Welcome to the Herp Atlas
The Herpetological Atlas Project was a seven-year effort, running from 1992 through 1998, to document the distribution of amphibians and reptiles in Massachusetts. Initiated by the Massachusetts Audubon Society and coordinated by personnel from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Mass Audubon, the Herp Atlas project involved volunteers across the state in field work to find, identify and document the occurrence of amphibians and reptiles. Data collected as part of this project represent a “snapshot in time” that can serve as a reference for evaluating future changes in amphibian and reptile distribution due to population declines, species recovery or response to climate change.
The results of this effort are not perfect; we know that there are gaps and that the distribution maps are incomplete. In addition to presenting the distribution records from the original atlas project (1992-1998), this site provides an opportunity to supplement the record via an interactive process for submitting new records and for viewing updated distribution maps.
Volunteer efforts such as this are vitally important for understanding the status of amphibians and reptiles as well as trends in their populations. Many thanks to all the volunteers who took part in the original Herp Atlas Project. Thank you in advance to those of you who will use this website to further this effort by submitting new records.
Recommended Citation for the Massachusetts Herp Atlas
Jackson, S.D., A.M. Richmond, T.F. Tyning and C.W. Leahy (eds). 2010. Massachusetts Herpetological Atlas 1992-1998, Massachusetts Audubon Society & University of Massachusetts (massherpatlas.org).