What is PA HERP:
PAHERP – short for the Pennsylvania Herpetological Education and Resource Project – is an online resource center for the conservation of reptiles and amphibians of Pennsylvania. Our slogan “ID-Submit-Conserve” goes along with all three steps of PA HERP.
ID- The PA HERP ID site is an educational portal for individuals to learn information of each species in PA. Each species has detailed photos, habitat information, a range map and information on color and characteristics.
Submit - The PA HERP Database is an important step to involve the public in data collection and online submission for all 76 reptile and amphibian species of Pennsylvania. This data will aid in research, conservation and educational outreach throughout the state.
Conserve – Data submitted on all tracked reptile and amphibian species will organized on the PA Herpetological Atlas website and forwarded to the PFBC and Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program for entry into the PNHP database. Thus, critical information on the location of these species will
be available for conservation planning and decision making.
Conservation Need:
Pennsylvania is home to an extraordinary diversity of amphibian and reptile species. Many of these species have either shown evidence of population decline or have life-history traits that make them susceptible to decline.There is a critical need for information on 36 amphibian and reptile species in Pennsylvania (Wildlife Action Plan priority species). Most of these species are sparsely distributed over large areas, making it difficult to accurately survey for their presence and abundance. However, large numbers of people involved in a variety of outdoor activities (hiking, camping, fishing, etc.) regularly come across individuals of these species. The PA HERP project proposes to involve the public in obtaining information through online education and data submission. This project will build on a present effort (the Pennsylvania Online Herpetological Atlas) that is already obtaining valuable data on a number of amphibian and reptile species of conservation concern.
