Services
Herpetological Associates (HA) offers a variety of environmental consulting services throughout the country, primarily servicing clients in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut. HA specializes in surveying for the State Listed Threatened and Endangered species, as well as the Federally Threatened Bog Turtle. With over 50 years of experience with our region’s reptiles and amphibian species, HA has worked for several state agencies and with most threatened and endangered species, including the Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog, New Jersey Chorus Frog, Corn Snake, Pine Snake, and Timber Rattlesnake.
Our services include environmental monitoring for residential and commercial construction, utility projects, mitigation and management plans, and research-oriented surveys. Our staff is qualified to perform Phase I habitat evaluations, Phase II presence or absence surveys, and Phase III trapping surveys for a variety of species.
Yellow Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Bog Turtle Surveys
HA has over 50 years’ experience surveying for Bog Turtles, with publications on research conducted in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. HA currently employs one full-time staff bog turtle expert, Quillyn Bickley, who has been qualified by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and several State Agencies. We are fully qualified to assist private landowners, developers, utilities, and non-profit organizations with all aspects of bog turtle surveys, including habitat evaluations, presence/absence surveys, and trapping surveys in MD, NJ, NY, and PA.
- Habitat Evaluation – Phase I Survey
HA can perform these surveys at any time of the year, provided there is no significant snow cover in the wetland. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and associated State Agencies also recommend that the ground not be frozen. It is best to contact us for habitat assessments before April 15, in the event that a Phase II survey is necessary.
- Presence/Absence Survey – Phase II Survey
If potential habitat is present on a property, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and associated State Agencies will require that a Phase II survey be conducted before any clearing or development begins. This type of survey is intended to determine whether bog turtles inhabit the wetland in question. These surveys can only be conducted between April 15 and June 15 due to the seasonal activity of the bog turtle.
- Trapping Survey – Phase III Survey
HA has conducted numerous live-trapping studies for bog turtles, and we are recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and associated State Agencies as qualified trappers. Trapping is performed as an additional method for determining the presence or absence of this secretive species. HA recommends trapping for certain types of wetlands, or when Phase II surveys are initiated late in the survey window. When conducted in conjunction with a Phase II survey, trapping increases the likelihood of capturing a bog turtle. Conversely, when no turtles are caught, the use of this method increases the confidence level that no turtles are present and helps ensure that projects are approved in a timely fashion.
Threatened and Endangered Species
| Common Name | Scientific Name | State Status |
| Bog Turtle* | Glyptemys muhlenbergii | E – NJ/ PA |
| Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog | Lithobates kauffeldi | E – PA |
| Blue Spotted Salamander | Ambystoma laterale | E – NJ/ PA** |
| Corn Snake | Pantherophis guttatus | E – NJ |
| New Jersey Chorus Frog | Pseudacris kalmi | E – PA, SC – NJ |
| Northern Cricket Frog | Acris crepitans | E – PA, SC – NJ |
| Rough Green Snake | Opheodrys aestivus | E- PA, SC – NJ |
| Tiger Salamander | Ambystoma tigrinum | E – NJ |
| Timber Rattlesnake | Crotalus horridus | E – NJ, C – PA |
| Cope’s Gray Treefrog | Dryophytes chrysoscelis | T – NJ, SC – PA |
| Eastern Copperhead | Agkistrodon contortix | T- NJ, SC – PA |
| Eastern Mud Salamander | Pseudotriton montanus montanus | T- NJ, PA** |
| Longtail Salamander | Eurycea longicauda | T – NJ |
| Northern Pine Snake | Pituophis melanolecus melanoleucus | T – NJ |
| Northern Red Bellied Cooter | Pseudemys rubriventris | T – PA |
| Northern Scarlet Snake | Cemophora coccinea copei | T – NJ |
| Pine Barrens Treefrog | Dryophytes andersonii | T – NJ |
| Wood Turtle | Glyptemys inssculpta | T – NJ, SC – PA |
* = Federally Threatened
** = Listed but not qualified for surveys in the State of Pennsylvania.
Threatened & Endangered Species Surveys
HA has almost 50 years’ experience surveying, tracking, and trapping for a variety of reptiles, amphibians, birds, and rare plants. HA is a qualified consultant for the NJ Pinelands Threatened & Endangered (T&E) species surveys as well as the NJ-DEP T&E Species Environmental Monitoring. This includes monitoring for venomous snakes at all three impact levels; primary, secondary, and tertiary. HA’s team of venomous snake monitors are qualified to conduct habitat and winter den evaluations, environmental impact studies, residential and commercial environmental monitoring, and work area relocations for state listed Timber Rattlesnakes and Eastern Copperheads. We currently employ monitors at Any project occurring within known range of a state-listed species will require either a Phase I, II, or III survey, or environmental monitoring, depending on the species or potential impact of the project. Requirements and guidelines vary depending on state and local jurisdiction, however, most survey windows, outside of Phase I, can only occur from spring to fall. Exact dates will vary depending on the species. HA’s team specializes in the following services for T&E species:
- Habitat Evaluations/ Environmental Inspection
- Wildlife Inventories
- Drift Fence Trapping Surveys
- Critical Habitat Evaluation of Wetlands
- Environmental Project Monitoring for T&E Species including Venomous Snakes
- Mitigation Plan Design & Implementation
- Radio-Tracking Studies of Snakes and Turtles
- Environmental Impact Statements
- Plant and Wildlife Technical Reports
- Location Coordination and Technical Support for Film Producers
- Wildlife Photography for Book Publishers