula). The study consists of four landscape treatments; unfragmented ecological reserves, the urbanized edge of these reserves, large habitat fragments and small habitat fragments. I hypothesize habitat fragmentation and urbanization, because it limits the amount of available habitat and because it allows higher rates of raptor predation, negatively impacts the overall snake community and alters the behavior of kingsnakes as they attempt to avoid avian predators. (August, 2004)