kingsnake.com - reptile and amphibian classifieds, breeders, forums, photos, videos and more

return to main index

  mobile - desktop
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter follow us on YouTube link to us on LinkedIn
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research  
click here for Rodent Pro
Mice, Rats, Rabbits, Chicks, Quail
Available Now at RodentPro.com!
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Herp Photo of the Day: Happy Rattlesnake Friday! . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day: Milk Snake . . . . . . . . . .  St. Louis Herpetological Society - July 13, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  San Diego Herp Society Meeting - July 15, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - July 19, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - July 20, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - July 25, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Suncoast Herp Society Meeting - July 26, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - July 26, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Tucson Herpetological Society Meeting - July 28, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Southwestern Herp Society Meeting - Aug 02, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - Aug 06, 2025 . . . . . . . . . . 

Re: Amphibian Decline


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Hognose Forum ]

Posted by Colchicine on December 19, 2002 at 21:58:20:

In Reply to: Re: Amphibian Decline posted by Clintsky on December 19, 2002 at 20:28:27:

I have not problems with sacrificing one toad to save hundreds. In fact, I keep only toads as I find that the shed skin is best for scenting.

As far as your observations. What I can say is that the literature I have read on amphibian populations often contradict any qualitative observations. Amphibians are subject to extreme population fluctuations and the observations from any one year probably are not indicative of the population on an average. I have often explained to people on these forums who have lesser understanding of ecology than you, that casual observations are no replacement of research conducted with scientific methods, nor will it ever discredit the mountains of literature produced on the subject over the last 20 yrs. If amphibian populations are stable or increasing in your area, then that is fantastic. But I don't think that alone should be a deciding factor in your belief of amphibian decline! In fact, perceived abundance (or even presence) is no indicator of population stability. Recent studies on the common herbicide, atrazine, and shown that extremely low concentrations of the chemical can cause hermaphroditism in males. Anybody making casual observations could easily say these frogs are not in danger, when in fact the males are virtually useless to the population because of their sterility. In no way should the deformed males be counted as a credit towards the species population.

Great discussion!


Follow Ups:




[ Follow Ups ] [ The Hognose Forum ]