What exactly is herping?

Lickeypie · 02-25-13, 07:41 PM

I'm (obviously) new to the forum, and I was wondering what herping is! I live in the woods in PA, and I always find box turtles and I've seen a few snakes.

Does herping consist of keeping the animal or just taking photos and release?

Also, is it legal to keep? I know with turtles and tortoises you can't.

Thanks!

alessia55 · 02-25-13, 07:45 PM

Field herping is when you go out looking for herps in the wild. What you do with them--photograph, catch, hold, release, keep--is up to you, so long as it is legal. Most people would prefer that wild reptiles be kept in the wild though.

Gungirl · 02-25-13, 07:46 PM

Herping is the act of searching for amphibians or reptiles..

I try to live by take only pictures leave only footprints. I don't collect any wild animals for any reason. Even if I see a hurt animal I leave it, if it is bad I will end its suffering otherwise I let it go on. Natural way of things, if weak it will provide a good meal for something else or it will heal and be fine.

Lickeypie · 02-25-13, 07:46 PM

Thanks for the clarification!

StudentoReptile · 02-25-13, 08:04 PM

and likewise, a "herper" is someone who herps, keeps herps, studies herps, etc. Most of the people on this forum!

**Aaron_S** · 02-25-13, 08:24 PM

The term comes from the word herpetology.

The study of reptile and amphibians. It's a branch of zoology.

The hobby industry has kind of made it into a slang word since we don't really study them all that much. On mass we keep them and don't go any further than ensuring proper husbandry and the like. There are parts where the private sector is but even then, it's usually done by scientists on some level. Monitor keeping is probably a prime example.

bcr226 · 02-27-13, 01:49 PM

On the injured animal part... Yeah, I've got a 7 year old who wants to be herp vet. we see an injured snake, it's coming home with us. Sigh.

On a positive note, we do have a wild caught common garter snake that was injured. We're taking care of her and helping her. Amazingly, she's doing quite well and has really come around considering her being a wild caught snake.

I will say that I did lay down the law on no hots...

Chu'Wuti · 02-27-13, 08:50 PM

It's a good idea to check the hunting laws in your state before you go field herping--in my state, if I even TOUCH a wild animal, it's considered hunting and I could be fined if I didn't have a hunting license. If I merely look and/or take pictures, I'll be fine, but if I pick up a snake to pose for the camera, that hunting license is essential.

I love field herping!

Herpophiliac972 · 03-21-13, 05:18 AM

Definitely check your local laws. It's good to see someone else from Pennsylvania! I love field herping. Also check the list of endangered species. There are some species illegal to take. Good luck!

Lickeypie · 03-25-13, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herpophiliac972

Definitely check your local laws. It's good to see someone else from Pennsylvania! I love field herping. Also check the list of endangered species. There are some species illegal to take. Good luck!

PA is definitely a beautiful state full of wildlife. I guess I've been herping and I didn't even realize. A snake, years ago, I'm not sure what species, was stuck in netting from grass seed, and we freed it. There's also a box turtle that hangs around our property.

infernalis · 03-21-13, 08:47 AM

I take my herping passion to the extremes, and modify my property to ensure bountiful flourishing reptiles and amphibians.

Chu'Wuti · 03-21-13, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

I take my herping passion to the extremes, and modify my property to ensure bountiful flourishing reptiles and amphibians.

Good for you!!

We haven't modified our property--we've just let large parts of it go wild to let ALL wildlife flourish and ensured that water is available. Our property is a certified wildlife habitat per National Wildlife Federation standards.