Have you seen these two? Report it to MassWildlife!

Have you seen the Spotted Turtle?


or the Northern Leopard Frog??

(photos provided by New Hampshire Fish and Game Department)

MassWildlife wants to know and so does the MPA!


This news bulletin came out yesterday in MassWildlife's monthly news release:

REPORT HERPS!

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) is asking interested conservationists for reports or sightings of certain specific reptiles and amphibians. The species of NHESP interest include: Smooth Greensnake, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Eastern Ribbonsnake, Eastern Musk Turtle, Spotted Turtle, and the Northern Leopard Frog. NHESP is particularly interested in sightings of the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake.

These particular species are of interest for a variety of reasons:
1) the species is thought to be rare, declining or vulnerable, but there is insufficient information on the condition, number and size of populations to make a determination;

2) the species was removed from the official regulatory list, but the Program believes it still is in need of some conservation attention;

3) the species distribution and abundance are not well known. Herpetologists want to bring attention to and track reports of these reptiles and amphibian in order to determine whether any of the species listed are appropriate for proposal to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list.

Anyone who has seen the above mentioned wildlife are encouraged to submit a Rare Animal Observation Form found on-line at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/pdf/electronic_animal_form.pdf.

Information needed includes date of sighting, specific mapped location and a photo of the observed animal. Submit the form, map and photo(s) to: Data Manager, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, MassWildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. For more information about this conservation effort, visit the following web page: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/conservation/herps/reptiles_amphibians_undstat.htm.