http://www.paherp.org/forum/ PAHERP Forum » Forum: General Talk - Recent Topics en Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:08:54 +0000 http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/silent-spring-sooner-than-you-think#post-695 Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:18:52 +0000 DirkStabula 695@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Few people realize the subtle squeaks that send them gently off to sleep on starry spring nights are frequently caused by Spring Peepers, an adorable frog whose soporific squawk renders cacophonous crickets’ vibrations vapid. Yet, as Rachel Carson alluded to in her vanguard volume Silent Spring, Mother Nature stands to lose many of her composers. Due to the effects of Global Climate Change and habitat loss, Wood Frogs, Spring Peepers, an assortment of salamanders, and other creatures may lose their homes and disappear forever.<br /> Many of these animals have complicated breeding needs that can only be met in temporary shallow woodland ponds known as vernal pools. These pools provide an ideal habitat in which these delicate species can moisten their skin during the desiccant summer heat. Due to their ephemeral essence and inland isolation, vernal pools also provide a nursery ground for eggs and tadpoles devoid of predatory fish. The circle of life for amphibians revolves around the presence of these pools, which are diminishing in number for a multitude of reasons. Increased temperature shrivels the abundance and size of vernal pools. When climactic vicissitude violates the integrity of pools, it forces ambulatory amphibians to travel farther in their search for sanctuary, and habitat destruction due to the burgeoning human population’s endless quest for housing further reduces their options. Many salamander and frog species cannot withstand these perturbations, contributing to the general decline of the class amphibia.<br /> Vernal pools are not only critical to the conservation of our amphibious friends, but also for the preservation of ground water and flood control. The loss of these pools impedes the ability of wetlands and wooded areas to absorb water after torrential downpours or during snowmelts. As witnessed this year, the loss of nature’s buffering system results in more frequent and severe flooding events, polluting water quality and accelerating soil erosion. Furthermore, the reduction in water absorption lowers the water tables, resulting in severe drought and habitat destruction during arid years. The consequences of these effects result in extraordinary economic loses and can be catastrophic for the agricultural community, recreational fishing and boating, and especially to drinking water.<br /> The admittedly depressing loss of suitable habitat should not illicit lamentation, but rather urgency! Efforts to fight climate change should be strengthened, wildlife sanctuaries extended, and efforts taken to physically rebuild vernal pools by digging out areas where rainfall can pool. By implementing these changes, water quality will be maintained, economic losses from natural flooding can be mitigated, and most importantly, the health and vitality of both communities will be preserved. If we don’t, we may be facing our own silent spring sooner than you think.</p> <p>Dirk Stabula and the HerpetoloG-Unit<br /> Lafayette College</p> <p>Contact Mr. Bill Sweeney for more information on how to help amphibians at Jacobsburg State Park! </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/pa-herp-laws-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place#post-660 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:41:45 +0000 seto2112 660@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Okay I can&#039;t get a straight answer from the PAFBC on removing snakes from people&#039;s homes. For some reason I get called from time to time. Just because the local police know that I know about snakes and have extensive experience with them. 30 years. Which includes doing educational programs and so on. Anyway-I called the PAFBC last year and they told me-they don&#039;t remove snakes cos they don&#039;t have the budget or manpower.<br /> &quot;Snakes can be removed by anyone-a neighbor, a police officer, a snake expert, exterminator, wildlife center-because we don&#039;t do it anymore&quot; &quot;The only restriction is that whoever does it may not kill the snakes&quot;</p> <p>Now wait does that include protected species ? and she said Yes. I asked does that include Rattlesnakes and Copperheads for which you need a permit and she said &quot;it&#039;s not like you&#039;re catching them to keep or eat, so it&#039;s different.&quot; So I then asked-&quot;but can&#039;t I get into trouble for possession?&quot; :She said &quot;Not under those circumstances-you are an agent of the police&quot;<br /> Okay?</p> <p>This year-I called again about this-and the guy asked who told me the original info and I told him. He&#039;s not sure that is correct and is supposed to get back to me. He morally thinks it&#039;s fine to try to save the animals but doesn&#039;t know what the legalities are. Does anyone here have a clue? Most people won&#039;t remove a Milksnake from their bathroom closet!! etc. </p> <p>BTW-Since websites like this and mine and other ones can ID snakes online quickly-80 % of the people who get IDs will leave it alone-unless it&#039;s in their house or is venomous. </p> <p>I don&#039;t want to get into trouble for by doing something the police ask me to do.</p> <p>Just to note-I never keep anything-I release them outside the home or within the same area because I know they have territories. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/yearly-goals#post-641 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 01:09:34 +0000 paherp 641@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>What are your goals for the year? Any lifers you want to make off? </p> <p>I did one of mine already - Mtn. Chrous Frogs. </p> <p>Others I would not mind seeing this year would be Green Salamanders and Valley and Ridge Salamanders. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/anyone-out-yet#post-634 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:19:11 +0000 Rattler 634@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Got word from one of my buddies that the Jeffersons are in the pools. I know one thing, i will be off work for a coupel weeks yet due to and ice fishing accident ands the herps better look out! Molly (3 yr. old daughter) and i are gunna spend some quality time herping! Cant wait for the spotteds! </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/enlighten-me#post-609 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 02:36:36 +0000 Rattler 609@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>A hatchling box turtle, does there shell hinge at birth? </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/northern-brown-snake#post-563 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:50:13 +0000 NASAAN101 563@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>hey Guys,<br /> I was at a hotel this weekend, and went for a walk and for a baby Northern Brown Snake! he tryed to bite when i first pick him up, but calmed really quickly, What are the rules about keep these snake for a day and letting them go the next morning? thank you,<br /> Nikki </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/a-possibly-odd-question-re-northern-water-snakes#post-560 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:01:48 +0000 jennysrainbow 560@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>I realize this may be an odd question, but I figured I'd ask anyway. We have 2 man-made ponds in our back yard. They are filled with Eastern Newts, Green Frogs (adult, juvenile &amp; tads), Wood Frog Tads and all sorts of aquatic insects. Last year we had our first Northern Water Snake take up residence. This year we have 3! They are doing quite a number on my other critters... and I'd love to catch and relocate the snakes to the larger lakes in our community. This, however, has proved to be a nearly impossible task. Those buggers are QUICK and since they're always in the water or at the water's edge, they can easily escape and take cover. Any ideas how we can catch them? I do find them very interesting - but in such small ponds, I fear they'll quickly do major damage to the population of everything else living in there. Thanks so much in advance for any suggestions. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/great-day-afield#post-545 Sat, 05 Jun 2010 22:07:11 +0000 Rattler 545@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Was a great to be out. We found a new TR site, 9 box turtles, 3 wood turtles, wood frogs, great horned owl, red eft's some deer and turkeys. Cant wait to get back at it tommorrow! Only bad thing of the whole day was, my batteries went out in the GPS right away so i had to rob them out of the camera, which means no pics. I have high hopes of another TR or copper site tommorrow, this time i will be prepared with some extra batteries. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/my-best-day-ever#post-536 Thu, 27 May 2010 23:17:46 +0000 Timber_Wood 536@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>I was herping last Friday in Cumberland county and found 3 different species of reptile. I'm an amateur so that was a great day for me. It would have been perfect if I had found what I was looking for, our venomous slithery friends. If anyone would be willing to help me out sometime that would be great. I know we can't list specific locations so it would be nice to go herping with a pro sometime. Here are my finds:</p> <p>5 Lined Skink<br /> <img src="http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv329/openyourmind88/ReptileShow005.jpg"></p> <p>Male 5 Lined Skink<br /> <img src="http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv329/openyourmind88/ReptileShow011.jpg"></p> <p>Ring-neck<br /> <img src="http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv329/openyourmind88/ReptileShow010.jpg"></p> <p>Wood turtle<br /> <img src="http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv329/openyourmind88/ReptileShow022.jpg"> </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/come-on-warm-weather#post-524 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:00:12 +0000 Rattler 524@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>I'm so ready to get out and finds some rattle tails it ain't even funny. Them warm days the other week had me pasified with my 1 find, but now i'm starting to wine around again. LOL We didnt even have rain that we can road cruise lately. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/basking-turtles#post-504 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 23:30:32 +0000 Daileye1 504@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>I love how there are dozens of logs available in this swamp and they all pick the ones on the other side of the pond to test my full zoom capability...</p> <p><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4482936732_7ba2baa2b9.jpg"> </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/are-they-basking-yet#post-501 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:12:25 +0000 Timber_Wood 501@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>I was thinking about herping tomorrow for Timbers &amp; Coppers specifically. It is supposed to be in the 70's. If I find a den site or a good basking spot, is it worth it to herp this early? Has anyone else seen anything this year yet? </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/aging-turtles#post-496 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:23:05 +0000 Rattler 496@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Anyone know if you can age a turtle and if so how you do it? </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/our-condolences-to-phil-and-family#post-491 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:45:25 +0000 paherp 491@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>We all here at PAHERP express deepest sympathy and send our condolences to Phil Dunning and his family at the passing of Phil's Father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/what-a-beautiful-day#post-484 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:32:27 +0000 Rattler 484@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Was out with the wife, daughter and friend and we had a good day. We seen wood frogs and egg masses. Spotted egg masses, spotted turtle, painted turtle, brown snake. We also came across a spotted larve from a fall breeding. Was a cool day! Will be back at it tommorrow. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/found-my-first-herp-of-the-year#post-455 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:52:57 +0000 Rattler 455@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>I was out at a swamp near my house today running my beagles, and I came across my first herp for the year. I was a giant spotted sally. Boy, was i stoked! I was lookin at the 10 day weather and it looks like next friday and saturday is going to rain. Looks like some good nights to look for sallies around vernal pools/ Am i right with that statement? I'm going out to listen for wood frogs now. I dont know if its the right time or not but now i ready. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/just-introducing-myself#post-468 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:17:02 +0000 Scott Thomson 468@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>been living in Warren last 12 months and found this site. I will be here for 12 more months and in that time am happy to help out with anything regarding turtles.</p> <p>I am a research biologist specialising in the taxonomy and palaeontology of Australasian Turtles, and yes I am a long way from home. For those interested my old web site is <a href="http://www.carettochelys.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.carettochelys.com/</a> </p> <p>Have described 5 species and one genus throughout my career and am very interested in seeing some Pensyvanian Turtles while I am here.</p> <p>Cheers, Scott </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/what-a-winter#post-451 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:41:31 +0000 Rattler 451@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Im tired of staring a google earth, and snake huntin in my mind. Just thinkin of all the critters and wondering how they are making out. It seems to me that the winter may not be as hard on the snakes with all this snow down. i would guess it would insulate better, and the cold cant penitrate as easily. Whats your thoughts? </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/habitat-question#post-445 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:51:27 +0000 Daileye1 445@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4315423158_f78d2bb182.jpg "></p> <p>Looking back at 2009 season photos I came across the above shot that I took about 5 seconds prior to spotting a garter snake about 2 feet away heading away. Temp was unusually warm and sunny (71F) briefly. Tree roots are located in a bank that borders the creek and are about 4 feet above creek level. Area can be flooded in severe flood times. </p> <p>My question the darker soil area looks newly disturbed. Could the garter snake come from within the soil/debris. It was lightly packed or is it more likely that something else disturbed the area? </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/help-please-dead-frogs-in-pond#post-440 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:29:32 +0000 VictoriaL 440@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>I have a small window of opportunity here, and it doesn't look as thoughh these forums are active in the winter months, but I have not been able to find an answer anywhere else. Please, if you can help me, post a reply! I'll be checking back often in the next several hours.</p> <p>The thick ice on our 8x18-foot pond melted during our warm weather yesterday and I found, this morning, 2 "dead" frogs in the shallow end. One was floating just under the water level, upsikde down. His eyes are clouded over, but he otherwise looks like he is sleeping. The other, I can only see the back 1/2 of him as the front 1/2 is under a rock ledge. His legs are splayed a bit.</p> <p>ARE they dead of still hibernating? Should I move them, if still alive, to an area in deeper water (about 20" rather than the 6" they are in now)? If they are dead, I should probably remove them before they decompose. We have several goldfish in the pond, too, and I have been making a large air hole in the ice all winter (unfortunately at the opposite corner of where these frogs were discovered).</p> <p>Any help????? THANKS!!! </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/christmas-frogs-in-alaska#post-402 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:12:29 +0000 Daileye1 402@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>[url=http://tdn.com/news/article_c05bec76-ec2c-11de-ad7b-001cc4c03286.html][/url]</p> <p>I don't know if others picked up on this story this weekend but apparently Chrous frogs are hitching a ride to Alaska in Christmas Trees. Alaskan wildlife officials fear of the potential for disease transmission and Invasive species establishment and are recommending that anyone finding these kill them (numerous methods outlined in the article), keep them for life or call a number and hopefully get them reestablished somewhere alive. </p> <p>What did strike me about these articles is the total lack of accountability attributed to the HUMAN practices that created this potential situation. Seriously is there really a need to import christmas trees to Alaska? Not really surprised by this just saddened... </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/merry-christmas#post-405 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:46:58 +0000 paherp 405@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Merry Christmas to all. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/anything-good#post-375 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:34:48 +0000 paherp 375@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Some nice weather for the weekend. Hope a few of you are getting out an about. I got out a little today. I did not see anything but a DUR (dead under rock) ravine salamander. I'm still curious as to how that happened. Figured maybe someone stepped on the rock while walking the path. </p> <p>Post your finds. Will be nice to see what everyone is finding with this warm spell. </p> <p>I might get out tomorrow, not sure though. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/hellbender-videos#post-352 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:50:24 +0000 Vanessa 352@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Wanted to let everyone know that I just posted 2 videos about the Eastern Hellbender at <a href="http://www.NatureBreak.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.NatureBreak.org</a>. I got some cool underwater footage of them that I think you'll all like. I'd love to hear what you think of them! </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/warm#post-354 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:50:44 +0000 paherp 354@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Warm weather coming this week. Get out there herping </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/road-cruisin-this-weekend#post-346 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:07:41 +0000 Rattler 346@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Is the weather too cold for sallies and froggers? </p> <p>I don't know but im gunna give it a go tonight. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/winter-plans#post-320 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:24:32 +0000 Rattler 320@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>So now that the things are slowing down, what are everyones plans for the long winter ahead. </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/bad-weather-good-day#post-241 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:58:12 +0000 Rattler 241@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Waited the weather out and was rewarded with a decent day after all. Seen five TR, some gravid to confirm a rookery. 1 black racer spotted by the WCO that went with, 2 wood frogs, 2 toads, and 1 garter snake. Had a decent Saturday last week with the S.E. TR team leader, confirmed another site despite weather not coperating. Going tommorrow, hopefully with more luck. Anyone else getting any herping in? </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/rave-philly-zoo#post-302 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:01:47 +0000 Daileye1 302@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>I was quite pleased with the herp displays at the Philadelphia Zoo. They do a nice job mixing the local species (Timbers, Coppers, Spotted turtles, Pine Barren Frogs) with more exotic ones. </p> <p><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3945815997_d25f875e24_m.jpg"><br /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/3945818815_3af2648307_m.jpg"><br /> <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/3946599852_a4dc386aaa_m.jpg"> </p> http://www.paherp.org/forum/topic/database-challenge#post-306 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:56:46 +0000 krloucks 306@http://www.paherp.org/forum/ <p>Ok folks, your mission is to get <em>at least </em>one entry in the DB in every month of the year. Yes, that means year round herping. Dont let the calendar stop you from getting out there. Now go get 'em! </p>