Adult Western Rattlesnake.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Marcus Atkins
March 01, 2022 - 7:00 AM
A colourful and comprehensive website about reptiles and amphibians in the province is now available.
The site is created for those who want to learn more about the diverse reptiles and amphibians in the province, the struggles they face and how they can be protected. It is packed with photos, videos and facts. It’s a useful tool for hobbyists, naturalists and even land developers.
The site is the result of eight months of hard work by Thompson River University students from the Master of Science and Computer Science programs. The project was led by professor of biology, Karl Larsen, and adjunct faculty member of natural resource sciences Dr. Leigh Anne Isaac.
Western Red-backed Salamander (Amphibian)
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Joe Crowley
“The site took a huge amount of work and the students were both relieved and proud of it upon completion,” Larsen said. “The content, writing, organization and coding were all done by the students.”
The project was based on Larsen’s website he put together almost two decades ago. The site needed an overhaul and he wanted the amphibians added.
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When he realized students could be paid for their work through the Conservation Economic Stimulus Initiative created by the province as part of the economic recovery plan, he put the project into action.
“It gave a group of students some income and we got a really nice product,” he said. “A lot of it was started from scratch and the programming was new, we shifted it to a different platform.”
The site can be used as a tool for amateur naturalists and schools. It is also a reference for people doing biological work or land planning. The team worked closely with the conservation data centre in Victoria to make sure the maps were proofed.
“A developer or land management person can look at this to get information about what species they need to be concerned about,” Larsen said. “The site is also great for people wanting to get a photograph without having to pay for the image. And, the species in the photographs are correctly identified. As we go along we hope to receive more contributions from people.”
Northern Alligator Lizard.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Jacob McGinnis
Another part of the site Larsen wants to see grow is an Indigenous knowledge section.
“We were able to get some oral history from different elders and experts,” he said. “Stories that are knowledgeable and interesting. I hope it won’t take too long to add more stories and build that up some more.”
Larsen said a section on rattlesnakes was expanded because it is an important reptile in Kamloops and the Okanagan and one that causes anxiety for many.
“It is important to me for people to take the time to understand how to identify a rattlesnake,” he said. “It isn’t hard to tell them apart from other snakes. I encourage people to do a bit of homework because it might ease a lot of that anxiety.”
Larsen said the site doesn’t replace a field guide you can hold in your hand, but it is a great place to bring back a photo of something you saw on your hike and check out what it is.
He said the team is proud of the final product.
To check out the B.C. reptiles and amphibians website go here.
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