Frequently Asked Questions About the Herp Atlas Project

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What are Herps? The word "herp" is short for herpetofauna, which is the general term for amphibians and reptiles as a group. Frogs, toads and salamanders are amphibians, while turtles, snakes and lizards are reptiles.

What is the Herp Atlas Project? Did you know that there are approximately 70 species of amphibians and reptiles in New York State? They occur in a wide variety of habitats from the Adirondack Mountains to the Finger Lakes to Long Island's ocean waters as well as in the cities and suburbs in between. The Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Project (Herp Atlas) was a ten year survey that was designed to document the geographic distribution of New York State's herpetofauna.

The survey began in 1990 and continued through the end of 1999. During this ten year period we have compiled data that will result in documenting the current distribution of New York's herpetofauna. Records prior to 1989 are also being compiled, and will comprise an historic database.

The unit of measurement for collecting atlas data is the USGS 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle. Our goal was to record at least 20 species in each of these quads. Some quads, such as those in the lower Hudson Valley, have many more, while others, such as those in the Adirondacks and where there are high human populations, have fewer.

What was the Purpose? In order to monitor changes in populations and to make sound management decisions, we must have a reliable information base from which to work. The information we gather today on the current status of our populations will help us tomorrow to document what changes may be taking place.

In the past decade or two there has been much discussion concerning the status of populations of amphibians. While there seems to be a general decline in this group of animals, long term monitoring projects are the only way to address this problem with scientific accuracy.

NYS Herp Atlas Project
NYSDEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4754