A herpetologist uses calipers to track a hatchling's growth. People and Turtles WHAT IS A HERPETOLOGIST? Herpetologists are scientists who study amphibians andreptiles. Frogs and salamanders are amphibians, and snakes, lizards, and turtles are reptiles; collectively, Amphibians and reptiles are called herpetofauna. Herpetolo gists usually specialize inaparticular biological discipline, such asecology, behavior, or genetics. Because so manyspecies ofamphibians andreptiles throughout theworld are declining in numbers, many herpetologists devote their scientific efforts toward conservation issues for example, investigat ing the impacts that draining or filling wetlands can have on amphibian and reptile populations. Many specialize onparticular groups, such asfrogs or turtles, or even on particular species. Herpetologists have entered the field from many different paths. Some got hooked as children when they found a painted turtle in a nearby pond or rescued a box turtle crossing the road. Others had a pet turtle bought in a pet shop. Some got interested in herpetology from a high school or college biology class field trip. Still others started studying herpetofauna later in life, perhaps after beginning a career as a wildlife biologist or man ager. Many scientific papers arewritten each year on amphibians andrep tiles, and somescientific journals publish only herpetological research, al- Ecological studies monitor and evaluate the status of turtles in particularhabitats. What Is a Herpetologist? 219
Ahoop net with guide nets attached can be usedto intercept andcapture turtles. though the research is often applicable to other animals besides amphibians or reptiles. Why Do Herpetologists Study Turtles? Herpetologists study turtles for many reasons. Turtles are particularly inter esting to ecologists because their life spans are so much longer than those ofother reptiles. Some paleontologists have focused on turtles because of the excellent and extensive fossil record that exists for them, particularly in comparison with snakes and lizards. Many conservation biologists concen trate their field research on species or groups ofturtles because ofthe many environmental threats these animals face. For example, desert tortoises in the Southwest and gopher tortoises in the Southeast have been extensively studied because both are so susceptible to human development encroach ing on their natural habitats. Research on the basic ecology, behavior, and causes of mortality of threatened or endangered species is necessary to understand how to preserve them and their habitats. Ecological studies that monitor and evaluate the status ofturtles inparticular habitats or en vironmental situations can lend insights that help conservation biologists address active orpotential environmental problems. Aframe with netting can capture turtles as they fall from favorite basking logs. How Do Herpetologists Study Turtles? Herpetologists use avariety oftechniques to study turtles, many ofthem es pecially designed for turtles' unusual body structure and behaviors. Among the commonly used techniques for capturing turtles are hoop traps that are partially submerged in aquatic habitats. The traps can be baited or have fencelike extensions that lead turtles into the mouth of the funnel. Basking traps can be highly effective in some situations. Abasic basking trap consists ofa square frame with floats on opposite sides and a mesh bottom. In one design, wooden boards allow turtles to climb up out ofthe water and bask, but when they drop back into the water they are inside the frame. Hoop traps and basking traps have been modified in many ways depending on the circumstances and the species to be captured, but the basic principles are the same: the turtle enters an enclosed area and can be collected by the turtle biologist. Both aquatic and terrestrial turtles can be captured as they cross roads inthe vicinity ofthe study area. Unfortunately, many turtles are killed byautomobiles, but even dead specimens can be used to provide information 220 What Is a Herpetologist?