Announcing a New Book: The Bog Turtle
The bog turtle belongs to the large family Emydidae, which includes semi-aquatic pond and marsh turtles known for their colorful and diverse hard shells in the United States. Unfortunately, bog turtle populations have gradually declined across their entire range due to habitat loss, fragmentation of connecting habitats, wetland pollution, and illegal collection.
This book offers in-depth natural history information on bog turtles, covering their taxonomic background, survival tactics, predators, reproductive biology, foraging habits, diet, habitat preferences, hibernation strategies, and conservation efforts. Author Robert T. Zappalorti guides readers through a step-by-step journey to explore the fascinating world of this unique turtle. Welcome to the secret world of the bog turtle.
The Bog Turtle is available on backorder, in paperback for $29.95, or for the limited-edition leather-bound copy for $129.95. Go here to order.
Herpetological Associates (HA) Capabilities & Specialties
HA has two offices in New Jersey and a field office in Pennsylvania. We provide a full range of consulting services to businesses, industries, utility companies, government agencies, nonprofit conservation groups, and citizen organizations. As a professional corporation, we assist clients with habitat evaluations, plant and wildlife inventories, and environmental impact statements.
Our staff has expertise in federally and state-listed endangered and threatened (E&T) wildlife species. Herpetology and ornithology remain our primary areas of specialization. In New Jersey, most of our work involves assisting clients in preparing CAFRA (Coastal Area Facility Review Act) applications for the Bureau of Coastal Project Review, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the New Jersey Pinelands Commission.
We have also worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on the Pennsylvania Turnpike I-276 and I-95 Interchange Project, as well as with the City of Philadelphia at the Philadelphia International Airport.
In New York, we have conducted E&T species surveys in Dutchess, Orange, Richmond, and Rockland Counties. Major projects included E&T species surveys for the expansion of Stewart International Airport and presence/absence surveys for Central Hudson Gas & Electric Company.
Mitigation planning is a key aspect of our firm’s capabilities. We pioneered the creation of artificial snake hibernacula (dens) and amphibian breeding ponds to support mitigation and habitat enhancement efforts for E&T species. Environmentally sensitive golf course design is another area of expertise, and we have developed successful mitigation plans for golf courses in both New York and New Jersey, ensuring compliance with E&T species protection requirements. Additionally, we specialize in designing and implementing wildlife management plans for both developers and nonprofit conservation groups.
HA Staff Bog Turtle Experience
Herpetological Associates has been conducting bog turtle surveys and research since 1977. All HA staff are trained and experienced biologists in general and are specialists in the state listed bog turtle and wood turtle. All staff have been expertly trained by Robert Zappalorti, who has extensive experience and has worked with numerous bog turtle biologists throughout the eastern United States for over 55 years.
While at the Staten Island Zoo, Bob conducted surveys and research studies on bog turtles in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina beginning in the 1973, prior to founding Herpetological Associates in 1977. Then in 1978 and 1979, and follow-up studies in 1988 and 1989 Ray Farrell and Robert Zappalorti conducted early studies for the Endangered & Nongame Species Program, NJDEP in New Jersey. Subsequently under a research contract with Pennsylvania Chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1992, HA began intensive bog turtle surveys, nesting ecology, egg predator studies, and searches for new populations.
HA has assisted our clients by providing consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) on numerous development projects. HA has also pioneered various bog turtle and redbelly cooter trapping techniques. HA’s has years of experience with bog turtle radio-telemetry and mark/recapture studies for TNC between 1992 and 2005. HA has the knowledge to make accurate judgements on the presence or absence of bog turtles and the suitability of potential habitat. Our research with bog turtles and years of experience is held in high regard by the PFBC, NJDEP, and the USFWS. We are one of the few environmental consulting firms qualified to perform Phase III trapping surveys for bog turtles. Robert Zappalorti, and Quill Bickley, are recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as qualified bog turtle experts in multiple states, and they routinely perform Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III surveys.
Robert Zappalorti, and Quill Bickly, have all been recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as qualified bog turtle experts in multiple states, and they routinely perform Phase I, II, and III surveys.
A brief description of HA Staff bog turtle experience is as follows: Robert Zappalorti conducted surveys and studies on bog turtles in New Jersey and North Carolina beginning in the 1973, prior to founding Herpetological Associates, Inc., in 1977. In 1992 he began intensive bog turtle surveys and nesting behavior/predator studies for the Pennsylvania Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Ray Farrell and Robert Zappalorti conducted the 1978–1979 and 1988–1989 bog turtle survey for the New Jersey Endangered & Nongame Species Program.
HA has assisted our clients by providing consultation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) on numerous development projects. HA has also pioneered various turtle-trapping techniques and has provided important data and training sessions to the USFWS, NJDEP, PFBC, and various bog turtle biologists.
HA’s experience with bog turtle ecology and behavior, including radiotelemetry and mark/recapture studies for TNC between 1992 and 2005, has given HA the knowledge to make quick and accurate judgements on the presence or absence of bog turtles and the suitability of bog turtle habitat. HA’s research (including Phase I, II, and III survey techniques) with bog turtles has been held in high regard by the PFBC, NJDEP, and the USFWS, and we are one of the few consultant firms qualified to perform trapping of bog turtles (Phase III surveys).
Monitoring Venomous Snakes on Construction Sites
The Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program (NJDEP) includes several Herpetological Associates (HA) staff members as Primary Venomous Snake Monitors. Robert Zappalorti is a recognized Venomous Snake Instructor and Primary Venomous Snake Monitor. Additionally, the following staff members are also recognized by the NJDEP as Primary Venomous Snake Monitors: Raymond Farrell, David Schneider, and Bill Callaghan.
HA staff members are cross-trained to safely capture and handle venomous snakes. They also have experience in conducting habitat evaluations, winter den monitoring, and specific sampling techniques to locate rattlesnakes and copperheads near their dens, basking at nearby rookeries, or foraging sites. HA’s team members are recognized as professionals qualified to conduct habitat evaluations, presence or absence studies, and environmental impact studies for the state-listed timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead.
Both of these species are known to occur in certain portions of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Because these snakes often use natural gas or electric rights-of-way for basking or foraging, state and federal fish and wildlife agencies require utility companies to have Primary Venomous Snake Monitors present during all new construction and/or upgrade repair work.
