Reptile and Amphibian Study

Merit Badge

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO GET THE MERIT BADGE SIGNED OFF TODAY?

1. All written material in your packet FINISHED with quality.

2. Projects and research in requirements: 1,6,8,9. 3. Prove to your counselor that you KNOW

your stuff!!

4. Coming today does NOT guarantee you will get the badge. You must do your work. Your teacher or fellow scouts do NOT do it for you!! You and only you are responsible for your work.

5. Any projects done at home must be verified by video or pictures and a note from your parent/scout master.

Words of Wisdom: How to fill out a merit badge worksheet.

Read the entire worksheet. Read the entire workbook. Re-read the entire worksheet and note the Verbs

Question 1: Describe, make sketches, show, discuss Question 2: Discuss, prepare Question 3: Describe Question 4: Explain, list, tell, list, discuss Question 5: Describe Question 6: Describe Question 7: Describe, describe, tell Question 8: Maintain, record, keep, choose, observe, study, sketch, note,

identify, share Question 9: Do, identify, imitate, stalk, discover, identify, give Question 10: Tell, give, give Always answer the question!! If it says to draw, do not list. If it says explain, don’t

describe!! Then…once done with your answer, read the question again and ask yourself….Did I answer the question, fully, using complete sentences and thoughts?

Requirement 1: (Do on your own) Describe the identifying characteristics of six species of reptiles and four species of amphibians found in the United States. For any four of these, make sketches from your own observations or take photographs. Show markings, color patterns, or other characteristics that are important in the identification of each of the four species. Discuss the habits and habitats of all 10 species.

Reptile/Amphibian Characteristics Sketch/picture Habits/habitat

Painted Turtle

Snapping Turtle

Garter Snake

Red-bellied Snake

Prairie Skink

Map Turtle

Tiger Salamander

Leopard Frog

American Toad

Make a separate page for each species. Don’t cram them all on one. Try and get photos. You must take the photo and it can not be off line!! You must also make your own observations from real animals. They can not be off line!!! If you sketch, the sketch must look good and show the characteristics you observed.

See the example on the following page

Smooth Soft Shell Turtle Characteristics

Shell leather like Pointed nose Shell smooth, no bumps on back Shell on top and bottom Olive, drab coloration Web feet

Habit and habitat are not the same thing. One relates to how it behaves and the other to where it lives and what it eats .

Habits: Very secretive Like to lay out in the sun on

sandy river banks and islands Ambush their prey, carnivore Bury themselves in the gravel

to hide Fast swimmers Stick nose out of water to

breath.

Habitat: Food, shelter, water Food: minnows, dead fish, insects Shelter: water with a current,

generally sandy/gravel bottom, exposed flats. Sandy exposed shore needed for nesting

Water: mostly rivers, large lakes, not wetlands

Take Photos!!! And get yourself in the photo if possible.

Can you identify

these animals

?

Requirement 2 Discuss with your merit badge counselor the approximate number of species and general geographic distribution of reptiles and amphibians in the United States. Prepare a list of the most common species found in your local area or state.

Category Species Totals

VERTEBRATE ANIMALS

Mammals 428

Birds 784

Reptiles 311

Amphibians 295

Fishes 1,154

Total Vertebrate Animals 2,972

PLANTS

Flowering plants (angiosperms) 16,499

Conifers (gymnosperms) 122

Ferns 658

Mosses 1,024

Liverworts 440

Total Plants 18,743

TOTAL SPECIES in the U.S. 21,715

Species diversity is a measure of the diversity within an ecological community that incorporates both species richness (the number of species in a community) and the evenness of species' abundances. Species diversity is one component of the concept of biodiversity.

Examples of Biodiversity in the U.S.

Look at the map and try and figure out why the reptiles are where they are. Think of climate and topography and they type of vegetation that grows in each area.

Look at the map and try and figure out why the reptiles are where they are. Think of climate and topography and they type of vegetation that grows in each area.

Minnesota United States

Snakes 17 142

Turtles 9 56

Lizards 3 111

Frogs and Toads 11/3 104

Salamanders 7 191

Species distribution maps ( go to Minnesota DNR website for more information)

Common name Scientific Name Status

Spotted Salamander

Ambystoma maculatum

Least Concern

Blue-spotted Salamander

Ambystoma laterale

Least Concern

Tiger Salamander

Ambystoma tigrinum

Least Concern

Four-toed Salamander

Hemidactylium scutatum

Special Concern

Common Mudpuppy

Necturus maculosus

Least Concern

Central Newt Notophthalmus viridescens

Least Concern

Red Back Salamander

Plethodon cinereus

Least Concern

Minnesota’s Amphibians and Reptiles

Pictures and information from Wikipedia on-line

Salamanders

Northern Cricket Frog

Acris crepitans Least Concern, Endangered in Minnesota

Cope's Gray Treefrog

Hyla chrysoscelis Least Concern

Eastern Gray Treefrog

Hyla versicolor Least Concern

Spring Peeper

Pseudacris crucifer

Least Concern

Western Chorus Frog

Pseudacris triseriata

Least Concern

Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana

Least Concern

Green Frog Rana clamitans Least Concern

Pickerel Frog Rana palustris Least Concern

Northern Leopard Frog

Rana pipiens Least Concern

Mink Frog Rana septentrionalis

Least Concern

Wood Frog Rana sylvatica Least Concern

Northern Cricket Frog Cope’s Gray Treefrog Eastern Gray Treefrog

Spring Peeper Western Chorus Frog Bullfrog

Green Frog

Pickerel Frog

Northern Leopard Frog

Mink Frog Wood Frog

Minnesota Frogs

Common name

Scientific Name

Status

American Toad

Bufo americanus

Least Concern

Great Plains Toad

Bufo cognatus

Least Concern

Canadian Toad

Bufo hemiophrys

Least Concern

Scout Jared Schultz with an American Toad

A toad on a toad stool.

Minnesota Toads

Western Hognose Snake Heterodon nasicus Least Concern

Western Fox Snake Pantherophis vulpinus Least Concern

Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus Least Concern

Smooth Green Snake Opheodrys vernalis (sometimes Liochlorophis vernalis)

Not Evaluated

Ringneck Snake Diadophis punctatus Least Concern

Plains Garter Snake Thamnophis radix Least Concern

Northern Water Snake Nerodia sipedon Least Concern

Northern Redbelly Snake Storeria occipitomaculata Least Concern

Lined Snake Tropidoclonion lineatum Least Concern

Eastern Yellowbelly Racer Coluber constrictor flaviventris

Not Evaluated

Eastern Milk Snake Lamptopeltis triangulum triangulum

Not Evaluated

Eastern Massasauga Sistrurus catenatus Least Concern

Eastern Hognose Snake Heterodon platyrhinos Least Concern

Eastern Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis Least Concern

Bullsnake Pituophis catenifer sayi Not Evaluated

Brown Snake Storeria dekayi Least Concern

Black Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta Not Evaluated

W. Hognose Snake W. Fox Snake Timber Rattlesnake

Smooth Green Snake Ringneck Snake Plains Garter Snake

N. Water Snake N. Redbelly Snake Lined Snake

E. Yellowbelly Racer E. Milk Snake E. Massasauga

E. Hognose Snake Brown Snake Black Rat Snake

E. Garter Snake Bullsnake

Minnesota Snakes

Blanding's turtle Emydoidea blandingii

Endangered

Common snapping turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Least Concern

False map turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica

Least Concern

Northern map turtle

Graptemys geographica

Least Concern

Ouachita map turtle

Graptemys ouachitensis

Least Concern

Painted turtle Chrysemys picta bellii

Least Concern

Spiny softshell turtle

Apalone spinifera spinifera

Not Evaluated

Smooth softshell turtle

Trionyx muticus Special Concern

Wood turtle Glyptemys insculpta

Endangered

Blanding’s Turtle Common Snapping Turtle

False Map Turtle

Northern Map Turtle Ouachita Map Turtle

Painted Turtle Spiny Softshell Turtle Wood Turtle

Smooth Softshell Turtle

Minnesota Turtles

Five-lined skink Eumeces fasciatus

Least Concern

Total length of 5–8.5 inches (13–22 cm); maximum body length of 3.4 inches (8.6 cm); brown to black body with short legs; juveniles have a blueish tail that turns to grey with maturation[42][43]

Prairie Skink Eumeces septentrionalis

Least Concern

Maximum body length of 8.8 inches (22 cm); juveniles are blue, adults are tan with black stripes[44]

Six-lined Racerunner

Cnemidophorus sexlineatus

Least Concern

Total length of 6–10.5 inches (15–27 cm); maximum body length of 3.4 inches (8.6 cm); light yellow to white stripes alternating with black stripes down back[45]

Requirement 3: Describe the main differences between a. Amphibians and reptiles b. Alligators and crocodiles c. Toads and frogs d. Salamanders and lizards e. Snakes and lizards

Phylum: Chordata Chordates, including humans, all have four common characteristics: a dorsal nerve cord, a

notochord, pharyngeal gill slits, and a post-anal tail.

Subphylum: Vertebrata The members of subphylum Vertebrata possess a notochord during the embryonic period.

The notochord is replaced by a cartilaginous or bony vertebral column in the adult

Class:

How would I classify the amphibians and reptiles?

Carl Linnaeus 1707-1778

Agnatha Chondrichthyes Osteichthyes Amphibia Reptilia Aves Mammalia

Amphibia (Amphibians) Reptilia (Reptiles)

Vertebrata Amphibians Reptiles

Amphibian means “double life”. Most live in water as a larvae and on land as an adult. They lay eggs in a water/moist environment that do not have shells. Most adults breath with lungs, lack scales, lack claws, and have a moist skin that contains mucous glands.

Reptiles have dry scaly skin, lungs (no gills), and amniotic eggs (eggs in a shell).

All have backbones and are ectothermic (cold blooded)

Alligator Crocodile

Crocodiles have a longer, more V-shaped head then alligators. The fourth tooth of a crocodile sticks out when its mouth is closed. Crocodiles are better adapted to living in seawater. Crocodiles are more aggressive than alligators. Crocodiles tend to have a lighter appearance than alligators. Crocodiles in the wild are found all over the world while alligators are only found in the US and China.

Alligators have shorter, wider heads that are more U-shaped than crocodiles. Alligators strongly favor freshwater while some species of crocodile live in seawater. Alligators are less aggressive than crocodiles. Alligators tend to have a darker appearance than crocodiles. Alligators in the wild are only found in the US and China while crocodiles are found all over the world

Toad vs Frog (Actually, all toads are frogs of the Order: Anura)

Ranidae (true frogs) Bufonidae (true toads)

• Two bulging eyes • Strong, long, webbed hind feet that are

adapted for leaping and swimming • Smooth or slimy skin (generally, frogs

tend to like moister environments) • Frogs tend to lay eggs in clusters.

• stubby bodies with short hind legs (for walking instead of hopping)

• warty and dry skin (usually preferring dryer climates)

• paratoid (or poison) glands behind the eyes

• The chest cartilage of toads is different also.

• Toads tend to lay eggs in long chains. (There are some toads (genera Nectophrynoides), however, that are the only types of anurans to bear live young!)

Salamander vs Lizard Easily confused but so easy to tell apart. One is

an amphibian and the other is a reptile

Ear opening Scales Claws No ear opening Smooth moist skin Rounded toes

Five toes in front, eggs with shells, fast, no larvae

Four toes in front, eggs jelly like, slow, larvae

Snakes vs Lizards 1. Lizards have legs and snakes do not have legs. 2. While lizards move on four limbs, a snake moves by undulating its body and also with the help of its ventral scales. 3. Lizards can hear sounds through their external ear openings. On the other hand, snakes only hear through the skull bone. The snakes, which have no external ears, hear only through vibrations from the ground. 4. While lizards can close their eyes, snakes cannot close their eyes. 5. Lizards have two moveable eyelids, but a transparent scale is what covers the eye of a snake. 6. A lizard sheds its tail when agitated or in times of danger, but snakes shed their skin. 7. While a lizard comes with two lungs, a snake has only one lung that works. 8. Unlike lizards, snakes have more flexible jaws.

This is a legless lizard. Why is it not a snake?

This is a snake. Why is it not a lizard? What does it have in common?

• Requirement 4 • Explain how reptiles and

amphibians are an important component of the natural environment.

• List four species that are officially protected by the federal government or by the state you live in, and tell why each is protected.

• List three species of reptiles and three species of amphibians found in your local area that are not protected.

• Discuss the food habits of all 10 species.

This requirement is a “research” portion that can be done on the internet with your parent’s permission.

Blanding's turtle (scientific name Emys blandingii or Emydoidea blandingii) was the proposed state reptile of Minnesota

Eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) Proposed as Threatened Houston, Wabasha, Winona Floodplain wetlands and nearby upland areas along the Mississippi River and Tributaries in Houston, Wabasha, and Winona Counties

All things living (biotic factors) and non-living (abiotic factors) are interconnected. Niche = The role or profession an organism plays in it’s environment.

Biotic Factors: This includes anything that is or was living. Examples: other animals, plants, bacteria, decomposed material etc.

Abiotic Factors: This includes only those things that have never been alive. Examples: Sun, energy, mass, soil, air, temperature, climate, weather etc.

How does the animal affect it’s environment and other organisms?

How is the animal affected by its environment and other organisms?

Reptiles

Amphibians

Plant insect reptile or amphibian hawk fox

Dies

Crow

Worms, Beetles

Bacteria

Dies

SUN

Producer Herbivore Carnivore Carnivore Carnivore

Scavenger

Soil

Broadwinged hawk eating a skink

Food chains and Food Webs show the direction that mass is transferred through a system (GREEN) and the direction energy flows through the same system (YELLOW) So…how are reptiles and amphibians an important component of the natural environment?

Decomposer Detritivore

DEFINITIONS: Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern Endangered: A species is considered endangered if the species is threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range within Minnesota. Threatened: A species is considered threatened if the species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range within Minnesota. Special Concern: A species is considered a species of special concern if, although the species is not endangered or threatened, it is extremely uncommon in Minnesota, or has unique or highly specific habitat requirements and deserves careful monitoring of its status. Species on the periphery of their range that are not listed as threatened may be included in this category along with those species that were once threatened or endangered but now have increasing or protected, stable populations.

The Green Sea Turtle and the Mountain

Yellow-legged Frog are both on the Federal list of Endangered Species.

This is the list of Minnesota’s Reptiles and Amphibians as listed by the DNR Only one of these the massasauga is Federally listed.

Endangered Acris blanchardi ...................................................................................................................................... northern cricket frog Sistrurus catenatus ....................................................................................................................... massasauga (Fed. Status: C) Threatened Crotalus horridus .................................................................................................................................... timber rattlesnake Emydoidea blandingii .............................................................................................................................. Blanding's turtle Glyptemys insculpta ................................................................................................................................. wood turtle Pantherophis obsoletus ............................................................................................................................ western ratsnake Special Concern Ambystoma maculatum ............................................................................................................................ spotted salamander Anaxyrus cognatus ................................................................................................................................... Great Plains toad Apalone mutica ....................................................................................................................................... smooth softshell Coluber constrictor ................................................................................................................................ North American racer Hemidactylium scutatum ........................................................................................................... four-toed salamander Heterodon nasicus .............................................................................................................................. plains hog-nosed snake Necturus maculosus ................................................................................................................................. mudpuppy Pituophis catenifer .................................................................................................................................. gopher snake Plestiodon fasciatus ......................................................................................................................... common five-lined skink Tropidoclonion lineatum .......................................................................................................................... lined snake

Northern Cricket Frog Massasauga

Research Time. Go to http://dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/index.html to find information on all of Minnesota’s reptiles and amphibians, their status, habitat, foods etc.

American toad Anaxyrus americanus If you see a toad, it's most likely an American toad, the most common toad in Minnesota. This toad is often seen in or around wetlands during the spring mating season. At other time of the year it can be found far from water even in backyards and gardens in the city. Identification Size: 2 - 3 1/2 inches (5.1-9 cm) Sounds: A long, drawn-out, high-pitched, musical trill lasting up to 30 seconds. The male's vocal sac is round when inflated. Identification: Skin coloration is typically brown or reddish. One or two warts are present in each of the large dark blotches on their back. The white chest usually has dark speckles. The parotid gland is typically separated from the cranial ridge. Reproduction Females lay up to 20,000 eggs which normally hatch within one week. Large schools of tiny, black tadpoles feed together along the edge of shallow wetlands, emerging as a mass of tiny toads within approximately six weeks. Maturity occurs in two to three years. Food American toads eat insects, worms and snails. Predators Few animals eat toads because of their skin tastes bitter. However, hognose snakes eat American toads and raccoons eat the undersides of toads, avoiding the distasteful skin on the toad's head and back. Habitat and range Breeding habitat: Temporary wetlands, swamps, shallow bays of lakes, and backwaters of rivers, streams and ditches. Summer habitat: While this species is most often associated with forest and woodland habitat, it also occupies grasslands, residential yards, and gardens. Winter habitat: Subterranean, burrows below frost line.

This is an example of the information you will find there

Below is an example of what you can find

Requirement 5 Describe how reptiles and amphibians reproduce.

The purpose of reproduction is to produce viable offspring to continue the species. Reptiles and Amphibians reproduce sexually. Lets look at it closer.

Male: Produces sperm (gametes) with ½ of the total number of chromosomes needed. Female: Produces eggs (gametes) with ½ of the total number of chromosomes needed.

Male must attract a female and get her to “mate” This is called Courtship Female must respond to a male in order to “mate”

Sperm must have a way to get to the egg This is called “Copulation” Female needs to receive the sperm

Sperm and egg unite to form a new cell called a Zygote. The zygote now has the full set of chromosomes. This is called “fertilization”. If this happens inside of the female it is called. “internal fertilization “ If outside of the female in the environment it is called “external fertilization”.

Fertilized eggs are laid and hatch outside of the body. Babies are on their own. Some reptiles incubate the eggs inside their body and give live birth.

All Reptiles have internal fertilization, egg develops inside of female until ready to be laid, she covers the egg with a hard leathery shell and lays them on the “dry” ground. Most Amphibians have external fertilization, usually in a moist environment, fertilized egg develops outside of the female and is jelly like, usually thin when laid and later absorbs water and thickens up after fertilization ,laid in an aquatic environment.

Not all amphibians mate the same way. Male frogs call the female. She comes and he climbs on top of her, sticks his thumb in her armpit and squeezes. This tells her he is ready and she squirts the eggs into the water. He then squirts sperm into the water and the sperms unite with the eggs. They swell up when fertilized. Most Salamanders go through a courtship ritual. Then the male walks off and the female walks right behind him. He ejects a sac of sperm on the ground. She walks over it, and pulls it up inside of her releasing the sperm inside fertilizing the eggs. Once fertilized, she lays the eggs in an aquatic system (pond, lake.)

Requirement 6 1. From observation, describe

how snakes move forward. 2. Describe the functions of the

muscles, ribs, and belly plates.

Serpentine - This S-shape movement, also known as undulatory locomotion, is used by most snakes on land and in water. Starting at the neck, a snake contracts its muscles, thrusting its body from side to side, creating a series of curves. In water, this motion easily propels a snake forward because each contraction pushes against the water. On land, a snake usually finds resistance points in the surface -- such as rocks, branches or dents -- and uses its scales to push on the points all at once, thrusting the snake forward. Speckled rattlesnake using rocks as resistance points Sidewinding - In environments with few resistance points, snakes may use a variation of serpentine motion to get around. Contracting their muscles and flinging their bodies, sidewinders create an S-shape that only has two points of contact with the ground; when they push off, they move laterally. Much of a sidewinding snake's body is off the ground while it moves. Caterpillar - A much slower method of movement is caterpillar or rectilinear locomotion. This technique also contracts the body into curves, but these waves are much smaller and curve up and down rather than side to side. When a snake uses caterpillar movement, the tops of each curve are lifted above the ground as the ventral scales on the bottoms push against the ground, creating a rippling effect similar to how a caterpillar looks when it walks. Concertina - The previous methods work well for horizontal surfaces, but snakes climb using the concertina technique. The snake extends its head and the front of its body along the vertical surface and then finds a place to grip with its ventral scales. To get a good hold, it bunches up the middle of its body into tight curves that grip the surface while it pulls its back end up; it then springs forward again to find a new place to grip with its scales.

Requirement 7 1. Describe in detail six venomous

snakes and the one venomous lizard found in the United States.

2. Describe their habits and geographic range.

3. Tell what you should do in case of a bite by a venomous species.

The United States has about 21 species of venomous snakes which include 16 species of rattlesnakes, 3 species of coral snakes, one species of cottonmouth (or water moccasin), and one species of copperhead. At least one type of venomous snake is found in every state except Alaska and Hawaii.

There is only one species of venomous lizard that is native to the United States, which is the species Heloderma suspectum, commonly referred to as the Gila Monster. There are two subspecies that exist: Banded Gila Monster - Heloderma suspectum cinctum Reticulated Gila Monster - Heloderma suspectum suspectum

Family: Elapidae (All have short, nonretractable, grooved fangs in the front of their mouths.) Species: Micruroides euryxanthus (Western Coral Snake) Species: Micrurus fulvius - Eastern Coral Snake Species: Micrurus tener - Texas Coral Snake Family: Viperidae (Vipers. All have long, retractable, hollow fangs in the front of their mouths.) Species: Agkistrodon contortrix (Copperhead)

Species: Agkistrodon piscivorus (Cottonmouth) Species: Crotalus adamanteus - Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Species: Crotalus atrox - Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Species: Crotalus cerastes (Sidewinder) Species: Crotalus exsul - Red Diamond Rattlesnake Species: Crotalus horridus - Timber Rattlesnake Species: Crotalus lepidus (Rock Rattlesnake) Species: Crotalus mitchellii (Speckled Rattlesnake) Species: Crotalus molossus (Black-tailed Rattlesnake) Species: Crotalus oreganus (Western Rattlesnake) Species: Crotalus pricei (Spotted Rattlesnake) Species: Crotalus scutulatus - Mojave Rattlesnake Species: Crotalus tigris - Tiger Rattlesnake Species: Crotalus viridis (Prairie Rattlesnake) Species: Crotalus willardi (Ridgenose Rattlesnake) Species: Sistrurus catenatus (Massasauga) Species: Sistrurus miliarius (Pygmy Rattlesnake)

Poisonous Snakes of the United States

Coral snake

Cottonmouth

Research on the web: Habits and range of all seven species you picked.

Snake Bite Snake Bite Symptoms Bloody wound discharge Fang marks or swelling at wound Extreme localized pain Diarrhea Burning sensation Excessive sweating Fever Rapid heart rate Weakness of body Loss of muscle coordination Blurred vision Dizziness Nausea and vomiting Numbness or tingling Convulsions Fainting

Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if someone has been bitten by a snake. Attempt to identify the snake or remember its appearance in order to let the hospital or poison control know what type of anti-venom is needed.

Snake Bite First Aid Instructions After contacting medical help and while waiting for medical attention or prior to hiking the victim out, follow these instructions: • Keep the snake bite victim calm, keeping them still and quiet. Restrict movement and keep

the affected area at or below heart level to reduce the flow of venom. • Remove any constricting items and tight clothing as the affected area may swell. • Allow the bite to bleed freely for 15 – 30 seconds before cleansing. Clean the wound, but

don’t flush with water. Cover it with a clean, dry dressing. • Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the affected area. • Monitor the person’s vital signs – temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

Also be aware of paleness. • Watch for any signs of shock (sweating, clammy skin, or shallow breathing) since the fear

of having been bitten is often more dangerous than the bite itself. • Attempt to identify the snake and its appearance or, only if it can be done safely, bring in

the dead snake. Do not waste time hunting for the snake, and do not risk another bite if it is not easy to kill the snake. Even after it has been killed, be very careful transporting the snake as it can still bite for several hours after dying. Amazingly enough, snakes have been reported to bite humans even after being decapitated.

Requirement 8 Do ONE of the following: a) Maintain one or more reptiles or amphibians for at least a month. Record food

accepted, eating methods, changes in coloration, shedding of skins, and general habits; or keep the eggs of a reptile from the time of laying until hatching; or keep the eggs of an amphibian from the time of laying until their transformation into tadpoles (frogs) or larvae (salamanders).

b) Choose a reptile or amphibian that you can observe at a local zoo, aquarium, nature center, or other such exhibit (such as your classroom or school). Study the specimen weekly for a period of three months. At each visit, sketch the specimen in its captive habitat and note any changes in its coloration, shedding of skins, and general habits and behavior. Find out, either from information you locate on your own or by talking to the caretaker, what this species eats and what are its native habitat and home range, preferred climate, average life expectancy, and natural predators. Also identify any human caused threats to its population and any laws that protect the species and its habitat. After the observation period, share what you have learned with your counselor.

Requirement 8 is a project. This must be done with live animals that you raise or observe. We will not be doing this in class. Document everything with pictures/signatures.

April 16, 2016. A day at the pond with Eagle Scout Jared Schultz

April is a good time to look for frogs and eggs. Almost any pond will do.

You will need waders and a good sturdy net. Scoop around the weeds. You might find tadpoles, snails, scuds and dragonfly larvae.

Also look for frog eggs or tadpoles to do requirement 8 with. Pictured are Wood frog eggs, green frog tadpoles and a leopard frog. Take home only what you need for your merit badge.

Setting up of an aquarium to raise tadpoles and watch frog eggs hatch.

What is expected: Documentation is really important. Take notes on the growth, habits and care of your animals. Pictures are the best way so maybe keep a photo journal. You will need to show something to your counselor.

Fill aquarium with water from the pond. Release the baby tadpoles or eggs that you collected earlier in the day. You may have to set up an aerator. Add plants from the pond and research what you need to provide for the tadpoles to eat.

Frog eggs and eggs under a 10X microscope.

Requirement 9 Do TWO of the following: a. Identify at night three kinds of

toads or frogs by their voices. Imitate the song of each for your counselor. Stalk each with a flashlight and discover how each sings and from where.

b. Identify by sight eight species of reptiles or amphibians

c. Using visual aids, give a brief talk to a small group on three different reptiles and amphibians.

Go on line and search for frog sounds of Minnesota. Listen to them and learn them. Then try and observe them making the sound. This requirement can best be done in the spring and very early summer. Go to: http://www.naturenorth.com/spring/sound/shfrsnd.html Learn the reptiles and amphibians in your neighborhood or local. Then go out and find some of them. This will take time. Bring a net and catch them if possible. Bring a camera and photograph them. If you can’t do this, bring in pictures of your animals from books or on line and show your counselor you can I.D. them. Use what you know and make a really good power point or bring in some animals etc. to your troop and give a short talk on the reptiles and amphibians in your area. Inspire them to do the merit badge.

Requirement 10 1. Tell five superstitions or

false beliefs about reptiles and amphibians and give a correct explanation for each.

2. Give seven examples of unusual behavior or other true facts about reptiles and amphibians.

The Caspian whip snake (Dolichophis caspius) is very well known in Romanian folklore due to its legendary aggressiveness. “It chases you and if you bother it, it bites your chin or your eye; it bites grazing cows from their mouth or their udders and hangs there sucking their milk as calves do. The cow’s udder deteriorates and the milk becomes sour or the udder becomes very small and it gives no more milk. “. Another myth says that “during spring time when the Caspian whip snake reproduces it gathers in large balls producing some kind of foam which once it becomes solid is called sacred stone and it is valuable because of its mystical powers”.

• Some lizards can detach their tails if caught by predators.

• The upper and lower eyelids of chameleons are joined, leaving just a small hole for them to see through. They can move their eyes independently however, allowing them to look in two different directions at the same time

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