How to Observe and Identify Herpetofauna How to Observe and Identify HerpetofaunaPrecise location. One of the primary purposes of this project is to determine the
geographic distribution of Colorado’s herpetofauna, so observations without
location information are almost useless. The best way to indicate the location
is to mark it on a topographic map. You can do that directly in this website
when you enter your observations to the Colorado Herpetofaunal
Database. During field observations, if possible, obtain
UTM
(Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinates using a global positioning system
(GPS). As a cross-check on this information, or if you do not have a GPS unit,
please record a written description of the location (plus the county name). You
might describe the location like this: “West side of Frog Lake, 3.4 miles
by road west of Colorado Highway 17,” or “County Road 63, 2.3 miles
south of its junction with Colorado Highway 23,” or “1.7 airline
miles west and 2.1 airline miles north of Juniper Peak.” If
possible, report the elevation and provide Township/Range/Section information.
You can’t really record too much information on the location.
Date. In order to be able to determine trends in the distribution and abundance of Colorado’s herpetofauna, observation information must have a date associated with it.
Observer’s name.
Once you
register as an observer on this
website, you can just type in your observer identification (ID) number when you
enter your data. Your observer information will then automatically appear. If
you will be mailing in your observation forms, it’s a good idea to record your
name, too, just in case of an error in typing or writing your ID number.
Number of individuals detected for each species. The number of individuals of each species you saw or heard is important for assessing changes in the relative abundance of species over time. If you can’t determine the exact number, simply estimate the number you detected. Do not include estimates of how many individuals might be in the area, just the number you or your group actually detected. Sometimes it will be hard to determine how many frogs are calling; in these cases you can check off the appropriate calling index on the data entry form.
To identify an unknown
amphibian or reptile, refer to the photographs and text in the
species
portion of this website, or get a copy of the book Amphibians and Reptiles in
Colorado
(second
edition), by Geoffrey A. Hammerson, published in 1999 by the University Press of
Colorado.
Photograph. Your observations will be most valuable if you
submit a photograph to document which amphibian or reptile species you observed.
This allows others to have confidence in your identifications, and it allow us
to make maximal use of your information for scientific analyses. Of course,
taking a photograph won’t always be possible. In these cases, you should record
in the data entry form a brief note that describes the identifying
characteristics you observed in your specimen(s).
Bring plenty of data sheets
with you into the field. Always record information when you are in
the field. Good science does not rely on memory!
Take the time to find your survey site on a topographic
map. It’s essential that you know where you are.
Visit a site at different times of the year and under
different weather conditions, and try to visit a site in different years. Doing
multiple surveys will increase your chances of finding most of the species that
occur in the area and will allow you to document year-to-year changes.
Be gentle on the animals
and their habitat. Do not trample amphibian breeding sites. If you look under
rocks or logs, return them to their original positions (then release any animals
you captured). The microhabitats under these objects are used by many kinds of
organisms; it may take years to develop suitable conditions for some of
them.
Do not
collect live specimens unless you are working on a specific research project and
have the necessary scientific collection permit from the Colorado Division of
Wildlife. Instead, take photographs of the animals you find. Specimens collected
as road kills can be donated (with data) to the University of Colorado Museum in
Boulder.
Do not move
animals from one location to another. Do not release pets or other individuals
that have been in captivity with other animals or for an extended period of
time. Some of the possible results of translocating animals or releasing
captives include: death of animals released in unsuitable habitat, disruption of populations that are genetically adapted to local conditions,
transmission of disease, harm to native
wildlife if a population of the released species becomes established in a new
area, and confusion of the natural distribution of the
released species.
Clean your nets, boots, and
other gear between surveys in different locations. Some biologists feel that
this can reduce the possibility of inadvertently transferring amphibian
pathogens from one location to another.
Be careful not to create a
traffic hazard on roads. If you find a snake, turtle, and other species on a
road and can safely remove it, be sure to pull over to the side and park off the
road if possible. Record your observation data, then release the animal well off
the road on the side to which it was headed. Do not stop or attempt to retrieve
animals from heavily traveled roads if doing so would endanger you or other
motorists.
· Edges and shallows of lakes and ponds
· Marshes and other wetlands
· Creeks and margins of rivers
· Intermittent stream courses with permanent pools
· Pools that form after heavy rains or floods
· Rock outcrops
· Sandy prairies
· Plains and valleys with lots of rodent burrows
· Arroyos (dry gulches, washes)
· Debris on the ground near abandoned ranch or farm buildings
· Prairie dog towns (be alert for rattlesnakes)
Revised: July, 24 2003