H is for Herps
I had to type that one carefully for this day 8 entry into the AtoZ Challenge. One extra letter or wrong letter and I am either attracting the “wrong” crowd or some foodie will wander in here wondering what kind of weird recipes I am promoting here. Herps is the vernacular for reptiles and amphibians, derived from the general word for them of herpetofauna or their study herpetology.
Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), #RE-2452 | Nikon F5, Sigma 400 f/5.6 lens, Kodak E100VS film, photographed in 1999
Herps are dire warning indicators of changes happening around the planet. Being extremely sensitive indicators of their environment conditions, their extinction rate is skyrocketing. The IUCN predicts for every four species of herps, one of them is nearing extinction or vulnerable to extinction. And, it’s accelarating.
The sad bit, 99 percent of the current threatened species are at risk from human activities, primarily those driving habitat loss, introduction of exotic species, wildlife trafficking and climate change. As far as Endangered Species Act protection, there is very little. In 2012, there were only 58 of the 1400 species in the ESA that were herpetofauna.
The rates of extinction are quite alarming. Of course, extinction has happened througout the Earth’s history, long before we were around to screw things up. Scientists measure the difference between the current rate, and the background extinction rate, or normal rate. Amphibians, being the most sensitive, the rate may range from 25,039 to 45,474 times the background extinction rate, according to a study by Malcum McCallum in the Journal of Herpetology in 2007.
Frog in duckweed #FR-8633
The best thing people can do is educate themselves on the state of herps in their area, do not buy herps as pets (!), be wary of chemicals we use around our house and on our local landscape, and reduce our carbon footprint. And, if you come down with a case of herps, be thankful!
Some great resources in Michigan are:
Herp Best Practices in Michigan
Michigan Society of Herpetologists
Not only are they disappearing, they’re mutating as well. A photographer friend of mine documents frogs and other herps that have extra legs or some other deformity. They’re seeing more and more of it.
This is one subject that I haven’t filmed a lot of and there’s really no excuse why. I have some wetlands near the tallgrass prairie I’ve been documenting so I really need to get some waders on and get in the water!
I love these photos! Very nicely done. I hope with nice images of these animals we can help a couple more people think about these animals prior to destroying their habitats.
@AllysePanaro from
The Frog Lady
One can only hope Allyse, thanks.
Very sad but true. Love the frog in duckweed!
Thanks Howard.
There are some very awesome pictures on your blog. Great entry to the A to Z Challenge.
Thank you Sarina.