Herper turned caver in WV

[Speleomander]

For those of you who don't know, herping is the act of looking for reptiles and amphibians (herps). I've been interested in herpetology since my early childhood and it ended up leading me into caving in recent years. I went on my first caving trip in the fall of 2007 with a friend who's studying bats and I've been hooked ever since. I'm actually just now wrapping up my thesis work on cave-associated salamander populations, specifically focused on long-tailed salamanders. I've been to several caves in WV and eastern KY so far and the addiction just keeps growing, so lately I've started purchasing some serious cave gear. Up until now I've been making due with an old school backpack and a bike helmet, so it's nice to finally start using some equipment that can withstand cave punishment.

Even though my thesis work is over, I plan to keep caving and taking data for years to come since I've stumbled upon a few interesting topics in the last year that I hope to devote more attention to. I'm especially interested in the development of salamander larvae in rimstone pools in light of some of my recent findings. Anyway, if any of you guys find salamanders (or any other herps for that matter) while caving and need them ID'ed, just let me know and I'll be happy to take a look. Until then, here are pictures of my three favorite troglophilic species.

Hmmm, apparently my pictures are a little over the size limit here so I'll just include links.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i174/Rhacodactyl/P5070333.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i174/Rhacodactyl/P1010023-2.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i174/Rhacodactyl/PB070087.jpg

[adleedy]

welcome to the forum,

What part of wv are you from?, some of us might be local.

[Speleomander]

I'm in Putnam County, so KY is a little more convenient for me when I need to go caving. I'm still within a reasonable drive to some karst regions of eastern WV though.

[adleedy]

i work in nitro. A couple members of the charleston grotto live in putnam county, you should try and make it to a meeting some time.

[Speleomander]

I tried to make it to a meeting in February and couldn't, but then I forgot to see when the next one was. I worked with a few guys in the grotto last year, so I would like to catch up if I can make it to one soon.

[adleedy]

Theres a meeting tonight at 7 p.m at the quaker steak and lube in charleston (corridor G) you can also check the website we update it often www.caves.org/grotto/charleston

[Speleomander]

Sorry-I didn't get the message in time, but I wouldn't have been able to make it tonight anyway. Hopefully next time...

[SpeleoRover]

From one wildlife biologist to another...


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