Live in Michigan? Have you seen a frog or a snake in the wild lately? If so, the state wants to know where and when as it is working on a statewide in
Live in Michigan? Have you seen a frog or a snake in the wild lately? If so, the state wants to know where and when as it is working on a statewide inventory of herps called the Herp Atlas Project.
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Boreal chorus frog.
Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources wants you to report any sightings of any reptiles and amphibians. The department wants to know about all species regardless if they are common or rare. The department will analyze the data to determine such things as distribution data and changes to populations.
You can verify any species sightings by submitting a photo, an audio recording, or if the animal happens to be dead, a body part, but animals shouldn’t be killed for identification purposes.
As of April 17, there are 6487 records, with 31 entries on April 17. Users of the website have recorded 6 endangered species, 111 threatened species, and 1037 species of concern.
You can enter your sighting data on the Michigan Herp Atlas website at http://www.miherpatlas.org/, or by downloading the Apple iOS or Android app at http://www.miherpatlas.org/app.php.
John B. Virata keeps a western hognose snake, a ball python, two corn snakes, a king snake, and two leopard geckos. His first snake, a California kingsnake, was purchased at the Pet Place in Westminster, CA for $5. His first pet reptile was a green anole that arrived in a small box via mail order. Follow him on Twitter @johnvirata
