Mood: quizzical
Topic: Articles
The get to the Coqui frog sleeping in his daytime hiding spot.
Wild chickens may help solve coqui frog problem
If frog legs taste like chicken, does that make this bird a wannabe cannibal?
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The get to the Coqui frog sleeping in his daytime hiding spot.
Wild chickens may help solve coqui frog problem
If frog legs taste like chicken, does that make this bird a wannabe cannibal?
Poison frogs less toxic when habitat degraded
I'm sure many of you already know that a poison dart frog kept in captivity is no longer poisonous because it lacks the essentials in its diet. This study has taken that to the next level, and found that frogs living in a disturbed environment are less toxic than frogs in a pristine habitat. This is because the insects available are different, which leave the frogs more vulnerable than their relatives in the "better part of town".
Cane toads helping to reduce feral pigs, insect numbers
This is an article I can't say I expected. According to this melon farmer, the toads greatly reduce the pest insects saving him lots of money in pesticides. They also control ferel pigs. Its nice to hear something good about the toads on occasion. This, well almost, is the reason they were released in Australia in the first place. In case anyone is interested, I just joined Myspace.com and was looking at some of the groups. There is an "I love Cane Toad" group and an "I hate Cane toad group", and even one for fans of the Cane Toad Documentary film.
Fall Virginia Herpetological Society Symposium
Announcement http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHS/message/536
The Fall VHS symposium will be held on Saturday October 21, 2006 at Longwood
University in Farmville, Virginia. Anyone interested in learning more about
reptiles and amphibians are welcome to come to this free event. We will meet in
room G12 in Longwood's new science building. Driving directions and a printable
campus map can be obtained from Longwood's
website...http://www.whylongwood.com/comevisit/directions.htm.
Preregistration is requested so that certificates for recertification points for
teachers and master naturalists can be filled out prior to the event. We would
also like to have a rough idea of how many people plan to attend. Please
preregister with Jason Gibson (frogman31@gmail.com). In addition to some fine
speakers we will have a live animal display, an auction of reptile and
amphibians related items, and a book signing with keynote speaker Michael
Dorcas. The VHS has purchased 30 Snakes of the Southeast books by Whitt Gibbons
and Michael Dorcas that are available for purchase at the event (books will be
sold at a discount). Email Susan Watson (Susan.Watson@dgif.virginia.gov) to
reserve your copy.
Any updated information will be posted on the VHS website
http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email Jason
Gibson(frogman31@gmail.com). Speaker List and Agenda9:00 – 9:45 - Kory Steele
and Bonnie Keller "Caring for Captive Amphibians and Reptiles."Concurrent
Session 9:00 – 11:00 Mike Clifford "GPS Workshop"9:55 – 10:25 – J.D. Kleopfer
"The History and Impacts of the Pet Turtle Trade, specifically the red-eared
slider"10: 35 – 11:05 - Kristen Cecala and Michael Dorcas "Effective Techniques
for Field Studies of Amphibians and Reptiles"11:05 – 12:00 – Photo contest, book
signing, auction, live animal displays.12:00 – 1:00 - Lunch at Longwood
Cafeteria. Lunch will be $5.59. There are other restaurants to eat at but
Farmville has a 11.5 % taxon meals.1:00 – 1:45 – Keynote speaker presentation
Michael Dorcas "Impacts of Urbanization on Amphibians and Reptiles in the
Carolinas"2:00 – 2:30 - Norm Reichenbach, Doug Wynn, Carolyn Caldwell, Pete
Johantgen, Kristy Becka, Kristin Stanford, Gordon Burghardt "Chronological
account of the Restoration Program for the State endangered Plains Garter Snake
in Ohio2:35 – 3:00 – Joy Ware "The Role of Amphibians and Reptiles in
Conservation Medicine"3:05 – 3:35 - Jennifer Heemeyer "Evaluation of Visible
Implant Elastomer in Red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus)."3:40 – 4:40 –
VHS Business MeetingVirginia Herpetological Society
http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHShttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHS
New mission for Bay Area Girl Scouts
Its great to hear about large scale clean up projects, especially when most of the volunteers are youths. These girls and their families are doing a wonderful job and they are our future, and I find that very comforting.
Yesterday was the Splash into Fall Festival at Camp Cullom near Frankfort Indiana. It was a load of fun. Unfortunately I experienced some technical difficulties with my camera (I think I may have dropped it too many times in the field) so I didn't get any photos. I was invited to set up a table with some live frogs, toads, salamanders and turtles and answer questions and talk about them. I was in the Wetland Discovery area. The weather sounded as if it might get a little ugly according to the meteorologist, but the day turned out to be beautiful. I had many people come check out the animals and some great questions and stories. My son caught a cricket frog (Acris crepitans) that we included in the display, and let go after wards. I also heard a spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) call during the day!?!? I think he forgot to flip a few months on his calendar! One of the Cub scouts that were there camping for the weekend found a small snake and brought it to show me. I'm pretty sure it is a midland brown snake (Storeria dekayi), but I still need to check a few more places. Speaking of snakes, "Snakehead Ed" Ferrer had two shows during the day. This was his first trip to Camp Cullom, and he sounds like he's ready to come back. He said he was very impressed by the event, the camp, the kids, he just had a wonderful day. I heard many of the kids talking about how great the shows were as well. Ed is also the president of the Hoosier Herpetological Society, as well a good friend that I go herping with when the opportunity arises. We recently went to Carbondale IL for the Midwest PARC meeting and got in a little herping while we were there. I'm starting to get away from the point here. The Splash into Fall Festival was put on by the Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District. They did a superb job in the event. I was very impressed by the planning that went into this and the success of the day showed just how hard they worked. There were many crafts and games, a slide show about National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat program. There were also displays and activities about how wetlands work and how to protect our environment and waterways. Smokey Bear was even there. I am very excited to be able to say I was a small part of such a wonderful event. I can't wait until next year!
SA fungus could wipe out island frogs
A group did some tests and found no traces of BD (chytrid) in Madagascar. Many may find it surprising that this is a bad thing. If traces were found, it would mean it naturally belongs there and the local species would have evolved with it and been naturally immuned to it. Since it not there, it means if the fungus ever works its way into the environment, it will be certain death for many of the already endangered species. Lets keep our fingers and flippers crossed that this island stays the pristine paradise it has always been.
So where have all the amphibians gone? Brad Hollingsworth, curator of herpetology for the San Diego Natural History Museum, will speak at Los Peñasquitos Adobe Ranch House, 12020 Black Mountain Road, behind Canyonside Park, 7:30 Oct. 14. His presentation, titled “Amphibian Conservation in San Diego: Local Examples of a Global Decline,” will include photographs and video of the county's six remaining native frog species, including the endangered arroyo toad and the Western spadefoot and red-spotted toad, which are both rapidly declining in numbers. What: “Amphibian Conservation in San Diego” |
Dragon hunters slowly running out of prey
While I don't know that I would call a salamander a Dragon, the article is very good. It reminisces about hunting salamanders as a kid and how the declines are making that more difficult these days. I don't like the fact they used a photo of a fire salamander when they talked of a blue spotted, but if you don't know the difference, I suggest an image search on your favorite engine.
Come explore the fascinating world of amphibians and reptiles Oct. 7, at Chinsegut Nature Center, north of Brooksville. The 12th annual Reptile and Amphibian Expo Day, hosted by the center, begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.
The public is invited to join in the festivities featuring live displays of a variety of snakes, other reptiles and amphibians. People attending the expo may take a guided tour of a gopher tortoise trail with area experts who will reveal how they capture animals for study. See exhibits including an interactive demonstration by the Gopher Tortoise Council. Children and adults can watch a herp puppet show, participate in the popular frog-calling contest and listen to show-and-tell talks about a variety of herpetological subjects - including invasive and non-native reptiles and amphibians that have moved into Florida.
Native plants and natural history books will be on display and available for sale. Food and drink will be available for purchase from vendors. Teachers can receive in-service credit for attending. Because the area is a wildlife and environmental area, no pets except service dogs are allowed.
To get to Chinsegut Nature Center, travel approximately seven miles north of Brooksville on U.S. 41, turn left on County Road 476 and go one mile to the entrance on the left. For additional information, contact the Chinsegut Nature Center at (352) 754-6722.
For more information on Chinsegut Nature Center, go to MyFWC.com/chinsegut or call Kristin Wood at 352-754-6722.
Here is an exclusive look at Buffy's first bust after an extensive training period. The photos and article were sent to me by Sarah Fyyfe, the dingo trainer that taught Buffy how to be such an asset to the fight against the invasive Cane Toad. The copyrights belong to her and cannot be used without permission.
After 10 weeks of training in Perth with frozen toads and toad urine, trainee toad buster, “Buffy” the 4 1/2 month old pure bred dingo well and truly proved herself in the field over the weekend on her first ever real life toad bust.
She ignored the hundreds of native frogs that were jumping around at her feet and using not only her sensitive little nose, but also her alert eyes and ears she tracked the path of toads on the move, bringing us to many tricky hiding places. She also found toads that were in the water and quickly worked out the sound the toads make when moving through the grass.
She proved a great asset following behind the human toad busters, alerting us all to approximately 30 toads that had avoided human capture.
Buffy worked for three hours straight, intelligently “cat-napping” whenever we stopped briefly.
Sunday morning she was dually rewarded with a big meal and a swim in the creek. Hopefully before she goes back to Perth next week she will go out again for a daylight bust, and then come up on a monthly basis before moving here permanently early next year.
Sarah is doing great work with the dingoes proving what a remarkable animal they are and helping so much with the Cane Toad problem. I was very amazed that Buffy left alone the natives and focused only on the
invasive toad. A big problem I have read about is that many of the human volunteers don't know, or in some cases care about, the difference between the toads and the native frogs. Best of luck to Sarah, Buffy and the rest of Team Dingo in the making the movement of the Toad, implode.
In Clinton County Indiana:
Splash into Fall Festival: Will include a Snake show from "Snakehead" Ed Ferrer (who is also the president of the Hoosier Herpetological Society), a presentation about the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat program, netting in the creek for macro-invertebrates, fly tying, I will also be there with some amphibians to check out It is a free event with lunch provided, Its designed for fun for the whole family at beautiful Camp Cullom!
For more info contact the Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District: 765-659-1223 ext 3
Holiday Inn Hotel and Joliet Convention Center, near Chicago Midwest Frog Fest
The show will be held at the: Holiday Inn Hotel and Joliet Convention Center 411 South Larkin Avenue Joliet, IL 60436 815-729-2000
Admission For Saturday Show: Adults: $7.00 Children 5-12: $5.00 Seniors: $5.00 Military: Free (with valid ID) Kids under 5: Free
| Come meet and speak with some of the nation's premiere amphibian, Dart and Tree frog breeders. Midwest Frog Fest will also feature a host of vendors involved in the amphibian hobby. There will be a multitude of frogs, and other captive bred amphibians for sale. In addition to that, there will be many different kinds of plants, feeder insects, and vivarium supplies to choose from. We are very excited to host this great event. Midwest Frog Fest is providing an excellent vendor setting with an extra room for speakers and workshops. There will be a LIVE auction with all proceeds benefiting the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center. We hope to see you there! |
In Belfountain Ontario Canada
The annual one-and-only Salamander Festival in Belfountain arrives Saturday (Sept. 30), running 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The community welcomes visitors, offering a pancake breakfast, traditional bake table, BBQ lunch, vendors, a mini-market, pet parade, silent auction as well as entertainment by the Allegro Children's Orchestra, and Council Fire First Nation performers. Bring your friends, family and enjoy what the hamlet has to offer. For more, contact Madelon Stevenson at 519-927-9087 or visit belfountain.ca.
$6.5 million has been alotted for buying habitat to protect the Californian Red-legged frog as well as a few other endangered species. This sounds like a great opportunity for the frog to get a leg up, so to speak.
Canada Post: Species at risk found on new stamps
The Blotched Tiger Salamander is to be one of four new stamps featuring "Species at Risk" in Canada. The other three in the set will in be the the Blue Racer, the Swift Fox and the Newfoundland Marten. A water creature set will follow in 2007 and air creatures in 2008. If you collect herp stamps, I would jump on this before they are gone.
New list of Georgia's protected species gives snapshot of how critters are doing
While the cougar was removed from the list, not because its populations are better, but because of extirpation, many species are being looked at carefully so they don't have the same misfortune. Several herps have been added or status changed including the striped newt, flatwoods salamander, gopher frog and the hognose snake. This seems like a positive move in the right direction to helping these animals regain their healthy population status.
Here is a good article explaining the natural history of the gray treefrog in Minnesota. Something it doesn't mention is that there are two species of Gray treefrogs through much of the range, including Minnesota. The two are identical in appearance but have unique calls. One also has twice the chromosomes as the other. The two species are:
Cope's Gray Treefrog
Hyla chrysoscelis
Gray Treefrog
Hyla versicolor
If you find a gray treefrog, be sure to see which species, if not both species is in your area.
Another beautiful herping day in Clinton County. The temp was between 67 and 69 and it was partly cloudy with eminent rain waiting, just the way I like it! We spent the afternoon hiking and herping at Bryan Woods Nature Preserve, Clinton County's only State Preserve looking for herps, but particularly the marbled salamander. We started off finding a shrew or vole under a log, I was excited abut the prospects of seeing a snake by this, I know they are there, but I have yet to see any reptile there. We found a toad right off. A handsome little fellow. It was a hybrid, mostly americanus, but some spots looked fowleri. We went to where the large vernal pool is located. There was no standing water. Here we have found what I thought were smallmouth salamanders, later to discover after showing the photos, they were most likely a hybrid of some sort. JJL maybe? I have also seen salamander egg masses at this spot in the spring as well. It is kind of strange looking around at all the vegetation and the fallen trees remembering how I walked out on those to look into the water just a few months ago. Here we found our first salamander of the day. I think it was a smallmouth (A. texanum), but I can't say for sure. We then found another toad, this one full B. americanus. Both toads seemed to be a few years old by their size. I was a bit surprised we didn't find any metamorphs this time. Then our big find was under a large log about 4 feet long and maybe 24" in diameter. Three sallies all under the same log! They were very pretty. If we lived farther north, I would be sure they were blue-spotted salamanders, but given our location is in the hybrid zone, your guess is as good as mine. I wish there was a noninvasive, inexpensive method to swap them and check them. These seem very similar to the ones we found earlier in the year that I have received different ideas from different experts. The bottom line seems to be that it is impossible to tell for sure from a photo, the chromosomes need to be checked. This leaves some questions about protection here in Indiana. The ones at Bryan Woods are protected no matter what they are because it is a State Preserve, but what if they are found nearby at a construction site. The blue-spotted (A. laterale) is a species of special concern, but if it gets changed to endangered, this could be a big problem. Are hybrids protected, are they truly hybrids? There are many questions about this species complex, even the name is a misconception. Most refer to it as the jeffersonium complex, but there have been members without the J chromosome. The laterale seems to be the only one that is always there, so it would make a better name. I'm getting away from the point here. It started to cloud over a little more so we pressed on rather quickly. We found one more that looked very similar to the other three. The camera was being fussy so the photos of the last one didn't turn out very well. The rain started just as we made it back to the car. I used my Furmont "Stump Ripper" and this is the first time I can remember that my back doesn't hurt after flipping logs. We saw no reptiles or marbled salamanders, but it was a wonderful afternoon, all five of us had a herp find, I believe this is the first time that has ever happened. My kids are getting very good at this, they are much more excited about it when they make a find. Another oddity I noticed is that all five of the salamanders had a SVL of 57mm. I expected it with the three that were together, but the other two surprised me a bit.
State: 40B project will impact salamander
The four toed salamander has put off a housing development, or at least made them consider downsizing.