A Herpetology Survey of Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary: A Nature Sanctuary West of Downtown Houston

Abstract

Urban herpetology “deals with the interaction of amphibians and reptiles and humans with each other and their environment in urban or urbanizing settings” (Mitchell et al. 2008). Miller (2006) urges that human experience with nature is necessary for the public to gain a greater appreciation for conserving biodiversity. As such, well-preserved urban natural areas can be important tools for conservation education. Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary is an 18-acre wooded sanctuary located west of downtown Houston, Texas and is the headquarters to Houston Audubon. By comparing historical and citizen science data with results from visual encounter surveys and aquatic funnel traps, we hope to create a complete checklist of the herpetofauna diversity at Edith L. Moore. A comparison of our results show that Edith L. Moore contains 24 species of reptile and amphibians, however common species to the surrounding area are entirely absent from the park’s history.