ATTENTION TEXAS HERPERS

Texas Parks and Wildlife Needs Your Field Data

The Wildlife Diversity Program at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is engaged in a program tracking a number of species of wildlife throughout the state and they need the help of the Texas herpetological community. In essence, they need our field data for the species they are monitoring. If you are a field herper in Texas, this is your opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the herpetology of Texas. The data being collected is being used to build the Texas Natural Diversity Database (TXNDD).

Below is a list of all species of wildlife that they are interested in tracking, not just reptiles and amphibians. Please note that this listing is extensive consisting of 21 pages. There are 27 species of amphibians and 36 species of reptiles currently included on this list.

The TXNDD is TPWD's most comprehensive source of information on rare, threatened, and endangered plants, animals, natural vegetation communities, and significant natural resources. Data entered into the TXNDD is used by public and private entities for environmental regulation compliance, project impact evaluation, conservation planning, and research.

TPWD Tracked Species List

Northern Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea copei) from Sabine County, Texas                                       Photo by John Williams

When you observe any of the tracked list species, you are requested to record the needed data using the Texas Natural Diversity Database Reporting Form that is available at the below link and forward it to the Wildlife Diversity Program at TPWD. You are also being asked to plot the location where the species was observed, either as GPS coordinates or on a topographic map, and send that information along with a photo of the animal (if available) with the reporting form.

If you are conducting a targeted search for a specific tracked species please submit a Texas Natural Diversity Database Reporting Form for your survey regardless of the results. Negative data for these types of searches is valuable to the TXNDD.

It is assumed that data submitted to the TXNDD were obtained while in compliance with all Texas laws, including obtaining landowner permission before entering private property.

Texas Natural Diversity Database Reporting Form

Mexican Treefrog (Smilisca baudinii) from Cameron County, Texas                                                                Photo by Gary Nafis

You may use the below link to print copies of the necessary topo maps. It is one of several online sources for topo maps. The vendor that we have linked to below does provide a free two-week trial subscription.

Topographic Maps

Texas Indigo Snake (Drymarchon melanurus erebennus) from Zavala County, Texas                                   Photo by Jason Penney

The completed reporting forms should be sent to:

Texas Natural Diversity Database
Wildlife Diversity Program
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, Texas 78744
txndd@tpwd.state.tx.us

If you have questions you may contact the Wildlife Diversity Program at (512) 389-8111 or State Herpetologist Andy Gluesenkamp at (512) 389-8722.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TEXAS NATURAL DIVERSITY DATABASE.

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