Reptiles and Amphibians in the News!

African Frog re-Discovered After 62 years!

The Bururi Long-fingered Frog, a species found only in the African nation of Burundi was thought to be extinct, but a population of these frogs was found in the Bururi Forest Preserve.

For the complete story, visit the Science Daily link below:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120327152850.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+News+--+Top+Science%29

Diamondback Terrapins recorded in Broome's Island SE

Some hatchling terrapins were found on Broome's Island this past week.  The young turtles likely hatched last fall and overwintered in or near their original nest.  The recent warm spell has prompted an early appearance of numerous reptiles and amphibians this spring.

Two hatchling terrapins emerged from their nesting location on Broome's Island.  (Photograph by Kelly Rogers-Elliot)

These little turtles will grow quickly as they begin foraging for small fish, worms, and clams in the Patuxent River.      (Photograph by Kelly Rogers-Elliot)    

Reptiles and Amphibians in the News!

Local scientist leads turtle study

Learns reasons for decline

From The Recorder, a scientist working with the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons has been conducting important research on sea turtle migrations in the Pacific Ocean.


http://www.somdnews.com/article/20120323/NEWS/703239876/1074/local-scientist-leads-turtle-study&template=southernMaryland

Windy Hill Middle School is on the MARA map!




Michelle and Dru Daubon did some night time frog surveys around northern Calvert County last night.  Here are some sounds from the small pond near the entrance to Windy Hill Middle School (North Beach, NW).

Spring Peepers Peeping at Plum Point!!



There was a great chorus of Spring Peepers at this site last night.
Listen to this sample collected at 8:00 pm.

Plum Point Middle School is located in MARA block Prince Frederick, NW

The FrogLogger was placed in a small wooded wetland behind the gymnasium

We set up the FrogLogger right outside the CHESPAX office (Lower Marlboro, SE) last night.  Even those little fiberglass ponds can attract some frogs!  A few Spring Peepers can be heard on this sound clip.

Here is an audio file collected on March 13, 2012 at 8:00 pm at King's Landing Park (Lower Marlboro, SE).
The file was collected using a Song Meter 2 Automated Recording Unit, manufactured by Wildlife Acoustics.

 



What frogs can you hear??

We hope that our students apply a variety of technological tools in this STEM focused Amphibian monitoring unit.  


However, this is one application that we don't recommend that you use during your field work!

Reptiles and Amphibians in the News!

From the Washington Post, the discovery of a ranavirus, a disease that is harmful to reptile and amphibian populations has been impacting box turtles and amphibians that are part of a study of the Inter-county Connector in Montgomery County.

Deadly virus hits turtles, tadpoles in Montgomery County

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/commuting/2012/02/01/gIQA5O0Z9Q_story.html?wprss=rss_traffic&utm_source=March+2012&utm_campaign=BayStat&utm_medium=email

From the Calvert Recorder, a recent description of the MARA project from Battle Creek Cypress Swamp!

Team searches for reptiles, amphibians at Battle Creek

https://www.somdnews.com/article/20120309/NEWS/703099868/1075/team-searches-for-reptiles-amphibians-at-battle-creek&template=southernMaryland

These Spotted Salamander eggs were found in a pond in Lusby (Cove Point, CW) on March 12.  Photograph by Linda Subda.

Here is a clip from King's Landing Park (Benedict, NE) with some Spring Peeper calls.  The recording was made on March 9, 2012 by Michelle Daubon.