SEA S.T.A.R. Intern End of Summer Project Presentations - The Marine Science Consortium

Project Overview

The intern’s goal was to document as many reptiles and amphibians as possible on the refuge and create a short field guide describing where to find them and how to identify them.

Methods

• Initially, three simple pitfall traps—buckets set into the ground—were installed, but they caught no animals.
• After consulting Dr. Corbin, the intern switched to herp arrays: three pitfall buckets connected by aluminum-flashing barriers. The barriers were intended to guide animals approaching from different directions into the buckets.
• Two arrays were placed in damp, grassy habitat, and a third was placed where forest met brackish marsh.
• The arrays were checked only twice, but several animals were found.

Habitats and Observations

The refuge included forest, salt marsh, grassland, and a small brackish-marsh transition zone. The forest ranged from sparse to very dense understory. A narrow grassland strip alongside Chincoteague Road supported varied wildlife, including a small bobwhite quail population.

Reptiles and Amphibians

• Eastern box turtle: Terrestrial and found in habitats ranging from dry grassland to damp forest. The turtles observed were found while traps were being dug, rather than caught in them.
• Fowler’s toad: Occurs across much of eastern North America and favors soft ground suitable for burrowing and winter hibernation. Most were found in the damp-grassland arrays; fewer were reported in the muddy brackish-marsh area.
• Spotted turtle: Distinguished from the box turtle by small spots on its shell. It is semi-aquatic and can use still or stagnant water. One was found by students digging a pitfall trap, some distance from brackish marsh.

Other Wildlife

Other trap or refuge observations included a large female fiddler crab, a short-tailed shrew, wild turkeys, and bald eagles. The crab was notable because it was found well away from the water.

Researchers and Sources

• Dr. Corbin: Marine ecology teacher who advised on the trapping method
• Katie Ray and Tess: Thanked as mentors
• No external publications or other sources were named.